WCM France Extends Its Partnership with Orelsan and Skread

The hugely successful artists, songwriters and producers Orelsan and Skread, and their companies Strong Ninja and 7th Magnitude, have both signed new worldwide deals with Warner Chappell Music France, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group.  The pair are long-term collaborators who also separately work with other massively popular artists from France and around the world.   

Orelsan is one of France’s biggest stars.  His fourth solo studio album Civilisation was the best-selling album in France in both 2021 and 2022, enjoying the biggest week one sales for any French rap album and becoming the fastest to achieve Platinum certification.  

He has sold more than 2.5 million albums in total, and received 12 Victoires de la Musique awards, the second highest amount any artist has won.  A popular live performer, he has sold out hundreds of concerts across Europe and Canada, playing to more than a million spectators.  In addition to his solo work, Orelsan has also collaborated with other hugely successful artists including Cordae, Damso, Major Lazer, Nekfeu, Ninho, Stromae and The Neptunes. 

A complete and transversal artist, Orelsan is also an actor, director and screenwriter.  In parallel with his music and film careers, he also co-created and developed the clothing brand “Avnier”.  In 2022, he was named a Chevalier Des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture, in recognition of his endeavours in the artistic world. 

Skread has produced almost the entirety of Orelsan’s discography, having first met him back in 2000, but he has also collaborated with other major French artists, such as Gazo, Ninho and Tiakola, as well as international stars such as Burna Boy and J. Balvin.  His work on Burna Boy’s latest albums have earned him two Grammy nominations. 

Skread first signed with Warner Chappell Music 18 years ago, and shortly afterwards brought Orelsan to the publisher when he was still a promising young artist. 

Skread says: “Orelsan and I have been friends and collaborators for more than 20 years.  I’ve worked with the Warner Chappell team for almost as long, and I’ve always valued their support.  That’s why I’m delighted they will continue to support us as we work on some new exciting projects.”

Matthieu Tessier, Managing Director, Warner Chappell France, says: “It’s with immense pride that I can announce we’ve signed new deals with these exceptionally talented artists.  Orelsan and Skread are creative powerhouses whose songs have helped shape modern French culture and will still resonate decades from now.  They are among the most significant lyricists of their generation, never flinching from addressing the serious issues of the day, but also using their trademark humour to engage a mass audience.”