Country star Thomas Rhett and Hybe Americas' Nashville-based label Blue Highway Records have announced a new partnership, Fifty-One/Forty-Nine Records. Described as  artist-led,  the partnership offers  an innovative approach to the artist-label relationship,  according to the announcement. following more than a decade of shared success. (Pictured above, L-R: Blue Highway CEO Jake Basden, Rhett and G Major Mgmt's Virginia Bunetta.)

 When we started talking about what the next chapter could look like, I knew I didn't simply want to make another deal. I wanted to build something that reflected the legacy and shaped the future of my music,  Rhett said.  From my initial conversations with Jake and the leadership team at Blue Highway, it was clear they, too, were thinking differently about what a record company can be for an artist today. This allows me the opportunity to own the body of work I've spent my entire career creating, while still having an ambitious team and global infrastructure around me for my future recordings. 

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Blue Highway CEO Jake Basden said,  Thomas Rhett has always been an artist, a songwriter, a performer who brings the best of what being a progressive country artist is today: someone who is willing to explore how other genres merge with Nashville without losing his roots, without sounding calculated or forced. Having watched Thomas Rhett come into his own and then achieve major success, I am honored to be his partner going forward. 

+ Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning Puerto Rican rapper-producer Wisin has signed with WME for representation in all areas.

The move comes a month after the September launch of  La Universidad del Perreo,  his new 12-track album and six months after his guest appearance with Karol G at Coachella. Over the years he has also collaborated with Daddy Yankee, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, J Balvin, Ricky Martin, Maluma, Rosalía, and more. Wisin is managed by Chris Duque of D27 Entertainment.

+ Willard Ahdritz, founder of Kobalt Music Group, has launched Ahdritz Capital Partners, a music and media technology investment firm, and 

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