Photo Credit: Will Smith’s Instagram
Will Smith is among the artists on a new label from Influence Media as part of his expansive planned comeback.
It’s proving to be a big year for four-time Grammy Award winner Will Smith, who is said to be working on a new album as part of his planned comeback. He’s already released his first single, “You Can Make It,” featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir, which debuted in late June via Slang, a new label launched by music rights and entertainment company Influence Media.
Led by Influence Media partner and founding advisor Rene McLean, Slang’s new roster also includes Grammy winning producers Camper (Jay-Z, Drake, Mary J. Blige) and 30 Roc (Roddy Ricch, Travis Scott, Lil Yachty), along with singer-rapper Leaf, hip-hop duo The Underachievers, and singer-songwriter Isaia Huron.
In his role at Influence Media, McLean recently led major catalog acquisition deals with Future, Tyler Johnson, and Puerto Rican songwriter and producer Tainy. Previously, he worked closely with Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, and many more.
He also founded RPM GRP, for which he secured partnerships with the likes of Pepsi, Apple Music, and numerous others, as well as establishing the Mixshow Power Summit. Backed by Blackrock and Warner Music Group (WMG), Influence’s latest fund has secured over 30 music rights investments, including Enrique Iglesias, Blake Shelton, Jesse Reyez, songwriter-producer Julia Michaels, among others.
“I’m proud to lead Slang’s efforts to partner with quality artists and invest in their growth, regardless of genre or where they are in their respective careers,” says McLean. “In a quickly changing music industry, Slang artists will be surrounded by a team of like-minded strategists who will stop at nothing to further their trajectory and help them meet their goals. Our commitment to culture comes first, and we consider our Slang roster family.”
For Will Smith’s part, his latest track, “You Can Make It,” released on the new label back in June, and he also performed the song at the BET Awards with Kirk Franklin and Chandler Moore. Smith was also seen performing with J Balvin at Coachella in April, and released the latest film in the “Bad Boys” franchise on June 7, which featured his duet with Sean Paul, “Light ‘Em Up.”
