Nasra Artan, who has spent the last year-plus delivering new creative opportunities for Sony Music Publishing's European and international roster and securing key signings including Fumes Beats, has been promoted from Senior European A&R Manager to Head of International A&R.

In the new role, she'll oversee SMP's international creative strategy out of the company's London office, reporting to President, International Guy Henderson.

"My passion for creative collaboration runs deep, and I look forward to working closely with our A&R teams to elevate the careers of our songwriters internationally," Artan said.

Added Henderson, "In addition to her skill set, energy and drive, Nasra approaches the creative world with an open mind, knowing that great songwriters and big songs can come from anywhere. She is well positioned to excel in this new role."

Artan joined SMP in 2022. Beforehand, she worked for three years in the A&R department at Warner Music Norway.

Universal Music Publishing Group is passing along monies paid to it in the wake of the sale of BMI directly to its affiliated songwriters, regardless of whether they have a current unrecouped balance.

The news was revealed in a social media post from UMPG, which reads as follows:

"As you may have heard, BMI went through an ownership change and announced it is sharing some of the sale proceeds with songwriters and publishers. These sales proceeds have since been paid out. BMI has accounted to the songwriters directly for the songwriters share, and to UMPG for the publisher’s share of eligible songs."

"UMPG has chosen to flow through payments to the applicable BMI songwriters/payees for such songs in the next royalty period, regardless of any current unrecouped balance, in accordance with the terms of the songwriters payees publishing contract with UMPG," the note continued.

New York-based New Mountain Capital completed its purchase of BMI in February, with shareholders allocating $100m from the proceeds to BMI-affiliated artists and songwriters.

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has signed a global publishing deal with 4x-Grammy nominee and jazz/R&B artist Patrice Rushen, who has performed with and produced for Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Prince and Heart’s Nancy Wilson, among others. She’s also the first female musical director for the Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards, People’s Choice Awards and NAACP Image Awards.

“We've been fans of Patrice and her music for a long time,” WCM Co-Chairs Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall said in a joint statement. he’s crafted a collection of songs that continue to hold cultural significance, built on undeniable passion and natural skill. Throughout her career, she's also served as a driving force for female songwriters and set the stage for the next generation of diverse talent to thrive, and we’re very grateful to have this opportunity to look after her timeless catalog.”

Rushen is a classically trained pianist, who found success in the ‘70s and’ 80s. Her 1982 single “Forget Me Nots'” received a Grammy nom for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while the chorus was sampled for the smash Will Smith’s single “Men in Black,” which was recorded for the movie Men in Black. She also has 14 solo albums to her name and a compilation album of her greatest hits, Anthology of Patrice Rushen.

Other endeavors include composing musical scores for film and TV, including Showtime’s The Killing Yard, The Wonderful World of Disney and The Steve Harvey Show, as well as working closely with organizations dedicated to establishing music education and mentorship programs for inner-city youth.

Pictured (l-r) are WCM's Chuck Gamble, Rushen, Marshall and Moot.