Aaron Bay-Schuck and Warner Records have announced a JV deal with Second Estate Records, a new label launched by A&R veteran Mel Carter, who will also serve as a consultant to Warner, working closely with President of A&R Steve “Steve-o” Carless and EVP/Head of A&R Karen Kwak.

Second Estate’s first signing is Philly rapper 2rare, who’s been making noise with the track “Q-Pid” f/Lil Durk.

Carter was most recently SVP A&R at Republic, where he also oversaw JV label Hikari Ultra.

CEO/Co-Chairman Bay-Schuck praised Carter’s “fierce entrepreneurial spirit” and said he’s “a great early spotter of cultural movements," adding, "Mel has a real thirst for discovery.”

Carless said that Second Estate will be an artist-development incubator for Warner and applauded Carter’s relationships in both the creative and business communities, as well as his skill in putting deals together, insisting, “He has great access to the pulse of what’s going on."

The new deal, Bay-Schuck noted, furthers Warner’s commitment to “hyper-local scenes,” like the Philly demimonde from which 2rare emerged.

Carter expressed his gratitude to Bay-Schuck, Co-Chairman/COO Tom Corson, Carless and Kwak and said, “Throughout my career I’ve been laser-focused on discovering and championing young talent. Now, with Second Estate, I can continue to do that on an even bigger scale. Being able to tap into Warner Records’ incredible network and global reach is a game changer that will allow Second Estate’s artists to reach new heights.”