Will Smith Continues His Career with SLANG
Influence Media, a prominent music rights and entertainment company, has recently launched a new frontline label called SLANG. This initiative is led by the company’s Partner and founding Advisor, Rene McLean, and it aims to revolutionize the music industry with a diverse and talented roster.
Will Smith Joins SLANG
SLANG’s lineup features the esteemed actor and musician Will Smith, a four-time Grammy and Academy Award-winning star. Influence Media highlights Smith as one of the few black entertainers to be nominated for all four major entertainment awards in the United States. This marks a significant step for Smith as he continues to build his career post the highly publicized incident with Chris Rock at the Oscars.
A Stellar Roster of Talent
Alongside Smith, SLANG has secured a remarkable talent pool including multi-platinum producer Camper, known for his collaborations with Jay-Z, Drake, Mary J. Blige, Nicki Minaj, and H.E.R. Grammy-winning producer 30 Roc, acclaimed for his work on Roddy Ricch’s diamond-certified hit “The Box” and Yo Gotti’s “Rake It Up” featuring Nicki Minaj, also joins the label.
Supporting Emerging Artists
SLANG is not just about establi<a href="shed names; it also focuses on emerging talent. The label has partnered with developing artists such as rapper/singer Leaf, the Flatbush rap-duo The Underachievers, Atlanta-based rapper Truththebull, artist/songwriter/producer Isaia Huron, and underground Atlanta rapper RY XP, among others.
About Influence Media Partners
Founded in 2019, Influence Media Partners is led by Lylette Pizarro, Lynn Hazan, Rene McLean, and Jon Jashni. The company made headlines in early 2022 by announcing a $750 million fund aimed at investing in high-value compositions from diverse artists, backed by BlackRock Alternative Investors and Warner Music Group. This initiative has allowed Influence Media to acquire music catalogs from Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated artists, including Enrique Iglesias, Blake Shelton, The Stereotypes, Jessie Reyez, Julia Michaels, Tyler Johnson, and Logic.
Rene McLean’s Role and Vision
Rene McLean has been instrumental in these acquisitions, including deals for Future, Tyler Johnson, and Tainy. His extensive experience spans working with icons like Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Pharrell Williams, and Timbaland. McLean’s previous ventures include founding RPM GRP, securing partnerships with brands like Pepsi, LVMH, and Apple Music, and establishing the Mixshow Power Summit conference.
Expressing his vision for SLANG, McLean stated, “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. 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.”