DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION AND LABEL SERVICES COMPANY HUMAN RE SOURCES LAUNCHES IN THE UK
Today, digital distribution and label services company, Human Re Sources announces its expansion into the United Kingdom with the appointments of Amal Omari as A&R and Matt Ott as Vice President of Creator Services. Alongside Human Re Sources Founder & CEO J. Erving as well as A&R and Creator Services executives Austin Thomas, Ray Kurzeka and Clarissa Reformina, these strategic leadership additions are a continuation of the efforts to serve the music industry globally.
In addition to its UK launch, the company announces their newest signed artist, twenty-four-year-old East London rapper, Lancey Foux. Prior to joining Human Re Sources, Ott worked within the Spotify UK Artist and Label Marketing team for over four years. His focus at Spotify was always the artist and their surrounding teams—partnering with them to creatively tell their story whilst broadening, deepening and engaging their audience on platform.
During his time at Spotify, Ott created and executed over 100 artist campaigns across a diverse spectrum, and in many cases from the emerging stages of artists’ careers, including Sam Smith, Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey, HAIM, Jessie Ware, LANY, Mabel, Mura Masa, Biffy Clyro, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Oh Wonder, Anne-Marie, Sam Fender, The 1975, beabadoobee, James Blake, Lewis Capaldi, slowthai, Jax Jones, The Weeknd, and U2.
Ott also led on some of Spotify’s largest artist campaigns to date, including Ed Sheeran’s ‘÷’ album partnership in 2017, Florence and The Machine’s ‘High as Hope’ in 2018, Lewis Capaldi’s 2019 number one debut album, ‘Distinctly Uninspired to A Hellish Extent,’ and Sam Fender’s early career, his Spotify Singles, and the release of his debut number one album ‘Hypersonic Missiles’.
Ott brings over 10 years of experience in the music industry including, his early days at BBC Radio 6 Music to his time at RCA focusing on promo and marketing for artists like Usher, Shakira, J Cole, and Ludacris, to connecting brands and artists at a London-based creative agency.
“The future of music can only be the artist. The best possible future for artists is a supportive, creative and patient team around them who value their art above all else,” said Ott. “Suzy, Troy, J and the team are already making a big difference over in the US; bringing a fresh approach and decades of experience to revitalize the concept of and value placed on artist development.
To be bringing that artist-first vision to life, meaningfully and with cultural relevance, in the UK is an honour and something I’m humbled to be a part of. ”Prior to joining the team at Human Re Sources, Omari spent the past five years serving the creative community in the UK and Africa. After three years as part of the founding team of Radar Radio, Omari set her sights on the major labels.
She joined the Warner Music Group ecosystem as a consultant for Asylum Records with Ed Howard. Quickly progressing into head of A&R at Platoon, the now Apple owned distribution services company founded by Denzyl Feigelson, Omari identified, developed, and amplified independent artists, not only in the UK but globally. “I’m really excited to be part of a company whose ethos aligns with my own when it comes to the wellbeing of independent artists and their development” commented Omari.
“I’m here for putting artists first forever and always. ”Human Re Sources founder, J. Erving shares, “We’re proud to have expanded into London, to serve the music industry here and support local artists.
Having signed Lancey Foux to join us at Human Re Sources is the beginning of much more and we’re excited to have him on board. ”In 2015, Lancey Foux was freestyling over YouTube beats in his bedroom. After finding his way to a studio, in the same year, he released his 14-track EP, ‘PINK,’ an introduction to what would come.
Two weeks later, Lancey dropped his breakthrough hit ‘About It’. By 2018—after a few shows, electrifying performances (including the memorable SBTV cookout)—Lancey would raise his profile and find his distinctive sound, releasing PINK II with singles ‘Starstruck’, ‘Speed Demon’ and ‘Dyed 2WICE’ featuring Grime legend Skepta. Lancey would join Skepta on his very successful SK LEVEL European tour.
Catching more eyes and attention in 2019, Lancey became the first artist from the UK to perform at Rolling Loud, the US’ biggest rap festival. Lancey has collaborated with Nike as their poster model for an Air Jordan campaign, walked the runway for brands, A-Cold-Wall, and Misbhv, and most recently for Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief runway show.
