4batz has signed a deal with Drake's OVO Sound label for an EP, according to two executives with knowledge of the deal. The EC deal is a short-term license, the sources say.
A rep for Drake and OVO declined to comment.
Several labels have been courting 4batz since his track “act ii: date @ 8” — originally released via Vydia — took off during Christmas week. (Execs say it's one of two viral songs major labels have aggressively pursued in the first few months of the year, along with Good Neighbors' “Home.”) “act ii: date @ 8” debuted on Hot 100 at No. 77 in January and climbed to No. 59.
The piece “was [made] more for females,” said 4batz Advertising sign recently. “Today, R&B is toxic. There is a lot of fake toxicity. I don't know about this toxicity. My mom raised me in a way like “you love a girl, you do this. You open the door for her.' I'm big on that, so one was specifically for females.”
4batz released a remix of the single featuring Drake on Friday (March 8) that is sure to bring the song some extra attention. While 4batz's lawyer, Matt Basserdeclined to answer questions about the singer's deal, said in a statement that the singer “made a calculated decision to creatively collaborate with one of the most iconic artists ever.”
“The positive energy and overall support from Team Drake/OVO was a driving factor in releasing this song,” added Buser. “We are grateful for their involvement and are excited to see what the future holds as a result of this epic creative and business move.”
Drake founded OVO Sound with longtime producer Noah “40” Shebib and manager Oliver El-Khatib. The label worked with Warner Records for many years before announcing a partnership with Todd MoscowitzSanta Anna Label Group in January under the Sony Music umbrella. Under the deal, Santa Anna will distribute and market OVO releases.
4Batz has racked up 35 million streams to his catalog as an independent artist in just the past four weeks, according to Luminate, meaning he's in no rush to release his EP. “I'm really in love with it,” he said Advertising sign. “This EP is gonna break the f-kin' internet.”
