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Rhiannon Giddens Signs With WME (EXCLUSIVE)
Roots and Americana musician Rhiannon Giddens has signed with talent agency WME for worldwide music representation, the singer and agency confirmed on Tuesday. The move comes as the Grammy- and Pulitzer-winning artist prepares to release her seventh studio album, ahead of a major label release and following a string of high-profile collaborations and live projects that have raised her profile well beyond the folk and Americana scene.
Giddens' new album, "Hope Is the Thing With Feathers," is due out on 18 September on Nonesuch Records, and she has described it as a "punctuation point" marking 20 years as a roots and Americana artist. Her accolades include the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Music for her opera "Omar," a National Humanities Medal, a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship and two Grammy awards, while recent work has included contributing to the "Sinners" film soundtrack, performing at the Oscars, playing banjo on Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em," and staging events such as her Biscuits & Banjos Festival and a Hollywood Bowl concert featuring guests including Steve Martin and Mavis Staples.
In short
- Rhiannon Giddens signs worldwide music representation deal with WME.
- New album "Hope Is the Thing With Feathers" out 18 September.
- Follows Pulitzer, Grammys and high-profile collaborations with Beyoncé, "Sinners."
Explained simply
Rhiannon Giddens is a musician who has spent around 20 years working in roots and Americana music, traditional American folk and country-influenced styles. She has become one of the most accomplished artists in these genres.
Her achievements include a Grammy Award and the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Music for her opera "Omar", as well as a National Humanities Medal and a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship. In recent years, her work has expanded far beyond traditional folk audiences through contributions to film soundtracks, a performance at the Oscars, and collaborations with mainstream artists such as Beyoncé.
WME is one of the world's largest talent representation agencies. Artists of Giddens' accomplishment typically work with such agencies to expand beyond their original genre audiences and access broader commercial and touring opportunities.
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