Mumbai: Universal Music India, a division of Universal Music Group, has announced an exclusive partnership with Albuquerque Records, the independent label recently launched by singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander.
Under the agreement, Universal Music India will serve as the exclusive partner for non-film releases from Albuquerque Records, with both entities set to collaborate on future pop and hip-hop music by Anirudh as well as artists signed to the label. The first release under this partnership is slated for early April and will feature Anirudh.
The global collaboration aims to expand the reach of Anirudh’s artistry while building a platform for emerging pop and hip-hop talent from the South Indian region. Over time, Albuquerque Records is expected to evolve into a hub for new-age independent artists.
With a career spanning over 15 years, Anirudh Ravichander has established a formidable presence in the Indian music industry. Since his debut with the viral hit Why This Kolaveri Di, he has amassed over 13 billion audio streams across more than 770 tracks, making him the most-streamed South Indian artist on Spotify. He has also delivered multiple chart-topping tracks in the Tamil Original Soundtrack space.
Universal Music India has consistently strengthened its presence in South India, working across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam markets. The partnership with Anirudh is expected to further amplify regional music on a global stage while deepening the company’s footprint in pop and hip-hop—genres gaining strong traction in the region.
Commenting on the partnership, Devraj Sanyal, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music India; SVP Strategy, AMEA, said, “Anirudh represents the future of Indian music — bold, original, and with enormous potential. At Universal Music India, identifying transformative talent is our superpower, and this partnership reflects that belief. We’re proud to stand behind Anirudh as he embarks on his next chapter, and helps take more Indian music to the world.”
Anirudh Ravichander commented, “Albuquerque Records was built to be an artist-backed, homegrown label focused on nurturing independent talent and taking their sound to the global stage. Universal Music India’s leadership in pop and hip-hop made them the natural partner. I’m excited to champion the next wave of Indian independent voices and take them to audiences around the world.”
Sanujeet Bhujabal, Managing Director, Universal Music India, said, “Anirudh has long been a defining force in shaping the creative landscape beyond music. Alongside his stellar track record of innumerable hit songs for films, he commands a phenomenal fanbase that engages deeply with his creative output. Albuquerque Records represents Anirudh’s bold artistic vision in the world of pop and hiphop. True to his legacy of innovation, this partnership is set to establish yet another landmark creative space—this time for the emerging world of iPop and beyond”.
