Warner Music Group is making a major investment in the future of Megan Thee Stallion‘s career as an independent artist. The music and entertainment company has agreed to provide the Houston rapper with distribution and marketing resources under an agreement that allows her to maintain rights to both her master recordings and publishing.
“This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter of my life and career,” Megan Thee Stallion shared in a statement. “I’m really focused on building an empire and growing as an entrepreneur, so I’m proud to take this next step in my journey and work with Max Lousada and the entire Warner Music Group team in this new capacity. I know we’re going to create history together.”
Through this agreement, Megan Thee Stallion’s entertainment and music entity, Hot Girl Productions, will release her forthcoming music projects, while Warner Music Group and its international affiliates will assist with services, including radio promotion and global marketing.
The 28-year-old has already shared two releases via Hot Girl Productions: the skin-shedding comeback single “Cobra” and its scathing follow-up “Hiss.” With the newly-inked deal, Megan Thee Stallion will continue to have creative control of her output. It also provides her with the option to expand her access to Warner Music Group to any artists she brings under the umbrella of her own imprint in the future.
“Meg is not just a superstar. She’s an artistic force and a mogul in the making – authentic and unapologetic in defining her own unique place in the cultural landscape,” WMG Recorded Music CEO Max Lousada shared in a statement. “So many relate to her remarkable story and have witnessed her come into her power on her own terms. At Warner, we’re creating an environment where original talents can explore both their creativity and entrepreneurialism, while building long-term careers.”
Megan Thee Stallion began working as an independent artist in 2023 when she split from 1501 Certified Entertainment, her former label, which parted following a years-long legal dispute. She maintained a distribution deal with 300 Entertainment, which was acquired by Warner Music Group in 2021. “Following on her success with 300, we’re excited to continue our journey with Meg through this dynamic new partnership, with our global teams, infrastructure, and expertise supporting her every step of the way,” Lousada added.
Megan Thee Stallion has been in a management deal with Roc Nation since 2019. Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez commented on the Warner Music Group agreement in a statement, sharing: “Megan continues to be an absolute trailblazer. This new chapter with Warner Music Group will shift the landscape in the music industry and empower other independent artists to follow in her footsteps and claim their power. It’s also a testament to Max’s ability to reimagine the relationships that major music companies can engage in with independent artists.”
Last year, Megan Thee Stallion stated that her forthcoming album, which she plans to take on the road this summer, would be self-funded because she wasn’t interested in signing with another label at the time. “I have no label right now. We’re doing everything funded straight out of Megan Thee Stallion’s pockets,” she said during an Instagram Live in October. “The budget is coming from me. Motherfucking Hot Girl Productions! The next shit y’all about to see is all straight from Megan Thee Stallion’s brain, Megan Thee Stallion’s wallet … We in my pockets, hotties, so let’s do our big one.”
