Warner Chappell Music Adds Kurdish-New Zealand Duo Fat Papi and prodshushy to Global Publishing Roster

When a Kurdish‑born rapper from New Zealand and a synth‑driven producer broke 100 million streams with their debut single, the industry’s biggest publishers took notice.

On 8 November 2026, Warner Chappell Music announced worldwide publishing agreements with Fat Papi and producer prodshushy. The contracts cover the artists’ entire catalogs and all future works, including the breakout hit “FREAKED OUT.” The deal expands Warner Chappell’s global roster and gives the duo full publishing support across the company’s 40‑plus‑country network.

The announcement came from Warner Chappell’s Australasia division. Dan Rosen, President of Warner Chappell Music Australasia, said the partnership would help the artists build on the momentum of “FREAKED OUT,” which has already entered the Billboard Hot 100 and the Spotify Global Top 100. Senior A&R Manager John Halstead added that the duo’s originality and vision for future releases were key factors in the decision.

Fat Papi, a Kurdish‑born rapper and singer raised in Aotearoa, and prodshushy, a New Zealand producer known for synth‑driven club tracks, first collaborated on “FREAKED OUT.” The single was released on 4 June 2026 and has surpassed 100 million streams worldwide. It has topped several international charts, including the Indian Music Industry’s International Top 20 Singles list as of 3 August 2026 and has appeared on the Official New Zealand Music Charts.

Both artists welcomed the partnership. Fat Papi said he was proud to represent his Kurdish and New Zealand heritage on the global stage, while prodshushy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with Warner Chappell’s roster of writers.

Warner Chappell Music, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, manages a catalog of over 1.4 million compositions and represents more than 150,000 composers worldwide. The company’s focus is on music licensing and related services, following the sale of its sheet‑music publishing arm in 2005. The new deals reinforce Warner Chappell’s strategy of signing artists whose work blends genre boundaries and appeals to global audiences.

The partnership is significant for several reasons. First, it highlights the growing presence of artists with multicultural backgrounds in mainstream pop and hip‑hop. Second, it underscores the importance of publishing support for artists who achieve rapid streaming success; Warner Chappell’s infrastructure can help monetize streams, secure sync placements, and manage rights across territories. Finally, the deal illustrates the continued relevance of traditional publishing companies in an era where AI‑generated music and direct‑to‑consumer platforms are expanding.

Industry observers note that Warner Chappell’s roster now includes a mix of legacy acts and emerging talent, positioning the company to capitalize on both established catalog revenue and fresh, high‑growth artists. The addition of Fat Papi and prodshushy aligns with the company’s recent trend of signing artists who generate viral content and cross‑platform engagement.

At present, Warner Chappell has not disclosed the financial terms of the agreements. The artists will retain ownership of their compositions, with Warner Chappell handling publishing administration and royalty collection worldwide. Both parties have indicated that the partnership will support future releases and potential collaborations with other writers in the Warner Chappell network.

The signing is expected to strengthen Warner Chappell’s presence in the Pacific region and provide a platform for Fat Papi and prodshushy to expand their reach beyond streaming charts into film, television, and advertising placements.

In summary, Warner Chappell Music’s agreements with Fat Papi and prodshushy formalize the duo’s global publishing rights, offering the artists comprehensive support while expanding the company’s catalog of genre‑blending, high‑streaming talent.