Sony Music Entertainment (SME) is acquiring J. Erving’s digital distribution and label services company Human Re Sources from Q&A, the music and technology firm founded by Troy Carter last year, Billboard has learned.
SME takes 100% ownership of Human Re Sources, which will become part of The Orchard, SME’s global independent music distribution and artist and label services company. Erving will continue to run Human Re Sources from Los Angeles as founder and CEO, signing and developing artists directly as part of The Orchard.
Erving will additionally become executive vp, creative development for SME, reporting to Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer; as well as executive vp at The Orchard, reporting to CEO Brad Navin.
“J has consistently managed to combine a natural A&R background with futuristic entrepreneurial flair,” Stringer said. “We have wanted to work with him for a long time so we are excited to have his label and expertise at The Orchard and a wider role within the core Sony Music company as a double step forward together.”
Erving launched Human Re Sources in 2017 with the aim to focus on a small roster of up-and-coming talent, emphasizing quality over quantity. Early on, the company helped launch artists like “Rubbin Off the Paint” rapper YBN Nahmir and YBN Cordae, and has since worked with acts like Baby Rose and Pink Sweat$. Human Re Sources will bring artists 2Tone, Grip and Ant Clemons to The Orchard.
Carter officially launched his music and technology company Q&A in April 2019 as a merger with Human Re Sources. Based in Los Angeles, Q&A provides distribution, management, label services and data analytics for artists. Carter and Erving formerly worked together at Carter’s Atom Factory artist management company, where Erving had served as co-president.
“Since founding the company in 2017, I’ve made it my mission to seek quality over quantity, thereby establishing Human Re Sources as a formidable independent powerhouse of talent development,” Erving added. “I am proud of what we’ve built and look forward to continuing to sign artists we truly care about in conjunction with our new partners at The Orchard. Our goal from the onset was to move culture. This partnership is a win for the culture. I am looking forward to this next chapter.”
With the sale of Human Re Sources, Q&A splits off as a separate company, and Carter remains at the helm as CEO.
“Today marks another bittersweet and historic moment in my 21-year friendship and partnership with J Erving,” Carter said. “Brad Navin and Rob Stringer’s passion for the Human Re Sources roster made it the right home for the future of the brand. The HRS team will forever be a part of the Q&A family.”
Further details of the acquisition were not disclosed.
