The ink has dried on a deal between Grammy-winning mixing engineer Derek “MixedbyAli” Ali‘s NoName Recordings and Interscope Geffen A&M Records. Under the partnership, Ali and longtime business partner Dan Maynard will sign and develop talent alongside the John Janick-led record label, they revealed in an exclusive announcement to Billboard.
“Derek has contributed to some of the most important recordings of the last decade and has developed a keen eye for talent,” says Nicole Wyskoarko, executive vice president/co-head of A&R at Interscope. “He and Dan are innovators in the tech space and we are big believers in the label they are building.”
In late 2020, Ali, who is behind albums from Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle and SZA, among others, launched his music collaboration platform, EngineEars, meant to transform and ease the way engineers, songwriters and producers run their businesses. Angel investors in the company included Kendrick Lamar, Roddy Ricch, Russ, Mustard, DJ Khaled, and Ibrahim Hamad of Dreamville. Not long after, Ali announced his California-based label Noname Recordings, and opened the door to the label’s home base, which formerly served as Death Row Records’ headquarters.
Left to Right: John Janick, Chairman Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Nicole Wyskoarko, EVP/Co-Head of A&R Interscope Geffen A&M; Dan Maynard, NoName Recordings; Derek “MixedByAli” Ali, NoName Recordings; Tim Glover, EVP A&R Interscope; Steve Berman, Vice-Chairman Interscope Geffen A&M Records.
“Interscope has proven to be an amazing home for entrepreneurs,” Ali says. “We are looking forward to working closely with John Janick, Steve Berman, Nicole Wyskoarko, Tim Glover and the entire team as we create opportunities for NoName artists.”
NoName Recordings’ first release under the new deal arrived today (June 8), coming from Long Beach native Shady Blu. The song, titled “Jealousy,” was produced by yaboyNois, Distinkt beats & DJ Swish.
Tim Glover, executive vp of A&R at Interscope, says “Together Derek and Dan form a powerful creative partnership, one which is already developing a roster of great artists.”
