UNIFIED Artist Management Signs ‘Freaked Out’ Creators Fat Papi and Prodshushy

MELBOURNE, Australia — Breakout Aotearoa New Zealand artist Fat Papi and Perth, Australia producer prodshushy, the team behind the viral hit “Freaked Out,” are now part of the UNIFIED Artist Management roster.

The trans-Tasman pair are the first signings since UNIFIED Artist Management established its New Zealand office, led by senior artist manager Matt Harvey, announced in May.

“Freaked Out” blew up when it was paired with content themed around summer haircuts, giving Fat Papi his first career entry on the Billboard Hot 100 when it debuted at No. 89, lifting to No. 88. The single has reached No. 55 on the Billboard Global 200 and this week No. 2 on YouTube’s US Top Songs on Shorts.

Produced by prodshushy, the track has accumulated over 7 billion views across TikTok and 9 billion views on YouTube Shorts, and propelling Fat Papi to nearly 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Fat Papi (real name: Baban Hussain) has been releasing music independently since 2023. The Auckland-based Kurdish rapper, singer and songwriter is behind a distinctive style that blends melodic hip-hop, synth-driven club production, and infectious hooks.

“Joining UNIFIED is an exciting next step for shushy and I. Being able to work with Matt and access the backing of the wider team gives me the right mix of independence and support,” comments Fat Papi. “I’m proud to represent both my Kurdish heritage and New Zealand on the world stage, and we’re just getting started.”

Adds Harvey: “Fat Papi is a generational talent whose music has resonated internationally in a remarkably short space of time. ‘Freaked Out’ proved that world-class music originating from New Zealand can break global boundaries without compromise.

“Bringing him and shushy into the UNIFIED Artist Management family as our first trans-Tasman management signing since joining forces, sets the standard for what we intend to build here: sustainable, long-term global careers for top-tier local talent.”

UNFIED, reads a statement, will provide dedicated global management support for the next phase of their career.

The management agreement is announced just days after Warner Chappell Music struck a worldwide publishing deal with Fat Papi and prodshushy.