Global Partnership to Span Film, Television and Music Projects

Tuff Gong Collective signs first artist, Brooklyn-based Young Devyn

SANTA MONICA, April 20, 2021 – Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, announced the launch of Tuff Gong Collective (TGC), a new joint venture with Cedella Marley. TGC is a global partnership that encompasses new film and television projects, as well as recorded music from artists signed through the venture.

TGC will be overseen by Cedella Marley, CEO of Bob Marley Group of Companies. Additionally, Cedella’s son, Soul Rebel, joins TGC as Creative Director.

In making the announcement, Cedella Marley said, “I’m thrilled to embark on this next chapter of my father’s legacy, continuing to bring art and music to the world. Tuff Gong Collective will allow us to find new creative platforms to introduce new generations to my father’s music but will also give us the ability to cultivate the next generation of music artists and creators.”

TGC is partnering with Island Records’ 4th and Broadway on their first artist signing, Young Devyn, a Brooklyn-bred Trinidadian phenom who’s been making waves in the U.S. with her latest single, “Straight To It.” The Source Magazine calls Devyn “the next queen of Hip-Hop.”

LaTrice Burnette, President of 4th and Broadway and Executive Vice President of Island Records, said, “We’re thrilled to work with Cedella to continue to evolve and build on the long-standing relationship between the Marley family and Island Records.”

Additionally, TGC will represent Devyn and her repertoire in the Caribbean.

TGC will also participate in new film and television projects with UMG through Polygram Entertainment. Current projects include a feature animation project with Walt Disney Co. that is being written by Kenya Barris. The project is intended to be a love letter to the late Marley’s legendary music and to the people of Jamaica. Cedella Marley and David Blackman, UMG’s Head of Film and Television Development and Production, will produce the film along with E. Brian Dobbins from Principato-Young Entertainment.

“I’m excited to work with Cedella the TGC team to bring to life the rich stories and the abundance of creativity rooted in the Marley universe,” said David Blackman, UMG’s Head of Film and Television Development and Production. “Cedella exemplifies the Marley tradition shining a light on diverse stories rooted in resilience and determination that resonate with audiences globally.”

Cedella Marley, the first born of Bob and Rita Marley, is an award-winning recording artist, producer, author and fashion designer. She serves as the CEO of the Bob Marley Group of Companies, Director of the Bob Marley Foundation and she oversees Marley Holdings. In 2014, Cedella was appointed Global Ambassador to the Reggae Girlz, Jamaica’s Women’s Football Program to support the team’s advancement to the Women’s World Cup in Canada.

ABOUT UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP
Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. Featuring the most comprehensive catalog of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. Universal Music Group is a Vivendi company.

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