Fresh Ink: Cardi B Signs Exclusive Deal with Fifth & Freedom, CHVRCHES Mark Return with Futures Music Group

ROSTR & NIF track thousands of artist signings every year — Fresh Ink helps you keep track of some of the highlights over the past week. Let’s dive into some of the signings you should know about in this week’s edition.

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Cardi B has signed an exclusive management deal with Patientce Foster of Fifth & Freedom who has helped steer the Bronx rapper's creative and brand work for years. The move comes as Cardi confirmed a third album is targeting 2027, telling The Breakfast Club she plans to "ship herself away just to record" after November.

French-American producer and multi-instrumentalist Mascolo has assembled a full-service team with new management through Gon Carpel & Eli Bieber of Noted and Chad Donnelly of Roark, a label home at Ninja Tune, and worldwide booking with Adam Ogushwitz at UTA. The move follows his debut EP Just Us on LP Giobbi's Yes Yes Yes label in 2024 and a run of live dates at The Brooklyn Mirage, Mission Ballroom, and The Fox Theater.

Futures Music Group has signed CHVRCHES, with co-CEOs Derek Davies and Dave Wallace describing the deal as a full-circle moment, having worked with the Glasgow trio "since the V was still a U." Debut single 'Roses' arrives as BBC Radio 1's Hottest Record and the band's first new music in three years, with Lunatic Entertainment on management and intimate ballot-entry shows in Glasgow (Oct. 26) and London (Oct. 29) offering the first preview of the new era.

Colombia’s ARIA VEGA has signed with Warner Music Latina following a breakout run that delivered her first Billboard No. 1, ‘Chévere,’ a collab with Ryan Castro. The rising artist is managed by Rebeca León of Lionfish Entertainment (Anitta, Tokischa) and was recently nominated for Best New Artist at the Latin Grammys.

Nearly 17 years after joining Modest! Management, most recently as Managing Director, Sarah Gallagher has stepped out to launch NDA Talent, arriving with a roster that already includes Olly Murs and Five.

After a three-year stint with UPSURGE, London-based booking agent Lee Bowyer has now joined Earth Music Agency. The move sees acts like Softcult, Flooding, Bleary Eyed and others coming to the roster alongside him.

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Check out the rest of our hottest signings of the week below: