SYDNEY, Australia — Fat Papi and prodshushy, the Aotearoa / New Zealand creative team behind the viral hit “Freaked Out,” have signed with Warner Chappell Music for worldwide representation.
The agreements encompass Fat Papi’s and prodshushy’s entire catalogue and future works, including “Freaked Out,” a Billboard Hot 100 and Spotify Global Top 100 hit.
A Kurdish rapper, singer and songwriter raised in NZ, Fat Papi is known for blending melodic hip-hop, synth-driven club production, and infectious hooks. With his collaborator prodshushy, who is making moves in dance-rap and synth-club spaces, the duo have captured more than 100 million streams with “Freaked Out,” while pushing viral trends across socials.
Ignited in part by content themed around summer haircuts, “Freaked Out” gave Fat Papi his first career entry on the Billboard Hot 100 when it debuted at No. 89, lifting to No. 88 on the latest chart.
“I’m excited to join Warner Chappell Music, home to so many legends and icons. I’m also really proud to represent both my Kurdish and New Zealand people with my music on the international stage,” he comments in a statement.
Prodshushy adds: “It’s a privilege and an honor to be represented by Warner Chappell Music for publishing. I’m looking forward to working with the team and building connections with their fantastic roster of writers.”
Cracking the Hot 100 was an “insane” career moment, Fat Papi tells Billboard. “Being from New Zealand and Kurdish, “this doesn’t happen a lot.” There’s new music coming soon, he insists.
On welcoming the artists to Warner Chappell’s global roster of songwriters and producers, says Dan Rosen, president of Warner Chappell Music Australasia, “we look forward to building on this momentum to support their long-term global careers.”
Adds John Halstead, senior A&R manager at Warner Chappell Music Australia: “Fat Papi and prodshushy bring a level of originality that’s impossible to ignore. ‘Freaked Out’ is a huge moment, but it’s their vision for what comes next that really excites me. Proud to welcome them to Warner Chappell and back them for the long haul.”
