ArtistDirect News
Warner Chappell Music Adds Kurdish-Kiwi Rapper Fat Papi and Producer prodshushy to Global Roster
On 8 November 2026 Warner Chappell Music announced it has secured worldwide publishing agreements with Kurdish‑New Zealand rapper Fat Papi and producer prodshushy. The deal covers the artists’ entire existing catalogues and all future works, including their 2026 single “FREAKED OUT,” which has already climbed the Billboard Hot 100, Spotify Global Top 100 and the Indian Music Industry’s International Top 20.
Dan Rosen, President of Warner Chappell Music Australasia, welcomed the duo: “We’re excited to officially add Fat Papi and prodshushy to our global roster of songwriters and producers.” He added that “FREAKED OUT is already hitting Global Charts and winning fans around the world, and we look forward to building on this momentum to support their long‑term global careers.” John Halstead, Senior A&R Manager at Warner Chappell Music Australia, praised their originality, noting the team is “proud to welcome them to Warner Chappell and back them for the long haul.”
Fat Papi, who prefers to keep his real name private, described the partnership as a privilege: “I’m excited to join Warner Chappell Music, home to so many legends and icons,” he said. He added that he is “proud to represent both my Kurdish and New Zealand people with my music on the international stage.” Prodshushy echoed the sentiment, stating that he is “looking forward to working with the team and building connections with their fantastic roster of writers.”
The collaboration began with “FREAKED OUT,” released on 4 June 2026. The track blends Fat Papi’s melodic hip‑hop flow with prodshushy’s synth‑driven club production, a combination that quickly resonated worldwide. Within weeks, the single surpassed 100 million streams across major platforms and sparked a viral TikTok trend. It entered the Billboard Hot 100, climbed the Spotify Global Top 100, and, as of 3 August 2026, sits at number one on the IMI International Top 20 Singles chart.
Fat Papi grew up in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and is known for fusing hip‑hop, R&B, and trap with electronic club sounds. His Kurdish heritage and Kiwi upbringing frequently surface in his lyrics and public statements. Prodshushy, also based in New Zealand, has earned recognition in the modern dance‑rap and synth‑club scenes for his high‑energy beats and forward‑thinking arrangements.
Warner Chappell Music, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, manages a catalog of over 1.4 million compositions and represents more than 150,000 composers worldwide. The company has a history of signing emerging talent from diverse backgrounds, including recent deals with artists such as Anurag Saikia and Luke Stevens. Adding Fat Papi and prodshushy expands the firm’s Pacific presence and reinforces its commitment to artists who blend cultural influences with contemporary pop‑centric sounds.
Industry analysts note that the partnership could unlock broader licensing opportunities—film, television, advertising—and give the duo access to Warner Chappell’s global network of publishers and music supervisors. The deal also positions them to benefit from the publisher’s extensive data analytics and royalty‑collection infrastructure.
While the press release did not disclose financial terms, the agreement aligns with a broader trend of major publishers securing rights to high‑streaming, cross‑platform hits that perform well on social media and streaming charts. The success of “FREAKED OUT” demonstrates the commercial viability of genre‑blending tracks that appeal to both club audiences and mainstream listeners.
As of the announcement, Fat Papi and prodshushy remain active on social media, promoting upcoming projects and engaging fans across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Warner Chappell representatives have indicated that the publishing partnership will support the artists’ future releases and help them navigate the evolving landscape of music distribution and monetization.
The signing marks a significant milestone for both artists, who have quickly become notable figures in the global music scene. Their collaboration on “FREAKED OUT” has already earned chart positions and streaming milestones that underscore their growing influence. Warner Chappell’s investment in their catalog signals confidence in their continued artistic output and commercial potential.
The partnership is expected to strengthen the artists’ international reach and provide Warner Chappell with a fresh, culturally diverse voice in its publishing roster. It underscores the company’s ongoing strategy to identify and support talent that can generate high‑impact, cross‑platform content in an increasingly globalized music market.
Dan Rosen, President of Warner Chappell Music Australasia, welcomed the duo: “We’re excited to officially add Fat Papi and prodshushy to our global roster of songwriters and producers.” He added that “FREAKED OUT is already hitting Global Charts and winning fans around the world, and we look forward to building on this momentum to support their long‑term global careers.” John Halstead, Senior A&R Manager at Warner Chappell Music Australia, praised their originality, noting the team is “proud to welcome them to Warner Chappell and back them for the long haul.”
Fat Papi, who prefers to keep his real name private, described the partnership as a privilege: “I’m excited to join Warner Chappell Music, home to so many legends and icons,” he said. He added that he is “proud to represent both my Kurdish and New Zealand people with my music on the international stage.” Prodshushy echoed the sentiment, stating that he is “looking forward to working with the team and building connections with their fantastic roster of writers.”
The collaboration began with “FREAKED OUT,” released on 4 June 2026. The track blends Fat Papi’s melodic hip‑hop flow with prodshushy’s synth‑driven club production, a combination that quickly resonated worldwide. Within weeks, the single surpassed 100 million streams across major platforms and sparked a viral TikTok trend. It entered the Billboard Hot 100, climbed the Spotify Global Top 100, and, as of 3 August 2026, sits at number one on the IMI International Top 20 Singles chart.
Fat Papi grew up in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and is known for fusing hip‑hop, R&B, and trap with electronic club sounds. His Kurdish heritage and Kiwi upbringing frequently surface in his lyrics and public statements. Prodshushy, also based in New Zealand, has earned recognition in the modern dance‑rap and synth‑club scenes for his high‑energy beats and forward‑thinking arrangements.
Warner Chappell Music, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, manages a catalog of over 1.4 million compositions and represents more than 150,000 composers worldwide. The company has a history of signing emerging talent from diverse backgrounds, including recent deals with artists such as Anurag Saikia and Luke Stevens. Adding Fat Papi and prodshushy expands the firm’s Pacific presence and reinforces its commitment to artists who blend cultural influences with contemporary pop‑centric sounds.
Industry analysts note that the partnership could unlock broader licensing opportunities—film, television, advertising—and give the duo access to Warner Chappell’s global network of publishers and music supervisors. The deal also positions them to benefit from the publisher’s extensive data analytics and royalty‑collection infrastructure.
While the press release did not disclose financial terms, the agreement aligns with a broader trend of major publishers securing rights to high‑streaming, cross‑platform hits that perform well on social media and streaming charts. The success of “FREAKED OUT” demonstrates the commercial viability of genre‑blending tracks that appeal to both club audiences and mainstream listeners.
As of the announcement, Fat Papi and prodshushy remain active on social media, promoting upcoming projects and engaging fans across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Warner Chappell representatives have indicated that the publishing partnership will support the artists’ future releases and help them navigate the evolving landscape of music distribution and monetization.
The signing marks a significant milestone for both artists, who have quickly become notable figures in the global music scene. Their collaboration on “FREAKED OUT” has already earned chart positions and streaming milestones that underscore their growing influence. Warner Chappell’s investment in their catalog signals confidence in their continued artistic output and commercial potential.
The partnership is expected to strengthen the artists’ international reach and provide Warner Chappell with a fresh, culturally diverse voice in its publishing roster. It underscores the company’s ongoing strategy to identify and support talent that can generate high‑impact, cross‑platform content in an increasingly globalized music market.