Tricky Stewart Signs Global Publishing Deal With BMG

Tricky Stewart just found a new home for his catalog. The Grammy-winning songwriter and producer has signed a global publishing administration agreement with BMG, locking in one of the most consequential pen-for-hire bodies of work in modern pop, R&B, and hip-hop.

If you need a refresher on what that catalog looks like: Rihanna's Diamond-certified "Umbrella," Beyoncé's 11x Platinum "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," Justin Bieber's 12x Platinum "Baby," and Tyla's global breakout "Water" are all Stewart productions. Six number ones on the Billboard Hot 100. His credits also run through Mary J. Blige, Ciara, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, and BTS, among others.

Stewart was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June, which makes the timing of this move feel intentional. This is not a quiet catalog deal. It is a public statement about where he wants to be positioned heading into his next creative chapter.

What the BMG Deal Means for Tricky Stewart's Creative Future

Stewart cited BMG's roster and its executive team as key reasons for the move. He specifically named Tab Nkhereanye and BMG executive VP Monti Olson as trusted collaborators, and pointed to the fact that The-Dream, whom Stewart discovered and developed, is already on the BMG roster. Having your longtime creative partner under the same roof matters more than people outside the industry tend to realize.

For his part, BMG's Olson called Stewart "one of the rare creators whose work is both timeless and constantly forward moving," which tracks. Stewart is not a legacy figure coasting. He produced Tyla's "Water" in 2023, a song that crossed continents and introduced the amapiano wave to mainstream pop radio. That kind of range does not happen by accident.

Stewart currently serves as chairman of the Recording Academy's Atlanta chapter and co-chair of its Songwriters and Composers Wing. He is also co-owner of RZ3 Recordings. Before this deal, he was with Spirit Music Group.

Why Independent Creators Should Pay Attention to This Signing

Deals like this one reshape the landscape for everyone working in publishing. When a producer of Stewart's caliber makes a deliberate choice about where his rights live, it signals something about which companies are winning the trust of top-tier creators right now. BMG has positioned itself as a more artist-friendly alternative to the traditional major publisher model, and signings like this one reinforce that reputation.

If you are an independent producer or songwriter thinking about your own publishing setup, this is the kind of move worth studying. The conversation about how creators protect and monetize their catalogs is more urgent than ever. You can [submit your music and story](/submit) if you are building something worth covering, and check our [events calendar](/events) for industry panels and sessions happening around LA where publishing and rights are on the agenda.

Watch how Stewart's next run of releases and productions come through under the BMG umbrella. His track record suggests whatever he is working on next will not stay quiet for long.