Dancehall artist Ishawna has signed an international record deal with New-York based Payday Records.
The Equal Rights singer broke the news on her Instagram earlier today, sharing photos of the signing with producer Skatta Burrell and Payday music executive Patrick Moxey, in Manhattan, New York.
Payday Records was relaunched in 2017, 25 years after it was founded by Moxey in 1992. They were known for launching the careers of Jay-Z and Mos Def, according to Music Business Worldwide. Artists launched via Payday Records currently have their music distributed by Ultra Music (also founded by Moxey) in the US and Sony in the UK.
In July 2015, Jamaican singer OMI’s Cheerleader (Remix) became Ultra’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Ultra later released his Gold-selling Me 4 U album.
Dressing the part of a successful woman, Ishawna donned a matching hot pink pants and blazer, with a white tube top on the inside to show off a little skin.
“Signed, sealed and ready to deliver!!” she wrote in her caption. “I am super excited to announce that I just signed my first International Record Deal. 😫🙏🏽🙌🏽 Thank you Patrick Moxey @paydayrecords @ultrapublishing and the entire team. I’m so grateful to have you apart of my journey. ☺️🙌🏽 Thank you @skattaburrell for always believing in me, I’m so happy to share this moment with you. 🥹💕”
“To my amazing fans and everyone that believed in me THANK YOU!!!!! This is only the beginning 🔥” she continued.
Skatta also took to his IG to share the accomplishment.
“I don’t stop until it’s done. Congratulations @mslegendary on Signing Your first International Record Deal. Patrick Moxey we finally made it happen and we about to do great things,” he wrote.
This is another major milestone for the controversial artist, who recently teamed up with superstar Ed Sheeran for a track titled Brace It.
Ishawna previously had a deal with Downsound Records, headed by Joe Bogdanovich. She, however, severed ties with that label in 2016 and had been operating independently.
There however appears to be no beef between Ishy and the entity, as she has appeared on several subsequent stagings of their Reggae Sumfest event. Her most recent stint on the festival left tongues wagging after a stunt involving her nemesis Bounty Killer.
Fans of the Slippery When Wet singer are over the moon about the announcement.
“I was about to cry! And you told me not to😢 Congratulations babe, I am super proud of you and I am here supporting you 100% in your future endevors! Love you! Muah!❤️🙌🙏🏽” said a supporter.
“Congrats ishy you work hard and you deserve everything 👏👏👏👏keep shining dancehall Cinderella 🥳🥳🥳🥳,” another fan added.
“Congratulations huniiii!!!!! Up from here 🔥” one more added.