Illy Reunites With Warner Music, Drops New Music (EXCLUSIVE)

Multi-Platinum hip hop-turned-pop star Illy has returned to the Warner Music Australia roster following his split from Sony Music, TMN can reveal.

He is the third big name to move from Sony to Warner in as many years, following in the footsteps of Jessica Mauboy in December 2020 and LDRU in August this year.

The Melbourne-based artist’s last and sixth album, “The Space Between”, became his second chart-topper upon its release in January 2021 after signing a global deal with Sony in 2018. His first to reach the summit of the official ARIA Albums Charts was “Two Degrees” through Warner in 2016.

The singer, songwriter and rapper has seamlessly straddled the line between hip hop and pop throughout his career, embracing new inspirations with every record.

Illy has won three APRA Awards for Urban Work of the Year since he burst onto the scene more than a decade ago; “Tightrope” in 2015, “Papercuts” in 2017, and “Catch 22” in 2018.

He has also accumulated almost 20 ARIAs nominations and won Best Urban Album in 2013 for “Bring it Back”, and his Two Degrees Tour won Best Live Act in 2017.

Dan Rosen, president of Warner Music Australasia, said he is delighted to welcome festival-favourite Illy back into the Warner Music family.

“Not only is he a powerhouse within the Australian music community, he is also an exceptionally talented and driven artist who remains at the top of his game.

“I know I can speak on behalf of everyone in the Warner Music Australia team when I say we cannot wait to work with Illy on the next exciting chapter of his career,” Rosen said.

Thursday’s announcement also coincides with the release of new music.

Illy teamed up with DMA’S Johnny Took, Peking Duk’s Reuben Styles and Adam Hyde on “Like You”, which arrived on DSPs this morning. With pulsing synth and a hooky chorus, the song was produced by Styalz Fuego and Black Summer.

Arriving alongside the infectious new single is an official music video from Melbourne-based production company Welcome The Machines (Mia Rodriguez / E^ST / Peach PRC).

Illy said he is “stoked” to be releasing new music again.

“I wanted to kick off the new era with a bang, and ‘Like You’ was the perfect fit for that,” he said. “Working with some of my favourite Australian artists and producers made the process a lot of fun, and something to be excited about.”