Willstah Signs Global Publishing Deal with BMG

BMG has added Grammy-nominated Australian-based songwriter and producer Willie Tafa, better known as Willstah, to its publishing roster under an exclusive global deal.

The signing continues a run of publishing activity for BMG in Australia, following the company's recently announced global deal with ARIA-nominated pop artist Charley.

Willstah brings an established international catalogue to the publisher, with move than 720 million streams and 40,000 radio plays across credits spanning pop, R&B and hip-hop.

His collaborators and credits include Ariana Grande, DJ Mustard, Ella Mai, INNA, Savage, Pleasure P, WSTRN, Marc E. Bassy, Baker Boy, ONEFOUR and Becca Hatch.

Working alongside production collective Twice as Nice, Willstah contributed to Ariana Grande's “Be Alright”, which appeared on her 2016 album Dangerous Woman. The record was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.

Closer to home, Willstah co-wrote and produced Baker Boy's “Move”, which received the AMPAL Emerging Songwriter Prize at the 2021 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition.

His work on Baker Boy's ARIA Award-winning debut album Gela also earned Willstah a nomination for Best Produced Album at the 2022 ARIA Awards.

More recently, Willstah has expanded into film-related projects, contributing to Moana: Voices Across the Ocean, an inspired-by companion album celebrating Pacific artists and cultures, released in connection with Disney's 2026 live-action Moana. 

Willstah said joining BMG felt like finding “home”.

“I'm excited to start this next chapter with BMG and be surrounded by a team that genuinely believes not just in the music, but in the person as well, and that's important to me,” he said.

“I've always wanted to make music that connects with people and helps influence culture, so I'm excited to see what we can built and where we can take it together.”

Christina Thiers, Director, A&R Publishing at BMG, described Willstah as one of the “humblest and most prolific musicians” she had encountered.

“Beyond his impressive credits, he has an instinctive way of fusing music and culture that makes him such a unique creator,” Thiers said. 

“We were incredibly excited by the opportunity to welcome Willie to BMG, and we look forward to supporting him as he continues to build on an already remarkable career.”

The deal arrives as Willstah develops a slate of new collaborations and cuts for release in 2027 and beyond.