YNG Martyr Signs to Warner Music Australia (EXCLUSIVE)

Warner Music Australia is on a roll, this time securing the signing of YNG Martyr, the hip-hop alter-ego of Seaton Rogers, TMN can exclusively reveal.

A proud Wiradjuri man, YNG Martyr isn’t coming in from the cold. The 21-year-old rapper, songwriter, and producer has a back-story that literally writes itself.

On a educated gamble, he borrowed $15,000, spent the lot on a social media influencer strategy, took his game to TikTok and Instagram, and independently launched his 2019 single “Nike Ticks”.

The track caught fire on socials. To date, his left-of-centre hip-hop works have been streamed more than 140 million times on Spotify, including 66 million plays for “Nike Ticks” and 28 million spins for “Ease Off.”

YNG Martyr’s story is an international one, with some 80% of his audience based in America.

He’s also snaffled triple j airplay, and got added to Spotify and Apple Music editorial playlists.

Now a major label artist, WMA is keen to take this talent to the next level. 

“All of us here at Warner Music Australia are thrilled to welcome YNG Martyr to our family,” Dan Rosen, president of WMA, tells TMN. “Not only is he an amazing rapper, songwriter and producer, but he is also a an incredibly switched on creative force. Our team can’t wait to work with him and watch him grow to even greater heights.”

To celebrate his new deal, YNG Martyr today (Sept. 2) drops a fresh cut, “It Happened.”

“Like a musical reddit post, YNG Martyr is making music different,” comments Larissa Ryan, A&R manager at Warner Music Australia. “As much as he’s achieved in such a short time, this feels like it’s only the beginning of the beginning.”

At WMA, YNG Martyr joins a domestic roster that includes L D R U, Alex the Astronaut, Boy Soda, Budjerah and daine.