Skatta Burrell Seals Major Partnership With Reservoir & Abood Music

The joint venture targets emerging artists and songwriters as Coolie Dance Riddim’s global sampling boom surpasses 1.3 billion views, pairing catalog acquisitions and artist development. “Ensuring Jamaican music reaches wider audiences and greater commercial heights”, he said.

Jamaican superstar Skatta Burrell (Photo: Rojhay Anderson)

Jamaican music producer and music executive Cordell “Skatta” Burrell has partnered with Reservoir Media and reggae/dancehall publisher Abood Music to launch a new venture aimed at pushing forward the next generation of Jamaican artists.

The partnership will focus on acquiring catalogs as well as signing and developing emerging Jamaican talents, artists and songwriters alike, as part of a mission to “further advance the new generation of Jamaica’s music scene.”

Skatta, a well-acclaimed songwriter, producer, media personality, and influencer, is best known for producing the crossover Coolie Dance Riddim, which Reservoir has published in the U.S. via Abood Music since 2020. The riddim gained international popularity through influential samples used in global hits by Pitbull, Lil Jon, Whitney Houston, Fatman Scoop, Nina Sky, and others.

Over the past year, Coolie Dance Riddim has enjoyed what Reservoir calls “a renaissance of its sampling,” including its feature in the Grammy-nominated, Gold-selling global hit “After Hours” by Kehlani. These recent uses have generated 15 singles in the last 18 months, accumulating more than 1.3 billion views across various territories. Coolie Dance Riddim also remains a “synchronization staple,” with more than 45 major film and television licenses, including Zero Dark Thirty, HBO’s And Just Like That, America’s Next Top Model, and global advertising campaigns.

“I’m excited to announce this partnership with Reservoir. This venture integrates Abood’s veteran catalog strength with Reservoir’s frontline creative leadership and international infrastructure, ensuring Jamaican music reaches wider audiences and greater commercial heights,” said Skatta.

He continued, “I especially want to thank Rell Lafargue and Spek, who have been instrumental in supporting Coolie Dance Riddim and driving the billion-plus views associated with its global renaissance.”

Skatta also revealed the venture’s first act: “Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, I’m honored to share that the first transaction of our joint venture is a substantial donation to support relief efforts. With this donation, we hope to signal our meaningful commitment not just to the creators we sign, but also to Jamaica and its people.”

Reservoir, an independent music company headquartered in New York, generated $45.4 million in calendar Q3 (ending September 30), representing 12% year-over-year growth, or 7% organically excluding acquisitions.

Abood Music, which was founded by Jamdown Records creator Othman Mukhlis in 2001, is a long-established publisher of Jamaican and international music. With a catalog spanning decades, Abood has contributed to more than 220 million albums sold and represents over 120 Jamaican clients.

"This venture integrates Abood’s veteran catalog strength with Reservoir’s frontline creative leadership and international infrastructure, ensuring Jamaican music reaches wider audiences and greater commercial heights"

As Reservoir expands its global footprint, the company plans to acquire catalogs in Jamaica via the new joint venture with Skatta. Internationally, Reservoir—through PopArabia—recently completed new acquisitions across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The company also launched a Mumbai-based subsidiary, PopIndia, in April and secured its first Indian catalog deal a month later.

Reservoir President and COO Rell Lafargue added: “We’re pleased to be extending our relationship with Skatta through this new venture, which will enable Reservoir, Skatta, and Abood Music to be worldwide market leaders in dancehall, reggae, and Jamaican music. We look forward to supporting the voices of both established and developing Jamaican creators, as we work to amplify their artistry, expand their global reach, and continue to elevate Jamaican music on the world stage.”