The producer has worked with Punjabi music stars including AP Dhillon, Karan Aujla, Diljit Dosanjh and Sidhu Moose Wala. Now, his label Double Up will team with Warner's distribution arm, ADA, to boost his impact worldwide.
Influential music producer Intense has signed a major distribution deal with Warner Music Group — another significant investment the label is making in Punjabi music.
Intense, who hails from Surrey, B.C., has made a name for himself as Punjabi music grows its Canadian and global popularity. Following a 2014 breakthrough with Jup Gill's "Launian Pendhian," he scored a serious hit in 2022 with AP Dhillon and Gurinder Gill's "Excuses," which has over 500 million Spotify streams to date. He's also worked with Punjabi music stars like Diljit Dosanjh, Sidhu Moose Wala and Karan Aujla, as well as founding his own imprint in 2020, Double Up Entertainment.
Now, Intense and Double Up are doubling up their reach, thanks to a new collaboration with ADA, the distribution arm of Warner Music Group. Double Up's roster features emerging artists like Harpreet Sran, Tavnoor and Manna Datte Aala, HRJXT, 604Blizzy, G-Funk and Lil Jjay.
"It's an exciting time for us at Double Up," says Intense. "We're here to push the next generation of talent and create stars. With the WMG engine behind us there is no stopping us!”
The deal emphasizes the extent of Warner and ADA's commitment to South Asian music, following the founding of 91 North Records — a collaboration between Warner Canada and Warner India — in 2023.
"This partnership marks a significant milestone in expanding the global reach of South Asian music," says Kristen Burke, President of Warner Music Canada. Burke cites Intense's visionary production and Double Up's focus on the next generation of South Asian artists as a perfect compliment for Warner Canada.
Earlier this year, Warner and ADA signed a global distribution deal with Punjabi music company EYP Creations, with a plan to focus on developing Punjabi talent in Canada. EYP is a partner on Intense's deal with ADA, representing 32 artists and 125 labels globally.
Savannah Jade
The sophomore single from the rising Quebec country singer — one half of the duo Five Roses — arrives at No. 52 on the chart. Kingston's Headstones also debut a new track with City and Colour on Mainstream Rock, "Navigate" at No. 36.
Savannah Jade is belting her way onto the airplay charts this week.
The Quebec singer is maybe best-known as half of the country duo Five Roses, but now she's branching out as a solo singer. Her sophomore single "More Like It" arrives at No. 52 on the Canada Country chart for April 26. It's a barn-burning country-pop track where she sings about what she wants for a date night: no glitz or glamour, just jeans and the local watering hole.
Savannah Jade is no stranger to the limelight, having placed as a semi-finalist with Five Roses in SiriusXM's 2022 Top of the Country competition, as well as touring with Tebey and performing at country festival Boots & Hearts. Her previous single "He's The One" was a Stingray radio trending track, and "More Like It" looks like it will keep building Savannah Jade's momentum.
There's a couple more Canadian airplay chart debuts this week. Veteran Kingston rockers Headstones collaborate with City and Colour on "Navigate," their first single on Dine Alone Records, arriving on the Mainstream Rock chart at No. 36. Over on Modern Rock, alt-rock stalwarts Our Lady Peace enter with "No Angels In This Town" at No. 36 and long-running indie rock band Born Ruffians debut "What a Ride" at No. 39.
There's not as much movement at the top of the airplay charts this week. Gracie Abrams holds onto the top spot on All-Format with "That's So True." Myles Smith's "Stargazing" continues to lead AC and Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club" holds atop CHR/Top 40. ROSÉ and Bruno Mars maintain the top spot on Hot AC with "APT."
Morgan Wallen's "I'm The Problem" moves up to lead Canada Country, while Papa Roach's "Even If It Kills Me" and Mumford & Sons' Rushmere rule Mainstream and Modern Rock, respectively.
Check out the full Canadian Airplay charts here.
