Music Industry Moves: Puerto Rican Star Jay Wheeler Signs With UTA; Sulinna Ong Joins U2’s Management as Partner

United Talent Agency has signed Latin music star Jay Wheeler for global representation in all areas. UTA will work alongside Wheeler across live touring, media, brand partnerships, filmed entertainment, and additional strategic opportunities worldwide.

The singer has scored three Latin Grammy nominations, most recently for Best Urban/Fusion Performance with “Roma” from his eighth studio album, “Girasoles.” His breakout hit “La Curiosidad” has racked up more than 1.4 billion Spotify streams and more than 1 billion YouTube views. He is also preparing to launch a new podcast venture.

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+ U2 has announced the appointment of longtime Spotify executive Sulinna Ong as a management partner, a newly created role that sees her join Irving and Jeffrey Azoff in leading the band’s management. According to the announcement, Ong will work strategically “across the full breadth of the band’s career, with particular focus on creative and innovation, reporting directly to the four band members.”

She joins after over seven years at Spotify, where she most recently served as global head of editorial & curation, music.

In a collective statement, bandmembers Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. said, “What’s struck us about Sulinna is the flair, finesse, and clarity she brings to both the art and the audience. She understands what we’ve built and where we want to take it. We’re delighted to have her as a management partner alongside Irving and Jeffrey.”

Irving Azoff added, “The band made the right call. Sulinna is one of the best executives in music, with a career built on judgement, taste, and an instinct for where culture is now and where it’s going. Jeffrey and I are proud to have her alongside us.”

+ Country stars Reba McEntire, Wynonna, Vince Gill and rising star Belle Frantz came together for Musicians on Call’s “Music Heals Live!” event last week, which raised more than $700,000 to support the organization’s bedside, virtual, songwriting and streaming programs. Held at the Pinnacle in Nashville, the event honored the people who have helped the organization for over 25 years.

McEntire received the Music Heals Golden Ukulele in recognition of her longstanding support of Musicians On Call, while the other three performed at the event. Mitch Glazier, chairman & CEO of the RIAA and Chairman Emeritus of the MOC Board of Directors, received the Leadership in Music Golden Ukulele, presented in a surprise moment by country music star Martina McBride. Glazier has championed the organization’s mission for more than a decade, playing a pivotal role in launching MOC’s Washington, D.C. program and raising millions of dollars in support of its work.

When accepting her award, McEntire said, “Music brings light into dark times and gives hope when everything feels hopeless. That’s the power of music. Tonight is about the caregivers who take care of all of us in our most challenging times. It’s about the patients. This honor is something I’ll always cherish because I get to share it with you all.”

Volunteers Stan Garrison, Daisy Perez, Dianna Perez, Jeff Scornavacca and Keenan Kamae also received honors.

+ Sony Music Publishing has promoted ZaZa Kazadi to senior director of A&R for the U.K. & Europe. He will continue to be based out of the company’s London office. Since first joining the company in 2024, Kazadi has signed such artists as BRIT-winning rapper Dave, rising star EsDeeKid, Kidwild, Shallipopi and Fimiguerrero, as well as producers AOD (Tems, FKA Twigs) and Jo Caleb (Dave, Asake). He also works closely with Wizkid, Producer X and Jester Beats. Last year he received Music Business Worldwide’s award for A&R of the Year: Contemporary Black Music.

Previously, Kazadi managed artists and producers including ZieZie and Sonzi at Never Dies Management, and also spent two years as A&R manager at BMG Music Publishing.

Sarah Gabrielli, head of A&R said, “ZaZa is one of the sharpest A&Rs I’ve worked with – his judgement, clarity of vision, and determination consistently set him apart.  He combines real creative instinct with a relentless drive to deliver, making him an exceptional A&R and a key part of our team’s successes.”

+ New York-based PR and marketing agency the Chamber Group has launched a philanthropy, arts & culture department that will be overseen by Edwin Tetteh Jr., who has been promoted to director. He will continue to report to company CEO Chris Chambers. Tetteh joined the company in 2021 after roles at Williamson PR, the Lede and PR Consulting.

“Watching Edwin grow into a seasoned PR executive and brand builder has been a true gift and pleasure,” says Chambers. “Edwin takes his craft seriously as he looks to understand the clients’ goals and their trajectory as he designs plans where research and creative ideas are implemented.”