Universal Music India yesterday announced an exclusive partnership with Albuquerque Records, the independent label launched by singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander, to release the artist’s future pop and hip-hop music.

The first release under the partnership is planned for early April and will feature Anirudh, a press release said, according to a PTI report from Mumbai yesterday.

Under the arrangement, Universal Music India will work closely with Albuquerque Records to expand the reach of Anirudh’s artistry. The label is also set to eventually become a home for emerging pop and hip-hop artists from the South Indian region.

Anirudh, who debuted as a composer in 2012 with the globally viral song ‘Why This Kolaveri Di’, has accumulated over 13 billion audio streams across more than 770 tracks, making him the top South Indian artist on Spotify by total streams.

His credits include chart-topping compositions such as ‘Hukum’, ‘Jailer’, ‘Vaathi Coming’, ‘Arabic Kuthu’ and ‘Monica’, among others.

“Anirudh represents the future of Indian music — bold, original and with enormous potential. At Universal Music India, identifying transformative talent is our strength, and this partnership reflects that belief. We are proud to stand behind Anirudh as he embarks on his next chapter and helps take more Indian music to the world,” said Universal Music India Chairman and CEO Devraj Sanyal.

Anirudh said Albuquerque Records was built to nurture independent talent and take their sound global.

“Universal Music India’s leadership in pop and hip-hop made them the natural partner. I am excited to champion the next wave of Indian independent voices and take them to audiences around the world,” he added.

Universal Music India, a division of Universal Music Group, has maintained a steady focus on the South Indian market, working across Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu-language music, the PTI report added.