[Brooklyn, NY] Today, SoundCloud and the maverick A&R executive Sickamore announce IIIXL STUDIO, a new Brooklyn-based enterprise dedicated to signing and developing New York City artists. Using SoundCloud’s proprietary data and Sickamore’s keen ear for talent, the two teams will actively source new artists in NYC for SoundCloud’s artist development program. IIIXL Studio’s first artist-in-residence, Liim, is only 20 years old but glides through the world with the ease of someone well beyond his years. Liim has attracted a varied group of frequent collaborators, making him not only an artist and model (Gucci, Supreme) but also a trailblazer in New York’s underground scene.

SoundCloud, a music platform that places artists at the forefront, empowers creatives to cultivate and advance their careers through a comprehensive suite of cutting-edge tools, services, and resources. SoundCloud’s artist partnerships division unites with industry icons such as Solid Foundation to help build the careers of budding stars such as FinEsseMo, MiLES, and more. In addition, APG's label partnership division is providing additional resources to IIIXL Studio.

Trinidadian-born, Brooklyn-raised Randall ‘Sickamore’ Medford has spent the past decade playing a pivotal role in developing and nurturing some of the industry's most successful artists, evidenced most recently by Travis Scott’s UTOPIA, the #1 selling album of 2023. His journey in the music business began when he captured the essence of New York City’s underground scene as a DJ, releasing classic mixtapes and becoming a staple in hip-hop culture. Sickamore then graduated to work with major labels such as Epic Records and Interscope, and he has guided the careers of artists such as Travis Scott, YG, Don Toliver, and Sheck Wes. 

“As 20+ years as a mixtape DJ, A&R, and manager, music has been my life and has taken me around the world,” shared Sickamore, founder of IIIXL. “Launching IIIXL Studio and partnering with SoundCloud to develop high-end hip-hop artists in my hometown of New York City is my proudest moment.”

Sickamore's dedication to helping artists reach their full potential, alongside his ability to spot emerging trends in an ever-evolving music landscape, has solidified his reputation as a tastemaker and music guru within the industry.

"Sickamore is one of the most creative and influential talents in our field, and we’re so excited for what’s next," said Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud. "In bringing his passion, dedication, and expertise, Sickamore will cultivate what’s next in music on SoundCloud and break major new voices.”

Sickamore will connect talent directly to SoundCloud’s artist partnerships division, which will offer white-glove creative and marketing resources to these artists and their teams.  Furthermore, expect a forthcoming monthly showcase of New York City’s finest emerging hip-hop talent. Together, IIIXL STUDIO + SoundCloud will shape the post-pandemic musical renaissance of New York City.

ABOUT SOUNDCLOUD

SoundCloud empowers artists and fans to connect and share through music. Founded in 2007, SoundCloud is an artist-first platform empowering artists to build and grow their careers by providing them with the most progressive tools, services, and resources. With over 375 million tracks from 40 million artists, the future of music is SoundCloud.  

Since launching SoundCloud for Artists in 2022, SoundCloud has introduced a range of updates including the new Fans tool for artists, direct messages on mobile, a global licensing deal with Merlin, a Member Benefits expansion, and a new suite of artist programming. 

ABOUT SICKAMORE

Trinidadian-born, Brooklyn-raised Randall ‘Sickamore’ Medford has spent the past decade developing some of today’s most groundbreaking artists. He is widely championed and recognized as the new generation’s favorite A&R—shepherding the careers of Travis Scott (Rodeo, Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight, ASTROWORLD, UTOPIA), YG (My Krazy Life, Still Brazy), Don Toliver (Life of a Don, Love Sick) among others—and his maverick approach and skillset repeatedly yields gold and platinum results. A veteran “multi-hyphenate” long before the term came to represent the creative zeitgeist, Sickamore has held tenures at Atlantic Records (where he landed his first-ever A&R gig at just 21 years old), Def Jam, and Epic Records, and was most recently Senior Vice President of A&R and Creative Director at Interscope Records, while concurrently guiding the evolution of Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack label. Tireless and ever-evolving, Sickamore continues to push forward hip-hop culture with the mission of teaching the fundamentals of artist discovery and development and empowering the creative superstars of tomorrow.