Tizita Makuria has been appointed Vice President, A&R, at PULSE Music Group.
The news was announced on Wednesday (November 16) by Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham, co-CEOs of PULSE Music Group and Ashley Calhoun, President, PULSE Music Group.
Makuria joins PULSE Music Group from Artist Publishing Group (APG) where she worked as Senior Director of A&R.
Makuria will be based at PULSE Music Group’s Los Angeles headquarters and her responsibilities will include signing and developing PULSE Music Group’s roster of artists, songwriters and producers.
Prior to joining PULSE Music Group, Makuria served as Senior Director, A&R for APG where she worked as the A&R contact for songwriters Amy Allen (credits include Adore You – Harry Styles as well as cuts with Selena Gomez, Halsey, Camilla Cabello, Shawn Medes, and Sam Smith) and Derrick Milano (Best Rap Song winner at Grammy Awards for Savage Remix by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé in addition to songwriting credits with the likes of Justin Bieber, Pop Smoke, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, and more).
She also served as A&R contact for Jason Derulo (who has over 30 million singles sold and 11 platinum singles).
Makuria is responsible for signing multi-platinum singer Bazzi, rising R&B artist Sabrina Claudio, and production duo Rice N’ Peas.
Variety included Makuria among its 2018 Hitmakers in part for her work with Bazzi, who Makuria first signed as a songwriter, before an early demo of his viral hit Mine led her to foster his development to achieve a quadruple-platinum single, a triple-platinum single, a platinum single, four gold singles, and a gold album by 2020.
Mine has been streamed over 450 million times on Spotify, and led to support slots for Bazzi on tours with Justin Timberlake and Camila Cabello, as well as a new artist nomination at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Makuria’s first signing was Sabrina Claudio whom she found while canvasing YouTube. Claudio went on to amass hundreds of millions of streams and receive an invite to open for The Weeknd.
Makuria has also inked deals with Sad Money, Khi Infinite, and Childish Major. Along the way, Makuria also brought in Nights Like This ft. Ty Dolla $ign for Kehlani, which went double-platinum.
Makuria got her start in the industry after an A&R internship at Atlantic Record led to an opportunity with APG. Makuria joined APG in 2015 and quickly moved up through the A&R ranks, named Senior Director of A&R in 2018.
“In addition to her undeniable strengths in working with and developing talent, what we recognize in Tizita is an A&R approach that matches our own.”
Scott Cutler, Josh Abraham, and Ashley Calhoun, Pulse
Scott Cutler, Josh Abraham, and Ashley Calhoun, said: “In addition to her undeniable strengths in working with and developing talent, what we recognize in Tizita is an A&R approach that matches our own.
“She really digs in and customizes strategy for each of her clients to help champion them to that next step in their careers. Tizita is the perfect complement to our PULSE family and she is joining us at a very exciting time.
“Our A&R team has been firing on all cylinders and our artists, songwriters and producers have been creating authentic, tremendously impactful moments that are connecting. The quality of our roster is exceptional and we aim to match their level of commitment at every turn.”
“I’m very thankful to Scott, Josh, and Ashley for this opportunity. It is an honor to join PULSE Music Group and to be a part of this exceptional team and culture.”
Tizita Makuria
Makuria added: “To me, A&R is much more than just scouting and signing talent.
“I’m involved in the studio and focused on giving clients the right environment and support to make the best records possible. I have been watching from afar what the team at PULSE Music Group have built and how successful they are at developing this new vanguard of influential and heavyweight talent—and I knew I wanted to be a part of this.
“I’m very thankful to Scott, Josh, and Ashley for this opportunity. It is an honor to join PULSE Music Group and to be a part of this exceptional team and culture.”Music Business Worldwide