Spirit Music Group announced today that they have formed a joint publishing venture with writer/producer/manager, Erik Belz. Through the deal, Belz establishes his publishing company, Electric 88 Music and will sign and develop his own roster of artists, writers and producers. Belz has also signed a worldwide publishing deal with Spirit Music Group. The first signing to the Electric 88 Music joint venture is Patrick Ridgen, professionally known as PLAYDED, a Los Angeles-based producer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist. Electric 88 Music will be based at Belz’s recording studio complex in Encino, CA.
Erik has produced and written songs for artists across many genres, including Pitbull, Austin Mahone, Granger Smith, Thompson Square, Jez Dior, Kylie Morgan, Metro Station, Smoke Purp, Jake Paul, Slim Jxmmi and Lia Marie Johnson. Belz has served as co-manager for EDM star Slushii since 2021 (the two also work closely together writing and producing for Slushii’s various projects). Erik’s music has appeared in such shows such as CSI, Scorpion, Station 19 and The Equalizer. Belz has been working professionally as a producer since graduating from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California in 2010.
“Spirit Music is excited to get to work with Erik as a writer/producer as well as a partner to sign and develop talent,” said Frank Rogers, Chief Creative Officer, Spirit Music Group/Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville. “We are also thrilled to welcome PLAYDED to the Spirit family. We can’t wait to see what we can build together!”
“Spirit Music Group has been very supportive of my career and creative vision from day one,” said Erik Belz. “I am excited to partner with Jon [Jon Singer, Chairman, Spirit Music Group], Frank and the Spirit Music Group team to create opportunities for new talent and to kick things off with the signing of a proven talent like Patrick.”
“To have the support of the team at Spirit Music Group and Electric 88 Music is really a dream come true,” said Patrick. “I couldn’t be happier to work with this team of exceptional creative executives.”
PLAYDED is a Los Angeles-based producer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist. As well as producing, PLAYDED has toured extensively playing drums and bass for several artists/bands including Halsey, Reyna, 7715, MXMS and more. As a composer, he has produced and written the music and original soundtrack in its entirety for the Netflix movie Daddy Issues as well as producing the theatrical trailer for the blockbuster movie Insurgent from The Divergent series. His artist project has accrued over four million streams between collaboration with other producers, artists and remixes of songs. Playded’s style of producing and recent works span many genres including pop, rock, edm, hip hop, and country. Recent cuts include Excision, Aviella, Cham, Bela Pierce, Devora, Callie Reiff, and Linney.
