Artist Partner Group
{{Short description|Independent record label}}
{{Infobox record label
| bgcolor = #000000
| name = {{color|white|Artist Partner Group}}
| image = Artist Partner Group.svg
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| parent = Warner Music Group
| founded = 2013
| founder = Mike Caren
| defunct =
| status =
| distributor = Warner
| genre = Various
| country = United States
| location = Los Angeles, California
| website = {{URL|artistpg.com/}}
}}
Artist Partner Group, Inc. (APG) is an American record label and music publishing company founded by Mike Caren in 2013, who has since served as chief executive officer (CEO). The label's parent company, Artist Publishing Group, publishes its releases. It served as an entity of Atlantic Records and Warner Records from its establishment until 2020.{{cite news|title=SmileCareClub|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/artist-partner-group-miles-beard-1203469703/|accessdate=9 February 2021|publisher=variety Magazine|date=17 March 2015}}
History
Artist Partner Group was founded in 2013 by music executive Mike Caren.{{cite news|title=Artist Partner Group Promotes Miles Beard to Senior VP, Powers up Leadership Team|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/for-artists-work-ethic-and-intelligence-are-just-as-important-as-talent/|accessdate=9 February 2021|publisher=musicbusinessworldwide.com|date=}} The group is a sub-platform to Artist Publishing Group, which was founded by Caren earlier in 2007.{{cite news|title=APG's Executive Enhancement Initiative|url=https://ramp247.com/label-love/apgs-executive-enhancement-initiative/|accessdate=9 February 2021|publisher=ramp247.com|date=8 July 2020}} Both entities are collectively known as APG.Dale Kawashima,{{cite news|title=Ben Maddahi, President of APG Music, Discusses The Company's Music Publishing Success|url=https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/ben-maddahi-apg-2015.htm|accessdate=9 February 2021|publisher=songwriteruniverse.com|date=29 June 2015}}
Artist Partner Group originally began as a joint venture with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group.Chris Cooke {{cite news|title=Warner revamps its partnership with the Artist Partner Group|url=https://completemusicupdate.com/article/warner-revamps-its-partnership-with-the-artist-partner-group/|accessdate=9 February 2021|publisher=completemusicupdate.com|date=19 November 2020}}{{cite news|title=Warner Music : Atlantic Records, Artist Partner Group and ADA Announce Extension of Partnership|url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/WARNER-MUSIC-GROUP-CORP-107768549/news/Warner-Music-Atlantic-Records-Artist-Partner-Group-and-ADA-Announce-Extension-of-Partnership-31814110/|accessdate=9 February 2021|publisher=marketscreener.com|date=11 November 2020}} Over eight years, the label became known for signing artists such as YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Charlie Puth, Kehlani, Ava Max, Kevin Gates, Jason Derulo, NLE Choppa, Britney Manson, Don Toliver, Alec Benjamin, Bazzi, Lil Skies, Faouzia and Rico Nasty.Mark Elibert,{{cite news|title=Youngboy Never Broke Again, Kevin Gates, Don Toliver, Kehlani & More Get New Label Home|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.59101/title.youngboy-never-broke-again-kevin-gates-don-toliver-kehlani-more-get-new-label-home#|accessdate=9 February 2021|publisher=hiphopdx.com|date=19 November 2020}}
In November 2020, APG ended their eight-year joint venture with Atlantic Records to go fully independent.{{cite news|last=Ingham|first=Tim|title=Mike Caren's APG goes fully independent, as label's artist roster moves inside Atlantic Records|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/mike-carens-apg-goes-fully-independent-as-existing-artist-roster-moves-inside-atlantic-records/|accessdate=9 February 2021|publisher=musicbusinessworldwide.com|date=18 November 2020}}