The Paradox Signed Publishing Deal With EMPIRE
The Atlanta-based pop-punk band has secured a global publishing partnership to manage its growing catalog.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Music — General
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Atlanta-based pop-punk quartet The Paradox has entered into a new publishing partnership with EMPIRE and Wave Theory Music Group. This agreement aims to manage, protect, and monetize the band's catalog while allowing them to maintain creative control and ownership.
Why it matters
The deal provides the breakthrough group with expanded global reach and professional support for its intellectual property. It follows the band's significant rise, including becoming the first all-Black act to top Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart.
The Paradox reached No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart in January 2026 and No. 4 on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart for their single Do Me Like That.
The players
The Paradox
The Paradox is an Atlanta-based pop-punk quartet that recently became the first all-Black band to reach the top spot on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart.
EMPIRE
Founded in 2010, EMPIRE is a San Francisco-based distribution and publishing company that works with artists to manage, protect, and monetize their musical catalogs.
The details
Founded in Atlanta in 2024, the band has gained industry momentum through appearances on NPR Tiny Desk and selection for YouTube's Foundry Class of 2026. The new arrangement with the San Francisco-founded EMPIRE ensures the group can scale its operations while keeping rights to its music.
Timeline
The Paradox formed in Atlanta during the summer of 2024.
The single Get the Message hit No. 1 on Billboard in January 2026.
The band finalized the publishing partnership on September 30, 2026.
The Proceed with Caution EP is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026.
The group kicks off a headline tour on October 14, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The partnership highlights a broader trend where emerging acts leverage digital success and institutional programs like YouTube's Foundry Class to secure favorable independent publishing deals. This strategy allows groups to bypass traditional label constraints while maintaining long-term ownership of their creative output.
Fans can expect a consistent flow of new music and expanded availability through the band's upcoming tour dates. The professional publishing backing likely ensures that the group's discography will remain accessible across all major digital streaming platforms.
The takeaway
Securing ownership of musical rights has become a hallmark of modern career longevity for emerging pop-punk artists. By maintaining control while offloading administrative burdens, bands like The Paradox are setting a template for sustainable independence in the music industry.
What happens next
The band will release the EP Proceed with Caution on October 2, 2026, followed by the start of a headline tour on October 14, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the local music industry and artist trends, visit Music — General.
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