CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — Jonathan Hay Publicity and Rogue Entertainment have partnered to start the new record label SMH Records out of Charlotte, North Carolina with a reported capital raise of $30 million.

Jonathan Hay Publicity has a long track record of working with major artists such as Rihanna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Days of the New, RZA from Wu-Tang Clan, Big Pun and many more. The PR company has also worked with major labels such as Sony Legacy, EMI, Interscope Records, WEA (Warner Elektra Atlantic), Geffen Records, Death Row Records, Universal Music Group, Arista Records and others.

Rogue Entertainment owns numerous businesses both inside and outside of the entertainment industry, including a chain of medical practices across North Carolina and Tennessee, along with a recording studio, a film and music production company, an IT Software Company and a performing arts school.

“The objective of this record label is to do what the major labels rarely do these days — to find and develop new artists. We will devote significant resources to developing our artists and introducing them to a mass market,” says Jonathan Hay, who is well-known for being the person who helped make Rihanna famous. In addition to his talent at publicity, Hay also has produced numerous artists and has an eye for spotting talent, seeing the possibilities and making them a reality.

Michael A. Smith, co-owner of Rogue Entertainment, recently had a breakout internet hit co-producing on These Walls Revisited, a song by Kanye West and Nappy Roots. This single has been downloaded over 6 million times since June all throughout the major media websites and blogs.

Michael and Erika Smith have built numerous successful businesses together and now are devoting their time and resources to partnering with Jonathan Hay Publicity to build a world-class record label with SMH Records. “We are incredibly excited to work not only with Jonathan Hay and his unparalleled abilities to discover and launch musical careers, we are just as excited to have the talents of Sabrina Hale be a part of our organization as well,” says Erika (co-owner of Rogue Entertainment). Sabrina Hale has a long list of credits to her name. As a creative designer and graphic artist, she has contributed to numerous major releases as well as media relations, brand management, fashion design and web development. She is the co-founder of Jonathan Hay Publicity and partner in Hoopla Worldwide out of Louisville, Kentucky.

Michael Bentley, Vice President of Hoopla Worldwide — a company described as a “media mammoth” by HipHopDX (Complex Media) — will serve as a A&R for SMH Records.

William “Billy” Rassel, the nephew of film star Johnny Depp, will help with the management of artists. Rassel has worked at the highest level in the entertainment industry for several years.

With the combined resources in music production, publicity, management and brand development, SMH Records is positioned to become a new force in the music industry.

Media Contact: Eric Lippin, Hoopla Worldwide, 3104026949, info@hooplaworldwide.com

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SOURCE SMH Records