Katie Melua's record label storms into the Hot 100

by Kate Pritchard - Tuesday, 8th April 2008 -

It’s not only Katie Melua’s fans who are showing their appreciation for the 23 year-old singer songwriter. Her independent record label, Dramatico Entertainment, has seen sales grow 106 per cent to £23.7m, placing it in this year’s Hot 100 list of the country's fastest growing companies.

Born in the Georgian SSR and raised in Ireland then England, Melua’s three albums for the label (Call off the Search, Piece by Piece and Pictures) have all gone platinum, making her the UK’s biggest-selling female artist and Europe's highest selling European female artist in 2006.

The label – now one of the three biggest independents based on latest sales figures – is part-owned by singer/songwriter/producer and Ivor Novello award winner Mike Batt, who wrote the Wombles theme tune in 1974 and Watership Down theme tune Bright Eyes.

Batt also has French PM’s wife Carla Bruni/Sarkozy on his books.

The label released Melua’s singles Nine Million Bicycles (which sold 3.5 million copies) and The Closest Thing to Crazy (which sold 3 million copies) – both written by Batt.

Full the full Hot 100 rankings list, click here.

The Hot 100 is sponsored by LDC.