Exceleration Music & Reach Records Forge Strategic Alliance To Fuel Growth
Redeye to distribute Reach's new physical and digital releases worldwide
Will see Reach’s physical releases distributed globally at scale for first time
Exceleration to provide flexible capital, infrastructure and operational expertise
Two milestones: Reach becomes Exceleration’s first hip-hop label and first Christian music label
Exceleration Music, the global record company investing in the future of independent labels and artists, has agreed to a far reaching strategic partnership with Atlanta-based Christian hip-hop label Reach Records.
Through Exceleration's in-house distributor Redeye Worldwide (acquired in September 2023), Reach Records will receive global physical and digital distribution alongside marketing services to support its continued expansion, while preserving complete creative and operational independence. The partnership is centred exclusively on new music released from 2026 onwards.
Redeye's global distribution network will significantly expand Reach's physical music business, bringing its releases to fans at scale for the first time through retailers and D2C channels worldwide. The deal also represents a first for Exceleration Music, with Reach becoming both its first hip-hop partner and first Christian music label.
Reach will continue to operate under its current leadership and team, with Exceleration providing flexible capital, infrastructure and operational expertise to enable growth while preserving the mission, culture and creative independence that has defined the label for two decades.
The partnership begins with US poet/hip-hop artist Jackie Hill Perry's new single, ‘Clean’ – the first release under the Exceleration agreement. The track received its live debut during Hill Perry's performance at Holy Smoke Festival on Saturday (8 August), where fans were able to purchase it via a limited-edition KiTalbum – a hybrid physical-digital music format that bundles albums, exclusive tracks and bonus content into a collectible device. Marking Reach’s first release on the KiTalbum format, the chart eligible bundle will include Hill Perry's 2025 album Blameless, together with ‘Clean’, ahead of the single's full digital release on 21 August.
Founded in 2004, Reach Records has grown into the world's leading Christian hip-hop label, launching the careers of artists including Lecrae, Jackie Hill Perry, Hulvey, KB, Andy Mineo, and Limoblaze. The partnership comes amid strong momentum for the Atlanta-based company, following Lecrae's 2026 BET Award win for ‘Headphones’ featuring T.I. and Killer Mike, the successful launch of new worship collective 2819 Worship, and release of the label's eighth annual 116 Summer Playlist, spotlighting the next generation of Christian hip-hop talent.
Lecrae, President and co-founder of Reach Records, said: “Having come up as an artist and executive, I know what it means to have people believe in you and your vision. Christian hip-hop isn't on the sidelines anymore, it's shaping culture, and the people making it deserve a home that understands the space. This partnership lets us pour into more artists and build more of the infrastructure our community is hungry for, so the music impacts even more people. That's what excites me most.”
Ben Washer, CEO of Reach Records, added: “We've spent two decades building Reach, and I'm proud of what we've made. For a partnership to make sense, whoever we work with has to share how we do things. That means integrity, transparency, and allowing us to lead the creative and the brand the way we always have. We've had the opportunity to reflect on what the next stage of Reach should look like and we're excited to be partnering with Exceleration – a partner that we trust and backs our vision. I'm excited about what we will achieve together.”
Glen Barros, Managing Partner at Exceleration Music, commented: “Through their dedicated commitment to the genre, Reach has built a thriving creative community within Christian Hip-Hop and achieved true brand identity. As a result, they have become an outright leader in the genre, serving both their artists and fans. Given Exceleration’s mission to empower independent music, we hope to provide Lecrae, Ben and the incredible Reach team with additional resources that will enable them to amplify their efforts and elevate the label to new heights.”