Winehouse label swings Savage deal

South Auckland rapper Savage is about to get global exposure after signing with United States record label Universal Republic.Savage's New Zealand label, Dawn Raid Music, said the partnership with Universal Republic came about after the success of the single Swing.Swing was licensed to the comedy film Knocked Up.Swing has already achieved combined sales in New Zealand, Australia and the United States in excess of 130,000.That figure is likely to be boosted heavily when the track goes to radio in the US.It is already popular there, having soared up the iTunes top 100 hip-hop charts to No 14.It is also getting huge attention on Savage's MySpace website, said Dawn Raid's Andy Murnane.A Universal Republic representative said the company was excited about the opportunity to promote the Samoan rapper in the United States.Other musicians on the Universal Republic label include Amy Winehouse, Jack Johnson and Mika.- NZPA