Andy Daniell (GB)

A Grammy nominated A&R who’s signed and worked alongside the elite of dance music talent, Andy Daniell is the newly appointed Director of Music at Defected. Having begun his career as a DJ & producer, Andy soon honed in on A&R, where over the next two decades his influence has significantly shaped the dance and electronic music scenes.

During his first tenure at Defected Records from 2004 to 2019, Andy rose from intern and resident DJ to A&R Manager, playing a pivotal role in signing records that left an indelible mark on the dance genre. Notable successes include Storm Queen’s ‘Look Right Through’, which, via a MK Remix, topped the UK charts, and CamelPhat & Elderbrook’s ‘Cola’, which earned a Grammy nomination and sold millions of copies worldwide.

From 2019 to 2024 Andy led the iconic FFRR label within Parlophone, where he continued his streak of significant signings and projects. He signed Diplo, resulting in ‘Don’t Forget My Love’ featuring Miguel, the million-selling ‘On My Mind’ with SIDEPIECE and his self-titled Grammy nominated album Diplo. Andy was instrumental in David Guetta's UK number one hit ‘I'm Good (Blue)’ featuring Bebe Rexha. Under his guidance, Kenya Grace's ‘Strangers’ also reached the top spot in the UK. Other notable signings during this period include Jengi ‘Bel Mercy’, Obskür ‘Bayside’, Skin on Skin ‘Burn Dem Bridges’, Sam Gellaitry ‘Assumptions’ and Burns ‘Talamanca’.

Andy’s work has earned him recognition of the highest order, with six Grammy nominations and three UK number one records to his credit. His tenure at FFRR and earlier years at Defected, with a particular focus on house music but with a firm grasp of all things dance and electronic, have cemented his reputation as a leading and highly trusted figure in the industry.

Returning to Defected Records as the Director of Music, Andy is set to oversee all labels under the Defected umbrella, including Glitterbox, D4 DANCE, DFTD, and Classic Music Company, as well as the publishing arm, Defected Music. His return marks an exciting chapter for Defected, as he aims to leverage its unique market positioning to elevate both existing and emerging artists to new heights.

Andy Daniell’s close to 20 years of A&R experience, combined with a proven track record of identifying and nurturing hit records, positions him as a formidable force in the industry landscape. His return to Defected is not just a homecoming but a testament to his enduring impact on dance music.