Blending R&B, funk, and soul, Norman Feels’ catalog arrives on digital streaming platforms for the first time on April 3 after decades of living solely through samples. The music has been sampled by influential artists such as Freddie Gibbs, Nas, DMX, Ghostface Killah, and more. Through a partnership between KMG Distribution and The Royalty Network, who have acquired all master and underlying publishing rights to the Norman Feels catalog, this represents the next step in a longstanding relationship with Norman Feels’ estate to thoughtfully reintroduce Norman’s catalog in the digital space.
Norman Feels’ work quietly left a lasting imprint on hip-hop and modern music culture. Though his recordings circulated for decades primarily through samples, Feels’ rich compositions, emotive arrangements, and deep grooves became foundational source material for a generation of producers and artists.
Originally released in limited pressings, Norman Feels’ catalog developed a cult following among collectors, DJs, and crate diggers, with his recordings prized for their warmth, musicality, and emotional depth. His discography spans multiple releases that blend soulful songwriting with funk-driven rhythms and introspective themes, reflecting both the era in which they were created and a timeless musical sensibility.
Frank Liwall, CEO of Royalty Network & President of KMG Distribution, shares “We’re thrilled to be in a position to steward this extraordinary and quietly influential body of work. Norman Feels deserves to be heard by new generations, and we’re honored that his family has entrusted the Royalty Network and KMG to preserve and share his legacy with the world.”
Ross Robey, VP of Distribution, KMG Distribution echoes Liwall and adds “This opportunity reflects a big step forward in KMG’s catalog acquisition strategy. We’re honored to be able to share the Norman Feels’ catalog with new generations that may only have heard the portions of it that have been sampled by some of hip-hop’s most influential voices. And, together with The Royalty Network, we’re proud to continue to invest in legacy music that continues to drive culture today.”
Norman Feels’ sister Gerri adds “Norman’s music was always meant to be shared with the world—a hope our entire family (Mom, Dad, James, Coleman, and I) held during Norman’s time, and that our family now carries forward in his memory. We are thrilled to have entrusted our longtime partners at The Royalty Network and KMG to help Norman’s brilliance reach the audience it has always deserved.”
Norman Feels’ music is now being made accessible to a wider audience for the first time, allowing listeners to experience the original works behind some of hip-hop’s most recognizable samples and rediscover an artist whose influence has long outpaced his visibility. The first three tracks will be made available on digital streaming platforms on April 3, and will include “You Can’t Stop My Love,” which has been sampled on tracks by artists such as Ghostface Killah and Theophilus London (featuring Kanye West), and “Everything is Going Our Way,” which has been sampled by a number of artists and producers, including 9th Wonder.
KMG Distribution, launched by longstanding independent publisher The Royalty Network, is a leading distribution and label-services company with a proven track record of success across multiple genres. To date, KMG’s diverse catalog has amassed over 24 billion streams worldwide, fueled by more “hands-on” and artist-first services. KMG has inked partnerships with a wide range of influential artists and labels, including All That Remains, T.I., renowned Bollywood film company NH Studioz, and Block Entertainment (most recently releasing a collaboration between Kris Kelli and Rick Ross), and UNDRCVR Entertainment among many others. With a global reach and presence throughout the independent music community, KMG continues to prioritize the “human” element of distribution.
The Royalty Network is a family-owned independent publishing company based in New York City and Los Angeles with over thirty years of experience, representing a catalog of nearly one million works on behalf of creators such as The Alchemist, Dead Prez, Gang Starr, Beat Butcha, Bill Withers, Jon Z, Boy Wonder, and a variety of hit catalogs spanning from Bollywood to Dancehall to EDM to Heavy Metal and everything between.
Norman Feels may have been under-celebrated in his time, but his music endures as testament to sincerity, craftsmanship, and the uncompromising power of soul music. Both KMG and The Royalty Network are honored to serve as caretakers of a catalog that resonates with longtime fans and new listeners alike, and are proud to have this opportunity to both preserve and propel the remarkable legacy of this remarkable artist.