BMG acquired the catalog of the Cologne, Germany-based record label Coconut music. The deal includes the recording rights of singer Haddaway, whose 1993 single, “What Is Love,” became a huge global hit and reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The deal gives BMG 100% control of the track, the which was also featured as a sample on Eminem's 2010 hit “No Love” featuring Lil Wayne. The song was also covered in 2023 by David Guetta, Anne-Marie and Coi Leray as “Baby Don't Hurt Me”. Additionally, he was a cornerstone of the recurring Saturday Night Live sketch “Roxbury Guys” and its 1998 film adaptation, A night in Roxbury.
The acquisition also includes tracks by Bad Boys Blue, London Beat and Wolfgang Petry. Coconut Music was founded in 1981 by Karin Hartman and Tony Hendrick.
The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival announced a partnership with the NFT market Open sea to launch Coachella Keepsakes, a series of three collections that will serve as an “all-access pass” to some of the festival's exclusive experiences and products, according to a press release. Using the Avalanche blockchain network, each of the collections will pair collectible Coachella IP artwork with real benefits, including exclusive access to areas like the VIP Rose Garden and Oasis Lounge, as well as limited edition Coachella merchandise, VIP passes and more. The first release in the series, called VIP Pass + Oasis Lounge Keepsake, was released on March 5. provides owners with a 2024 festival VIP pass and the new Oasis Lounge. The second release in the series, the Canvas Welcome Box Keepsake (available March 25), will offer access to unique merchandise, digital content, access to the Rose Garden, and more. this will be available from March 25th. The third and final drop will feature an artist collaboration, with details to be revealed in late March.
A consortium led by The Persian Group and State Investment Authority of Nigeria — an independent investment institution of the Nigerian federation — works with Oak View Group and Living Nation at a proposed 12,000 capacity arena in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Other partners in the $100 million project include; Tunde Folawiyomanaging director of the Yinka Folawiyo Group; a Nigerian investment fund Adino Capital; and MBO Capital. Upon completion, the venue will become the first exclusive arena in Nigeria. It is expected to create more than 1,500 direct and indirect jobs.
Warner Music Group (WMG) extended her agreement with Tips Industries Limited (Tips Music), one of India's leading music companies. WMG is exclusively distributing Tips Music's catalog from 2020. Under the new deal, WMG will lead the commercial and distribution responsibilities for all of Tips Music's top-line and catalog music, spanning 23 Indian languages and more from 30,000 songs. Tips has owned the “lion's share” of Bollywood film soundtracks since the 1990s, according to a press release.
His British office Believe signed a long-term, global label solutions deal with indie label Bella Union featuring new Bella Union releases and a selected catalogue. In addition to physical and digital distribution of all formats, Believe will provide services including synchronization. digital service provider and editorial and retail marketing partnerships; strategic release management; unique digital expertise and in-house technology; video and audience development; and continuous advance. Bella Union's current roster includes Beach House, Father John Misty and Ezra Furman.
Reactionary Musicthe maker of an interactive music engine for video games, has signed new partnerships with Cherry Red Records and Hopeless Records. Under the agreements, both labels licensed the tracks for use by Reactional's music personalization and delivery platform. Cherry Red's catalog includes tracks by Everything but the Girl, The Monochrome Set and The Residents, as well as some rights to songs owned by its publishing arm, Cherry Red Songs. The deal with Hopeless includes access to its full catalog, including releases from acts such as All Time Low, Avenged Sevenfold and Sum 41.
Hooka music platform that allows fans to legally remix popular songs for use on social media has extended its operating cycle, bringing in additional investment from Natalie Massenet and Nick Brown'small Imaginary Ventures in addition to a group of music and social media industry strategic investors and advisors. The new investment brings the company's total seed round to $3.5 million, adding to seed funding led by Point72 Ventures and Edgar Bronfman Jr.Waverley Capital.
Living Nation selected to operate and book The Sunset, an upcoming $93 million, 12,500-seat music venue from the developer Notes Live will be built in Broken Arrow, Okla. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring, with the auditorium expected to open in time for the 2025 “tour,” according to a press release. The space is being developed through a public-private partnership between the city and Notes Live.
Collaborative music creation platform BeatConnect secured CAD$2.25 million ($1.67 million) in funding ahead of its relaunch. The round was backed by music and tech investors including; Sfermion, FICC, Ange Quebec and Triptyq Capital. The relaunch, slated for spring, will amount to an overhaul of BeatConnect's multiplayer digital audio workstation (mDAW) that will incorporate gaming elements into its music production capabilities.
ODA and Warner Music Australia signed a worldwide distribution deal with Americana Cheatin' Hearts Records, which hosts Australian country, folk and blues music. Founded by Luke Woods and Aaron Curnow, the label has released albums by Henry Wagons, Melody Moko, Watty Thompson and others. The first music released under the deal is from Tasmanian singer-songwriter Claire Anne Taylor.
Artist Marketing Platform un:hurd raised a round of funding that will allow it to continue to expand its suite of marketing tools, including data and AI-driven features designed to help artists build and monetize their audiences. The round, which is an undisclosed amount, includes investment from the founder/chairman of Kobalt Music Willard Ahdritz through his new company, Ahdritz & Co; Co-founder of Musiio Hazel Savage; Nigerian Artist Mr. Eazi? and Dutch DJ and producer Sam Feldt. New features will include a fan hub that will allow artists to create websites that will enable them to collect fan data, an AI marketing assistant, and a benchmarking tool that will allow artists to compare themselves to their peers. Un:hurd will also launch a web platform to complement the iOS app.
Independent digital distributor and artist and label services company IDOL has signed new agreements with Le Plan Recordings and Old Soul Music. IDOL has expanded its agreement with New York-based Le Plan to provide global digital distribution and marketing for all of its catalog and frontline titles along with physical distribution for new releases. Her deal with North Carolina-based Old Soul, recently released by Austin Hart (also known as producer L'Orange), includes global distribution and marketing.
Live streaming and on-demand platform Veeps has added standup comedy offerings from Kyle Kinane, Tim Heidecker, Kelsey Cook and more through a partnership with a comedy company and production company Media Gorilla 800 Pounds. All special offers will be available for free to “All Access” members and for $5 to anyone outside the United States.
