BEAT Music Fund Expands Dance Music Empire with Strategic Acquisitions
BEAT Music Fund, a pioneering venture by Armada Music, has made headlines with its latest strategic acquisitions in the dance music industry. As the world's first dance music investment company, BEAT announced the addition of Sola Records' back catalog to its growing collection, a move that highlights its commitment to investing $100 million in its first two years. This acquisition not only broadens BEAT's already dynamic dance music catalog but also serves as a testament to its vision of creating an artist-friendly platform for leveraging value from recordings and copyrights.
Sola Records, known for its exceptional tech house offerings, is based in Manchester and London. Founded by the renowned production duo Mark Richards and James Eliot, known as Solardo, the label has been a hotspot for dance-floor tracks and has nurtured talents ranging from established artists to rising stars. This includes names like Reblok, SOSA, Andrea Oliva, and more. The acquisition encompasses tracks from illustrious artists such as Solardo, Biscits, Hannah Laing, Shermanology, CamelPhat, Piero Pirupa, and others, marking a significant expansion in BEAT's portfolio.
In a statement, Solardo expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership with BEAT, viewing it as an opportunity to elevate the influence of dance music and share treasured tracks with a wider audience. This sentiment was echoed by Maykel Piron, CEO of Armada Music and BEAT Music Fund, who emphasized the honor of collaborating with entities like Sola Records and VIVa MUSiC, as well as artists like Ran-D and Human Resource.
In addition to Sola Records, BEAT has secured a substantial portion of the U.K.-based dance label VIVa MUSiC’s catalog. This acquisition is further bolstered by the inclusion of master recordings of Ran-D’s 2018 hit ‘Zombie’ and Human Resource’s iconic 1991 single ‘Dominator’. The latter, a chart-topper, played a pivotal role in the emergence of the ‘hardcore/gabber’ subgenre and established Human Resource as a trailblazer in the Dutch dance scene.
These acquisitions follow BEAT’s recent additions of King Street Sounds and the master and publishing catalog of Chocolate Puma, reflecting a growing market interest in the globally burgeoning $11.3 billion dance industry.
About BEAT Music Fund
BEAT, standing for Best Ever Acquired Tracks, is the first of its kind in the world, dedicated to the acquisition and exploitation of a diverse range of dance-related genres. Its portfolio includes the master recordings catalog of KMS Records, founded by house and techno legend Kevin Saunderson, as well as the work of ARTY. Pinnacle Financial Partners backs BEAT, indicating a strong financial foundation.
About Armada Music
Armada Music, the largest independent dance label globally, has a rich history of over 20 years in dance music exploitation. Founded by Armin van Buuren, Maykel Piron, and David Lewis, the label boasts a catalog of over 40,000 tracks and a wide array of artists. It enjoys substantial digital presence, with over a billion monthly streams, and has been instrumental in the careers of artists like Lost Frequencies and Loud Luxury. Armada's sustained efforts in nurturing new talent are evident in initiatives like Armada University. The launch of BEAT Music Fund in 2023 marks another milestone in its mission to revitalize and represent dance music catalogs worldwide.