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Business News Deals Labels & Publishers
Warner Music acquires Spinnin Records
By Andy Malt | Published on Friday 8 September 2017
Warner Music has acquired electronic music label Spinnin Records, bringing the independent company into the major label fold.
Founded in 1999 in the Netherlands, Spinnin Records has released music by producers including Martin Garrix, Tiësto, Armand Van Helden, Afrojack, Martin Solveig and more. It is also home to a number of artist-owned imprints, such as Tiësto’s Musical Freedom and Oliver Heldens’s Heldeep Records.
The acquisition will see co-founder Roger De Graaf stay on as CEO, while its other founder Eelko Van Kooten plans to leave the music industry.
Van Kooten was at the centre of controversy in 2015, when Martin Garrix sued Spinnin Records and sister management company MusicAllstars. The producer accused Van Kooten of providing “false and misleading information” when signing the teenager to his management and recording contracts. He argued that Van Kooten had acted in his own interests, rather than those of his client. Part of that case was settled out of court, though some other elements of the dispute are still working their way through the system.
Of his departure now, Van Kooten says: “Each of the Spinnin companies has matured successfully which makes it a good moment for me to step down. With pride and joy I look back on 25 exciting years in the music industry and feel grateful to have worked with so many talented artists and an incredible team at Spinnin … As I look ahead at the next chapter in my life, I remain confident that the team will continue to accelerate and that Spinnin’ will enjoy continued success”.
Commenting on the deal from his side, Warner Music’s Max Lousada said: “Warner’s past, present and future are all about creating an environment in which incredible artists and entrepreneurs thrive. That’s why I’m pleased to welcome Spinnin to our growing family of labels, each with its own cultural identity. Roger and the team aren’t just world leaders in dance music, but pioneers of new ways to break artists and build music brands. Together, we’ll nurture and expand Spinnin’s global community of hit-makers, DJs, producers, songwriters, and millions of passionate fans”.
MusicAllStars Management and Spinnin’s publishing division are also part of the deal.
