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Business News Deals Labels & Publishers
Empire buys Dirtybird label
By Chris Cooke | Published on Monday 24 October 2022
US independent label and artist services business Empire used last week’s Amsterdam Dance Event to announce a move into the electronic music domain via the acquisition of dance label Dirtybird.
Both companies hark from San Francisco. Which is worth knowing before I quote the official statement that says: “This acquisition brings together two of San Francisco’s most prominent and independent music companies and is inclusive of the formidable Dirtybird catalogue of music, including artists such as Claude VonStroke, Nikki Nair and Walker & Royce, as well as the label’s clothing, publishing and web3 assets”.
Claude VonStroke – real name Barclay Crenshaw – is also the founder of Dirtybird, and he will continue to lead A&R and other creative projects at the label. Meanwhile, the Dirtybird live and festivals business is outside the deal, and will continue to be owned and run by Crenshaw.
Says he: “I’m so excited to join another incredible independent Bay Area music company. I will continue to A&R the Dirtybird label and direct the creative for the music and clothing, while Empire has the capacity and resources to grow the brand globally. This is a dream come true”.
Meanwhile, Empire CEO Ghazi adds: “Growing up in San Francisco and the Bay Area at large, dance music has always been a huge part of our music scene. Empire at its core is a company that is for the culture. Dirtybird embodies the independent ethos and understands the cultural nuance of everything San Francisco and dance music”.
