The Beggars Group yesterday announced a worldwide distribution deal with Napster. The deal means some 400 tracks from the Beggars catalogue will be available for downloading and streaming via the subscription based download platform immediately, with the whole back catalogue due to be added over the next two months.
The Beggars Group, of course, consists of a number of credible independent labels including 4AD, Mantra, Too Pure, Matador, WIIIJA and, perhaps most importantly of late, XL Recordings, which counts Basement Jaxx, Dizzee Rascal, Mia, Lemon Jelly and the White Stripes on its roster. The new deal means the latter's new album, 'Get Behind Me Satan', will now be available via Napster.
Confirming the deal, Beggars' Simon Wheeler told reporters: "Adding our music to Napster's catalogue will help us to reach a whole new audience of music fans. Beggars Group and XL Recordings has always supported the internet as a way of people finding and sharing music, which is fits perfectly with Napster's community features. Our roster of artists includes some of the most exciting and influential artists of any independent label and signing to Napster means that fans can now buy and share our tracks legally for just 79p."
Jeff Smith, Programming Director for Napster UK added: "Beggars and XL are some of the best independent labels in the UK - artists like The White Stripes and Basement Jaxx are some of the most requested tracks on Napster so this is great news for Napster members. Signing Beggars Group and XL Recordings will add to Napster's massive catalogue of UK independent music and help us continue to provide the best selection of UK music on line."