Independent dance label Armada Music, founded in 2003 by Dutch trance DJ and producer Armin van Buuren, Maykel Piron and manager and agent David Lewis, said Tuesday that its investment vehicle Beat Music Fund has acquired Amsterdam-based music publisher Cloud 9 Music, bolstering its publishing division.
Cloud 9’s roster includes the likes of U.S. house music veteran Green Velvet, aka Curtis Jones, aka Cajmere, South Africa’s That Girl, and Dutch DJ and producer Hardwell.
“As part of the acquisition, the teams of Armada Music’s existing publishing company, Armada Publishing B.V., and Cloud 9 Music will merge to form Armada Music Publishing,” the companies said. “Employees from Cloud 9 Music will join the team, effectively tripling its headcount.”
Financial terms weren’t disclosed. “This strategic move underscores Armada’s mission to position itself as the best partner in the in-demand global electronic dance industry, projected to reach $20.9 billion by 2033,” the firm said.
Management also unveiled that a newly formed parent company called Armada Music Group will now operate all its divisions “to seamlessly offer label, publishing, and catalog acquisition services under one roof with a mission to bolster creativity for current and prospective representation.” The company said this will enable Armada Music Group “to broaden its endeavors and provide comprehensive guidance to artists within a unified framework.”
The Cloud 9 acquisition “will boost our ability to empower today’s dance artists and expand their opportunities to monetize their work in the current landscape,” said Piron, who will oversee Armada Music Publishing. “Today’s artists need a trusted partner. Providing label, publishing services and opportunities within catalog investment all under one roof directly fuels our ongoing mission to advocate for dance artists, contribute to their success, and uphold the value of creativity.”
Armada Music Publishing’s roster of songwriters and producers include Armin van Buuren, who recently unveiled a remix of Bon Jovi’s “Keep The Faith,” Brennan Heart, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, D.O.D, Dubvision, Kevin Saunderson, Nervo, Reinier Zonneveld, Sander van Doorn, Vini Vici, W&W, Yulia Niko, Priska, and KDYN.
Beat (for “Best Ever Acquired Tracks”) Music Fund launched in April 2023 as a vehicle with the goal “to unlock value from recordings and copyrights within the thriving dance arena.” Its previous acquisitions have included KMS Records’ master recordings catalog from house and techno legend Kevin Saunderson, iconic New York dance label King Street Sounds, and U.K.-based labels Sola Records and VIVa MUSiC. “With Beat planning to increase its investment to at least $500 million in the coming years, Armada Music and Armada Music Publishing will work in tandem to uphold the legacy of dance artists and protect their work’s creative and commercial value,” the company said.
