Warner Music Group Benelux acquires Cloud 9 Recordings 11 Oct 2024
The Dutch independent recorded music will join Warner Music Group's Benelux recorded music
Warner Music Group Benelux has today announced the acquisition of the renowned record label Cloud 9 Recordings. This acquisition marks the beginning of a close collaboration between the two labels, led by Niels Walboomers (WMG Benelux's President of Recorded Music & Publishing). Co-founder Raymond van Vliet will remain as President of Cloud 9 Recordings.
Cloud 9 is one of the leading labels in the Netherlands, with a versatile roster and rich catalog. Cloud 9 represents artists such as Claude, Jaap Reesema, Kris Kross Amsterdam, Snelle, and Turfy Gang, and has the catalog of Antoon.
Alongside the acquisition of Cloud 9, Warner Chappell Music Benelux will enter into an exclusive worldwide administration agreement with Blue Skies Publishing, representing authors such as Claude, Davina Michelle, Edwin van Hoevelaak, Flemming, Frank van Etten, John Dirne, La Fuente, and Snelle. Blue Skies represents around 100 songwriters and owns several catalogs containing more than 100 Top 40 legendary hits from acts such as Dolly Dots, Luv' and Willeke Alberti. Blue Skies Publishing will continue to manage the entire creative process with its current team.
The Cloud 9 team will join the Warner Music Group network and relocate to The Amsterdam Music Harbour, the creative hub of Warner Music Benelux in the Amsterdam Houthavens. Additionally, the Blue Skies Publishing office in the Dutch town of Laren will serve as a satellite office for Cloud 9.
Raymond van Vliet and Niels Walboomers share the ambition to be a reliable partner in the careers of their artists. Niels Walboomers, President of Recorded Music & Publishing, WMG Benelux, says: "We are very excited to welcome Raymond and the Cloud 9 team. Cloud 9 has made a significant impact on the Dutch music industry with its versatility and expertise. In the past five years, they have had eight Number One hits in the Dutch Top 40 with five different artists. With the expertise of our talented local teams and Warner Music's global network, we will strengthen Cloud 9's catalog and create new opportunities and inspiring collaborations for everyone."
Raymond van Vliet will remain as President of Cloud 9 Recordings, which will remain a separate label, alongside his responsibilities at Blue Skies Publishing. He said: "On November 1st, Cloud 9 Music will celebrate its 20th anniversary. It is a proud moment to sell this incredible company on the eve of this milestone. In the coming years, I will continue to lead Cloud 9, ensuring that my team, enhanced by Warner Music's expertise, will keep representing our artist roster. We will take the next steps in the careers of our artists and continue to expand Cloud 9 Music. The combination of Blue Skies Publishing's expertise on the publishing side, along with Cloud 9 Music as a label, provides a rock-solid foundation built on songs. Because at the end of the day, everything starts with a great song."
NEWS & PRESS
Levellr Unveils AI Tool to Decode Real-Time Fan Sentiment on Discord
New feature gives artists, labels, and brands instant insight into what fans really think, feel, and care about View demo dashboard here Levellr, the fan community platform powering next-gen artist-to-fan connections, has launched a cutting-edge AI social listening tool designed to unlock...more
The UK's Official biggest songs and albums on vinyl of 2025 so far revealed
Sam Fender scoops the biggest vinyl album of 2025 so far Oasis secure best-selling vinyl single of the year so far with 'Whatever' anniversary reissue Sam Fender's People Watching claims the best-selling vinyl album of 2025 so far! Congratulations are in order for Sam...more
Rebecca Lucy Taylor a.k.a Self Esteem to curate at this year's Southbank Centre's London Literature Festival
The festival also features Adam Buxton, Alexis Wright, Bora Chung, Charlie Macksey, Chris Kraus, Claire-Louise Bennett, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Funmi Fetto, Jackie Kay, Jimi Famurewa, Kelly Frost, Lisa Smith, Malala Yousafzai, Michael Rosen, Nikita Gill, Neoprene Genie, Nesrine Malik, Olga Ravn, Pankaj Mishra,...more
'Don't Look Back In Anger' takes title of most played Oasis song of 21st Century
‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ has been revealed as Oasis’s most played track on UK radio and TV in the 21st century, according to new data from music licensing company PPL. Following the band’s euphoric live return to universally glowing...more
Tom Walker signs global publishing deal with BMG
Platinum-selling British singer-songwriter Tom Walker has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with BMG. The deal brings together Walker’s deeply personal songwriting and unmistakable voice with BMG’s industry-leading publishing capabilities. Known for his breakthrough hits “Leave a Light On” and “Just You and...more
Statement on UK Government Decision to ban Employer NDAs
A statement from Gaby Cartwright, Head of Partnerships, LIVE in response to the UK Government's decision to make amendments to The Employment Rights Bill that will ban employers from using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that silence workplace harassment and abuse. Changes set to be introduced to...more
BBC Radio 2 listeners to vote for Your Ultimate 80s Duet
The 1980s saw some of the world's best loved popstars unite to create some of the most magical and much-loved duets ever made. Today (7th July), Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast show and BBC Sounds announced voting has opened for Your...more
AIF calls for Competition and Markets Authority to investigate Live Nation
Live Nation could be held responsible for engaging in anti-competitive behaviour, according to AIF analysis. The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has called for an investigation into Live Nation from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority. The trade body recently provided evidence...more
LIVE Awards 2025
Category Nominations Now Open Tom Ward is the new host of the LIVE Awards 2025 The annual LIVE Awards, which will take place on Wednesday December 10th at Troxy in East London, has announced a new host for 2025. Tom Ward is an...more
Green Man Festival 2025
14th - 17th August 2025 Announce full line up and day splits for SOLD OUT 2025 edition Cymande, Heartworms, Been Stellar, Cass McCombs, Factory Floor, Gurriers, Hannah Frances, Jamz Supernova, Keo, KOKOROKO, Shale, Lucy Gooch, Iraina Mancini, Molina, MORN, Ella Ion, Natalie...more
Brazilian music superstar Alok signs global publishing deal with BMG
GRAMMY-nominated Brazilian music superstar and philanthropist ALOK has signed a global publishing agreement with BMG.A leading figure in dance music, ALOK is best known for his hit singles "Hear Me Now," "Deep Down," "Lua," and chart-topping collaborations with John Legend,...more
Independent music company CEOs around the world call for end to further anti-competitive, consolidation attempts in the music industry
Hundreds of independent record labels and trade associations have raised significant concerns about Universal Music Group's acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings. Deal is the latest in a line of serial acquisitions from UMG in the independent sector Together they have signed an...more
Tickets For Good announces launch of Belgian business at Wallifornia, opens £3m funding round
The Wallifornia Conference Startups alumni returns to reveal latest expansion news. TfG recipients include some 500k registered healthcare workers, teachers, and charity workers across UK, EU and U.S. It's distributed 1million+ free and discounted tickets from 1,000+ live event partners, including Dua...more
Lewis Capaldi surprises fans in London's Covent Garden to launch 'Room to Reflect' meditation booth with TikTok
SCOTTISH SUPERSTAR PARTNERS WITH TIKTOK TO ENCOURAGE THE NATION TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RESET FROM EVERYDAY LIFE The ‘Room to Reflect’ experience was narrated by Lewis Capaldi, offering a sanctuary from the London daily grind to meditate and escape the...more
Beatport Live Launches 'The Block'
A Touring Container Stage Spotlighting Emerging DJs at Junction 2, Creamfields, and The Prospect Building Over the last five years, more than 400 nightclubs have closed in Britain and Beatport recognises the urgent need to offer more than just a digital...more
BDi Music signs exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Paige Bea
Bea is a sought after musician, songwriter, DJ and emerging producer. BDi Music has signed artist and songwriter Paige Bea to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. Paige Bea is a London-born musician, songwriter, DJ and emerging producer. Originally trained as an opera...more
Bandcamp Daily's Summer 2025 Hotlist Spotlights Its Most Anticipated New Releases
Open Mike Eagle, Wet Leg, Kokoroko, Alex G, Susumu Yokota and more are all featured in the Summer 2025 Hotlist Bandcamp Daily, the editorial arm of the world’s largest online music marketplace and community, has released its 2025 Summer Hotlist, a curated collection...more
Universal Music Greater China announces strategic global alliance with "Godfather of Mandarin R&B" David Tao and his company Great Entertainment
Universal Music Group to Release David Tao’s New Studio Album STUPID POP SONGS, with Physical Pre-Orders Opening Soon Universal Music Greater China (UMGC), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced a strategic global...more
David Bowie Centre - V&A Announces More Detail, plus The Last Dinner Party and Nile Rodgers
From guest-curated displays to unrealised projects, the V&A announces new details on the David Bowie Centre - opening at the V&A East Storehouse on 13 September 2025 A new home for David Bowie's archive – V&A East Storehouse's David Bowie Centre – gets...more
WMA announces expansion of UK & European Publicity, Social and Marketing Divisions
Andy Saiker appointed as Head of PR, Social & Marketing (UK & Europe) Global digital marketing and creative agency, WMA are delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Saiker as Head of PR, Social and Marketing (UK & Europe), effective immediately....more
Tems Launches The Leading Vibe Initiative, Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Music
APPLICATION DEADLINE THIS JULY 13TH Two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer, Tems announces today the launch of the Leading Vibe Initiative, a groundbreaking platform designed to support, connect and amplify young women in music across Africa, with a vision to...more
WeAre8 Announces 8fest: The World's First Social Media Music Festival, curated by industry insiders
The next generation of music talent is about to transform your social feed experience. WeAre8, the social media bringing social and economic freedom to artists worldwide, today unveils 8fest - a global, three-day virtual festival running next week from11-13 July 2025,...more
The Money Trench - The Music Industry Podcast celebrates its first anniversary with two new headline sponsors
The podcast curated by Mark Sutherland and executive producer Mike Walsh will launch its 50th episode with the support of SoundOn and Tixel The Money Trench – The Music Industry Podcast with Mark Sutherland (‘TMT’), is celebrating its first anniversary with...more
Cyanite and ON AIR strengthen partnership to deliver AI-driven insights for playlist curation in MusicMaster Scheduling
To redefine music programming for broadcasters and audio platforms, ON AIR has integrated Cyanite's industry-leading AI music tagging into the familiar MusicMaster Scheduling environment. This collaboration unlocks entirely new, data-driven pathways for playlist curation, helping radio stations and content creators...more
Warner Music buys Skorpioni Music's catalogue
Independent label's strong legacy in Finnish music will endure Warner Music Finland has bought the catalog of renowned independent record company Skorpioni, which had announced earlier this year that it would be ceasing operations. This is a significant transition in the local...more
Bauer Media Audio Appoints Paul Eldon as Director of Measurement
Bauer Media Audio has appointed Paul Eldon as Director of Measurement, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and trust in audio measurement across all its markets. Paul brings over 15 years of experience in media measurement, audience analytics and advertising technology. He...more
Music industry unites to raise over £715,000 for Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy at O2 Silver Clef awards
David Gilmour, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Mika, The Last Dinner Party, The Corrs, Chase & Status and more honoured at glittering evening ceremony at JW Marriott Grosvenor House The UK music industry joined together tonight to honour some of its most iconic and...more
The Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd. Announces Tom Greene as New CEO
Today, Apple Corps Ltd. announces the appointment of Tom Greene as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 2025. Since 1968, Apple Corps Ltd. has overseen The Beatles’ creative and business interests. During that time The Beatles – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George...more
Tees Reborn: Bravado's Radical Upcycling Project Aims to Thread a Greener Future for Merch Business
More than 400,000 leftover tour t-shirts will be respun into new items and sold on tours this fall Bravado, the world's leading artist merchandise and lifestyle company, announced today the launch of an ambitious program to upcycle obsolete or unsold t-shirts...more
BandLab Expands Licensing Platform to Connect Artists and Rights Holders to AI Companies, Opening the Door to Legal AI Music Models
BandLab, the world's largest social music creation platform, today announced a major expansion of BandLab Licensing (licensing.bandlab.com), introducing a structure with clear guidelines that allows artists, labels, and publishers to signal interest in licensing their music to train AI models....more
THE HEADLINES
UMG’s Michael Nash: ‘AI can be instrumental to the future of music’ (see Digital)
In the post-music streaming era, do artists and labels give too much away? (see Comment)
Songwriters ‘missing millions in royalties from more than 100,000 UK gigs’ (see News)
Merck Mercuriadis plots comeback with Hipgnosis remix (see Business)
V&A East Storehouse to open the David Bowie Centre (see News)
ESCA calls on the EU to block Universal Music’s deal to buy Downtown (see News)
Virgin Music CEOs push back against critics of Downtown Music deal (see News)
Record labels are running on empty (see Opinion)
AI music is going viral, but it’s not what fans want (see Comment)
The Velvet Sundown may be the first breakout AI band from Suno (see Digital)
Amid cuts, WMG to "continue to supercharge our capabilities in long-term artist, songwriter, and catalog development" (see Business)
WIN CEO writes to European Commission Vice-President over Universal's acquisition of Downtown (see Comment)
If Spotify truly champions discovery, it should champion fair compensation from the first stream (see Comment)
Selected Glastonbury coverage (see News, Features, Showbiz, Reviews)
Streaming is both retail and radio – it shouldn’t be (see Comment)
Impala’s Helen Smith on UMG's planned Downtown acquisition (see Comment)
Retiring Arista CEO David Massey shares his top 10 career highlights (see Features)
Budweiser’s royalty loophole ad: How AI and social have changed the value of creators (see Comment)