Sony Music UK has acquired dance music label Ministry of Sound Recordings, including its current roster, back catalogue and compilations arm.
Ministry of Sound is one of the UK’s most successful independent labels, issuing hits from artists including London Grammar, Duke Dumont, Example, Wretch 32 and Axwell.
The A&R function is currently managed by the London-based team David Dollimore and Dipesh Parmar,
The label first launched in 1993 as an offshoot of the successful South London club founded by James Palumbo.
It’s now among the world’s largest dance music labels, with cumulative album sales in excess of 70 million. This includes 40 UK number one albums and 21 UK number one singles.
The Ministry of Sound buyout is the second big acquisition of 2016 for Sony Music UK.
In March it bought leading European independent label and artist services company Essential Music & Marketing.
The major merged the business with its own Sony RED in the UK to create a new venture, Red Essential.
Jason Iley, chairman and chief executive of Sony Music UK, said of the latest deal: ‘Ministry of Sound is one of the greatest brands in music. I’m delighted to welcome one of the most innovative, smart and pioneering labels to the Sony Music family.
‘David and Dipesh’s track record, alongside one of the best curation teams in the business, speaks for itself and the label will be another hugely exciting addition to Sony Music UK’s vision for the future.’
Lohan Presencer, Ministry of Sound group chief executive, added: ‘I’m delighted we have found the right home to grow Ministry of Sound Recordings at a global level while keeping its unique identity.
‘Sony Music is a world-class company that understands our ethos of exceptional curation and developing young talent. Ministry of Sound Recordings had its most successful year to date in 2015. Sony has the scale and strength within the industry to project our artists and music onto an even bigger platform.’
Ministry of Sound is one of the UK’s most successful independent labels, issuing hits from artists including London Grammar, Duke Dumont, Example, Wretch 32 and Axwell.
The A&R function is currently managed by the London-based team David Dollimore and Dipesh Parmar,
The label first launched in 1993 as an offshoot of the successful South London club founded by James Palumbo.
It’s now among the world’s largest dance music labels, with cumulative album sales in excess of 70 million. This includes 40 UK number one albums and 21 UK number one singles.
The Ministry of Sound buyout is the second big acquisition of 2016 for Sony Music UK.
In March it bought leading European independent label and artist services company Essential Music & Marketing.
The major merged the business with its own Sony RED in the UK to create a new venture, Red Essential.
Jason Iley, chairman and chief executive of Sony Music UK, said of the latest deal: ‘Ministry of Sound is one of the greatest brands in music. I’m delighted to welcome one of the most innovative, smart and pioneering labels to the Sony Music family.
‘David and Dipesh’s track record, alongside one of the best curation teams in the business, speaks for itself and the label will be another hugely exciting addition to Sony Music UK’s vision for the future.’
Lohan Presencer, Ministry of Sound group chief executive, added: ‘I’m delighted we have found the right home to grow Ministry of Sound Recordings at a global level while keeping its unique identity.
‘Sony Music is a world-class company that understands our ethos of exceptional curation and developing young talent. Ministry of Sound Recordings had its most successful year to date in 2015. Sony has the scale and strength within the industry to project our artists and music onto an even bigger platform.’
