An independent label based out of Gothenburg in Sweden has put itself on the map with a series of big name copyright acquisitions from Warner Music Group.
Woah Dad! has bought master rights to global mega-hit American Boy by Estelle – previously released via Atlantic Records – in addition to other tracks recorded by the British artist.
Elsewhere, the label has also picked up rights to tracks and albums recorded by the likes of Jamelia, Surfer Blood, Ziggy Marley, Throwing Muses, Motel, Don Covay, Ron Wood and more.
That’s in addition to Swedish masters by artists like Stina Nordenstam and Dungen, which it picked up from Warner earlier this year.
Well-known albums now owned by Woah Dad! include Jamelia’s Thank You, Estelle’s Shine and Don Covay’s See Saw.
All of these acquisitions came through the IMPALA/Merlin-sanctioned divestments process which was agreed in the wake of WMG’s acquisition of Parlophone Label Group in 2013.
“there’s an obvious opportunity, a gap if you want, for a music house like ours; striving from out of Sweden with a full-service approach.”
Joel Borg, Woah Dad!
“This is an important step on a greater road map,” Woah Dad! founder Joel Borg told MBW.
“We’re humble, being a new fairly small player. Still, there’s an obvious opportunity, a gap if you want, for a music house like ours; striving from out of Sweden with a full-service approach.
“We now represent a great family of international artists, songwriters and producers. The ambition is and will be to make our artists’ goals come true.”
Estelle’s American Boy, featuring Kanye West, was a No.1 hit in the UK and has gone two-times Platinum in the US market.
Borg added: “We have a contemporary take on old label structures – we believe in a tailor-made structure for each artist. All artists have different needs and its important it fits them and their goals.”
“Money-wise this will bump up our turnover quite a bit and fund a few more frontline and development projects.”
Joel Borg, Woah Dad!
Woah Dad! offers a range of services to artists including playlist plugging, Content control, video monetization, VR, sync, marketing and PR.
“Money-wise this will bump up our turnover quite a bit and fund a few more frontline and development projects,” said Borg.
“We will keep on developing and looking for opportunities. And we will keep on having fun and enjoying the music.
“It’s a shitty world out there – we need great music and arts, more than ever.”
Elswhere, MBW understands that Paris-based Believe has acquired the catalogues of former Warner artists such as Michel Jonasz, Jacques Higelin, Nicolas Peyrac, Thomas Fersen, Keren Ann, Lady & Bird, Kery James, Yves Duteil and Oxmo Puccino.
It’s also acquired the catalogue of EMF, including evergreen sync hit Unbelievable.Music Business Worldwide
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