Concord, the Nashville-based music publishing company, has acquired Ninja Tune for an undisclosed fee.
In addition to purchasing the record label and its associate imprints, the deal also sees Concord take over Ninja Tune’s publishing arm, Just Isn’t Music, and its roster of songwriters, composers and producers. The publishing catalogue includes the majority of the music released on Ninja Tune to date, alongside the output of select other artists.
In a press release, Concord and Ninja Tune said: “The move vastly increases Concord Label Group’s UK and European footprint and provides Ninja Tune with the additional resources necessary to enhance its extensive global frontline success.”
The label will continue to operate under its current leadership team across its UK and US offices as part of the deal.
“Over three decades, the team at Ninja Tune has built a label dedicated to independent artistry,” said Concord CEO Bob Valentine. “Their amazing roster, and the team’s ambition to continue to grow Ninja Tune, seamlessly align with our vision for Concord’s expanding frontline reach. These attributes, alongside the opportunity to greatly expand Concord’s UK and European operations, made this acquisition an obvious strategic fit. I am eager to see our collective vision take form.”
Ninja Tune founders Coldcut, known individually as Matt Black and Jon More, said: “It is an artist’s prerogative and responsibility to be dissatisfied with what one already knows. To, with sadness, kiss it goodbye and joyfully begin fishing again. Partnering with Concord ensures the culture and ethos that make the label so unique remain, whilst bringing mad Ninja energy and innovation forward.”
Find more information about the deal here.
