Amid rapid growth in dance music revenues, Sony Music Entertainment (SME) Germany has announced the launch of a brand new record label dedicated to electronic music, called ‘noted. records’.
This new imprint aims to cultivate the electronic and techno scene, offering a platform for rising artists, SME Germany said in a press release on Friday (April 26).
Headquartered in Berlin, a city recognized for its vibrant electronic music culture, noted. records seeks to connect these artists with a network of established names, producers, songwriters, and resources. This targeted approach aims to not only support their careers but also to make a “significant cultural impact,” Sony said.
Leading the charge for A&R and strategy is Jean-Sebastien Permal, Sony Music’s Vice President of A&R for Europe & Africa. Permal took on that role in December 2020 following the opening of Sony Music’s European headquarters in Berlin.
The announcement from Sony came as the latest IMS Business Report from MIDiA Research found that the dance music industry grew to $11.8 billion in market size globally in 2023, a 17% YoY increase.
“Electronic music as a genre has never been as potent as it is today,” Permal said. “We recognized the need to provide a home for artists with a strong and unique musical and visual identity. We are thrilled to have Anfisa Letyago as our first signed artist and are incredibly ambitious about her project.“
“Electronic music as a genre has never been as potent as it is today. We recognized the need to provide a home for artists with a strong and unique musical and visual identity.”
Jean-Sebastien Permal, Sony Music
Additionally, marketing and operations will be led by Senior Product Manager Jenny Walzer, who also oversees marketing for NITRON, Sony Music’s existing dance music label based in Berlin. NITRON moved to Epic Records in October 2023 as part of a shakeup of Sony Music Germany’s frontline label business in what it described at the time as “a genre and team resource consolidation”.
To mark the launch, noted. records has unveiled DJ and producer Anfisa Letyago as its first official signing. Letyago has over 261,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. She released her new track, Feelin, on Friday under the noted. records/Sony Music banner.
“I’m thrilled to join Sony Music! It’s an honor to be their debut artist on the newly created ‘noted.’ I cannot wait for what’s to come,” Letyago said.
“I’m thrilled to join Sony Music! It’s an honour to be their debut artist on the newly created ‘noted.’ I cannot wait for what’s to come.”
Anfisa Letyago, DJ and Producer
This new label builds upon Sony Music Germany’s experience in supporting electronic artists on a global scale. Its roster boasts names like the multi-platinum electronic producer Purple Disco Machine, the platinum and gold-certified composer Avaion, and French electro artist Jean-Michel Jarre.
Outside electronic music, Sony Music Germany acquired a stake in children’s entertainment brand Tiger Media International and invested in hip hop label Ragucci & Boldt, as well as booking agency Ibrahim & Boldt in 2021.
The German unit’s launch of a new electronic music label came just days after its peer, Warner Music South East Europe, unveiled Balkan Electro, a new record label dedicated to amplifying EDM artists from the Balkans and Ukraine.
Balkan Electro was formed from a collaboration between Warner Music South East Europe and Ensis Records, an EDM label in Eastern Europe.
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