Warner Music Group has acquired Italo disco label DWA Data and its publishing arm Extravaganza, marking an growth of its Italian music catalogue.
The deal, introduced Tuesday (January 7), brings greater than 250 grasp recordings of iconic Italo disco tracks beneath the WMG umbrella together with The Rhythm of the Night time, carried out by Corona and written by Francesco Bontempi; Pleased and Uh La La carried out by Alexia; and Baila, carried out by Zucchero and written by Roberto Zanetti. Monetary phrases of the acquisition weren’t disclosed.
DWA Data was established in 1989 by Roberto Zanetti and Francesco Bontempi.
Zanetti, who performs beneath the title Savage and produces as Robyx, achieved worldwide success with hits like Don’t Cry Tonight and later produced for artists together with Corona and Ice MC. Bontempi, identified professionally as Lee Marrow, contributed to the Italo disco style with hits equivalent to Do You Need Me and Shanghai.
“Italo Disco is the lifeblood of the Italian music scene and DWA has been on the coronary heart of the scene for greater than three many years,” mentioned Pico Cibelli, President, Warner Music Italy and Santiago Menéndez-Pidal, President, Southern Europe, Warner Chappell Music.
The style, which emerged in Italy in the course of the late Nineteen Seventies and peaked within the Eighties, is characterised by digital drums, synthesizers, and English-language lyrics. Whereas its prominence as a definite style decreased within the late Nineties, its affect continues in up to date digital music kinds.
“Italo Disco is the lifeblood of the Italian music scene and DWA has been on the coronary heart of the scene for greater than three many years.”
Pico Cibelli & Santiago Menéndez-Pidal, Warner Music Group
“Italo Disco is a style that’s at all times crossed borders and DWA’s catalogue incorporates a few of its largest hits. Our folks around the globe are already collaborating on thrilling plans to advertise this unbelievable repertoire in new and modern methods,” mentioned Simon Robson, President, EMEA, Recorded Music, WMG.
Cibello added: “We’re so happy that Roberto and Francesco have positioned their religion in us because the custodians of their catalogue and stay up for repaying their belief within the years forward. We’d prefer to thank our CFOs, Raffaelle Razzini and Luca Gentili, for his or her assist and exhausting work in getting this deal over the road.”
“Our world staff is now dedicated to leveraging alternatives to take this unbelievable songbook to new heights and serving to guarantee a brand new technology of followers worldwide get to hook up with this life-affirming music.”
Man Moot and Carianne Marshall, Warner Chappell Music
Kevin Gore, President, International Catalogue, Recorded Music, mentioned: “We’re dedicated to increasing our catalogue by means of strategic acquisitions and are at all times alternatives outdoors of Anglo markets. We’re proud to be managing DWA’s catalogue and can leverage our groups around the globe to create new connections for the artists and their music to be found and proceed to be liked.”
Man Moot and Carianne Marshall, Co-Chairs of Warner Chappell Music, added: “We’ve made a big funding for an incredible catalogue. Our world staff is now dedicated to leveraging alternatives to take this unbelievable songbook to new heights and serving to guarantee a brand new technology of followers worldwide get to hook up with this life-affirming music.”
The acquisition follows WMG’s strategic offers in Italy lately. In 2021, ADA Worldwide, WMG’s unbiased label and artist providers arm, expanded into Italy, with headquarters in Milan. In 2018, WMG offered Italian reside promotion firm Vivo Concerti to its MD, Clemente Zard. The corporate acquired the enterprise in 2011.
Music Enterprise Worldwide
