Dirty Hit, the UK-born independent record label that launched the careers of artists such as The 1975, Wolf Alice, Pale Waves and Beabadoobee, has signed an exclusive global digital distribution deal with Ingrooves Music Group.
The new agreement represents a re-upping of Dirty Hit’s long relationship with Ingrooves/Universal Music Group. The two companies say the new deal will “further expand Dirty Hit’s presence around the world”.
Ingrooves was fully acquired by UMG in February. Universal was previously a minority stakeholder in the company.
In addition to its deal with Ingrooves, Dirty Hit has an existing licensing agreement with Universal labels – Interscope in the US and Polydor in the UK – for records made by The 1975.
“We have had a long working relationship with Ingrooves, stretching back nearly a decade,” said Jamie Oborne, Founder and CEO of Dirty Hit Records.
“Bob Roback and his team at Ingrooves have built one of the most sophisticated distribution operations in the world and I’m excited about this new era for our two companies. Similarly, our ties with Universal Music Group run deep, particularly with David Joseph [Chairman and CEO UMG UK/Ireland] and John Janick [Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M] who were early supporters of our label and artists.
“UMG’s acquisition of Ingrooves is a perfect marriage of Dirty Hit’s two core partners and so this deal with Ingrooves, whose footprint is expanding, feels like a natural evolution as we continue to grow.”
Jamie Oborne, Dirty Hit
“I am excited to continue working the next The 1975 album with the Polydor and Interscope teams. UMG’s acquisition of Ingrooves is a perfect marriage of Dirty Hit’s two core partners and so this deal with Ingrooves, whose footprint is expanding, feels like a natural evolution as we continue to grow. I’d like to thank Sir Lucian Grainge and Boyd Muir for their continued belief in and support for Dirty Hit.”
Bob Roback commented: “In Dirty Hit, Jamie has created an incredible launching pad for a new generation of artists. We have long been partners with Jamie on a variety of his releases and are thrilled to be expanding our partnership as he looks to grow Dirty Hit around the world.”
It looks likely that Ingrooves will handle digital distribution for hotly-tipped Beabadoobee, who was recently nominated for the BRIT Awards 2020 Rising Star gong.
The artist has also made other prominent new artist tips for 2020, including YouTube‘s UK & Ireland One To Watch list.
Another Dirty Hit artist, No Rome, was recently tipped on Vevo’s Artists To Watch list for 2020.
The 1975’s latest album, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, hit No.1 in the UK and went Top 5 in the United States. The album’s Give Yourself A Try was recently nominated for Best Rock Song at the Grammys 2020.
The band are expected to release a follow-up LP, Notes On A Conditional Form, next year.
[Pictured: Ingrooves’ Bob Roback and Dirty Hit founder Jamie Oborne]Music Business Worldwide
