SONY CUES UP SOM BRAZILIAN MUSIC

Sony Music has acquired bustling Brazilian indie label Som Livre by way of a deal with Globo Comunicação E Participações S.A.

The label home to such Brazilian mainstays as Marilia Mendonça, Jorge & Mateus, Wesley Safadão, Lexa and emerging acts including Israel & Rodolffo, Dudu MC, Filipe Ret and Grupo Menos é Mais—Som Livre will continue to sign, develop and market its roster under CEO Marcelo Soares while providing an array of services to the Brazilian music community.

Som Livre also operates indie-distribution platform Fluve and produces numerous Brazilian festivals.

“We are delighted to be investing in Som Livre and expanding our existing relationship with this special company,” Sony chieftain Rob Stringer enthused. “Brazil is one of the most dynamic and competitive growing music markets in the world, and we will provide huge opportunities for creators through our shared vision.”

“Som Livre has had a great 50-year run as a Globo company,” Soares noted. “Globo’s support was key to the growth of Som Livre, especially during the last decade, when we built the business to what it is today. When facing the future now and seeing all the opportunities ahead, it is very exciting to know that we’ll have Sony Music with us. We are once again in the right place to allow the best possibilities of career development for our artists and employees. I am very grateful for all that we accomplished with Globo and look forward to beginning this new era with Sony Music.”

The acquisition deepens the long-running relationship between Som Livre and The Orchard, headed by Brad Navin, further enhancing Sony’s support of artists and labels in Brazil and the rest of the Latin music market. Sony Music also will invest in Som Livre’s continued growth, creating expanded opportunities for Brazilian artists.

“The Orchard and Som Livre have worked together for many years, introducing their seminal artists to music fans worldwide,” Navin commented. “We’re excited to continue and expand our partnership as we further the company’s commitment to investing in the vibrant Brazilian music market.”

Afo Verde, Chairman/CEO of Sony Music Latin Iberia, also provided a quote: “Som Livre is a home for some of the most creative Brazilian artists and has a decade-long track record of important local-language music development. We both believe in artist-friendly strategies, and collectively we will provide an innovative approach to the Brazilian market and the whole Latin region.”

The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory and closing conditions, including approval from CADE (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica).