SAY CHEESE: CREATE ACQUIRES DEADMAU5, MAU5TRAP CATALOGS

Create Music Group has acquired the catalogs of influential electronic-music artist-producer deadmau5 and those of his label, mau5trap, as part of a deal covering more than 4,000 songs and valued in excess of $55m.

The parties are also forming a joint venture to release future music from deadmau5 and mau5trap artists.

Deadmau5, whose real name is Joel Zimmerman and who performs onstage in a signature mouse helmet, founded mau5trap in 2007 and has released music by such genre stars as Skrillex, REZ, Noisia, Feed Me and i_o on it.

CMG plans to remaster and rerelease highlights of the mau5trap catalog as well as new material and will engage in related brand partnerships, gaming, VR, livestreaming and other licensing opportunities.

“When deadmau5 put on that helmet, he didn’t just create a brand—he sparked a movement,” said CMG co-founder/CEO Jonathan Strauss. “His vision redefined electronic music, pushing boundaries and reshaping the industry. From the earliest days of Create Music Group, [co-founder and COO] Alexandre Williams and I have had the privilege of working alongside Joel and his business partner Dean Wilson, witnessing firsthand the evolution of an icon. Now, as the stewards of deadmau5 and mau5trap’s legendary catalog, we inherit a legacy that changed music forever."

“I have worked closely with Jonathan, Alex and Create for nearly two decades now, building my own career as well as the artists on mau5trap,” added Zimmerman. “We didn’t need to look far when we were considering a partner to help get it all to the next level.”

Said deadmau5 manager Wilson, “Over the last 20 years, fueled by Joel’s creative and entrepreneurial ambitions, we have built one of the strongest brand names in electronic music. To have partnered with Create, who have worked so closely with us over the years on our journey, ensures that the next two decades will be every bit as exciting for Joel and everyone on the mau5trap team as we work to expand our legacy even further.”

The deal was handled by CMG SVP of Global Corporate Development and M&A Eric Nguyen, with Paul Hastings (Sid Fohrman and Hayley Silvertown) advising. LaPolt Law (Dina LaPolt and Lindsay Arrington) served as legal advisors to Zimmerman and mau5trap.

HIT5 i5 laying out a fine plate of cheddar for the occa5ion.