Memphis-based distribution and publishing administration services startup Connect Music has acquired London-based artist and label services provider MTX Music.
Connect co-founder Askia Fountain will head up MTX Music’s operations as Managing Director, focusing its services on the UK’s hip-hop and R&B community. He will lead the growth of MTX’s A&R and marketing teams in the coming months.
In addition, Connect says it is granting MTX Music access to its $10 million credit facility to support the development of emerging UK talent, with up to $1 million available per artist.
Backed by Preserver Partners, Connect says that it launched its credit facility in the summer “to further the company’s mission of empowering independent artists – in particular Black creators – through access to capital while maintaining ownership of their copyrights”.
Established in 2020, Connect works with more than 200 artists and labels in the US including Boosie Badazz, Dream Doll and N Less Entertainment’s roster, which includes Dee Mula and Big Homiie G.
The acquisition of MTX marks Connect’s entry into the UK and European markets. For MTX, the deal will see the company branching into R&B and hip-hop with new signings already in the pipeline.
Founded in 2018 by Mike Bartlett and Mike Mills, MTX offers digital and physical distribution and marketing services to artists and labels.
The acquisition will see MTX’s roster, which includes Judith Owen, Lost Society, Jonathan Antoine, Ashton Jones and Calum Foad, benefiting from access to finance and Connect’s network and US market expertise, according to the press release announcing the deal.
“This is a landmark moment for Connect Music, this is a piece of our wider strategy to expand our global operations.”
George Monger, Connect Music
Commenting on the acquisition, George Monger, President & CEO at Connect Music, said: “This is a landmark moment for Connect Music, this is a piece of our wider strategy to expand our global operations.
“We invested early in infrastructure and immediately MTX clients will see high royalties and through our ‘Connected Business’ strategy we will see nearly immediate, stronger bottom line performance from the operations.”
“Connect’s independent ethos and their commitment to supporting artists make them a perfect fit to take MTX forward. I look forward to watching the company and its artists go from strength to strength.”
Mike Bartlett, MTX Music
MTX Music Founder and departing MD Mike Bartlett will focus on his role as Managing Director of Motion Agency following the deal. MTX will maintain a strategic partnership with Motion Agency.
Bartlett said: “It’s been incredibly rewarding to grow MTX Music over the past four years, and the company is about to enter an exciting new era. Connect’s independent ethos and their commitment to supporting artists make them a perfect fit to take MTX forward.
“I look forward to watching the company and its artists go from strength to strength.”
“I am incredibly excited to join the team at MTX and to leverage Connect’s network resources to help empower the UK’s vibrant community of independent creators.”
Askia Fountain
“I am incredibly excited to join the team at MTX and to leverage Connect’s network resources to help empower the UK’s vibrant community of independent creators,” Fountain said.Music Business Worldwide
