Connect Music Acquires MTX Music, Allocates Up To $10m For Artist Development
Multi-GRAMMY-nominated Askia Fountain appointed MTX Managing Director
Deal expands Connect’s global business, with MTX heading up UK operations
MTX to branch into R&B / hip-hop with new signings underway
Connect Music, a fast-growing US music monetization company that provides distribution and publishing administration services, has acquired London-based artist & label services provider MTX Music.
Connect co-founder and multi-GRAMMY-nominated A&R executive 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.
In addition, Connect 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, the credit facility was launched this 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.
MTX Music’s existing roster, which includes Judith Owen, Lost Society, Jonathan Antoine, Ashton Jones and Calum Foad, will benefit from access to finance, as well as Connect’s network and US market expertise.
Fountain will lead on growing MTX Music’s A&R and marketing teams over the coming months. The team is already in the process of making its first signings, with details expected to be announced soon.
Founded in 2020, Connect works with over 200 US artists and labels, including Boosie Badazz, Dream Doll and N Less Entertainment’s roster, including Dee Mula and Big Homiie G. The acquisition of MTX Music marks Connect’s entry into the UK and European markets.
George Monger, President & CEO at Connect Music, said of the acquisition: “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. I cannot think of a better, more well connected Managing Director than Askia to grow the business, I believe he’s the ideal person to lead on bringing Connect’s unique offering to the UK market.”
Askia Fountain, Managing Director at MTX Music, commented: “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.””
MTX Music Founder Mike Bartlett will focus on his role as Managing Director of Motion Agency, with which MTX Music will maintain a strategic partnership.
Added Bartlett: “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.”
About Connect Music
Connect Music is a music monetization company that provides distribution and publishing administration services. Within the Connect model, artists retain 100% ownership of their IP and participate in a revenue share instead of an annual flat rate. We are incentivized to partner with our clients to maximize exposure and consumption of their music. If they don’t earn, neither do we. Find out more about Connect Music: https://connectmusic.com/
About MTX Music
MTX Music is an independent Label Services & Distribution company, based in London. Founded in 2018 by Mike Bartlett and Mike Mills, the company provides digital and physical distribution as well as tailored marketing services, to a carefully curated group of artists and labels. MTX enables artists to achieve their release goals on a global scale, accessing best in class services and advice, while retaining all of the rights to their music. Find out more about MTX Music: https://mtxmusic.net/