Amsterdam-headquartered independent dance music label Armada Music says it has acquired the catalog of Grammy-nominated British singer, songwriter and DJ Sonique.
Under the deal, Armada Music said it will hold the worldwide rights to Sonique’s “entire catalog” of songs, including her hit single It Feels So Good, whichreached No. 1 in the UK and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, the company announced Friday (November 21).
Originally released in the UK in 1998, It Feels So Good also gained momentum from US radio, resulting in a re-release in May 2000. It then reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for three week and was the third-biggest-selling single in the UK in 2000. The track also reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and earned Sonique an Ivor Novello Award and the BRIT Award for Best British Female in 2001.
The song was featured last year in a rework by MattSassari and HUGEL, which has already topped 130 millionSpotify streams in 11 months. Another hit single, Sky, peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.
Sonique first gained prominence as the lead vocalist of electronic dance group S’Express in the late 1980s before going on a solo career. Last year, she performed a sold-out London’s Royal Festival Hall headline show with a full band, strings and choir. The same year, she performed at the Glastonbury’s Silver Hayes stage for the first time and joined Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics arena tour.
“Her music has left an indelible mark on dance culture, and we are committed to nurturing and elevating her legacy for a new generation of fans while continuing to engage her dedicated base worldwide.”
Maykel Piron, Armada Music Group
Commenting on the deal, Maykel Piron, CEO and Co-Founder of Armada Music Group, said: “We are incredibly excited to welcome Sonique’s phenomenal catalog to the Armada Music family.
“Her music has left an indelible mark on dance culture, and we are committed to nurturing and elevating her legacy for a new generation of fans while continuing to engage her dedicated base worldwide.
“This long-term partnership reflects our belief in the enduring power and potential of her incredible body of work.”
Sonique added: “Signing with Armada Music feels like the perfect next step in my journey. It’s a chance to honor the songs and moments that shaped my career while also opening the door to new music.”
“Signing with Armada Music feels like the perfect next step in my journey. It’s a chance to honor the songs and moments that shaped my career while also opening the door to new music.”
Sonique
Added Sonique: “I’m proud to have a label with such a powerful dance heritage supporting both my catalogue and my future, and I feel energized, inspired, and ready for what’s ahead.”
The deal comes as Armada Music has grown its catalog to over 50,000 tracks in the dance music industry. It represents artists like Armin van Buuren, ARTY, D.O.D, Eelke Kleijn, Jan Blomqvist, Joris Voorn, KI/KI, Lilly Palmer, Loud Luxury, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, THEMBA and Yulia Niko.
Armada Music Group also operates as the parent company for its music rights investment vehicle, BEATMusicFund, launched in 2023 and described as “the first-ever dance investment fund.”
The company tells us that the Sonique deal was struck via Armada directly, rather than the BEAT Music Fund.
In September, BEAT acquired the entire master rights catalog of Netherlands-headquartered Mixmash Records including hits like Show Me Love by Steve Angello and Laidback Luke feat. Robin S (169 million streams) and Turbulence by Steve Aoki and Laidback Luke feat. Lil Jon (40 million streams).
In March, the fundacquired the rights to “a large portion” of masters from Tiga, a DJ, producer, and founder of Turbo Recordings. The deal includes rights to some of Tiga‘s most streamed tracks, including the hit Sunglasses at Night, Bugatti, and You Gonna Want Me, Let’s Go Dancing, and HAL ft. Kölsch. The tracks have collectively amassed over 33 million Spotify streams.
Last year, BEAT acquired the catalogs of Kevin Saunderson, Markus Schulz, and Robbie Rivera. The deal with techno pioneer Saunderson saw BEAT acquire artist shares from a portion of Sanderson’s Inner City catalog.
