Warner Music Benelux president of recorded music and publishing Niels Walboomers (left) and Cloud 9 president Raymond van Vliet. Photo Credit: WMG
Warner Music Group (WMG) wasn’t kidding about its aggressive acquisition plans, as the Robert Kyncl-led major label has officially acquired the Netherlands’ Cloud 9 Recordings.
The restructuring-minded WMG reached out with word of that purchase today, after closing a number of different investments (and exploring, albeit without wrapping, others yet) earlier in 2024. Additionally, it was only six or so months back that Armada Music’s BEAT dance-investment fund announced a deal for Cloud 9’s publishing operation.
But the newer agreement, evidently distinct from BEAT’s play, covers the label side. Cloud 9 Recordings serves as the professional home of Claude, Jake Reese, Kris Kross Amsterdam, and Snelle, to name a few, with stakes in the catalog of Antoon and more to boot.
Though the purchasing party opted against publicly disclosing the financial specifics at hand, it did note that Cloud 9 co-founder Raymond van Vliet is expected to remain aboard as president.
Still operating independently (albeit under the Warner Music Benelux banner), Cloud 9 is poised to relocate its current team to WMG’s Amsterdam Music Harbour as well.
A creative hub boasting “a multi-level warehouse with industry chic vibes,” four recording studios, and more, Amsterdam Music Harbour was unveiled just shy of one year ago. Now, this hub will house Cloud 9, Warner Music Benelux, Warner Chappell Benelux, and Spinnin’ Records.
Returning to the publishing front, Warner Music Benelux has also inked an exclusive worldwide admin deal with Blue Skies Publishing. That Laren-based entity likewise involves Raymond van Vliet, reps several Cloud 9 acts, and was according to its LinkedIn profile founded in 2024.
In a statement, WMG Benelux president of recorded music and publishing Niels Walboomers, whose company brought on Goldman vet Michael Ryan-Southern over the summer to “supercharge” its buyouts strategy, touted Cloud 9’s “significant impact on the Dutch music industry.”
And in comments of his own, Raymond van Vliet struck an optimistic tone when describing Cloud 9’s future.
“On November 1st, Cloud 9 Music will celebrate its 20th anniversary,” the Cloud 9 president said in part. “It is a proud moment to sell this incredible company on the eve of this milestone. In the coming years, I will continue to lead Cloud 9, ensuring that my team, enhanced by Warner Music’s expertise, will keep representing our artist roster. We will take the next steps in the careers of our artists and continue to expand Cloud 9 Music.”
