Courtesy of Sony Music
Sony Music Germany has acquired Munich-based independent label F.A.M.E. Recordings, bringing an end to the company’s active operations and folding its catalog into Sony’s growing global business.
The deal, announced January 14, builds on a long-standing relationship between the two companies. Sony Music had served as F.A.M.E.’s exclusive distributor for 15 years before the acquisition. Founded in 2001 by drummer Curt Cress and Tom Büscher, the label has released a wide range of well-known German artists across rock, folk, and cabaret-influenced pop.
The acquisition includes debut albums from Schandmaul and Pam Pam Ida, as well as recordings by Feuerschwanz, Werner Schmidbauer, Hannes Ringlstetter, Die Happy, Thomas Godoj, Willy Astor, and Coppelius. Sony Music said the repertoire will now be managed and marketed by its Berlin-based catalog team.
According to Sony Music Germany, the transaction brings F.A.M.E.’s release activity to a close, but Antje Zelnitschek and Matej Bellus will continue to advise Sony on the catalog on a freelance basis.
Thorsten Sack, Sony Music Germany’s Vice President of Catalog, said the company views the acquisition as an opportunity to reintroduce important recordings to the market through new editions and curated releases aimed at both long-time fans and new listeners.
The deal strengthens Sony Music’s footprint in Germany, particularly in Munich, Bavaria, and southern Germany, where many of F.A.M.E.’s artists have built dedicated followings.
The move also fits into a broader period of dealmaking across the wider Sony Music Group. In recent months, Sony Music Publishing has acquired Nashville-based Big Yellow Dog Music, home to major songs by Meghan Trainor and Maren Morris, and taken a significant stake in Finland’s Elements Music, whose catalog spans around 10,000 works.
Sony Music Germany has also restructured its frontline label operations in recent years, including merging its Gold League hip-hop team into RCA Records Germany and relaunching the historic Hansa Records as a frontline pop label.
With the addition of F.A.M.E.’s catalog, Sony is signaling a continued focus on deepening its position in both heritage and regional German catalog while looking for new ways to extend the audience of established recordings.
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