Create Music Group has acquired electronic music label Monstercat.
The deal marks a strategic addition to Create’s growing portfolio of labels.
Founded in 2011, Monstercat has released over 8,000 recordings from artists including Kaskade, Alan Walker, Vicetone, Punctual, Whipped Cream, DJ Diesel (AKA Shaquille O’Neal) and Koven. As well as fair deal structures, it offers one-stop licensing by controlling both master and publishing rights.
Originally established in Waterloo, Canada, Monstercat has staff based in Vancouver, Toronto and Los Angeles.
The company will continue to operate independently under president Daniel Turcotte, vice president Orri Sachar and director of finance, Rob Hill, who have nearly three decades of internal leadership experience. Monstercat founders Mike Darlington and Ari Paunonen will remain involved in advisory roles to support the next phase of the label’s growth.
“Monstercat is everything an independent label should strive to be – exclusive, globally trusted and capable of breaking artists and songs at the highest levels,” said Jonathan Strauss, co-founder and CEO of Create Music Group. “Mike, Ari, Daniel, Orri, and the entire Monstercat team have built a culture and community at a scale rarely achieved in the music industry. We are excited to support their mission."
As part of the partnership, Create Music Group plans to invest an additional $50 million over the next two years in artist development, artist advances and platform support across Monstercat’s roster to accelerate both new signings and long-term career growth.
Monstercat has paid over $60 million to artists and cultivated a digital audience of more than 13 million followers, including a YouTube channel with nine million subscribers. The label placed over 150 songs in video games in 2024 alone through partnerships with Rocket League, Beat Saber, Fortnite, Roblox, and others.
“Our mission has always been to build sustainable, long-term careers for exceptional artists,” said Daniel Turcotte, president of Monstercat. “Create gives us the reach and support to do that at a larger scale, without changing what makes Monstercat special. We’re still artist-first – only now with more tools to serve them.”
Monstercat is everything an independent label should strive to be
Jonathan Strauss
The acquisition provides Monstercat with access to CMG’s global infrastructure, media portfolio and capital, which will enable it to offer “more competitive deal structures, enhance marketing support, and expand its international footprint”, according to the announcement.
“This partnership gives us the flexibility to offer more creative pathways for our artists,” added Orri Sachar, VP of Monstercat. “Whether you're releasing your first track or scaling an established brand, we now have the infrastructure to help artists succeed at every level.”
Monstercat’s catalogue spans three labels: Uncaged (bass and heavy electronic), Instinct (melodic and vocal-driven) and Silk, which launched via the 2021 acquisition of Silk Music and covers progressive, chill and deep house. The label also brings a growing live events business, with branded stages at Tomorrowland, Rampage Open Air, Amsterdam Dance Event, and Miami Music Week.
Create also plans to invest in expanding Monstercat Gold, the label’s subscription-based sync licensing service for content creators, with the aim of providing new opportunities for CMG clients and artists.
“Create Music Group shares the values we were looking for in a partner: a commitment to build, a respect for our brand, and a willingness to take risks,” said Turcotte. “We’re aligned in our vision of how a modern music company can create value for artists, and together we’ll be able to build something much bigger than either of us could do alone.”
“Monstercat brings a team and brand we deeply respect,” said Eric Nguyen, SVP of global corporate development & M&A at Create. “We’re excited to help scale what they’ve already built.”
Artisan, Reed Smith and Fasken served as legal advisors to Monstercat. Willkie Farr & Gallagher, Paul Hastings, and Osler advised Create Music Group. Create’s VP of BD, Adam Shomer, also played a key role in the transaction.
PHOTO: Daniel Turcotte and Orri Sachar (credit: Georgia Esporlas)
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