UnitedMasters
{{Short description|Company service in Brooklyn, New York, United States}}
{{Infobox company
| name = UnitedMasters
| logo =
| type = Private
| industry = Music
| founded = November 2017
| founder = Steve Stoute
| hq_location_city = New York City
| hq_location_country = United States
| area_served = Worldwide
| website = {{URL|www.unitedmasters.com}}
}}
UnitedMasters is an American music distributor based in the United States founded by Steve Stoute in November 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/15/united-masters/ |title=With $70M From Alphabet, UnitedMasters Replaces Record Label|website=Tech Crunch|access-date=2019-06-10}} On October 21, 2020, in a song released by rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again titled "The Story of O.J. (Top Version)", he first noted owning a percentage of the company. Less than three years later, on a music podcast released February 16, 2023, the Baton Rouge rapper again noted that he owns a percentage of the company and has had several talks with Steve Stoute.{{Cite web|url=https://rapradar.com/features/rap-radar-podcast-youngboy-never-broke-again/ |title=RAP RADAR PODCAST: YOUNGBOY NEVER BROKE AGAIN|website=Rap Radar|date=2023-02-16|access-date=2023-02-16}}
History
= Formation =
UnitedMasters was launched in November 2017 by Steve Stoute with a $70 million Series A led by Google's corporate umbrella Alphabet alongside venture firm Andreessen Horowitz and 21st Century Fox.{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8221740/steve-stoute-interview-unitedmasters-music-start-up|title=Inside Steve Stoute's New Artist-First Music Startup|website=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-10}}
= Music distribution =
In 2018, UnitedMasters rolled out the distribution feature on its platform titled Releases. The Releases feature allows artists to upload their music and album artwork and distribute their music to all major streaming services through the UnitedMasters platform.{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8465467/united-masters-online-distribution-service-artists-launch|title=Eight Months After Launch, UnitedMasters Quietly Rolls Out Online Distribution Service For Artists|website=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-10}}
In 2019, UnitedMasters announced the appointment of its first President, Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood. Wirtzer-Seawood formerly served as Head of Music Partnerships at Instagram.{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/unitedmasters-hires-ex-instagram-exec-lauren-wirtzer-seawood-as-president/|title=UnitedMasters Hires Ex-Instagram Exec Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood As President |website=Music Business Worldwide|access-date=2019-06-10}} Prior to that, Wirtzer-Seawood spent two years as the Head of Digital at Beyoncé's entertainment and management company, Parkwood Entertainment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8505550/unitedmasters-lauren-wirtzer-seawood-president |title=UnitedMasters Hires Instagram's Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood as President: Exclusive|website=Billboard |access-date=2019-06-10}}
In 2022, UnitedMasters distributed songs for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 by cooperating with artists like Nora Fatehi, Rahma Riad, Balqees, Manal and RedOne.{{Citation |title=Light The Sky [Music from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack] |date=2022-10-07 |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/1HHzmFwcB8Cs7WyNukkCSn |language=en |access-date=2022-10-07}}{{Better source needed|date=December 2022}}
= Partnerships =
In 2018, UnitedMasters announced a global partnership with the NBA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2018/11/08/nba-unitedmasters-partnership-musicians|title=NBA, UnitedMasters Announce Partnership To Assist Independent Musicians |website=NBA|access-date=2019-06-10}}{{Better source needed|date=December 2022}}
In early 2019, UnitedMasters artists helped launch the Bose Frames products by featuring the product in their music videos. UnitedMasters helped identify ambassadors for the campaign and Bose assisted in the development and promotion of each artist's music videos.{{Cite web|url=https://wearecousins.co/bose-frames-ar-sunglasses/|title=Bose Frames AR Sunglasses| website=Cousins |access-date=2019-06-10}}{{Better source needed|date=December 2022}}
In a 2019 partnership with iHeartRadio and AT&T, UnitedMasters helped major radio stations including Power 105.1 in New York City and Real 92.3 in Los Angeles celebrate emerging artists in their cities. Through 'The Come Up Show' series, independent artists got the opportunity to submit music for the chance to receive major radio play, $25,000, and a distribution deal through UnitedMasters.{{Cite web|url=https://power1051.iheart.com/content/2019-02-06-power-1051-launches-search-for-next-ny-hip-hop-icon/ |title=Power 105.1 Launches |website=Power 105.1 |access-date=2019-06-10}}
Also in 2019, UnitedMasters announced a partnership with NBA 2K20.{{Cite web|url=https://hiphopwired.com/814132/nba-2k20-soundtrack-unitedmasters/|title='NBA 2K20' Soundtrack {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|Revelead}}, 2K Teams With Steve Stoute For Global Talent Search|website=Hip Hop Wired |access-date=2019-07-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nba-2k20-changing-game-dynamic-120000552.html|title=NBA® 2K20 is Changing the Game with a Dynamic Soundtrack Developed in Partnership with UnitedMasters|website=Yahoo Finance|access-date=2019-07-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/nba-2k20-soundtrack/ |title=The NBA 2K20 Soundtrack Features Drake, Billie Eilish, Meek Mill And More|website=Billboard|access-date=2019-07-20}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/07/nba-2k20-soundtrack-drake-travis-scott|title=Drake, Travis Scott, and More Will Appear on 'NBA 2K20' Soundtrack|website=Complex|access-date=2019-07-20}}
In June 2020, UnitedMasters launched "Cash for Change", a joint venture with mobile payment service Cash App to highlight songs by artists who address political and social issues, predominantly climate change.{{Cite news|title=CashApp haves an partnership with UnitedMasters|work=MusicBusiness WorldWide|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/unitedmasters-launches-cash-for-change-grant-program-to-showcase-artists-advocating-for-social-justice/|access-date=2020-06-24}}
In August 2020, UnitedMasters partnered with TikTok to enable music from creators who have joined UnitedMasters to be promoted onto the platform's Commercial Music Library. The partnership was intended to translate trending activity into musical success; several artists who utilize UnitedMasters have found success on the app, such as NLE Choppa and BMW Kenny.{{Cite news|date=2020-08-17|title=TikTok Makes a Deal (Not That One)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/business/dealbook/tiktok-unitedmasters-music.html|access-date=2020-08-19|issn=0362-4331}}
In September 2020, UnitedMasters partnered up with Twitch to feature licensed music for creators. That also includes with CDBaby, Distrokid, and other music distributors.{{Cite news|date=September 30, 2020|title=Twitch rolls out licensed music features for creators.|work=MusicWeek|url=https://www.musicweek.com/digital/read/twitch-rolls-out-licensed-music-feature-for-creators/081362}}
In March 2021, UnitedMasters raised $50m in a Series B venture round. Funding was led by Apple Inc, with follow-on funding by Google's corporate umbrella Alphabet and Andreessen Horowitz.{{Cite news|date=September 30, 2020|title=Steve Stoute's UnitedMasters Lands $50 Million Infusion Of Cash Led By Apple|work=AllHipHop|url=https://allhiphop.com/news/steve-stoutes-unitedmasters-lands-50-million-infusion-of-cash-led-by-apple/}}
In July 2023, UnitedMasters partnered with 1789, a record label owned by Nigerian music producer, Sarz to promote artists and producers across the five regions of Africa.{{cite web |last1=Laketu |first1=Adedayo |title=UnitedMasters and Sarz Unite to Find Africa's Next Big Star |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/unitedmasters-sarz-1789/ |website=okayafrica.com |publisher=Okay Africa}}
In April 2024, UnitedMasters partnered with Nine+ Records, a record label owned by American-Nigerian singer and songwriter, Davido to focus on artist development, A&R, and comprehensive support for new signees across various genres, including Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, and Latin music.{{Cite web |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=2024-04-18 |title=Davido Partners With UnitedMasters to Launch His Own Label |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/record-labels/davido-record-label-unitedmasters-1235659451/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}
= Technology =
In July 2019, UnitedMasters unveiled its new iOS app which makes the features of the UnitedMasters platform available on mobile devices.{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8518759/unitedmasters-ios-app-distribution-artist-services|title=Steve Stoute's Distro Platform is Going Mobile|website=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-10}} The iOS app allows artists to easily distribute music directly from their text messages, Dropbox, or iCloud to major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple, Tidal, and YouTube.{{Cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/news/steve-stoute-s-unitedmasters-launches-new-ios-app-for-independent-artists-vdida8CGKUOAQmb2AxytEQ/|title=Steve Stoute's UnitedMasters Launches New iOS App For Independent Artists|website=All Hip Hop |access-date=2019-06-10}} Similar to the desktop platform, artists can view streaming stats, playlisting details, financial earnings, and social stats as well as access opportunities for brand partnerships.{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/07/unitedmasters-launches-new-app-for-independent-artists |title=UnitedMasters Launches New App For Independent |website=All Hip Hop |access-date=2019-06-10}}
References
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{{Music digital distribution platforms}}
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Category:American companies established in 2017