Copenhagen Records

Copenhagen Records is a Danish record label formed on 5 January 2004[1] by former EMI Recorded Music Denmark staff members to give artists more artistic autonomy.[2] It houses artists spread over a wide range of genres, from rock to rap, and from pop artists to comedians.

In September 2011, Universal Music Group acquired Copenhagen Records, and the rest of MBO Group.[3] The label operates as one of UMG's standalone labels.

History

In 2003, EMI-Medley had a 40% share of the Danish music market.[4] Days after Medley-founder Michael Ritto announced he would depart in February 2004, other senior staff members also left. Among them were former EMI Denmark head of A&R Nick Foss and former Capitol/Medley GM Mik Christensen, who had both worked at EMI for 19 years and long wanted to start a company of their own, but who had been persuaded by Ritto to hold off those plans.[4] Former Medley marketing manager Jakob Sørensen and former A&R manager Christian Backman set up operations; Foss and Christensen joined on 1 April 2004.[4] Christensen explained that Copenhagen Records had the aim "to recruit and develop quality Danish musicians. Sales of Danish artists have not dipped nearly as much as international acts [in Denmark]."[4] The label also had the direct intention to create a strong local competitor against the established multinational labels.[1]

In 2008, Christensen and Foss left Copenhagen Records and started Mermaid Records, which is largely owned by Sony Music Entertainment Denmark.[5][6] After Sørensen and Backman left the company in 2013, the position of CEO was taken over by Torben Ravn, who was a product manager at Copenhagen Records since 2007.[7]

Copenhagen Records is the market leader in Denmark on local repertoire and runs as a 360 label. Copenhagen Records also includes Copenhagen Music, a booking agency which primarily facilitates bookings for the artists on the label, and Copenhagen Publishing.

Artists

• Agnes

• Alex Vargas

• Alexander Brown

• Alphabeat

• Apollo

• BOY

• Burhan G

• Caroline Henderson

• Carpark North

• Celina Ree

• De Eneste To (D.E.T.)

• Eivør

• Eric Gadd

• Hedegaard

• Fabian Mazur

• Freddy Wexler

• Jasmin

• Joey Moe

• Le Kid

• Lightwave Empire

• Lukas Graham

• Nephew

• Nexus Music

• Nik & Jay

• Noah

• Patrick Dorgan

• Rune Klan

• Saveus

• Selvmord

• Scarlet Pleasure

• Sebastian Øberg

• Spleen United

• Stine Bramsen

• Studio Killers

• Thanks

• Veronica Maggio

• Years & Years

Former artists

• Cæcilie Nordby

• Flødeklinikken

• Hanne Boel

• Jinks

• Johnny Deluxe

• Laust Sonne

• Mads Langer

• Niarn

• Rock Hard Power Spray

• Sarah Hepburn

• Sanne Salomonsen

• Silja

• Siná

• Thomas Dybdahl

• Thomas Holm

• Tim Christensen

• Turboweekend

External links

• Official website