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SoundCloud acquired the music platform and direct-to-fan marketplace Nina Protocol, which shuttered last year. As part of the deal, SoundCloud is acquiring Nina’s editorial archive and its “genre map,” according to a press release.
Nina artists will have the opportunity to opt into SoundCloud’s creator ecosystem, giving them access to tools for distribution, direct-to-fan monetization, audience growth and more, while enjoying a “streamlined migration process,” the release adds.
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“Together, these assets will help surface emerging artists, scenes, and music to even more listeners across the global music platform,” the release continues. “A streamlined migration process will also enable Nina’s artists and users to easily bring their music, content, followers, and creative work to SoundCloud.”
“As the platform where millions of artists begin their journey, we’ve always believed that the next movements in music emerge from communities long before they reach the mainstream,” said Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud, in a statement. “That belief is deeply aligned with the mission Nina has championed from the very beginning. They built an incredible platform by putting independent artists, scenes, and communities first, and our priority is to honor what they’ve created, while carrying that mission forward. Together, we’ll help more independent artists build deeper relationships with fans, unlock new ways to earn, and access the tools they need to grow sustainable careers on their own terms.”
“Nina has always been about empowering independent artists and documenting the communities that drive music forward. SoundCloud built that foundation: without SoundCloud, there wouldn’t be Nina,” said Mike Pollard, CEO and co-founder of Nina Protocol. “As we considered the future of the platform, we wanted to ensure our artists and editorial work found a home that shared and actively practiced those values. SoundCloud was the natural choice.”
Read about more recent deals below.
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SOCAN/Musical AI
Canadian Music Rights organization SOCAN struck a partnership with Canadian rights management technology company Musical AI that will focus on exploring uses and guidelines for AI attribution technologies in Canada — with the goal of creating an infrastructure for proper AI licensing and compensation for Canadian songwriters, composers and publishers. Musical AI’s attribution system analyzes AI-generated musical outputs to assess their connection to sound recordings and musical compositions.
“The collaboration is founded on two principles: First, all music creators should decide how their work participates in AI. All AI use should occur on an opt-in basis,” a press release reads. “Second, music creators must receive credit and compensation when their work influences an AI-generated output.”
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Reservoir Media/Some Action
Reservoir Media struck a joint venture with U.K.-based A&R executive Ollie Hodge to bring his frontline label, Some Action, under the Reservoir umbrella. Some Action will now be based out of the Reservoir and Chrysalis Records office in London.
Hodge launched Some Action in 2024 and shortly after released Good Neighbours’ debut single, “Home,” which was certified platinum by the RIAA that year. Other signees to the label include McGrath, JP O’Grady and L Devine.
The Some Action team also includes general manager Charlie Shawcross and A&R Dillon Hall.
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Sureel AI/Symphonic Distribution
Sureel AI, the AI attribution company that was recently acquired by Warner Music Group, signed a partnership with Symphonic Distribution that will allow Symphonic clients to participate in AI-driven revenue derived from their music. Sureel’s role will be to make sure “payments are tied to measurable contribution, enforcing permissions and restrictions that Symphonic creators put in place to manage the use of their work,” according to a press release.
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Too Lost/Roblox
Too Lost, a music distribution and tech platform serving indie artists, labels and rights holders, partnered with Roblox to make music it distributes available within the Roblox music ecosystem. The Too Lost catalog includes songs by The All-American Rejects, A$AP Ferg, 1nonly, Jessie Reyez, Mach-Hommy, Quavo, Royel Otis, Smokepurpp, Teddy Swims, Luke Chiang and Alex Warren.
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AllTrack/SACEM
U.S. PRO AllTrack partnered with French collective management organization SACEM for direct multi-territory digital licensing of AllTrack’s repertoire. The agreement covers streaming and download royalties, including performance and technical shares, from DSPs in more than 130 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. AllTrack will continue managing collections via existing direct global licenses with select DSPs and partnerships with sister societies in their local markets.
SACEM conducts centralized multi-territory digital licensing negotiations with DSPs including Spotify, Apple, Amazon and YouTube. It also “provides advanced metadata processing and enrichment services designed to improve data accuracy, increase match rates, and reduce ownership conflicts,” according to a press release.
AllTrack members will begin receiving royalty payouts under the deal as soon as August 2026.
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