MUNICH, January 19, 2026 — Sony Music is expanding its catalog with the acquisition of Munich-based independent label Fame Recordings, just days after finalizing its purchase of Big Yellow Dog. While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, the move signals a continued focus on acquiring existing music rights.
Sony Music Adds Fame Recordings to Growing Portfolio
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The acquisition brings a diverse roster of German artists under the Sony Music umbrella.
- Sony Music has acquired Fame Recordings, a Munich-based label.
- The deal follows Sony’s recent purchase of Big Yellow Dog.
- Fame Recordings’ catalog will now be controlled by Sony Music.
- Former Fame MD and product manager will continue to support the transition.
Fame Recordings, founded in 2001 by veteran drummer and producer Curt Cress and former BMG Ariola A&R executive Tom Büscher, has been home to a variety of artists including The Seer, Stefan Jürgens, Schandmaul, Feuerschwanz, Die Happy, Coppelius, Pam Pam Ida, and Werner Schmidbauer. Sony Music has handled the label’s distribution for the past 15 years, paving the way for this full acquisition.
Catalog is Key
With Fame Recordings’ operations winding down, Sony Music’s primary interest appears to be in the label’s existing catalog of recordings. However, the label was still actively releasing new music as recently as November 2024, when Pam Pam Ida released her album Nehmts Mi Mit via Fame. That same year, Fame organized the free Green Grooves Festival in Munich, supported by the Cultural Department, which allowed the label “to pay all participating artists fair fees without having to charge admission.”
Former Fame Managing Director Antje Zelnitschek and product manager Matej Bellus will continue to provide their expertise during the transition, according to reports. Zelnitschek has held a freelance product management position with Sony Music since September of last year.
Limited Edition Releases Planned
Sony Music Germany catalog VP Thorsten Sack indicated that the company is preparing “special releases that will delight fans.” As a preview of this strategy, Fame unveiled a limited-edition 2,000-unit vinyl run of Feuerschwanz’s 2018 album Methämmer last month, available through Believe’s Nuclear Blast webstore.
This acquisition is part of a broader trend in the music industry. Earlier in January, Universal Music took a 30% stake in India’s Excel Entertainment. The European Commission is also expected to issue a decision soon regarding Universal Music’s proposed buyout of Downtown Music Holdings. Meanwhile, Warner Music acknowledged in November plans to disclose details of high-profile catalog plays related to its $1.2 billion Bain Capital partnership.
