Merlin

Merlin is the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors. We’ve negotiated premium deals with Apple, Canva, Meta, Spotify, YouTube, and 40 other innovative platforms around the world. Our global membership is from 70+ countries around the world, representing 15% of the recorded music market. Merlin operates for the benefit of its members, without investors looking for an exit, and is funded entirely by our low 1.5% admin fee. Merlin helps the world’s leading independents to own their digital business through world-class deals and white-glove support. Merlin’s membership includes independents such as !K7, Armada Music Group, AudioSalad, Because Music, Beggars Group, Better Noise, Cinq Music Group, Curb Records, Domino, Epitaph Records, Exceleration Music, Hopeless Records, IDOL, Kompakt, Kontor New Media, Lex Records, Mad Decent, MNRK Music Group, Mushroom Music, Nettwerk, Ninja Tune, ONErpm, Polyvinyl Records, Pony Canyon, Reservoir Media, Secret City, Secretly, Stones Throw, Sub Pop, Wagram Music, and hundreds more. Merlin has deals with 40 digital services, including partners like Anghami, Apple, Audiomack, AWA, Boomplay, Canva, Coda Music, Deezer, FLO, iHeartRadio, Jaxsta, JioSaavn, JOOX, KKBox, Kuaishou, Lickd, Meta, Mixcloud, NetEase, Pandora, Peloton, ROXi, Rythm, Slacker Radio, Snap, SoundCloud, Soundtrack Your Brand, Spotify, STYNGR, Supernatural, Taobao, Tencent, TREBEL, Turntable, Twitch, VEVO, and YouTube Music. Merlin is also in conversations with dozens more partners, and signing new partnerships all the time. Through the Merlin Connect initiative, Merlin identifies and licenses a select group of promising emerging technology platforms, providing them with the fully cleared, quality music they need to power their growth. Merlin has people in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Thailand. Named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies 2025.