Create Music Group Buys A Minority Stake In DistroKid

Create Music Group bought a minority stake in DistroKid, adding the label and music technology company to the distributor’s investors.

Create CEO and co-founder Jonathan Strauss confirmed the investment to Music Business Worldwide on October 28. The company invested earlier in 2026 alongside CVC Capital Partners’ majority deal, which closed in the third quarter. The reports did not disclose Create’s ownership percentage or what it paid.

“We’re excited to partner with CVC as a minority investor in the company and to support its continued growth,” Strauss said in a statement to Billboard, which also confirmed the investment.

CVC announced its agreement in July through its CVC Capital Partners IX fund. Its announcement said longtime DistroKid investor Insight Partners would keep a significant minority holding and Phil Bauer would remain president with the existing leadership team. CVC did not disclose financial terms.

Founded in 2013, DistroKid built its business around independent musicians. CVC’s announcement described a service that had expanded beyond sending music to platforms. Its tools also included video distribution, instant mastering, direct contact with fans and custom merchandise.

DistroKid also faced a separate dispute over the music it delivered. AllHipHop previously reported that the company removed recordings in response to Universal Music Group’s copyright claims. DistroKid disputed UMG’s allegations and said it was working to limit the disruption for affected artists.

Create’s own business already extended across music distribution, rights management, accounting and marketing. On its website, the company described support for artists, managers and independent labels, as well as founders building music businesses.

The investment joined Create’s broader push to buy and back music businesses. In March, Los Angeles-based Create announced a fundraising round of more than $450 million that combined equity and debt and valued the company at $2.2 billion. Create said it had put more than $500 million into acquisitions, advances and other growth efforts over the previous year.

Those investments included $300 million for Canadian independent Nettwerk Music Group to help its managers buy out existing investors. Create had also bought electronic labels Monstercat, !K7 and Cr2, plus deadmau5’s publishing and master recording catalogs. Its businesses included distribution platform Label Engine and marketing agency Flighthouse.