There are few other agencies as powerful in dance music as United Talent Agency and Paradigm. Windish and AM Only merged in 2017 to create Paradigm, and UTA acquired Circle Talent Agency in 2018. Between the two them, most dance music is present and accounted for. Now, according to a report from Billboard, these two juggernauts are in talks for a potential merger their own.
Sources confirmed to Billboard that UTA is the instigating partner in this deal, interested in either buying a controlling stake in Paradigm or merging the two companies.
Writes Billboard, “the logistics combining the two firms has been a challenge to getting a deal done — decisions about leadership the music department are still being worked out. Gores has reportedly resisted an fer to break f and sell the company’s music divison, or share the CEO role and has never had a co-head Paradigm in the more than 20 years he’s run the agency.
“There’s also the issue real estate — Paradigm recently moved into new fices on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, down the street from UTA’s Civic Center Drive fices — and questions about what to name the merged entity.”
A brief overview each agency’s artists:
UTA
- Adventure Club, ATLiens, Bear Grillz, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Blanke, Bro Safari, Camo & Krooked, Delta Heavy, Die Antwoord, Flux Pavilion, Infected Mushroom, Illenium, JOYRYDE, KOAN Sound, Knife Party, Marshmello, NGHTMRE, SAN HOLO, Skism, TYNAN, Zomboy
- Basically 90% the bass music industry thanks to 2018’s acquisition Circle
Paradigm
- 1788-L, A-Trak, Alan Walker, Alison Wonderland, Anjunabeats, Anna Lunoe, Axwell, Baauer, Big Gigantic, Blasterjaxx, Cash Cash, Cashmere Cat, Cirez D, Dada Life, Diplo, DJ Snake, Dog Blood, Ekali, Eric Prydz, Flosstradamus, Flume, Flying Lotus, Golden Features, Gorgon City
- A more diverse roster with many top-tier main stage acts
Whether this merger will go through or not will depend on a multitude factors, but for the companies as a whole, it seems massively beneficial. For those vying for higher positions within the companies, a power struggle may erupt as a result. Whatever happens, we’ll know soon enough.
Photos Rukes.com