April 03, 2008

By By Lars Brandle, London

Dutch DJ/producer Don Diablo has struck an integrated deal with Sony BMG Entertainment Benelux which sees the music major take on responsibilities for all the artist's activities, including international recording, merchandise, sponsoring, mobile, digital and live performance.

Financial terms of the agreement -- which was signed after more than a year of talks, and is described as unprecedented in the history of Dutch music -- were not disclosed.

"With this deal," the artist says in a statement issued by his Amsterdam-based performer's management firm, Muzikology, "Sony BMG grants me complete artistic freedom and the possibility to sign new acts to my own imprint, while providing me with sufficient financial backing."

He adds, "It is a big step for me, but I feel Sony BMG will be able to give me that last push that I need as an independent artist."

The artist, who has remixed works for a diverse list of artists, including the Young Punx, Newton Faulkner and Kraak & Smaak, is due to release an artist album this fall under the working title "Respect Doesn't Pay the Bills."

In the statement, the music major notes that it will in the near future be "developing into a music entertainment company that offers a wider range of activities and services to artists in order to create a loyal fan base and strong artist brands."

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