Create Music Group
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music distribution, publishing, data analytics |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Jonathan Strauss, Alexandre Williams |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Key people | Jonathan Strauss (CEO), Alexandre Williams (COO), Wayne Hampton (CBO) |
| Products | Music distribution, rights management, publishing |
| Website | createmusicgroup |
Create Music Group, initially known as CreateTV, is an independent American firm specializing in music distribution, publishing, and data analytics. Established in 2015 by Jonathan Strauss and Alexandre Williams, the company is based in Los Angeles, California, and provides services including music distribution, rights management, and publishing.
History
Create Music Group was launched in early 2015 by CEO Jonathan Strauss, COO Alexandre Williams, and CBO Wayne Hampton. Strauss contributed an initial investment of $1 million and subsequently raised $2.25 million in a seed funding round for minority equity stakes. The business began by recovering unclaimed YouTube revenue for artists primarily in the EDM and hip hop genres. By January 2019, it was generating revenue from approximately 9 billion streams monthly.
In June 2016, Create Music Group expanded by acquiring Label Engine, a label distribution company founded in 2008 where Williams had prior experience. Its distribution roster includes clients such as Insomniac Records, YNW Melly, and 6ix9ine. Additionally, the company obtained Flighthouse, a digital media brand.
The organization introduced its music publishing division in 2018, marked by signing artist 6ix9ine. Subsequently, it managed the distribution of 6ix9ine's Dummy Boy album following an unauthorized leak and released his single "Gooba." The label secured its inaugural number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the collaboration "Trollz" by 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj.
In 2020, Create Music Group was recognized as California's fastest-growing private company and ranked second nationwide on Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 list.
By 2025, the company broadened its portfolio through acquisitions including the discography of Canadian producer Deadmau5 and his label Mau5trap in March, followed by the purchase of Canadian electronic label Monstercat in May.
Cinq Music Litigation and Public Controversy (2022–2023)
In September 2022, Billboard highlighted deficiencies in YouTube’s royalty system that allowed exploitation. Anonymous sources claimed Create Music Group often filed royalty claims on content it did not legitimately own. One notable case involved an erroneous claim on Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World," which Create subsequently rectified. Co-founder Jonathan Strauss refuted accusations of deliberate false claims, attributing issues to inaccurate data and noting that 90% of ownership disputes favored Create.
Shortly thereafter, distributor Cinq Music Group initiated legal action against Create demanding at least $200,000 over alleged wrongful copyright strikes targeting Swell's "I'm Sorry," which sampled Shiloh Dynasty—an artist under Create’s management. Cinq asserted proper sample clearance but accused Create of blocking YouTube monetization since 2020. Create’s legal representative argued Cinq lacked authorization to monetize the track on audiovisual platforms like YouTube. The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice in February 2023, implying a settlement was reached.
Artist Publishing Group Litigation (2025)
In January 2025, Artist Publishing Group (APG) filed a federal copyright infringement lawsuit against Create Music Group and its affiliates. The complaint alleged multiple violations including fraudulent ownership claims on YouTube, unauthorized uploads on Spotify, and inducing artists to breach contracts with APG through deceptive agreements. The suit cited the song "Montagem Diamante Rosa" as a direct copy of APG’s "Diamondz n Roses" and sought damages exceeding $30 million.
Create Music Group denied all allegations and responded with a counterclaim accusing APG of engaging in unlawful business practices such as poaching exclusive artists from Create and distributing infringing material. In June 2025, the court dismissed APG’s tortious interference claim but allowed copyright infringement and conversion claims to move forward. The trial is set for February 10, 2026.
"Fuk Sumn" Sample Litigation (2025)
Create Music Group, along with Ye and Ty Dolla $ign, faced a lawsuit concerning the track "Fuk Sumn" from Vultures 1. The claimants, who are the original artists of the 1994 song "Drink a Yak (Part 2)," accused them of unauthorized sampling following unsuccessful attempts to secure licensing. After an initial settlement, Ty Dolla $ign and Create Music Group were dismissed from the case, while legal proceedings against Ye and his record label remain active.
See also
- BMG Rights Management, a similar music company.
- PIAS Group, an independent music entity affiliated with Universal Music Group.
- Virgin Music Group, an independent label distributor owned by Universal Music.