UnitedMasters
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music distribution |
| Founded | November 2017 |
| Founder | Steve Stoute |
| Headquarters | United States , United States |
Key people | Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood (President) |
| Products | Music distribution platform, mobile app |
UnitedMasters is a U.S.-based music distribution company established by Steve Stoute in November 2017. On October 21, 2020, rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again referenced his ownership stake in the company within his track "The Story of O.J. (Top Version)." He confirmed this stake and ongoing negotiations with Stoute during a podcast aired on February 16, 2023.
Establishment
UnitedMasters was introduced in November 2017, backed by a $70 million Series A funding round led by Alphabet, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz and 21st Century Fox.
Distribution of Music
The year 2018 saw UnitedMasters launch the Releases feature, allowing artists to upload their music and cover art for direct distribution to leading streaming services.
In 2019, Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood was named UnitedMasters’ inaugural President. Her previous roles include heading Music Partnerships at Instagram and serving as Head of Digital at Parkwood Entertainment, Beyoncé’s management firm.
UnitedMasters managed the distribution of songs for the official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 soundtrack, collaborating with artists such as Nora Fatehi, Rahma Riad, Balqees, Manal, and producer RedOne.
Strategic Alliances
In 2018, UnitedMasters entered into a global partnership agreement with the NBA.
Early in 2019, UnitedMasters artists played a role in launching Bose Frames by featuring the eyewear in music videos, while Bose supported artist promotion and growth efforts.
That same year, UnitedMasters collaborated with iHeartRadio and AT&T on 'The Come Up Show', which provided independent musicians opportunities for radio airplay, $25,000 in funding, and distribution contracts through major stations including Power 105.1 and Real 92.3.
Also in 2019, UnitedMasters worked with NBA 2K20 to curate a dynamic soundtrack showcasing leading artists like Drake and Billie Eilish.
In June 2020, the company introduced "Cash for Change" alongside Cash App, highlighting musicians addressing social challenges such as climate change.
By August 2020, a partnership with TikTok enabled UnitedMasters artists’ tracks to be included in TikTok’s Commercial Music Library, enhancing exposure for performers like NLE Choppa and BMW Kenny.
In September 2020, UnitedMasters collaborated with Twitch to offer licensed music for content creators, working alongside distributors such as CDBaby and Distrokid.
March 2021 marked a $50 million Series B financing round for UnitedMasters led by Apple Inc, with additional investments from Alphabet and Andreessen Horowitz.
In July 2023, UnitedMasters joined forces with Nigerian producer Sarz’s label, 1789, to support artist promotion across Africa’s five regions.
By April 2024, UnitedMasters partnered with Nine+ Records, owned by American-Nigerian artist Davido, focusing on artist development and A&R spanning genres like Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, and Latin music.
Technology
In July 2019, UnitedMasters introduced its iOS application, broadening the accessibility of its platform to mobile users. This app allows artists to upload music straight from sources such as text messages, Dropbox, or iCloud to leading streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple, Tidal, and YouTube. Additionally, the app provides artists with insights into streaming data, playlist information, revenue reports, social engagement statistics, and opportunities for brand collaborations, delivering a user experience consistent with the desktop version.