BMG increases stake in Eurodance with Dr. Alban acquisition

21 March 2024 - Press release

 

BMG is delighted to announce that it has acquired Dr. Alban’s recording interests in his hit catalogue including the multi-million-selling ‘It’s My Life’ and ‘Sing Hallelujah!’, two of the defining tracks in Nineties Eurodance.

BMG already owned the label share of the recordings. The acquisition of Dr. Alban’s interests means BMG now has control of the key works of three tentpole Eurodance artists – SNAP!, Haddaway and Dr. Alban.

Dr. Alban – real name Alban Nwapa – is the Nigerian-born Swedish artist and producer who studied as a dentist while working as a club DJ before meeting legendary Swedish producer Denniz Pop in 1990. He enjoyed his first hit, ‘Hello Afrika’, with Pop and Swedish singer Leila K in 1990, before scoring his first Number One in Sweden with the impassioned anti-drugs anthem ‘No Coke’.

Nwapa’s international career exploded in 1992 with his second album One Love with singles ‘It’s My Life’ reaching Number One in Germany, Sweden, Austria and the Netherlands and number two in the UK, while ‘Sing Hallelujah!’ went Top 10 across Europe. Both tracks continue to be prized by synch clients. ‘It’s My Life’ has been streamed around 250m times on Spotify alone, with ‘Sing Hallelujah!’ at 140m. He boasts career sales of over 16m records.

This latest acquisition by BMG follows renewed interest in the Eurodance sound of the Nineties. In 2023, US comedian Kyle Gordon scored a huge TikTok hit with ‘Planet Of The Bass’, an affectionate parody of the genre, also released by BMG.

Said Dr. Alban, “I am thrilled to have chosen BMG as the custodian of my musical legacy. Their passion for preserving and promoting the vibrant energy of Eurodance aligns perfectly with my own vision. With BMG's expertise and dedication, I am confident that my music will continue to resonate with audiences around the world for generations to come.”

EVP Repertoire & Marketing Continental Europe Maximilian Kolb said, “Dr. Alban is one of the key figures in Eurodance with hits which are joyous, anthemic and timeless. We are delighted to have reached agreement to take on his royalty interest in some of the most important tracks in 90s European music.”