Who Owns Matador Records?
Matador Records is owned by Beggars Group, a privately owned British independent music company founded by Martin Mills in 1977. Beggars Group acquired Matador Records in 1996 and maintains full ownership. Beggars Group is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and is privately held, not publicly traded.
Parent Company
Beggars Group
Acquired
1996
Status
Private
Headquarters
New York City, New York, USA
Who Owns Matador Records?
- Parent Company: Beggars Group
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1996
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Matador Records | Beggars Group | Wholly owned |
History of Matador Records
- Founded: 1989
- Founders: Chris Lombardi
- Acquired by Beggars Group: 1996
Matador Records was founded in 1989 by Chris Lombardi in New York City. The label began as a small operation releasing music from underground and alternative artists, with its first release being "...and there was light" by H.P. Zinker. Lombardi was joined by Gerald Cosloy in 1990, who helped expand the label's roster and influence.
Throughout the 1990s, Matador Records established itself as one of the most influential independent labels in American music. The label released music from artists including Liz Phair, Pavement, Guided by Voices, and Yo La Tengo, helping define the sound of 1990s alternative and indie rock.
In 1996, Matador Records sold a 49% equity stake to Capitol Records (part of EMI) while maintaining creative control. However, Beggars Group later acquired full ownership of Matador, bringing the label into its portfolio of independent music companies.
The 2000s and 2010s saw Matador continue its success with artists including Interpol, Belle and Sebastian, Queens of the Stone Age, Cat Power, and Savages. The label maintained its reputation for discovering and developing innovative artists while achieving commercial success.
About Beggars Group
Who owns Beggars Group?
Beggars Group is privately owned by Martin Mills, who co-founded the company in 1977 and serves as chairman. The company has no parent organization and is not affiliated with any major label or media conglomerate.
Is Beggars Group publicly traded?
No. Beggars Group is a privately held company and is not listed on any stock exchange.
What labels does Beggars Group own?
Beggars Group owns 4AD, XL Recordings, Matador Records, Rough Trade Records, Young Turks, and Beggars Banquet Records, among others.
What artists are signed to Beggars Group labels?
Beggars Group labels have released music by Adele (XL Recordings), The xx (Young Turks/XL), Vampire Weekend (XL), Pavement (Matador), Yo La Tengo (Matador), Cocteau Twins (4AD), The National (4AD), and many others.
When was Beggars Group founded?
Beggars Group was founded in 1977 by Martin Mills and Nick Austin as Beggars Banquet Records, a record shop and label in London.
Why has Beggars Group remained independent?
Martin Mills has consistently stated that independence allows the company to make decisions based on artistic merit and long-term artist relationships rather than short-term commercial pressures. The company has declined acquisition offers from major labels throughout its history.
- Founded: 1977
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is Matador Records Made / Based?
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, United Kingdom, International distribution partners
Brands Owned by Beggars Group
- Rough Trade Records - British independent record label founded in 1978, known for releasing music by p...
- XL Recordings - British independent record label founded in 1989, known for releasing music by a...
Matador Records Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Established independent label with strong artist roster and credibility
- +Backed by Beggars Group's extensive music industry experience and resources
- +Creative freedom and artist development focus characteristic of independent labels
- +Strong reputation in alternative and indie rock music communities
- +Established distribution network and industry relationships
- +Balance of artistic credibility with commercial success
Considerations
- -Music industry challenges including streaming revenue and digital disruption
- -Competition from major labels and independent competitors
- -Dependency on artist success for label profitability
- -Market volatility in music consumption patterns
- -Need to maintain relevance in changing music landscape
- -Balance between independent ethos and commercial operations
Frequently Asked Questions About Matador Records
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Matador Records on AmazonCompetitors to Matador Records
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Group | USA | 1988 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Warner Music Group | USA | 2019 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Sony Music Entertainment
Owned by Sony Group Corporation
American global music company and one of the world's largest record labels, operating multiple music labels and music publishing services.
Warner Records
Owned by Warner Music Group
American record label owned by Warner Music Group, flagship label of the Warner Music Group family, founded in 2019 as successor to Warner Bros. Records.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Matador Records competes with 2 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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