Celebrating 15 Years of Believe UK

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For the past 15 years

Believe UK has been supporting artists and labels, helping them grow while staying independent and sharing their music globally. The company offers full services across four departments: Artist Services, Label & Artist Solutions, TuneCore, and Sentric. Over the past 15 years, Believe UK has collaborated with some of the country's top talent and is excited to celebrate this milestone and look forward to a bright future.

Dive into the iconic tracks that have shaped Believe UK's history:

Breaking records since 2009

Discover Believe UK history in 15 ground-breaking records:

Higher Love - JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW

One of Believe UK’s first AS signing, James Vincent McMorrow had a major success with Higher Love. Used countless times in ads, films and TV shows, his hit helped Believe Sync activity launch.

James Vincent McMorrow - Higher Love
Eat Sleep Rave Repeat - FATBOY SLIM

Believe UK has been a partner of Fatboy Slim's Southern Fried label for 13 years now. This track went to #3 in the UK chart and is still a streaming favourite. Fatboy Slim has returned to Believe to release new music in 2024.

Fatboy Slim - Eat Sleep Rave Repeat
Atom Dance - BJÖRK (FT. ANOHNI)

Believe released Björk's critically acclaimed album Vulnicura through her label One Little Independent Records. The collaboration with Mercury Prize-winning artist ANOHNI brought a unique depth to the project.

Bjork - Atom Dance
Firefly - MURA MASA & NAO

Launched by Believe, Mura Masa and Nao enjoyed global success with their collaboration ‘Firefly’. Streamed over 150 million times to date, the song launched their careers and proved Believe's ability to break independent artists.

Mura Masa & Nao - Firefly
Never Be Like You - FLUME

Following a first album released alongside Future Classic in 2012, Flume's second LP, Skin, charted in the US, Europe and reached #1 in Australia. The hit single ‘Never Be Like You’ now exceeds 1 billion streams across all DSPs.

Flume - Never Be Like You
Birthplace - NOVO AMOR

Taken from Novo Amor’s 1st album, ‘Birthplace’ eco-conscious video won several prizes, including AIM Award for Best Video. Since he joined Believe in 2017, Novo Amor amassed more than 2 billion streams.

Novo Amor - Birthplace
Always - GAVIN JAMES

Thanks to the exploitation of local partnerships, Gavin James's “Always” achieved massive audience recognition (250 million streams as of now), notably in France with a local version and in Brazil where it received Diamond certification.

Gavin James - Always
You & I - BRU-C

Taken from his 'Original Sounds' album, “You & I” was Bru-C’s breakout track, with over 150M streams. It cemented him as a main artist of the bassline scene, and established Crucast and Believe as leading labels / distributors in this genre.

Bru-C, Simula - You & I
More than a friend - GIRLI

Released by Believe after she was dropped by her previous label, girli's queer anthem “More than a friend” became her breakout track, achieving over 70 million streams globally.

girli - More Than a Friend
Give It To Me - MATT SASSARI

Matt Sassari’s “Give It To Me” is the perfect example of how Believe can develop campaigns in multiple markets with local teams. Released by CR2 via B. electronic, the song achieved Gold and Platinum in 6 markets and more than 550M streams.

Matt Sassari - Give It To Me
Seize The Power - YONAKA

When their deal ended with a major, YONAKA signed with Believe before releasing their single “Seize the Power”, which was quickly placed in the TV series “She Hulk” by Believe Sync team, propelling the track to Global #1 on Shazam.

YONAKA - Sieze the Power
Los Pollos Hermanos - KNUCKS

Originally released prior Knucks was upstreamed from Label & Artist Solutions to Artist Services, “Los Pollos Hermanos” started the campaign his now BPI certified gold album, Alpha Place, that amassed over 200m streams to date.

Los Pollos Hermanos - Knucks
Oysters In My Pocket - ROYEL OTIS

Believe started working with Royel Otis in 2021, with their first single. In 2022, “Oysters In My Pocket'” became a global indie hit with over 100M streams across all DPSs and propelled the band as rising indie stars.

Royel Otis - Oysters In My Pocket
Brilliant Mind - BLANCO

Blanco's Brilliant Mind is the best proof that TikTok can be a major accelerator. Its growth accelerated after it went viral on TikTok, with over 111K UGC creations. The track reached #66 in the UK charts and earned BPI’s Silver status.

Blanco - Brilliant Mind
Sevdaliza, Pablo Vitaar, Yseult - Alibi - 2024

#1 TikTok Viral song in the UK, US, France and Brazil, Sevdaliza's song Alibi with Pablo Vitaar and Yseult connected with audience at global level, reaching #12 Global Spotify Chart and peaking at #96 on Billboard Hot 100.

Sevdaliza - Alibi
Believe key players
Denis Ladegaillerie

Believe is posting today healthy results, fully in line with expectations. These results are the outcome of tremendous teamwork of our teams in furtherance of our mission to develop artists and labels at all stages of their careers with expertise, respect, fairness, and transparency. (Source)

Denis Ladegaillerie
Founder and CEO - Believe
Alex Kennedy

The UK is really moving forward to be a key territory for Believe […]The level of competition is extremely high with the majors having big offices here. But we’ve been able to break through, especially over the last two or three years, and create a stable of labels we work with that are some of the cream of the crop of the independent label community. (Source)

Alex Kennedy
Managing Director of Believe UK
A successful journey

Believe opens its first UK office is Parsons Green, led by MD Stephen King with a team of three people.

2009

James Vincent McMorrow, Believe's first major artist signed on Artist Services, inks a four-album deal and wins Silver, Gold and Platinum awards with Believe.

2010

Believe signs key deals with UK independent labels Southern Fried, Tru Thoughts, and Shogun Audio, all of whom remain with Believe to this day. 

2011

Believe moves to second London office in Stockwell / Clapham with a team of 20 people.

2012

Queen signed their Online Video Distribution rights to Believe, leading to huge success for the catalogue.

2013

Gavin James signs with Believe x Good Soldier Joint Venture, achieving global Platinum status and becoming an arena artist.

2014

Believe signs artist deals with Lizzo for her album "Big GRRRL Small World" and breakthrough artists Mura Masa and Nao.

2015

Novo Amor signs a four-album deal with Believe Artist Services imprint Allpoints.

2016

Crucast signs as a brand new label going on to achieve Platinum success with Bru-C.

2017

Believe partners with BBC Introducing for an event featuring Orbital's keynote and exclusive Björk VR content.

2018

Believe UK relocates to its third UK office at Tileyard, growing to a team of 40 people.

 

London-based rapper Knucks signs to Believe for distribution.

2019

Key Gen-Z labels - including Scruff of the Neck, House Anxiety and DMY - join Believe, achieving instant success with their debut signings.

 

Distributed through Believe, La Roux's third album, Supervision, reaches #20 in the UK charts.

2020

Knucks transitions from Label & Artist Solutions to Believe Artist Services, achieving a Top 3 UK album that later went Silver in the UK. 

 

Communion Music inks a distribution deal with Believe UK and see breakthrough success with artists such as Wunderhorse, Searows and Nectar Woode.

2021

Thanks to Don Broco's Amazing Things success, Believe celebrates Nuclear Blast first album to reach #1 in UK charts.

 

Believe launches its b:electronic brand, with key signings from electronic music labels, including Rinse and Hospital Record.

2022

Believe UK wins 'Best Label & Artist Services Company' at the Music Week Awards.

 

Believe acquires UK-based independent tech-powered music publishing platform Sentric.

2023

Believe signs deal with fabric - for releases from Confidence Man, Daniel Avery and Dusky – as well as Bella Union - for releases from Father John Misty and Beach House.

 

Royel Otis experience global success with their debut album 'PRATTS & PAIN' and covers of 'Murder on the Dancefloor' and 'Linger'. 

 

Believe is celebrating 15 years in the UK music industry with plans to move into its fourth London office in Kings Place, taking the team to 70.

2024
Strong connections built over the years

Many thanks to the music industry professionals who have helped shape Believe UK and shared the journey with us.

Spotify

Congratulations to Believe on its 15th anniversary in the UK. Believe has been a great partner to Spotify and to the artist community and I’m excited to see what the next 15 years brings.

Jeremy Erlich
Global Head of Music - Spotify
YouTube Music

Our longstanding partnership with Believe is testament to the vital work they do in helping artists to build their careers and connect with fans - a mission that we share at YouTube.

Dan Chalmers
Head of YouTube Music, EMEA - YouTube Music
Amazon Music

Believe has established themselves as leaders in innovation and champions of independence. They showcase a dedication to experiment and […] find solutions that consistently sets them apart.

Laura Lukanz
Head of Music UK/ANZ - Amazon Music
Apple

Believe has been an incredible partner helping us to deliver the the very best experience for Apple Music subscribers […] Keep on believing - and here’s to the next 15 years in business together!

George Ergatoudis
Head of Music UK & Ireland - Apple
5000mgmt

Believe are the most efficient, diligent, supportive, thoughtful and understanding label or artist services company we’ve worked with since we got into this business in 1990.

5000 MGMT
Tru Thoughts Recordings

We have been working with Believe for […] years and appreciate how they are always […] reacting to the changes in the digital market. Our label manager feels like an extension of our office.

Paul Jonas
Co-founder - Tru Thoughts Recordings
Communion Music Group

Believe continues to be a wonderful partner to Communion Records. A future-focused and progressive distributor, and never anything less than an […]  supporter of our artists and our label.

Jamie Emsell
Managing Director - Communion Music Group
Hospital Records

Believe, particularly their dance division B:Electronic, has been a tremendous asset to Hospital Records. Their innovative, tech-driven approach […] has significantly enhanced our operations.

Craig Dawson
Finance Director - Hospital Records
Cr2 Records

We've worked with Believe now for over three years and in that time we've achieved unparalleled success together. […] We couldn't have achieved this without the global reach of the team at Believe.

Mark Brown
Founder & Owner - Cr2 Record
JEM Music Group

Having worked with many good independent labels over the years, I’m thrilled to have found a modern and progressive label in Believe that has a real passion for music.

Colin Lester, OBE
Founder & Charmain - JEM Music Group
Craig David

They’ve got a really cool team at Believe who work really hard together and are as passionate and excited about releasing my new music as I am, bring it on!

Craig David
English RnB singer and songwriter
Believe UK in figures
  • 3
    Believe UK’s staff members in 2009
  • 65
    Believe UK’s staff members in 2024
  • 338
    Music genres listed on Believe UK roster
  • 2536
    Artists /labels signed to Believe UK (all time)
  • +177 751
    Video releases through Believe UK (all time)
  • +312 214
    Audio releases through Believe UK (all time)
  • +38 362 276 280
    Total Spotify streams for Believe UK (all times)
  • +165 409 644 394
    Total streams for Believe UK (all time)
Believers testimonials
Alice McLean

I feel very lucky to work with such stellar people, labels, and artists every day.

Alice McLean
Video Channel Management Senior Leader - Believe UK
Pete Beck

I’ve been at Believe for a while, and one thing unites all the people I’ve met working here is a genuine love for music. It’s a constant inspiration and motivation to work amongst a team who are passionately fighting the corner for independent artists and labels. Long may it continue.

Pete Beck
Head of Sync & Licencing - Believe UK
Lauren Hollins

It is a pleasure and privilege to be on Believe UK’s team. My colleagues are supportive, positive, and collaborative people who create an encouraging work environment. Being on the Video & Audience Development team, educating clients on the value of video, and then seeing their fanbase growth through video is rewarding. I truly enjoying working here.

Lauren Hollins
Video Channel Manager - Believe UK
Craig Evans

Having worked at Believe UK for over 13 years, the growth of the company and UK office in that time has been something I take great pride in being part of. We offer a high level of expertise to our labels and artists too maximize their digital distribution. Its been a fantastic place to work - with a great team, which has enabled Believe to become one of the leading players within the UK Music Industry.

Craig Evans
Head of Hip Hop - Believe UK
Sarah Wilson

It’s a privilege to work in such an authentic and genuine company as Believe, where you know the good of the artist is paramount. TuneCore melds seamlessly into the ecosystem and allows developing artists to benefit from being part of such a forward-thinking tech mind set, brought by the Believe group. Here’s to the next 15 years!

Sarah Wilson
Head of TuneCore - UK, IE, AU + NZ
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