Warner Chappell Locks In French Electronic Label Kidding Aside

Warner Chappell just inked a global publishing deal with Kidding Aside, the French electronic music independent that's been quietly building serious influence overseas. The label is now launching its own publishing venture, bringing Nicolas Klersy on board as a partner to help run things.

This move signals something worth paying attention to: major publishers are still hunting for catalog deals and publishing partnerships in spaces outside the usual Anglo-American axis. Kidding Aside's reputation in the French electronic scene—and probably beyond it—made them interesting enough for Warner Chappell to make an official play.

The deal matters because it means Kidding Aside artists and writers just got connected to one of the three biggest publishing machines in the world. For an indie label, that's real leverage when it comes to licensing, sync opportunities, and actually getting paid when your music hits. Klersy stepping into a partnership role suggests they're trying to keep operations selective and smart about it, not just become another cog in a corporate machine.

It's the kind of hybrid move we're seeing more of—independent labels keeping their identity while plugging into major infrastructure. Smart play if you can pull it off.

Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide → https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-chappell-strikes-global-deal-with-frances-kidding-aside-as-electronic-music-indie-launches-publishing-venture-with-nicolas-klersy-as-partner/