Warner Music Axes Distributor Level Music As Cutbacks Continue

Photo Credit: Level Music

A Warner Music Group-owned distribution company, Level Music, is shutting down next year as cutbacks continue.Level Music, a Warner Music Group-owned distribution imprint, has announced this week it will be shutting down next year. The company is no longer accepting new songs for distribution and will discontinue all operations on July 31, 2025. Level made the announcement on its Instagram on Thursday (September 26) as well as in a letter to its clients.

“We’re honored to have supported all of the talented people who have used Level to share their music with the world over the years,” said Level Music.

Per the letter, the company said all live releases will automatically be taken down on November 18, but artists may request a takedown of any or all of their content before that date. Access to Level Wallet, which the company uses to pay out artist royalties, will cease operation on July 11.

Several Level Music artists and former employees revealed in 2022 that the company was having operational issues, which included the random removal of content, and difficulty receiving customer service to address the issues. Former employees told Billboard at the time that they believed this to be due to reduced headcount at Level Music.

WMG launched Level in 2018 to work more closely with young artists who weren’t already signed. The platform was known for releasing early music by Boyish, brakence, Dreamer Isioma, Remi Wolf, and Stephen Sanchez.The shutdown comes amid a widespread round of restructuring at WMG, specifically Atlantic Music Group, including Atlantic Records, Elektra Records, 300 Entertainment, Fueled By Ramen, Roadrunner, and 10K Projects. Approximately 150 employees under the Atlantic Music Group banner have been let go over the last several weeks, while a number of executives are also stepping down. Further, Atlantic Music Group will be headed by 10K Projects founder and CEO Elliot Grainge.

“We’re focusing all of our efforts behind the ADA brand, as we continue to strengthen our global suite of services for artists and label partners across the independent community,” Warner Music Group told Billboard. “We’re taking a truly global approach, and investing in our team and technology, with some exciting announcements in the works.”