The EDM community was shocked to learn in late summer last year that Dutch superstar producer Martin Garrix was splitting up with his long-time label Spinnin’ Records and Music All Star management, citing disagreements over the ownership rights regarding the young DJ’s music. Following a lengthy press release from Spinnin’ Records last week, Garrix and his management have released their own statement to further clarify the on-going situation.
In his statement, Garrix urged fans to not be misled and explained that any further legal action against Spinnin’ Records will be initiated by himself and not the other way around, while maintaining that the statements released by Spinnin’ Records are at times erroneous. He continues that he will be seeking damages from the EDM mega label over issues regarding the nullification of his agreements.
Garrix reveals that more details will be released in the following weeks regarding the case, and states that he feels “freed” by the decision to leave the imprint, while clarifying his revised agreement with Spinnin’ for music previously released by the label.
For more, you can check out the statement in full below:
Dear all,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fans for their support and I wish everyone 2016 full of love and great music!
With reference to the statement that Spinnin’ Records’ issued a couple of days ago regarding my termination of the management agreement with MAS and my artist agreement with Spinnin’, I feel the urge to set the record straight on a number of things that are stated.
Spinnin’s statement is – to say the least – one sided and in any case incorrect in some respects.
Don’t be misled: further legal proceedings are initiated by me, not Spinnin’ or MAS,  and the main object of those proceedings is to ask the court to confirm that I have rightfully terminated and nullified my agreements with Spinnin and MAS. If the court follows me in this it will be Spinnin and MAS who will have to compensate me and not as they now suggest the other way around.
My lawyers have issued a writ on 23 December 2015 and will release a more detailed statement in a few weeks setting out the details of the proceedings and the grounds for the nullification of the agreements with Spinnin and MAS.
For now, I only want to have said that Spinnin’ and MAS’ statement confirms yet again that it was absolutely the right decision for me to end my relationship with them. I really feel freed and relieved that I am as of now the rightful owner of all my music and that I can release it when, where and with whoever I want.
After getting back my music ownership rights under the pressure of the summary proceedings I have granted Spinnin’ a 7 year license on music previously released by Spinnin’, with revised conditions in my favour.  This 7 year license is nothing more than a manner to  safeguard – without litigation – the availability to all of you of my existing music and the music made by me in collaboration with other artists signed by Spinnin’.
I have a great team supporting me as always and with whom I can start the new year full of trust and confidence, with more new releases for all my fans and supporters.
-Martin Garrix
