What Does Times Music's Latest Acquisition Mean for Punjabi Music?
A New Chapter for Times Music
In a notable advancement in its expansion strategy, Times Music, part of The Times Group, has successfully acquired Catrack Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. This marks the third strategic acquisition for the company and a significant step in its collaboration with Primary Wave Music. The acquisition introduces a culturally rich Punjabi music catalogue, paving the way for renewed global engagement and commercial opportunities.
Details of the Acquisition
Founded in 1990, Catrack Entertainment has been instrumental in defining the Punjabi music scene. Its extensive catalogue from the “golden era” includes celebrated artists like Babbu Maan, Malkit Singh, Channi Singh, and Dolly Singh, while also nurturing emerging talents such as Manmohan Waris, Surjit Khan, and Sukhwinder Panchhi. With a robust digital presence and lasting cultural significance, this catalogue presents vast potential for synchronization, film and OTT projects, brand partnerships, and modern reinterpretations.
This acquisition follows Times Music’s previous purchases of ARC Musicq and Symphony Recording Co., establishing the company as a reliable player in the acquisition landscape.
Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, expressed, “We have always supported the voices that shape India’s cultural identity, and with Catrack’s acquisition, Times Music reaffirms its dedication to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Punjabi music globally.”
Mandar Thakur, CEO of Times Music, remarked, “The Catrack catalogue is a cultural gem that has resonated with Punjabi music enthusiasts. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to safeguarding and revitalizing India’s most cherished music and artists.”
Gaurav Trehan, Director of Catrack Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., stated, “Times Music is the perfect partner for maintaining the legacy of Catrack’s music, and their swift execution of this acquisition is impressive.”
David Loiterton, President of Indo & Asia Pacific at Primary Wave Music, added, “We are thrilled to integrate Catrack’s legendary music into our partnership with Times Music. Catrack exemplifies our quest for unique, iconic music IP that transcends generations and cultures, and we are eager to help Times Music introduce this music to new audiences worldwide.”
About Times Music
Times Music stands as a prominent Indian music entertainment entity, bridging Music, Audiences, South-Asian Culture, and Artist Collaborations. Based in Mumbai, India, it operates as a joint venture between The Times Group and Primary Wave Music, a leading independent publisher of iconic music globally. This partnership has facilitated impactful global marketing and artist access.
The company encompasses four distinct divisions: a record label, music publishing, brand solutions, and artist management. With a remarkable music catalogue that spans over 35 years, Times Music is a significant player in the Punjabi and South-Indian music sectors, boasting an exclusive global distribution agreement with Speed Records, the foremost Punjabi music label. Recently, Times Music artist Kunwarr’s track ‘Picche Tere’ achieved over 36 million streams, marking it as one of the standout releases of the year.
In the past two years, Times Music has made significant acquisitions, including South India’s leading devotional label Symphony Recording Co. and the Kannada powerhouse ARC Musicq. The company has also expanded into consumer brand music solutions and artist management, featuring a growing roster that includes rising stars like Deedar Kaur and Aarya. With Catrack now part of the family, Times Music solidifies its status as the premier destination for Indian music across various genres.
About Primary Wave Music
Primary Wave Music is recognized as the leading independent publisher of iconic music worldwide. The company represents a diverse array of legendary songwriters, artists, and record labels throughout the history of recorded music, including icons like Bob Marley, Prince, and Whitney Houston. Since its establishment in 2006, Primary Wave has embraced an entrepreneurial spirit, executing innovative ideas and marketing strategies for its artists. The company is dedicated to reintroducing classic artists and their music to contemporary audiences while nurturing emerging talent to achieve legendary status.