Warner Chappell Music Partners with Kidding Aside: A New Era for Electronic Music Publishing
On September 9, 2023, Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the publishing arm of Warner Music Group, announced an exciting global partnership with Kidding Aside, a prominent independent French electronic music company. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both entities as Kidding Aside unveils its dedicated publishing venture, Kidding Aside Publishing, underlining the burgeoning strength of French electronic music on the global stage.
The Formation of Kidding Aside Publishing
As part of this venture, Kidding Aside has appointed Nicolas Klersy as Partner and Strategic Lead for Publishing A&R. Klersy, known for his keen insight into the dance music landscape, joins Kidding Aside with a wealth of experience from his previous role at Adore Music, a dance label launched by Warner Music France in March 2025. His appointment signals a commitment to nurturing emerging talent and facilitating cross-border collaborations that will enhance the global reach of French electronic music.
Matthieu Jay, the founder of Kidding Aside, expressed his ambitions for the new publishing arm, stating, “After more than a decade of helping to develop some of dance’s biggest stars, we now want to make Kidding Aside Publishing one of the leading publishing houses in Europe.” This vision emphasizes the company’s dedication to supporting a new generation of music makers and boosting the visibility of their repertoire.
Kidding Aside: A Pillar of the French Electronic Music Scene
Founded in 2015 by Matthieu Jay, Kidding Aside has quickly established itself as one of France’s most influential independent electronic music companies. The Paris-based operation has a multifaceted approach, encompassing artist management, recorded music, music publishing, and live events. Their successful joint-venture label with Believe, known as All Night Long, adds another dimension to their portfolio.
Kidding Aside’s diverse management roster includes artists such as Acid Arab, NTO, Romain Garcia, Trinix, and Urumi, with the joint venture label All Night Long featuring artists like Folamour and Nico Moreno. This impressive array showcases Kidding Aside’s ability to attract and develop talent within the electronic music arena.
The Global Impact of the Partnership
Warner Chappell Music lauded Kidding Aside for its rapid expansion and agile, artist-led approach. The partnership is intended to unlock international opportunities for songwriters and producers, thereby elevating French electronic music to new heights across various markets. While specific terms regarding the agreement’s structure, such as administration or co-publishing specifics, remain undisclosed, both parties are optimistic about the collaborative potential.
Valentin Zucca, Senior A&R at Warner Chappell Music France, emphasized the significance of Kidding Aside’s impact on the local music landscape, stating, “Kidding Aside has long been a highly respected and important part of the French music landscape, playing a critical role in the development of the scene over the years.” This strategic alignment aims not only to bolster Kidding Aside’s growth but also to contribute to the vibrancy of the broader electronic music industry.
A Trend of Expanding Partnerships in Dance Music
This partnership comes on the heels of other strategic moves by Warner Chappell Music France within the dance music realm. Notably, in May 2025, the celebrated French DJ and producer Bob Sinclar signed a global administration and sub-publishing deal with WCM, covering a substantial catalog of works, including hits like “World Hold On” and “Love Generation.” Such collaborations showcase WCM’s commitment to investing in the dance music genre and supporting established and emerging artists alike.
Beyond France, Warner Chappell has been proactive in forging partnerships with independent companies and artist-led ventures. Recent deals in 2025 and 2026 have included collaborations with Mexican indie label Rico o Muerto and Argentine songwriter Claudia Brant, indicating a broadening strategy aimed at tapping into diverse musical markets globally.
Embracing Agility and Identity
Kidding Aside’s partnership with Warner Chappell is not just a strategic business move; it represents a melding of shared values and aspirations. Klersy’s addition to the team is expected to instill a fresh perspective that balances growth with the company’s established identity. Jay noted the significance of aligning with Warner Chappell’s resources: “Aligning with Warner Chappell, leveraging its powerful global network and high-quality teams, will allow us to scale up while preserving Kidding Aside’s agility and identity.”
The current landscape of electronic music publishing is ripe for transformation, and the collaboration between Warner Chappell Music and Kidding Aside stands to be a pivotal moment in this evolution. As both companies work together to elevate songwriters and producers, the potential for expanding the influence of French electronic music remains vast and promising.
