BMG Acquires Haddaway's 'What Is Love' in Major Coconut Music Catalog Deal
BMG has acquired Cologne record label Coconut Music's catalog, including 100% ownership of Haddaway's recordings. The deal's centerpiece is the iconic 1993 hit "What Is Love," which has surpassed one billion streams.
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The acquisition follows BMG's 2022 purchase of Haddaway's recorded royalties and includes Coconut's full 2,500-track catalog featuring artists like Bad Boys Blue, London Beat, and Wolfgang Petry.
"What Is Love" achieved remarkable success, selling 2.6 million copies and reaching #1 in 13 countries. The song's influence continues through notable samples and remakes, including Eminem's "No Love" (2010) and David Guetta's Grammy-nominated "Baby Don't Hurt Me" (2023).
Coconut Music, established in 1981 by Karin Hartmann and Tony Hendrik, built its reputation across multiple genres. Hartmann expressed satisfaction with the deal, noting BMG's understanding and respect for the catalog's legacy.
Maximilian Kolb, BMG EVP Repertoire & Marketing Continental Europe, emphasized the song's lasting impact on Europop and its continued relevance in contemporary music culture.
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