Believe Exits Public Market, Expands Artist Services to Japan

Music development company Believe completed its delisting from public stock markets in July 2025, regaining full independence with a valuation of €1.54 billion. This move allows the company to pursue strategic growth unburdened by short-term shareholder demands.

Following its privatization, Believe has prioritized expanding its artist development model into new global territories and technological areas. The company aims to create a unified, all-in-one ecosystem for artists. A key focus of this expansion is the Japanese market, the world's second-largest recorded music market.

The Japanese music industry has historically lagged in digital adoption compared to Western markets, with a strong reliance on physical formats. Believe launched its Label & Artist Solutions in Japan in 2025, viewing the market's digital transformation as a significant growth opportunity. CEO Denis Ladegaillerie noted that many Japanese labels are roughly a decade behind in digital adoption.

Believe is leveraging its TuneCore distribution service in Japan, which has already secured a 10% market share and become the third-largest player. The company intends to enhance services for TuneCore clients and use its position to facilitate the export of Japanese artists. A dedicated hip-hop label, Playcode, was launched to capitalize on the local scene, utilizing TuneCore Japan's data to identify and support emerging talent.

In music publishing, Believe launched Believe Music Publishing across multiple global territories in October 2025. This new arm complements its existing distribution network by offering a digital-first approach to tracking and collecting songwriting royalties, aiming to provide creators with a transparent framework for managing earnings across all revenue streams.