NME and Uncut acquired by Singapore’s BandLab Technologies

Singapore’s BandLab Technologies have just added another feather to their cap, announcing the acquisition of noted music publications NME and Uncut.

Over the last few years, BandLab Technologies have slowly been making a name for themselves as one of the most prominent figures in global music.

Kicking things off back in 2016, BandLab Technologies have been expanding their portfolio rapidly, now boasting the likes of Guitar.com and MusicTech.

Having purchased 49% of iconic magazine Rolling Stone back in 2016, the collective made headlines in February, selling their share of Rolling Stone to Penske Media Corporation, giving the company full control of the publication in the process.

Now, it seems that BandLab Technologies have been looking to get back into the world of music publications, announcing the acquisition of NME and Uncut.

Speaking of their decision to sell the magazines, TI Media CEO Marcus Rich explained that, “NME and Uncut will always have a special place in our story.”

“Their reputation for stand-out, award-winning journalism spanning seven decades goes well beyond the world of music and I’m proud they’ve attained that status as part of our company.”

“At the same time, we need to recognise that to achieve the next stage of their evolution, NME and Uncut will be better placed with a business that has music at its heart,” Rich added.

“Under BandLab Technologies’s ambitious ownership and direction, I’m confident both of these truly iconic brands will thrive.”

“We are very excited to welcome NME and Uncut to the BandLab Technologies family,” added Meng Kuok, founder and CEO of BandLab Technologies.

“These brands occupy a treasured place in the UK music landscape and increasing relevance to the global music scene, which we are looking to enhance and extend. These two media brands will play an important role in continuing our vision to create a connected world of music.”

“We’re especially pleased to be welcoming an experienced and knowledgeable editorial and commercial staff, to deliver cutting-edge and opinion-driven content for music lovers everywhere,” Kuok added.

While NME was first published back in 1952, the magazine revealed in 2015 that it would be making the move to being a free publication, before ultimately shuttering its print division early in 2018.

Uncut was first published in 1997, and remains a monthly publication to this day. A press release from BandLab Technologies notes that both titles will continue to operate from the Blue Fin Building in London, with no delays anticipated for Uncut‘s schedule.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.