Warner Music Group (WMG) has acquired DWA Records, an Italo disco label, and its publishing arm Extravaganza, significantly expanding its Italian music catalogue. The acquisition includes over 250 master recordings of iconic Italo disco hits like “The Rhythm of the Night” by Corona, “Happy” by Alexia, and “Baila” by Zucchero. Financial terms were not disclosed.
DWA Records, founded in 1989 by Roberto Zanetti (aka Savage/Robyx) and Francesco Bontempi (aka Lee Marrow), has been pivotal to the Italo disco genre. Zanetti and Bontempi brought international acclaim to the genre, producing hits such as “Don’t Cry Tonight” and “Do You Want Me.”
“Italo Disco is the lifeblood of the Italian music scene and DWA has been at the heart of the scene for more than three decades,” said Pico Cibelli, President of Warner Music Italy. Simon Robson of WMG added that their global teams are already preparing innovative promotional strategies for the catalog.
This acquisition follows other strategic moves by WMG in Italy, like the expansion of ADA Worldwide into Milan in 2021. WMG aims to connect a new generation of fans to this vibrant musical heritage through creative initiatives and global outreach.