London and Helsinki (December 2, 2025) — Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors, has partnered with Singa, the leading karaoke technology company, to make thousands of original master recordings available on the platform.

This historic deal marks a major leap forward in the evolution of karaoke, transforming an analog pastime into a modern, high-quality, rights-first digital experience. Through this partnership, karaoke singers at home and in Singa-powered venues worldwide are able to perform along with the original masters of songs from Merlin’s global membership.

For Merlin members and their artists, the partnership unlocks new revenue streams. For karaoke fans, it means access to more songs, greater variety, and an unmatched singing experience powered by the original master recordings, and not reproductions or soundalike versions.

“Independent artists and labels have passionate fans among karaoke singers, many of whom haven’t had the chance to perform their favorite deep cuts,” said Atte Hujanen, Co-Founder and CEO of Singa. “Now, thanks to our proprietary technology and this partnership, they can sing along to high-quality, original recordings. Merlin is helping us bring a broader and more diverse catalog to karaoke, while ensuring that more revenue goes back to the artists and songwriters who deserve it.”

“This partnership is about unlocking new opportunities for independent music and maximizing a space that has an immense impact on music discovery,” said Jeremy Sirota, CEO of Merlin. “Merlin’s mission is to empower our members to own their digital future. By working with innovative partners like Singa, we’re creating new revenue streams for our members and ensuring their artists’ work is valued properly.”

The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to innovation, transparency, and fair value for creators. As karaoke continues to evolve into a global digital entertainment category, Singa and Merlin are paving the way for a future where artists, fans, and rights holders all benefit from the joy of singing.

About Merlin

Merlin is the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors. We’ve negotiated premium deals with Apple, Canva, Deezer, Meta, Spotify, YouTube, and 40 other innovative platforms around the world. Our global membership is from 70+ countries around the world, representing 15% of the recorded music market. Merlin operates for the benefit of its members, without investors looking for an exit, and is funded entirely by our low 1.5% admin fee. Merlin helps the world’s leading independents to own their digital business through world-class deals and white-glove support.

Merlin’s membership includes independents such as !K7, AEI Music, Armada Music Group, AudioSalad, Because, Better Noise, Domino Recording Co., Duetti, Empire, Exceleration Music, Freeme Digital, GYROstream, Hopeless Records, IDOL, Innercat Music, Kontor New Media, Lex Records, Mad Decent, Many Hats, Merge Records, MNRK Music Group, Mushroom Music, Ninja Tune, ONErpm, Polyvinyl Records, Reservoir, Secretly, Stones Throw, Sub Pop, Symphonic, V.P. Music Group, Wagram Music, Warp Records, Zebralution, and hundreds more.

Find out more at www.merlinnetwork.org 

About Singa

Singa modernizes karaoke — the last analog bastion of the entertainment industry, by offering a complete ecosystem around karaoke for both venues and consumers. Since 2015, the Finnish company has launched its karaoke streaming service in 34 countries, helping 2000 hospitality venues and 2 million registered home singers experience the new era of Singing. Singa is the first karaoke service of its kind to partner with a major record label, allowing the distribution of original master recordings for an unparalleled karaoke experience.

Singa Business helps bars and entertainment venues attract new customers, boost revenue, and create unforgettable memories for every guest. For consumers, the Singa karaoke app gives access to the largest licensed karaoke catalog today on any device. You can sing on your own, make it a party with friends, or use the finder feature to spot the nearest Singa-powered karaoke venue and hit the stage. Follow Singa on Linkedin, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Media inquiries:

Merlin

Crystal Henderson

crystal@thepresshouse.com

Access to WMG catalog elevates karaoke experience
while supporting artists and songwriters in first major label partnership

[June 3, 2025] – Singa, a leading karaoke technology company and Warner Music Group, the global music entertainment company, today announced they’ve entered into a groundbreaking deal that will redefine the karaoke streaming experience. This agreement, which includes Warner Chappell Music and Warner Recorded Music, significantly expands Singa's karaoke song catalog beyond its existing 120,000 soundalike recordings to include a vast collection of original master recordings, bringing fans closer to the authentic sound of their favorite artists. 

"This game-changing deal allows karaoke singers at home and Singa-powered venues worldwide to perform songs by iconic Warner Music Group artists, all using the original backing tracks," said Singa's Co-founder and CEO, Atte Hujanen. "This creates a more enjoyable and authentic singing experience that no other karaoke provider can offer." 

Marking Singa’s first deal with a major label, the partnership provides singers access to original recordings for a true-to-the-original experience. Singa’s innovative technology and processes ensure a seamless and immersive karaoke experience. "We’re redefining what karaoke can be, and this collaboration is a major step toward modernizing what has long been the last analog bastion of the entertainment industry," said Hujanen.

“With this partnership, we’re ushering in a new era of karaoke where music becomes a more dynamic experience for fans,” said John Rees, SVP Strategy and Business Development, WMG. “This collaboration not only enhances the way people engage with music, but also creates valuable opportunities for our artists and songwriters, enabling them to reach more fans and unlock new revenue streams. Together, we’re paving the way for continuous innovation in music.”

In addition to Warner Music Group’s extensive catalog, Singa has secured deals with publishers and indie labels, continuously expanding its repertoire to include more of the songs people love to sing. 

Singa’s investment in rights management technology ensures that all music use is
transparent to rights holders. The company has partnered with leading back-office service
providers to develop usage tracking and revenue reporting tools, setting a new standard for
industry accountability.

About Singa
Singa modernizes karaoke — the last analog bastion of the entertainment industry, by
offering a complete ecosystem around karaoke for both venues and consumers. Since 2015,
the Finnish company has launched its karaoke streaming service in 34 countries, helping
2000 hospitality venues and 2 million registered home singers experience the new era of
Singing. Singa is the first karaoke service of its kind to partner with a major record label, allowing the distribution of original master recordings for an unparalleled karaoke experience.

Singa Business helps bars and entertainment venues attract new customers, boost revenue,
and create unforgettable memories for every guest. For consumers, the Singa karaoke app
gives access to the largest licensed karaoke catalog today on any device. You can sing on
your own, make it a party with friends, or use the finder feature to spot the nearest
Singa-powered karaoke venue and hit the stage. Follow Singa on Linkedin, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

About Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group (WMG) brings together artists, songwriters, entrepreneurs, and technology that are moving entertainment culture across the globe. Operating in more than 70 countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, WMG’s Recorded Music division includes renowned labels such as 10K Projects, 300 Entertainment, Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, EastWest, Elektra, Erato, First Night, Fueled By Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville. WMG’s music publishing arm, Warner Chappell Music, has a catalog of over one million copyrights spanning every musical genre, from the standards of the Great American Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century. Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, which supports the independent community, as well as artist services division WMX. Follow WMG on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Karaoke will never be the same. The social entertainment option loved by so many around the world is getting a serious upgrade, thanks to Singa (singa.com). The app is taking the singalong format beyond its soundalike past into a better sounding, more fun future that benefits musicians and songwriters.

The Finland-based startup has already had global impact, getting music fans from dozens of countries to croon, rap, or belt out their favorite hits. Thanks to its large selection of original artist tracks, Singa makes the karaoke experience sound better and lets singers connect more deeply with their favorite artists. And thanks to Singa’s industry-first deals with major rightsholders, artists and songwriters can unlock new revenue from something fans already love.

“There’s an outdated idea that people only want to sing a small subset of songs, chestnuts like ‘My Way,’” explains Singa co-founder and CEO Atte Hujanen. “Yet the reason music lovers choose the same songs is that historically, karaoke has only been able to offer several thousand titles due to licensing challenges. What they really want is to sing their favorite songs, and Singa is bringing them hundreds of thousands of options.” Singa boasts the largest licensed karaoke catalog in the world.

Singa is also bringing karaoke within reach of a wider range of people and venues, making it easy to incorporate into a home setup, a casual party, or a restaurant or bar. As simple to use as a streaming music app, singers can create an account in seconds and start singing along with classics and recent hits. Singa can be used on any browser or device, including smart TVs, making it perfect for gatherings. And its rightsholder agreements ensure a hospitality or entertainment venue is on the right side of licensing, instead of operating in a potentially grey area with dodgy software. 

Hujanen comes by their desire to expand karaoke naturally. Hujanen’s family was the force behind the multinational karaoke phenomenon, the Karaoke World Championships. He knew firsthand how entertaining and unifying karaoke could be, and he saw an opportunity to usher in a new era, one not tied to specific machines or limited catalog. 

Hujanen, co-founder and CTO Tomi Pajunen, and an expanding band of tech and music industry experts worked for years to create the perfect platform for karaoke. Just as online streaming shook up our watching and listening habits, Singa promises to transform social entertainment with casual singing--by securing rightsholder deals and building tech that works so well, it doesn’t get in the way of your heartfelt rendition of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” or “Pink Pony Club.” Its freemium model lets folks try their first five songs for free, a warm welcome for die-hard karaoke lovers and newcomers alike.

Over the past ten years, the company has expanded to 34 countries, embracing songs in dozens of languages, from decades of music history up to the present moment. It has created an industry-leading B2B platform, Singa Business, as well as a consumer-facing app. Singa has grown, in part thanks to its savvy approach to rightsholders, winning over music industry executives who had been burned by questionable karaoke licensing maneuvers or outright piracy in the past. 

“We’re very proud that we are opening up what is an important additional revenue stream to more artists and songwriters, sometimes a very sizable one in certain markets,” reflects Hujanen. “It’s been essential to us to make sure we’re acting in their interests, while still giving singers all that they want.” 

About Singa

Singa modernises karaoke — the last analog bastion of the entertainment industry, by offering a complete ecosystem around karaoke for both venues and consumers. Since 2015, the Finnish company has launched its karaoke streaming service in 34 countries, helping 2000 hospitality venues and 2 million registered home singers experience the new era of singing. 

Singa is the first karaoke service to partner with a major record label, allowing the distribution of original master recordings for an unparalleled karaoke experience. 

Singa Business helps bars and entertainment venues attract new customers, boost revenue, and create unforgettable memories for every guest. For consumers, the Singa karaoke app gives access to the largest licensed karaoke catalogue today on any device. You can sing on your own, make it a party with friends, or use the finder feature to spot the nearest Singa-powered karaoke venue and hit the stage.