Roger De Graaf and Ewout Swart will become Co-Presidents of Spinnin’ Records, the world’s leading dance music company. The move will enable De Graaf to focus on artist relations and creative projects, while Swart will concentrate on global operational acceleration.
De Graaf is one of the co-founders of Spinnin’ Records, and has served as CEO since 2017, when it was acquired by Warner Music Group. Swart has worked at Spinnin’ for more than 14 years and was appointed Chief Operational Officer in 2016.
In their new roles, both De Graaf and Swart will report to both Simon Robson, President, International, Recorded Music, Warner Music and Bart Cools, Warner Music’s EVP, Global A&R and Marketing, Dance Music.
Spinnin’ has helped launch and nurture the careers of many of the biggest names in dance, including Afrojack, Bingo Players, Cheat Codes, Don Diablo, Fedde Le Grand, Kriss Kross Amsterdam, KSHMR, Martin Garrix, Martin Solveig, Nicky Romero, Oliver Heldens, Sam Feldt, Sander van Doorn and Timmy Trumpet.
The company reaches huge numbers of dance fans through its online channels, with more than 30 million subscribers on YouTube and almost four million followers on Instagram.
Spinnin’ is also home to a number artist-led sub-labels, such as Alok’s Controversia, Bingoplayer’s Hysteria, KSHMR’s Dharma, Sander van Doorn’s DOORN Records, Tiësto’s Musical Freedom, Timmy Trumpet’s Sinphony, Ummet Ozcan’s OZ records and many more. It also owns brands such as Spinnin’s Talent Pool, an online platform where artists and producers can submit demos; and Spinnin’ Sessions, an online radio show and live experience at events across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Roger De Graaf says: “This is a great move for Spinnin’ as it enables both Ewout and me to play to our strengths. I want to spend more time with artists and really get involved in shaping the campaigns that’ll take their music to new audiences. There’s a new wave of Dance music coming and I want to be a hands on part of it.”
Ewout Swart adds: “I’m excited to be Co-President of Spinnin’ with Roger. Dance is enjoying a global moment and we’re geared to make the difference and create impact for our artists as they navigate the ever-changing music industry. We recently moved into our new offices in Amsterdam and I’m so proud to see the creative energy of our company at its best here. We’ve also got an exciting programme for this year’s Amsterdam Dance Event and I can’t wait for people from around the world to come and enjoy it.”
Bart Cools comments: “I’ve worked closely with Roger and Ewout since we acquired Spinnin’ and they’ve done a stellar job at bringing the company under the Warner Music umbrella without sacrificing the independence and unique culture that makes it such a special label. As Dance goes from strength to strength, they’ve ensured Spinnin’ is the first choice for discerning DJs and producers.”
Simon Robson concludes: “Roger and Ewout have always had a global vision for Spinnin’ and our affiliates have benefited from working closely with them to help amplify their artists round the world. With Ewout focusing on accelerating such collaborations and Roger being able to work even more closely with the artists, Spinnin’ will help position Warner Music at the heart of the new wave of Dance.”
De Graaf started out in the 1990s working for Rhythm Import, a Dutch record store that imported R&B, hip-hop and house music LPs. He became and A&R manager for the company as it moved into releasing music, before meeting Eelko van Kooten and setting up Spinnin’ in 1999.
Swart began his music career at Universal Music in 2002, joining the company’s Global Royalties team. He went on to work at EMI Music Benelux and as a global sales manager at Motolux, before joining Spinnin’ Records in 2009.
