Sony Music is leaving Russia completely. Company statement published Billboard edition.
Sony Music is the first major music company to leave Russia entirely. The Russian division and its employees will now belong to a local management company founded by Arina Dmitrieva, former director of Sony Music Russia.
According to insiders, the company will only represent Russian musicians. Tracks by international artists working with Sony Music are scheduled to be removed from Russian streaming services. It is known that Sony has the rights to distribute the songs of Elvis Presley, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Adele and others.
Sony Music Group suspended Working in Russia after the start of a special operation in Ukraine. The piece has also been frozen by other major recording studios – Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group – but have yet to announce their complete withdrawal from Russia.