KPM Music is a legendary UK production music library based in London, with origins tracing to a partnership in 1830 between musical instrument makers Robert William Keith and William Prowse. The company began operating as KPM (Keith Prowse Maurice) in 1960 and is now part of Sony Music Publishing. KPM represents over 40 labels and 150,000 titles, and has provided some of the most celebrated TV themes in history. In North America, the catalog is distributed through APM Music (a joint venture between Sony Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing Group). Best suited for composers who create high-quality production music and for supervisors seeking classic library music with decades of cultural recognition.
How KPM Music Works
KPM Music operates as a production music library under Sony Music Publishing's production music division. The company was rebranded from EMI Production Music back to KPM Music in September 2021.
The process works as follows:
- Composer roster: KPM works with award-winning composers and producers who have penned number-one hits for artists including Shirley Bassey, Blur, Lana Del Rey, and Flo Rida. The company signs composers to create library albums across diverse genres.
- 40+ labels: KPM represents over 40 labels, covering a wide range of genres from orchestral and jazz to rock, electronic, and classical. The combined Sony Music Publishing production music catalog (including Extreme Music and KPM) contains over 150,000 titles.
- Historical catalog: KPM's catalog includes recordings from the 1950s onward. The KPM 1000 album series, mainly produced by Adrian Kerridge, has become commercially available in recent years and is widely sampled by commercial producers.
- Digital access: In January 2019, KPM's production library was fully digitized and made available for streaming online. This made the catalog accessible to a new generation of creators.
- Global distribution: KPM distributes its catalog worldwide through Sony Music Publishing's production music network. In North America, KPM is represented and distributed through APM Music, giving it direct exposure to US broadcast networks, advertising agencies, and trailer houses.
- APM integration: Through APM Music, KPM gains enterprise-level search and metadata infrastructure, institutional licensing pipelines, and consistent visibility across North American broadcast and advertising.
Submission / Application Details
KPM Music does not accept unsolicited music. The company works with established composers through direct relationships.
- How to apply: Contact KPM through industry channels or through Sony Music Publishing's production music division. In North America, inquire through APM Music.
- Required materials: A portfolio of production music work demonstrating broadcast-ready quality. KPM's standard is set by composers who have written number-one hits.
- Exclusivity: KPM signs composers to exclusive agreements. You give up publishing control for tracks accepted into the library.
- No application fee: KPM does not charge a submission fee.
- Getting in: Requires industry connections and a proven track record. Casual or amateur producers will not meet the threshold.
Real-World Example
A music supervisor needs a 1970s-style funk groove for a retro TV drama. They search the KPM catalog and find a track from the KPM 1000 series recorded in 1972. The track has the authentic vintage sound the supervisor wants. Because it is production music, the license is straightforward. The fee for a UK broadcast use typically ranges from $100 to $500 per cue. The composer (or their estate) earns performance royalties through PRS when the program airs.
In another scenario, a hip-hop producer samples a KPM orchestral track for a new recording. KPM's catalog has been sampled by Jay-Z, Drake, Gnarls Barkley, and Fatboy Slim, making it one of the most sampled production music libraries in the world.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
KPM Music represents the gold standard of production music. The company's 60-plus-year history demonstrates how library music can achieve cultural significance and generate long-term income.
Consider these points:
- Cultural legacy: KPM themes are embedded in British television history. Tracks from the 1960s are still in regular use today. This longevity demonstrates the long-term value of production music.
- Sampling revenue: KPM tracks have been sampled by major artists. If your library tracks are sample-worthy, they can generate additional sampling revenue alongside sync income.
- Sony Music Publishing backing: As part of Sony, KPM has the distribution and administrative power of a major publisher. This means global reach and reliable royalty collection.
- Quality over quantity: KPM's reputation is built on quality. The company sets the standard that other production music libraries follow. If you can meet this standard, your music has a home.
Drawbacks / Things to Consider
- Exclusive composer agreements: KPM signs composers to exclusive agreements. You give up publishing control for tracks accepted into the library. Review terms carefully before signing.
- No open submissions: KPM does not accept unsolicited music. The company works with established composers through direct relationships. Getting in requires industry connections and a proven track record.
- High quality bar: KPM's standard is exceptionally high. The company's composers have written number-one hits. Casual or amateur producers will not meet the threshold.
- Corporate structure: As part of Sony Music Publishing, KPM operates within a large corporate framework. This can mean slower decision-making and less personal attention than boutique libraries.
- Historical catalog competition: New compositions compete for attention against decades of classic KPM tracks. Supervisors may default to familiar catalog tracks rather than exploring new additions.
Company Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Company type | Production music library (B2B licensing) |
| Parent company | Sony Music Publishing |
| Founded | 1930 (as Keith Prowse partnership); KPM brand since 1960 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Catalog size | 150,000+ titles across 40+ labels |
| Genre coverage | Orchestral, jazz, rock, electronic, classical, funk, drama |
| Licensing model | Per-use sync fees and blanket licenses (via APM in North America) |
| Artist payment | Upfront fees plus performance royalties through PRS |
| Open submissions | No (invitation only through industry channels) |
| North American distribution | APM Music (Sony/Universal joint venture) |
What KPM Music Does
KPM Music is a production music library. The company creates and licenses pre-cleared music for film, television, advertising, and broadcast use. Unlike commercial music labels, KPM writes and records music specifically for sync placement. Every track in the catalog is composed, recorded, and structured to serve picture.
KPM operates under Sony Music Publishing's production music division. The company was rebranded from EMI Production Music back to KPM Music in September 2021. In North America, KPM is distributed through APM Music.
Licensing Model
KPM uses two licensing approaches depending on territory and client type:
- Per-use licensing: Clients pay a sync fee for each individual placement. Fees vary by media type (TV broadcast, film, advertising, online), territory, and duration. A UK broadcast cue typically costs $100 to $500. Advertising placements cost more.
- Blanket licensing: High-volume producers like TV networks can negotiate blanket agreements. These provide access to a range of tracks over a specified period at a fixed annual rate. Blanket deals are handled through APM Music in North America and through Sony Music Publishing's production music network elsewhere.
All KPM tracks are pre-cleared. Both the master recording and the underlying composition are owned by KPM or Sony. This makes rights clearance straightforward for clients.
Catalog Size and Genre Coverage
KPM represents over 40 labels and 150,000 titles. The catalog spans recordings from the 1950s to the present day. Genre coverage includes orchestral, jazz, rock, electronic, classical, funk, and drama. The KPM 1000 album series, mainly produced by Adrian Kerridge, contains some of the most sampled library music tracks in history.
In January 2019, KPM's production library was fully digitized and made available for streaming online. This opened the catalog to a new generation of creators who search and license music digitally.
Who Their Clients Are
KPM's client base includes:
- BBC and ITV: British television networks have used KPM themes for decades. Wimbledon, Grandstand, and Mastermind all feature KPM music.
- Advertising agencies: Global and regional agencies license KPM tracks for commercial campaigns.
- Film studios: Music supervisors source KPM tracks for film scores and source music.
- Hip-hop producers: Jay-Z, Drake, Gnarls Barkley, and Fatboy Slim have all sampled KPM recordings.
- Game developers: KPM tracks have appeared in video game soundtracks, including GTA Online.
How KPM Pays Artists
KPM signs composers to exclusive agreements. The payment structure typically includes:
- Upfront fees: Composers receive upfront payments for creating library albums. These fees are negotiated per project.
- Performance royalties: When KPM music airs on broadcast television or radio, composers collect the writer's share of performance royalties through PRS (in the UK) or their local PRO. Sony Music Publishing collects the publisher's share.
- Sync fee splits: Sync fees charged to clients are split between the library and the composer according to the individual contract terms. The exact split varies.
- Sampling revenue: If a KPM track is sampled by a commercial artist, additional sampling revenue is generated. This is negotiated separately from sync fees.
Video: Library Music and Hip-Hop Sampling
The following video explores how library music (including KPM) became a source material for hip-hop producers. It covers the history of library music from its origins to modern sampling culture.
Video: KPM and the Library Music Golden Era
This video examines how KPM Records defined the golden era of library music in the 1960s and 1970s. It covers the KPM 1000 series and its influence on modern music.
Comparison: KPM Music vs Other Production Music Libraries
| Feature | KPM Music | Extreme Music | APM Music | Universal Production Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent company | Sony Music Publishing | Sony Music Publishing | Sony/Universal JV | Universal Music Publishing Group |
| Catalog size | 150,000+ titles | 90,000+ titles | 500,000+ titles | 630,000+ tracks |
| Genre coverage | Orchestral, jazz, rock, electronic, classical, funk | Cinematic, indie, electronic, orchestral | All genres across multiple libraries | All genres across 40+ labels |
| Licensing model | Per-use and blanket | Per-use and blanket | Per-use and blanket | Per-use and blanket |
| Open submissions | No | No | No | No |
| Historical catalog | 1950s onward (KPM 1000 series) | Founded 1997 | Founded 1983 | Multiple legacy labels |
| North American access | Via APM Music | Direct | Direct | Direct |
Similar Sync Licensing Companies
- Extreme Music - Another Sony Music Publishing production music library with a cinematic focus
- APM Music - KPM's North American distribution partner and one of the largest US production music platforms
- Killer Tracks - Universal Production Music label with a comparable B2B licensing model
- BMG Production Music - BMG's production music division, competitor in the global production music market
- Universal Production Music - Universal's production music arm, the world's largest production music company by catalog size
- Warner Chappell Production Music - Warner's production music division
Related Resources
- Sync Licensing Companies Directory
- Sync License Glossary Term
- Library Music and Production Music as Passive Income
- Sync Licensing Companies vs Music Libraries: Which Is Right for You
- How to Register a Music Publishing Company
- Use our Sync Licensing Fee Calculator to estimate fair pricing
- Visit KPM Music to explore the catalog
