Concord Music Group acquired full ownership of Kidz Bop in January 2018 through its purchase of Razor & Tie.
The brand has sold over 23.5 million albums and generated more than 9 billion streams globally since 2001.
State of Michigan Retirement Systems holds the majority stake in Concord, having invested over $1 billion in the parent company.
Kidz Bop released its 50th studio album in January 2025, marking a significant milestone for the children’s music franchise.
Kidz Bop is owned by Concord Music Group, a Nashville-based global entertainment and creative rights company. Concord acquired full control of the popular children’s music brand in January 2018 when it purchased the remaining equity in Razor & Tie, the independent record label that originally launched Kidz Bop in 2001.
The children’s music powerhouse continues to expand its reach with new album releases, international markets, and a robust touring schedule. In 2025, Kidz Bop embarked on its “Certified BOP Tour,” traveling to over 60 cities across North America and partnering with Red Light Management for tour representation. The brand maintains a dedicated YouTube channel with over 3.7 million subscribers and a 24/7 SiriusXM radio station (Channel 79) that delivers family-friendly music to millions of young listeners.
Who Owns Kidz Bop?
Kidz Bop operates as a wholly-owned brand under Concord Music Group, which falls within the Concord Label Group division. Concord is a privately held company that manages an extensive portfolio of recorded music, music publishing, and theatrical rights, controlling over 1.3 million songs, compositions, and creative works worldwide.
Concord Music Group: The Parent Company
Concord acquired an initial stake in Razor & Tie in October 2015, forming a joint ownership arrangement with the original founders. The transaction allowed Concord to administer Razor & Tie Music Publishing and support Kidz Bop’s expansion plans. By January 2018, Concord completed its full acquisition, gaining exclusive ownership of the Kidz Bop franchise.
How the Acquisition Transformed Kidz Bop
Under Concord’s ownership, Kidz Bop accelerated its international expansion, launching dedicated lineups in the United Kingdom (2017), Germany (2019), and France (2021). The brand also strengthened its touring operations through partnerships with Live Nation and expanded its digital presence across streaming platforms. Concord’s vast resources and industry connections provided Kidz Bop with enhanced marketing capabilities and distribution channels, similar to how major media conglomerates like Disney support their entertainment properties.
Largest Shareholders of Kidz Bop
Since Kidz Bop is a subsidiary of Concord, its ownership structure reflects Concord’s shareholder composition. The parent company operates as a private entity backed by institutional investors rather than trading publicly on stock exchanges.
State of Michigan Retirement Systems
The State of Michigan Retirement Systems (SMRS) holds the majority ownership stake in Concord, making it the single largest investor in Kidz Bop’s parent company. SMRS has invested over $1 billion in Concord, viewing the music company as a stable, long-term investment vehicle for its pension fund beneficiaries. This institutional backing provides Concord with patient capital that supports strategic acquisitions and organic growth initiatives.
Apollo Global Management
Apollo Global Management serves as a strategic financial partner for Concord. In October 2024, Apollo structured an $850 million asset-backed securitization for Concord, backed by its diverse catalog of music assets. This transaction represented one of the largest financing deals in the independent music sector, providing capital for continued expansion and catalog acquisitions.
Barings LLC and Historical Stakeholders
Barings LLC (formerly Wood Creek Capital Management) played an instrumental role in Concord’s earlier growth phases. In 2013, Barings led an investor group that acquired Concord Music Group, providing the foundation for its subsequent expansion. The company’s management team also maintains a minority ownership stake, aligning executive interests with long-term shareholder value creation, a structure seen in many successful entertainment companies.
Kidz Bop Ownership Structure
Source: Industry reports and company filings
History of Kidz Bop Co-founders
The Kidz Bop concept emerged from the creative vision of two former lawyers who shared a passion for music and entrepreneurship.
Craig Balsam: Entertainment Entrepreneur
Craig Balsam co-founded Razor & Tie in 1990 with Cliff Chenfeld after they met at NYU School of Law. Beyond Kidz Bop, Balsam has won five Tony Awards for theatrical productions, including the 2019 “Best Musical” winner Hadestown. He departed Kidz Bop in mid-2018 following Concord’s complete acquisition.
Cliff Chenfeld: Music Industry Innovator
Cliff Chenfeld graduated from Ohio State University and NYU School of Law. Both founders had three children each and noticed a market gap for age-appropriate pop music while attending birthday parties. This insight led to Kidz Bop’s creation in October 2001, initially marketed through direct-response television commercials. Chenfeld now hosts “Modern Sounds” on NPR platforms, following an entrepreneurial path similar to founders documented by industry historians.
Who Is on the Board of Directors for Kidz Bop?
Kidz Bop operates under the governance structure of its parent company, Concord. The brand maintains its own dedicated management team while reporting to Concord’s executive leadership.
Concord’s Executive Leadership
Bob Valentine serves as Chief Executive Officer of Concord since July 2023. He helped deploy over $1.5 billion in capital for music and theatrical rights acquisitions, driving Concord’s growth from an $8 million-per-year jazz label to a $750+ million revenue global company.
Kidz Bop Brand Leadership
Sasha Junk serves as President of Kidz Bop since April 2020, overseeing all brand operations and strategic initiatives. Under her leadership, Kidz Bop expanded into international markets and strengthened its touring operations with Live Nation.
Concord Board and Advisory Members
Scott Pascucci, former Concord CEO (2015-2023), remains on Concord’s Board of Directors and chairs its Advisory Board. Jake Wisely serves as a non-voting Director. The Advisory Board includes executives from Warner Bros., Interscope, Microsoft, and Philips, bringing diverse entertainment and technology perspectives.
Strategic Oversight and Governance
Concord’s Board provides strategic oversight while day-to-day operations remain delegated to brand leadership. This governance model resembles approaches used by major conglomerates like Comcast.
Kidz Bop Revenue Streams (Estimated 2024)
$10-15M
$12-15M
$5M
$1.6M
Total Estimated Revenue: $30-50 million annually
Source: BrandsOwnedBy
FAQs
Who is the current owner of Kidz Bop?
Concord Music Group owns Kidz Bop completely. The Nashville-based entertainment company acquired full ownership in January 2018 through its purchase of Razor & Tie, the original record label behind the children’s music brand.
Who founded Kidz Bop and when?
Craig Balsam and Cliff Chenfeld founded Kidz Bop in October 2001. The co-founders of Razor & Tie created the concept to provide kid-friendly versions of popular songs for children aged 5-12.
Who is the President of Kidz Bop?
Sasha Junk serves as President of Kidz Bop since April 2020. She oversees brand strategy, marketing, international expansion, and partnerships while reporting to Concord’s executive leadership team.
How many albums has Kidz Bop sold?
Kidz Bop has sold over 23.5 million albums globally since its 2001 debut. The brand has also generated more than 9 billion streams across digital platforms and released 50 studio albums by 2025.
Is Kidz Bop publicly traded?
No, Kidz Bop is not publicly traded. The brand operates as a subsidiary of Concord, a privately held company majority-owned by the State of Michigan Retirement Systems and other institutional investors.
