Photo Credit: Hook
Social music platform Hook secures $3 million in additional funding from investors like Khosla Ventures, Kygo’s Palm Tree Crew, and many more.
A platform enabling users to easily (and legally) remix songs by some of the top musicians, Hook has announced the closing of $3 million in additional funding, bringing its total to $6 million. The round includes new investments from Kygo’s Palm Tree Crew, The Raine Group, and Khosla Ventures, as well as continued support from existing investors. These include Imaginary Ventures, Steve Cohen’s Point72 Ventures, KSHMR, and Waverley Capital, co-founded by former Warner Music Group CEO Edgar Bronfman, Jr.
Hook addresses the biggest hurdle in the music industry today: the rise of unlicensed content across social media platforms. In fact, 40% of music consumed on social media comes from remixes and mashups, which are often created without proper licensing. Hook provides a legitimate solution for creators while ensuring that rights holders maintain control and monetization of their content.
“We have built music’s new ecosystem, where creativity and rights can finally coexist. For too long, the industry has been stuck choosing between protecting artists’ rights and enabling creative expression. Hook creates a future where fans and creators can freely express themselves, artists and labels can properly monetize their work, and the entire music community thrives together,” says Gaurav Sharma, Founder and CEO of Hook. “This isn’t just about fixing a broken system — it’s about building the foundation for music’s next chapter.”
The new funding will accelerate Hook’s marketing efforts and strategic hiring, with a focus on user acquisition. The platform is the first specialized AI-powered tool for creating and distributing licensed remixed music content in short-form formats, filling the gap that existing editing tools haven’t addressed for the music industry.
“We are incredibly excited to invest in Hook and support its mission to innovate how artists and creators engage with their work and interact with their fans. We look forward to working with and supporting Gaurav and his team on this journey,” said Michael Diaz, CEO of Palm Tree Crew.
Not just a music creation tool, Hook is an “expression platform” that enables creators to product legitimate, monetizable content while ensuring proper compensation for rights holders. This approach creates a sustainable model for the future of music creation and distribution in the social media era.
In just four months, the company has partnered with 16 music partners and features music from over 1,200 artists. These include Justin Bieber, Teddy Swims, James Blake, BLOND:ISH, Playboi Carti, Ty Dolla $ign, KSHMR, Hardwell, Swae Lee, Big Sean, Migos, Soulja Boy, Sadie Jean, Jaden Smith, Killer Mike, and Cash Cobain.
Hook is transforming music creation through its innovative AI and machine learning technologies that power creative remix tools, including genre and mood-changing filters and mashups. Hook’s commitment to ethical AI practices includes never training algorithms on artists’ music, an approach that has earned it industry recognition with Universal Music Group including Hook in its MusicForAI initiative as an approved, ethically sound AI platform.
Since the app’s launch in October, Hook has continued to expand its features for music fans with better discovery and recommendations, and improved music remixing and video editing tools. To support the music creator economy Hook is pioneering short-form music monetization through its new creator monetization program. Music creators can now earn money based on engagement, referrals, and bonuses. Artists can now promote their catalog through on and off-platform promotions and Remix Challenges that allow creators and fans to interact with music in creative ways and win prizes.
Content shared from www.digitalmusicnews.com.