LES DISQUES PASSEPORT

What LES DISQUES PASSEPORT does

Les Disques Passeport Inc. is an independent Quebec record label and digital music distributor founded in 1990 in Montreal by Marc Racine, who continues to lead the company as president. The firm operates as a multi-role music enterprise combining record label, music publisher, production house, and digital distribution service. Its core product is professional digital distribution to global streaming platforms via direct agreements with iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Google, YouTube, 7digital, Tidal, QoBuz, and VerveLife, supplemented by traditional label services including artist development, production, and publishing. Since 1990 the company has worked with approximately 50 artists and released more than 120 albums and EPs plus 9 DVDs, spanning folk, country, traditional, pop, rock, jazz, electronic, hip-hop, and children's music with particular strength in Francophone Quebec and emerging Indigenous and Latin artists.

The business generates revenue through three primary streams: digital distribution commissions on streaming royalties, licensing and royalty income from label-owned recordings, and professional services for artist development and production. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; new artist submissions are routed through a dedicated project intake email ([email protected]) and projects are accepted selectively, reflecting a 'human-scale' curation approach. Projects have been partially funded by the Government of Canada. The company maintains a marketing presence through its website and social channels (Facebook, X, LinkedIn) and uses email and phone ([email protected], 514-526-8835) as primary contact channels.

In 2014 the company pivoted from physical record production to become one of the first Quebec record labels to claim full independence in the digital market, signing direct platform agreements. The catalog continues to expand, with multiple releases across 2025 and 2026 including English-language product (Roy Davis's 'The Whale'), signaling cautious internationalization. No external investors, parent company, or institutional funding are disclosed; the firm remains privately held and founder-led, with no patents, certifications, or AI capabilities referenced in the available data.

Name

LES DISQUES PASSEPORT

Legal name

Les Disques Passeport Inc.

Website

https://passeport.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Les Disques Passeport is an independent Montreal-based Quebec record label and digital music distributor founded in 1990, providing digital distribution, production, and artist development services to approximately 50 independent artists worldwide through direct streaming-platform agreements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Record Label & Music Distribution

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (51225), Music Publishers (512230)

SIC

Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Aggregators & DIY Distribution Platforms (MPAIAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Publishing Administration (Catalog Admin, Global Subpublishing) (MPAIABAB)

Keywords

• Independent record label
• Digital music distribution
• Music publishing services
• Artist development services
• Streaming platform distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Digital Distribution Services: Digital music distribution and marketing services for independent artists worldwide through major streaming platforms.
2. Record Label Services: Publishing, production, and record company services. Over 120 albums and EPs have been released through the label, including approximately half in digital marketing and distribution, plus 9 DVDs.
3. Artist Development: Working with emerging and established artists, supporting musical projects from inception through distribution.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Les Disques Passeport is an independent Quebec record label and digital music distributor that provides professional digital distribution, publishing, production, and artist development services to independent musicians. The company holds direct distribution agreements with major global streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer, YouTube, Google, 7digital, Tidal, QoBuz, VerveLife), enabling worldwide release of artists' music with personalized service in a human-scale operation.

Product overview

Les Disques Passeport is an independent Quebec record label and digital music distributor founded in 1990, operating as a multi-level music industry enterprise encompassing editor, producer, record company, and digital marketing service provider roles. The company offers a unified service combining digital distribution (with direct platform agreements to Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer, YouTube, 7digital, Tidal, QoBuz, VerveLife) alongside traditional record label operations including artist development and production. With approximately 50 artists and over 120 albums/EPs processed since inception, the company focuses on emerging talent while maintaining a human-scale approach. Notable artists on roster include Mic Bourgouin, Dave Harmo, Roy Davis, Will Verreault, Nick Neo, Sophie Pelletier, Mélisande [électrotrad], Esmeralda, and over 100 others spanning folk, country, traditional, pop, rock, jazz, electronic, and hip-hop genres.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital Distribution Services Professional digital music distribution enabling independent artists to reach global audiences through direct agreements with major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer, YouTube, 7digital, Tidal, QoBuz, and VerveLife.
• Record Label & Publishing Services Traditional record label operations including artist development, production, and publishing for emerging and established Quebec artists across diverse genres. Over 120 albums and EPs have been released through the label.
• Artist Roster & Catalog Portfolio of approximately 50 independent Quebec artists spanning genres including folk, country, traditional, pop, rock, instrumental, jazz, electronic, hip-hop, and children's music. Notable artists include Mic Bourgouin, Dave Harmo, Roy Davis, Will Verreault, Nick Neo, Sophie Pelletier, Mélisande [électrotrad], Esmeralda, and Samian.

Quantifiable outcome

• Artists can earn a living from their digital royalties through effective platform relationships and playlist curation

Named customers11 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• iTunes/Apple MusiccoreTechnology or IntegrationDirect distribution agreement with Apple Music and iTunes enabling Les Disques Passeport artists to reach listeners worldwide through Apple's music ecosystem.
• SpotifycoreTechnology or IntegrationDirect partnership with Spotify for digital distribution of Les Disques Passeport artists' music to Spotify's global listener base.
• DeezercoreTechnology or IntegrationDirect distribution agreement with Deezer streaming platform.
• Google/YouTubecoreTechnology or IntegrationDirect distribution partnership with Google and YouTube for artist content delivery.
• Government of CanadaminorOthersGovernment of Canada has provided partial funding for projects, as acknowledged on the company website: 'This project has been made possible [in part] by the Government of Canada.'

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bonsound: Montreal-based independent record label with digital distribution and artist management services for Quebec and Canadian francophone artists. Most directly comparable to Les Disques Passeport by geography, target market, and combined label-plus-distribution model.
• CD Baby: Long-established DIY music distribution and physical/digital aggregator serving independent artists globally. Direct competitor on the distribution function, with similar long-tenure positioning to Les Disques Passeport's 1990 founding.
• DistroKid: Largest DIY music distribution aggregator, enabling independent artists worldwide to upload music directly to Spotify, Apple Music, and other major streaming services. Direct competitor to Les Disques Passeport on the digital distribution function, though operating at global scale with a fully self-service model.
• Indica Records: Canadian independent record label distributing and promoting indie artists across multiple genres. Comparable as a fellow Canadian independent label with distribution capabilities, though based in Western Canada rather than Quebec.
• TuneCore: DIY music distribution platform owned by Believe that delivers independent artists' music to all major streaming services. Direct competitor to Les Disques Passeport's distribution offering, with stronger tooling and global scale but no boutique label services.
• La Tribu: Quebec-based independent music cooperative and record label supporting francophone artists across folk, trad, and world genres. Directly comparable as a Quebec-rooted indie label serving a similar folk/chanson/traditional roster.
• AWAL (Artists Without A Label): Global distribution and artist services company offering premium distribution, playlist pitching, and marketing support to independent artists. Comparable to Les Disques Passeport's premium-service positioning in the distribution-plus-services category.

Regional players

• Grosse Bombe Records: Quebec-based independent record label serving French-language artists in indie and alternative genres. Comparable as a regional Quebec indie label, though focused on different sub-genres (indie/alt) than Les Disques Passeport's folk/chanson core.

Broad incumbents

• Universal Music Canada: Major label with a strong Quebec francophone roster and direct platform relationships, representing the broad incumbent against which independent Quebec labels like Les Disques Passeport compete for top-tier Quebec talent.
• Believe Distribution: Global digital music company and distribution platform serving independent labels and artists with end-to-end distribution, marketing, and publishing services. Operates at significantly larger scale than Les Disques Passeport but competes for the same indie distribution mandate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/les-disques-passeport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LES DISQUES PASSEPORT