We catch up on the latest music publishing news, from key deals and signings to new hires, legislation and more.
Deals & Signings
Justin Bieber Sells Music Rights to Hipgnosis Songs for $200 Million-Plus (Variety)
The deal includes Bieber’s shares of his publishing and recorded-music catalog, Bieber’s interest in his publishing copyrights (including the writer’s share of performance), master recordings and neighboring rights for his entire back catalog.
Two Members of the Doors Sell Music, Publishing Rights to Primary Wave (Variety)
The acquisition includes their interests in the group’s music publishing catalog, recordings, trademarks, and merchandise rights and income, among other things.
Patrick Moxey’s Ultra International Music Publishing acquires catalog of Grammy-winning producer Zaytoven (MBW)
UIMP has agreed a co-publishing agreement with Zaytoven to develop new work, which will see him continuing to collaborate with the company in Los Angeles, Atlanta and London.
Reservoir strikes catalog deal with Rock and Roll legend Dion (MBW)
The company says that the deal includes Dion’s entire publishing catalog and future works, as well as synchronization rights to his recording masters.
TuneCore renews and expands partnership with UK-based publishing administrator Sentric (MBW)
The renewal comes a year after Sentric Music Group was acquired by Switzerland-headquartered fintech company Utopia Music.
Deals & Signings
‘First Class’ Producer Jasper Harris Signs With Avex USA and Brandon Silverstein Publishing (Variety)
Jasper Harris, the 24-year-old producer behind hits like Jack Harlow’s “First Class” and Post Malone and Doja Cat’s “I Like You,” has signed a publishing deal with Avex USA and Brandon Silverstein Publishing.
Reservoir Signs Publishing Deal With Indian Rappers and Producer on DIVINE’s Gully Gang (Billboard)
The deals are the result of a 2020 joint venture launched by Reservoir and Gully Gang, the label and entertainment group founded by Indian hip-hop star DIVINE.
Hit-Boy’s Surf Club Collective Partners With EMPIRE Publishing (Billboard)
Along with the news of the partnership itself, EMPIRE and Surf Club have also announced their first three signees: Gary “G Dav” Davis, Jesse “Dr. Blum” Blum, and Randy “Bandz” Holmes.
Hit Songwriter Corey Crowder Signs with Concord Music Publishing (American Songwriter)
Crowder has signed with Concord Music Publishing in a worldwide co-publishing deal that includes most of his previous songwriting and production work, along with future projects.
Facts & Figures
Top 25 Songwriters of 2022 (Genius)
Genius’ 2022 Year-End Songwriter List celebrates the work of the non-primary-artist songwriters that have had the biggest impact on this year as measured by Genius data and analytics.
Legal
BMG Suing Toymaker for Turning Black Eyed Peas‘ ’My Humps‘ Into ’My Poops’ Ad (Rolling Stone)
Music giant claims that the Poopsie Slime Surprise, a “unicorn doll that excretes sparkling slime,” somehow “devalued” Will.i.am’s ode to junk in the trunk.
Ultra Music Publishing responds to Sony Music’s Ultra trademark claim (CMU)
Ultra Music Publishing has formally responded to a lawsuit filed last year by Sony Music which, as the now sole owner of the Ultra Records label, wants the Ultra music publisher to stop using the Ultra name.
Royalties & CMOs
Irving Azoff’s PRO, Global Music Rights, settles two copyright infringement lawsuits in the US (MBW)
GMR sued three US radio companies, including the two named above nearly four months ago, accusing them of failing to secure licenses covering its songs.
PRS for Music publishes 2022 Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap Report (PRS for Music)
This is the second edition of the report, which highlights the journey to change and the organisation’s commitment to championing diversity and inclusion.
Launches
Interstellar Music Services launches rights management operation with Kobalt and BMG execs (Music Week)
Promising a creator-centric vision, Interstellar said it will “combine the flexibility and value of DIY creator services with the administrative support and access of a label and publisher, with a view to ensuring artists and songwriters see greater returns from their music”.
Warner Chappell Production Music expands to Brazil, led by Renato Moraes (MBW)
Warner Chappell Production Music (WCPM), the production and custom music unit of music publisher Warner Chappell Music (WCM), is expanding to Brazil with a new team in São Paulo led by Renato Moraes.
People
Kobalt Creative Chief Sas Metcalfe Sets Departure After 20-Plus Years (Billboard)
The North Wales native possesses a creative taste that is “second to none,” commented founder and chairman Willard Ahdritz, who hired her in 2001, and has “built a great spirit in her team because she is happy to share success.”
Concord Music Publishing appoints Adam Gardiner as SVP of international sync (Music Week)
Gardiner joins the publisher from Universal Music’s creative division, Globe, where he was head of film & TV. He spent 10 years at UMG working his way up from team assistant to head of department.
Ru Ping Gan named VP of Digital, Asia Pacific at Warner Chappell Music (MBW)
Gan, based in Malaysia, will report directly to Natalie Madaj, SVP, Global Digital, said the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group in a Tuesday (January 24) announcement.
As ChatGPT sets the internet aflame, will AI write the lyrics of tomorrow’s hits? (MBW)
LyricStudio, owned by California-headquartered parent WaveAI, produces original lyrics for songwriters in a style that mimics their own. In this sense, it’s ‘assistive AI’ – a human companion, a muse.
