Music deals -- Week 3 or 2021

Sony Music Group (SMG) has become the first music company to support Nashville, TN-based National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) ahead of its opening on January 18, 2021. As part of the partnership, developed through Sony Music’s Global Social Justice Fund, a Sony Music Scholars Black Music Certification Program and Scholarship will be created "to make an impact on the community through music education" and "introduce students to the music industry through the lens of African American history and culture." SMG will also underwrite the museum’s 'Business Behind the Music' exhibit at launch, which will feature Black music executives as well as record labels and publishers that have played a significant role throughout American history.

Béatrice Martin, the artist from Québec known as Coeur de Pirate, has acquired the record label Dare to Care Records from its Founder Eli Bissonnette. She will serve as President and A&R director of the Montreal-based company, which was started in 2000. The selling was prompted by allegations last summer that one of the artists on the label, Bernard Adamus, was facing claims of sexual harassment and abuse, according to the Montreal Gazette, and that Bissonnette "had long turned a blind eye to Adamus’s conduct." “I am very excited to begin this new chapter of Dare to Care Records’ great history,” said Martin. “I have many ideas for the future of the label, but my priority remains to provide a healthy and inclusive environment for our employees to thrive as well as for our artists to develop and continue to share our culture.” Coeur de Pirate released her first album (and third overall) for Dare To Care in 2014 and has been signed to the label ever since.

BMG has acquired the interests of Fleetwood Mac co-founder Mick Fleetwood in the band’s recordings. Terms of the deal, which includes shares in over 300 recordings, were not disclosed. “This is a wonderfully inspiring marriage between two creative partners that understand all aspects of the business," said Fleetwood. "Foremost, BMG understands the artistry and puts the artist first. If this partnership is any indication of my past, and now future, working relationship with BMG, it’s that they truly ‘get it’.” 

Hipgnosis Songs Fund has acquired 100% of Shakira’s music publishing rights, including publishing and writer’s share of income, of her entire catalogue comprising 145 songs. The Colombian artist has been releasing albums since 1991 and has sold over 80 million records. With over 32 million listeners, Shakira is the most-streamed female Latin artist on Spotify and her songs have been streamed billions of times. She is also one of only three female artists to have two videos exceeding two billion views on YouTube. "I'm humbled that songwriting has given me the privilege of communicating with others, of being a part of something bigger than myself," said Shakira. "I know Hipgnosis will be a great home for my catalogue — and I'm so happy to partner with this company led by Merck [Mercuriadis, founder and CEO of Hipgnosis], who truly values artists and their creations and is an ally to songwriters everywhere who care deeply about the continued life of their songs."


Downtown Music Holdings' division dedicated to sound recording performance royalties Downtown Neighbouring Rights has entered into an agreement to represent the Estate of Ella Fitzgerald for global performance royalty collections outside of the US. The deal covers her entire repertoire. “We are so pleased to have Downtown Neighbouring Rights represent the Estate of Ella Fitzgerald. Her legacy as one of the most popular jazz vocalists of all time lives on and we are very excited to have it in such good hands,” said Richard Rosman, President of The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, the non-profit philanthropic organisation which owns the rights to the catalogue.

British performer and songwriter KT Tunstall has signed a global publishing deal with Primary Wave Music Publishing, in an agreement that also includes a 50% share of all royalties from Tunstall’s master recordings. The deal also gives her access to Primary Wave's marketing and publishing services. “First and foremost, I consider myself a songwriter,” said Tunstall. “It is absolutely re-energising in today’s challenging music landscape to connect creatively with Primary Wave and to discover our mutual joy for the craft of songwriting, and still hold it in greatest of respect.”

Canadian songwriter Jim Vallance, who's had a long-term association with Bryan Adams, has signed a deal with Round Hill Music covering his back catalogue. Vallance has also written with such artists as Bonnie Raitt, Aerosmith, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Roger Daltrey, Tina Turner, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, among others. Round Hill has also acquired the back catalogue of band Collective Soul, in a deal that also includes an agreement with the band’s founder, singer and primary songwriter, Ed Roland. 

US producer and songwriter Louis Bell, who has worked with Post Malone, Camila Cabello, the   and Halsey, has signed an exclusive global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). The company has also acquired Bell’s catalogue.

Concord Music Publishing has renewed its global publishing agreement with Gez O’Connell, covering all his existing and future works. O’Connell has provided songs for Kygo, Zara Larsson and Tyga.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing UK has signed singer, songwriter, jazz musician, and radio broadcaster JamieCullum to a global publishing agreement. The signing marks Cullum's return to the company with which he signed his first-ever publishing deal eighteen years ago (EMI Music Publishing, later acquired by Sony/ATV). “I’m so proud to have signed with Sony/ATV and to be rejoining a team I first started working with in 2003 at the very beginning of my professional career," said Cullum. Whilst I have had a long and interesting journey as a songwriter, I do feel like I’m entering a new phase in the body of work I’m creating. I know and respect the team at Sony/ATV and I’m excited to explore with them the possibilities of where we can use my songs not only within my own recorded output but also for other artists and in film, theatre, computer games and beyond.”

Iceland's independent music company INNI has signed a global publishing administration agreement with Kobalt. Based between Reykjavik, Akureyri and Los Angeles, the company was founded in 2019 by film composer Atli Orvarsson and executive Colm O’Herlihy and represents writers, composers and producers such as Skuli Sverrisson, Sin Fang, Amiina, Ayia, and Ulfur Hansson.

Japanese electronics giant Sony has announced during CES 2021 the launch of a new subsidiary named Sony Immersive Music Studios, which will develop content at the intersection of music, immersive entertainment and video gaming. This initiative brings Sony into the world of “metaverse," at the convergence of physical reality and virtual spaces, already occupied by companies such as Roblox and Microsoft's Minecraft. “At Sony Music Entertainment we are always seeking new ways to help our artists expand their creative opportunities and reach fans," said Dennis Kooker, President, Global Digital Business and US Sales at Sony Music Entertainment. "Those possibilities are even greater as a member of the Sony family where we develop unique collaborations between artists and new technology. We also have vast capabilities to showcase our artist creativity across platforms around the world and the combination of these strengths is a key differentiator in the value proposition we contribute to the music community.” Brad Spahr is leading the Sony Immersive Music Studios team. He was previously in charge of the company’s digital strategy related to new verticals such as Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and Hi-Res Audio.