Music Deals -- Week 22 2021

Independent music company Reservoir has acquired over 6,000 master recordings from New York-based indie hip hop label Tommy Boy Music, in a transaction valued at around $100 million, according to an SEC filing. Founded by TomSilvermanin 1981, Tommy Boy became one of the main labels documenting the burgeoning hip hop scene in New York, with artists such as DJ Afrika Bambaataa, De La Soul, Coolio, House of Pain, Queen Latifah, among others. Tommy Boy's repertoire will now be marketed and promoted via New York-based Reservoir and its international arm Chrysalis Music in London. Reservoir EVP Faith Newman will oversee Tommy Boy's A&R and Creative.

Hipgnosis Songs Fund has acquired the music catalogue of songwriter, producer and musician Little Joel, who worked on such songs as 'Me!' by Taylor Swift, 'Young Dumb & Broke' by Khalid, 'Whatever It Takes' by Imagine Dragons and 'Royals' by Lorde. Little has also worked with Ellie Goulding, Shawn Mendes, Sam Smith, James Bay and Jonas Brothers. “I feel incredibly grateful for my career in songwriting up to this point," said Little. "It’s really nice to know that these songs will be so well taken care of by Merck [Mercuriadis, Founder and CEO of Hipgnosis] and his team of passionate music people. Hipgnosis have big plans and I’m very excited to see how far they can champion the cause for all songwriters in the coming years.” 

MIME Publishing, the music publishing division of independent music company Made in Memphis Entertainment, has signed co-publishing deals with producer Stacey “SOS” Owens and songwriter and producer Nathaniel Levingston. MIME Publishing will provide "well-rounded representation for Owens’ and Levingston’s catalogues worldwide while offering additional services and 24/7 customer service that goes above and beyond most traditional publishing deals," said the company. “We’ve been following Stacey and Nathaniel’s careers very closely and have been impressed by the stellar work they’ve done with the likes of DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne, Nas, Trey Songz, Ne-Yo, Lyrica Anderson, and Elijah Connor,” said Tony D. Alexander, President and Managing Director of MIME.

Universal Music Group's Interscope Geffen A&M division and Yo Gotti's CMG Records have renewed a partnership that will see both companies continue collaborate to develop the careers of CMG’s roster of artists, including Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg, EST Gee, among others. “With 25 years under his belt as a successful artist, label head, manager and entrepreneur, Yo Gotti has built an impressive legacy in hip hop and remains one of the most exciting voices in music,” said IGA Chairman, John Janick. “We look forward to working closely with Gotti’s team to continue to build upon CMG’s incredible run in our business.”

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has signed a three-year worldwide deal with Mexican songwriter and performer Marco Antonio Solís. The deal covers future works as well as a majority of Solís’ catalogue. “Marco is a master of his craft, for decades his music has transcended time, touching the lives of music fans across generations," said Gustavo Menendez, President U.S. Latin & Latin America at WCM. "As both a songwriter and recording artist, he’s made a massive impact, laying the foundation for many who have followed him in both the regional Mexican and Mexican pop space. It’s an honor to represent one of the most important and hugely influential Latin music catalogs of all time.” The deal was done in collaboration with Foundation Media Partner’s Paul Vasquez and Harvey Russell.

British independent music company Ninja Tune and Foreign Family Collective (FFC), an outlet for musicians and visual artists curated by the duo behind ODESZA, have sealed a new partnership that will see Ninja Tune begin to release, promote and distribute FFC’s catalogue worldwide. Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight of ODESZA said Ninja Tune, a label set up by Coldcut, was "an inspiring template" for them when they started FFC. “Partnering with Ninja Tune to continue to expand and evolve our vision for FFC is a dream come true," said Mills and Knight. "To be able to bring our team at FFC into an even closer dialogue and partnership with the hardworking and innovative team at Ninja Tune is a privilege and we can’t wait to see what amazing things we can achieve for the artists we love that are part of FFC."

Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Jimmie Allen’s Bettie James Music Publishing have partnered to sign rising songwriter Tate Howell to a worldwide agreement. Howell is the first songwriter to sign with Allen’s newly launched publishing company. “From the first time I met Tate, he showed me he was motivated and willing to work. Not only is he one of my best friends, but he is also one of the hardest working and kindest people I know,” said Allen. “I feel like when a person comes along as talented as Tate, it’s easy to want to build a business around him. I’m honoured to have him as the first signing to Bettie James Music Publishing, and I look forward to watching his career grow as a songwriter.”