Hipgnosis Songs has acquired a music catalogue from multi-Grammy nominated songwriter and producer Ari Levine.
Levine is best known for his work as a member of the three-piece writing and producing group The Smeezingtons with Bruno Mars and Philip Lawrence and has written multiple Top 10 hits, including Fuck You by Cee Lo Green, Just The Way You Are, Grenade, When I Was You Man and Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars, and Billionaire by Travie McCoy.
Merck Mercuriadis, founder of The Family (Music) Limited and Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited, said: “Ari is one of the most important writers and producers of the new pop era. Having co-written and produced the entirety of the seminal first two Bruno Mars albums, which include four No.1 singles in Just The Way You Are, Grenade, Locked Out Of Heaven and When I Was Your Man, as well as the No.1 single Fuck You for Cee Lo Green, Ari’s work has resulted in some of the most highly regarded and enduring songs of the last 10 years. He has everyone’s respect and I’m delighted to welcome him to the Hipgnosis family.”
“I couldn’t be happier with a better home for my catalogue. Merck and Hipgnosis are the right executive and company team to look after my musical legacy," added Levine. "I’m proud to have my catalogue in their hands and I’m confident in their ability to grow its value and influence in the upcoming decades."
Hipgnosis has a made a string of acquisitions since floating on the London Stock Exchange last year, most recently securing music catalogues from British songwriter and producer Jamie Scott and Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart.
The company announced it had raised a further £141.5 million from investors in April, far exceeding its original £100m target.
