Merck Mercuriadis' Hipgnosis Songs Fund has bolstered its roster after acquiring a further three "genius-level" song catalogues.
The company has acquired Grammy-winning songwriter Johnta Austin’s BMG publishing catalogue and Sean Garrett's interest in his Universal Music Publishing catalogue, as well as their writer shares of performance income. It has also acquired US songwriter and producer Rico Love’s writer share of performance income.
Mercuriadis (pictured), founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited and its investment adviser The Family (Music) Limited, said: “I’m very happy to be welcoming Johnta, Sean and Rico into the Hipgnosis family. They have each individually written standout songs that define the culture. From Mary J Blige to Usher to Beyoncé, these songs have played a critical role in the evolution of R&B and pop music as we know it today.”
These songs have played a critical role in the evolution of R&B and pop music
Merck Mercuriadis
Hipgnosis
Austin's first Grammy was for his work on Mariah Carey's We Belong Together the second longest running No.1 single in US chart history. His second Grammy was for Be Without You, performed by Mary J Blige.
The catalogue comprises 249 songs and also includes hit singles such as Janet Jackson’s Call On Me ft. Nelly, Chris Brown’s Yo and Bryson Taylor’s Don’t.
Garrett, meanwhile, has been responsible for a series of chart-toppers, most notably Usher's Yeah!, Check on It by Beyoncé and Ciara's Goodies. In addition, he co-wrote the Pussycat Dolls' hit single Buttons, Britney Spears' Toy Soldier and Nicki Minaj’s Massive Attack. The catalogue comprises 588 songs.
Love, an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer who has written and produced hit songs including Sweet Dreams for Beyoncé and Throwback for Usher amongst others. The catalogue comprises 245 songs, which includes Without You by David Guetta, which was co-written by Giorgio Tuinfort, and is included in the catalogue which Hipgnosis acquired the 100% copyright interest in December 2018.
Advisory board member The-Dream, said: “I would like to welcome three genius level songwriters to our family. When we talked what songwriters and songs should sit alongside the great Grammy award winners already in the catalogue we were very focused on Johnta, Sean and Rico.”
