Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited has acquired a music catalog from British songwriter and producer, Fraser T. Smith who has co-written, mixed and produced seven UK No. 1 and two US No. 1 singles, as well as contributing to 17 No. 1 albums.
Hipgnosis has acquired 100% of Fraser T. Smith’s worldwide writer share of performance income of the catalog, which comprises 298 songs.
Fraser T. Smith co-wrote and produced ‘Set Fire to the Rain’ from Adele’s 2011 album ‘21’ which is the best selling album of the 21st century.
In addition to winning the Grammy Award for “Best Solo Pop Performance”, ‘Set Fire to the Rain’ achieved 13 No 1s and 35 Top 10s globally including in the US and UK. It was certified 4x Platinum in the US and 2x Platinum in the UK and has been streamed over 480 million times on Spotify alone.
Fraser T. Smith was also co-writer and co-executive producer on Stormzy’s UK No. 1 album ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’, which was “British Album of the Year” at the 2018 BRIT awards. It achieved six Top 10 chart positions globally.
In addition, Fraser T. Smith worked on ‘Break your Heart’ by Taio Cruz, which reached No.1 in four countries including the UK and the US where it was certified 3x Platinum (167 million Spotify streams); ‘Broken Strings’ by James Morrison featuring Nelly Furtado which achieved four No.1 chart positions globally (165 million Spotify streams); and ‘Number 1’ by Tinchy Stryder featuring N-Dubz which was No. 1 and certified Platinum in the UK (31 million Spotify streams).
“It’s an honour to welcome Fraser T. Smith and Sarah T. Smith to the Hipgnosis family.”
T. Smith also co-wrote and produced on Jesse & Joy’s album ‘Un Besito Más’ which was nominated as ‘Album Of The Year’ in 2015 at the Latin Grammys and won for ‘Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album’ and ‘Best Latin Pop Album’.
The catalog acquired by Hipgnosis also includes T.Smith’s collaborations with Kano, where he was a co-writer and producer on the 2016 MOBO Award-winning album ‘Made In The Manor’; and Sam Smith, on his 9x Platinum and Grammy nominated No. 1 album ‘In The Lonely Hour’.
Merck Mercuriadis, Founder of The Family (Music) Limited and Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited, said: “It’s an honour to welcome Fraser T. Smith and Sarah T. Smith to the Hipgnosis family. Every time I hear one of Fraser’s songs they always feel special. He writes and produces enormously successful songs that make popular music not only special but culturally important.”
Fraser T. Smith said: “Merck’s pedigree as a music industry executive, manager and visionary is almost unprecedented – and above all, he truly realises the value of the song in popular culture. I’m excited to be part of the Hipgnosis family, and know that this part of my songwriting catalog is in very safe hands.”
