This time, the publicly traded UK-based rights management firm run by Merck Mercuriadis has bought a music catalog from superstar producer, rapper, singer, songwriter and DJ, Timbaland.
It is understood that the deal sees Hipgnosis acquire 100% of Timbaland’s production royalties across a catalog comprising 108 albums and songs, performed by the likes of Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Jay Z, Rihanna, Drake and others.
Hipgnosis has also recently bought up rights to No.1 songs such as Yeah by Usher, Check On It by Beyoncé, We Belong Together by Mariah Carey and Be Without You by Mary J. Blige, and snapped up a music catalog from American songwriter, producer and singer Brittany Hazzard, aka Starrah.
Timbaland has received 13 Grammy Award nominations, winning two, and has produced some of the most important albums of the last 25 years including Nelly Furtado’s Loose, three Platinum and Multi-Platinum Missy Elliot albums and all of Justin Timberlake’s albums which have reached No.1 across the world.
Loose, released in 2006, was Nelly Furtado’s first No.1 album selling over 12 million copies globally and includes the US No.1 singles Promiscuous and Say it Right in addition to the iconic Platinum certified Maneater.
“Ask any of today’s greatest creators who their biggest influences are and the one name that appears on everybody’s list is Timbaland.”
Justin Timberlake’s albums have sold an aggregate 32m copies globally and include the 2006 hit Songs SexyBack which was certified 3x Platinum in the US and reached No.1 in nine countries including the US and UK; My Love and What Goes Around…Comes Around, both No.1s and certified Platinum in the US as well as the 3x Platinum Suit and Tie released in 2012.
The catalog also contains songs performed by some of the biggest global Hip Hop and R&B artists such as Aaliyah, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Madonna, 2 PAC, Rihanna, OneRepublic and Drake.
These include Jay Z’s 4x Platinum Holy Grail featuring Justin Timberlake released in 2011 and Aaliyah’s US No.1 Try Again released in 2000.
“Merck is a visionary who I know appreciates the value of my musical life work. My music is in great hands.”
Timbaland
In addition, Timbaland has had significant commercial success as a solo artist with his 2007 Platinum album Shock Value which featured the US No.1s Give It to Me featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake; Apologise featuring OneRepublic; and the 3x Platinum The Way I Are featuring Keri Hilson, D.O.E. and Sebastian.
“We are pleased to have part of Tim’s iconic catalog with Merck and Hipgnosis.”
Gary Marella
Merck Mercuriadis, Founder of The Family (Music) Limited and Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited, said: “Ask any of today’s greatest creators who their biggest influences are and the one name that appears on everybody’s list is Timbaland.
“His iconic records with Aaliyah, Jay Z, Missy Elliot, Nelly Furtado, and Justin Timberlake amongst many others are iconic and will be remembered forever.”
Timbaland added: “Merck is a visionary who I know appreciates the value of my musical life work. My music is in great hands.”
Gary Marella, Manager to Timbaland, said: “It’s important to all creators that their work is in the right hands. Merck’s respect for music creators is unparalleled.
“We are pleased to have part of Tim’s iconic catalog with Merck and Hipgnosis.”Music Business Worldwide
