Hipgnosis to invest $1 billion in songs thanks to Blackstone investment
Hipgnosis has already spent millions on catalogues.
Nile Rodgers, Hipgnosis co-founder. Image: Dia Dipasupil / Getty
Hipgnosis Song Management Ltd has announced that new funding from the global investment firm Blackstone will be put to use acquiring and managing music catalogues. The sum? An enormous $1 billion.
- READ MORE: Red Hot Chili Peppers will reportedly sell their catalogue to Hipgnosis for upwards of $140 million
According to Music Business Worldwide, the money will go into Hipgnosis Song Capital, a new private fund that is separate from Hipgnosis Song Management and Hipgnosis Songs Fund (SONG). Hipgnosis Song Management will become the exclusive investment management partner for both Hipgnosis Songs Fund and the new, Blackstone-backed Hipgnosis Songs Capital.
Blackstone will also take an ownership stake in Hipgnosis Song Management, and will support operations such as the development of new song management expertise, data science capabilities and tech solutions.
Qasim Abbas, senior managing director at Blackstone Tactical Opportunities alludes that there is more to come from Blackstone and the partnership. Speaking to MBW, Abbas said: “At this point in time, what we’re looking to do – as a starting point, really – is acquire about a billion dollars [worth] of catalogues. I would emphasise that’s just the start. Our ambition is much more substantial than that.”
In a press release, Abbas adds: “This partnership underscores the long term, sustainable value we see in creative content across the wider entertainment industry, building on Merck’s vision and dynamism. The music industry has been at the forefront of the fast-growing streaming economy and is unlocking new ways of consuming content. We look forward to working with Merck and his team to continue their exciting journey and safeguard the legacy of the songwriters that entrust us with their content.”
Merck Mercuriadis, the founder of Hipgnosis Song Management (HSM), says that the new partnership will “deliver financial strength to invest in proven songs as well as grow our song management team and bring additional sophistication to Hipgnosis Song Management”.
Hipgnosis, which was co-founded by guitarist and producer Nile Rodgers, has recently made headlines for acquiring song catalogues from the likes of Neil Young, Metallica, Lindsey Buckingham and more. The company is also reportedly in talks to acquire Red Hot Chili Peppers’ catalogue for over $140 million.