We catch up on this week’s music publishing news, from key deals and signings to new hires, legislation and more.
Deals and Signings
Synchtank Software Platform to Support Raedio Publishing’s New Business Venture (Platform & Stream)
Issa Rae’s new publishing initiative, Raedio Publishing, has partnered with licensing powerhouse Synchtank as their technology host. Combining proven success working with global entertainment companies and deep roots in online music licensing, Synchtank’s platform will help Raedio thrive.
Kobalt inks global deal with Issa Rae’s Raedio Publishing (MBW)
Kobalt has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Issa Rae’s company, Raedio Publishing, LLC. The global partnership with Raedio includes creative and administration services, which includes providing guidance and funding on new Raedio signings, pitch Raedio’s writers, artists and library for sync opportunities and provide admin services.
peermusic UK signs Ostereo Publishing to global administration deal (MBW)
Ostereo Publishing is part of a 360-degree music company which includes music production, management and music publishing. Ostereo is described as “a data-driven music company creating, releasing and marketing music globally”.
John Pierce Signs With Universal Music Publishing Nashville (Music Row)
“John is on such an upward trajectory with his writing and we are thrilled to be representing him at UMPG. His lyric and melody instincts are on point for today’s country market,” said Terry Wakefield, SVP of A&R, UMPG.
Acquisitions and Investments
Primary Wave acquires stake in music publishing catalog & artist master royalty stream for Air Supply in ‘multi-million dollar deal (MBW)
Primary Wave Music Publishing has just closed what it describes as a “multi-million dollar deal” to acquire a stake in the music publishing catalog and artist master royalty stream for Australian soft rock duo, Air Supply.
Publisher Endurance Music Group Acquires Wide Open Music, Home of Jimmie Allen (Billboard)
Newly formed publishing company Endurance Music Group acquired Wide Open Music from owner Ash Bowers, adding singer-songwriters Jimmie Allen and Matt Stell to the Endurance roster, Billboard Country Updatelearned exclusively.
Royalties
Universal Music Publishing Group launches new royalty portal that offers no-fee advance (MBW)
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has launched a new royalty portal for its songwriters which it says offers “unparalleled earnings data, insights and analytics”, in addition to “clear, complete and real-time earnings and data”.
Hirings and Promotions
Legal
Copyright Lawyer Christine Lepera on Defending Drake and Why Katy Perry’s ‘Horse’ Verdict Should Get Tossed (Billboard)
“Just because one song sounds like another song doesn’t mean one creator has a monopoly on a particular melody.”
Global Music Rights And RMLC Antitrust Dispute To Go To Trial Following Court Rulings (MBW)
“We look forward to having our day in court with the RMLC cartel to stand up for songwriters,” said GMR Founder Irving Azoff.
Justin Bieber was accused of stealing a melody, but it’s actually a royalty-free sample (The Verge)
Justin Bieber recently dropped his latest album, Changes, and it took less than 24 hours before the pop star was accused of stealing the melody used in one of its songs.
Every Possible Melody Has Been Copyrighted, Stored On A Single Hard Drive (Hypebot)
In a unique effort to combat the high volume of dubious lawsuits flying back and forth in the music industry today, one team of musicians has recorded every possible melody onto a single hard drive, and then put each melody in the public domain.
Interesting Reads
Page Turner: What Spotify’s Songwriter Pages Could Mean for Writers and Publishers (Synchblog)
Eamonn Forde takes a look at Spotify’s new Songwriter Pages and the opportunities this new feature brings to writers and publishers.
Inside the Earnings: UMG is firing on full cylinders headed towards 2023 IPO (Billboard)
While streaming continues to be the main driver of revenue growth all three operations of UMG — recorded music, music publishing and merchandising — had exceptional years, contributing to overall growth.
How to Stay Relevant: Past & Future (AIMP Nashville Pubcast)
Lionel Conway has helped shape the musical landscape running successful, independent publishing companies for over 30 years and personally signed artists Tom Waits, U2, Lucinda Williams, The Decemberists, and more.
How Create Music Group Became Inc.’s No. 1 California Company: Proof You Can Profit From YouTube (Inc.)
Today, the 150-person startup offers music publishing and distribution to more than 100 media streaming platforms, data-driven music release strategies, a content creation team, and soon its Hollywood headquarters will offer artists the ability to record in one of its five studios currently under construction.
Artificial Intelligence made a song in the style of Travis Scott. It sounds unnervingly like Travis Scott (MBW)
A US-based digital agency, Space150, recently thought it would conduct a fun experiment: model Travis Scott’s sonic and vocal style via Artificial Intelligence, and see what original production AI might subsequently invent.
