PRIMARY WAVE
GETS SMOKEY

Primary Wave Music Publishing has announced a freshly inked partnership with “America’s greatest living poet” (as Dylan once unequivocally pronounced). That would, of course, be Smokey Robinson, who has brought a chunk of his extraordinary song catalog to the pubco.

The agreement includes some of Robinson’s classic hits as the leader of The Miracles (including “Tears of a Clown,”) and a key Motown writer (“My Girl”), as well as songs from his long and distinguished solo career (“Crusin’”). Primary Wave will work with the Hall of Famer to market his music, name and likeness.

The acquisition is the first deal to be closed as part of a new investing partnership with BlackRock Alternative Investors, which has also just been announced. The relationship with Black Rock will enable Primary Wave to implement its strategy of acquiring, building and managing portfolios of royalty streams and publishing rights of iconic popular music, according to the 9/27 release.

“After getting to know Larry and the team at Primary Wave, I’m extremely excited about going into partnership with them,” said Robinson. “I think they have everything I’m looking for as a musical partner.”

Primary Wave founder/CEO Larry Mestel was stoked about having Smokey in the house. “We are honored to begin this partnership with the incomparable Smokey Robinson,” he enthused. “Smokey’s music has resonated in people’s lives for over five decades. We’re excited to work with him to create new opportunities that will introduce his music to a new generation of music fans.”

Sony/ATV will continue to be the worldwide publisher for most of Robinson’s songs in the legendary Jobete catalog.