MERCK BUYS THREE MORE CATALOGS

Merck Mercuriadis has been on another shopping spree with his Hipgnosis Songs Fund, buying interests in the catalogs of Johnta Austin, Sean Garrett and Rico Love, which include #1 songs by Usher, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige.

The three catalogs of more than 1k songs include 11 Grammy nominees and two winners, and songs that have reached Top 10 positions on 607 charts and #1 on more than 148 charts around the world.

The company has acquired 100% of Austin’s interest in his BMG music publishing catalog, which comprises 249 songs, as well as 100% of his writer share of performance income. Austin has two Grammy wins for his work on #1 singles “We Belong Together” by Carey and “Be Without You” by Blige; his catalogue includes Janet Jackson’s “Call On Me,” Chris Brown’s “Yo” and Bryson Taylor’s “Don’t.”

Hipgnosis has also acquired 100% of Garrett’s interest in his Universal Music Publishing catalog, which spans 588 songs, as well as 100% of his writer share of performance income. Garrett is responsible for a series of chart-toppers, most notably Usher's “Yeah!” and “Check on It” by Beyoncé. He has written with a variety of multi-platinum artists, including Ciara for “Goodies,” The Pussycat Dolls for hit single “Buttons,” Britney Spears' “Toy Soldier,” Nicki Minaj’s first single “Massive Attack” and Mario’s “Break Up.”

Finally, 100% of Love’s writer share of performance income has been acquired for his catalog of 245 songs, including “Sweet Dreams” for Beyoncé, “Throwback” for Usher and “Without You” by David Guetta, which was co-written by Giorgio Tuinfort, and is included in the catalog that Hipgnosis acquired 100% of the copyright interest in last year.

Said Mercuriadis of his newly bolstered catalog: “I’m very happy to be welcoming Johnta, Sean and Rico into the Hipgnosis family. They have each individually written standout songs that define the culture. From Mary J. Blige to Usher to Beyoncé, these songs have played a critical role in the evolution of R&B and pop music as we know it today.”