HIPGNOSIS SNAGS TIMBALAND CATALOG

Merck Mercuriadis has landed another one.

Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited and its investment advisor, The Family (Music) Limited, have announced the acquisition of a music catalog from record producer, rapper, singer, songwriter and DJ Timbaland, widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential producers in hip-hop.

Timbaland has received 13 Grammy 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 #1 across the world.

Loose, released in 2006, was Furtado’s first #1 album, selling over 12m copies globally, and includes the U.S. #1 singles "Promiscuous" and "Say It Right" in addition to the platinum-certified "Maneater."

Timberlake’s albums, which have sold 32m copies globally, include the 2006 hit songs "SexyBack" which was certified 3x platinum in the U.S. and reached #1 in nine countries including the U.S. and U.K.; "My Love" and "What Goes Around...Comes Around," both #1s and certified platinum in the U.S., as well as the 3x platinum "Suit & Tie" released in 2012.

The catalog also contains songs performed by hip-hop and R&B artists such as Aaliyah, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Madonna, 2Pac, Rihanna, OneRepublic and Drake. These include Jay-Z’s 4x platinum "Holy Grail" featuring Timberlake, released in 2011, and Aaliyah’s U.S. #1 "Try Again," released in 2000.

In addition, Timbaland has had significant commercial success as a solo artist with his 2007 platinum album Shock Value which featured the U.S. #1s "Give It to Me" featuring Furtado and Timberlake; "Apologize" featuring OneRepublic; and the 3x platinum "The Way I Are" featuring Keri Hilson, D.O.E. and Sebastian.

The Timbaland catalog that Hipgnosis has acquired comprises 108 albums and songs. The new acquisition is the latest bauble in the buying spree of the disruptive entity, which previously peeled for works by The Chainsmokers, Benny Blanco, Dave Stewart, Starrah, Poo Bear and more.

Said Mercuriadis: “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, among many others, are iconic and will be remembered forever.”

“Merck is a visionary who I know appreciates the value of my musical life's work," declared Timbaland. "My music is in great hands. Also, I'm told he can get me totally wired in Saskatoon.”