HIPGNOSIS INKS NO I.D.'S CATALOG

Hipgnosis and its investment adviser, The Family (Music) Limited, have acquired the music royalty catalog of Ernest 'Dion' Wilson, aka No I.D., whose work has shaped modern hip-hop. The acquisition includes 100% of the artist's worldwide copyrights and publishing royalties, along with writer's share of income, for the catalog consisting of 273 songs.

The hip-hop and R&B producer has worked with the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z, Drake, Alicia Keys, Usher, Rihanna, Common and Ed Sheeran.

His songs and productions have collectively been streamed more than 7b times and his catalog includes some of the most successful songs of hip-hop culture, including "Run This Town" by Jay-Z f/Kanye West and Rihanna; "Holy Grail" by Jay-Z f/Justin Timberlake; Drake’s "Find Your Love"; and West’s "Black Skinhead," "Bound 2" and "Dark Fantasy."

Considered the "Godfather of Chicago hip-hop," No I.D. rose to prominence with his production on Common's critically acclaimed album, Resurrection (1994). In 2007 he began collaborating with Jay-Z on The Blueprint 3. He would go on to co-produce Jay-Z's 12th studio album Magna Carta Holy Grail and co-write and co-produce Hova's 13th LP 4:44. In 2008, No I.D. began working with Kanye West.

Founder of Hipgnosis and The Family (Music) Limited, Merck Mercuriadis said, "The words No I.D. are a stamp of excellence on any album. From Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Yeezus to Jay-Z’s astonishing run from American Gangster through The Blueprint 3, Magna Carta Holy Grail and 4:44, Dion has been in the middle of everything that is great about hip-hop for more than two decades. He is a special creator and everyone in the Hipgnosis Family is proud to have him standing next to us."

No I.D. added, "Not many have the best intentions for the artist and the creators. Merck and the Hipgnosis team have shown that they are a safe home for the songs that score our lives."