Justin Timberlake has sold his entire music catalog to Hipgnosis Song Management.
Hipgnosis said on Friday that it has bought 100 percent “of all of Justin Timberlake’s copyright, ownership and financial interests of the writer and publisher’s share of public performance income, and the catalog of musical compositions written by Justin Timberlake.” Also included in the sale are “the worldwide administration rights to the compositions, subject to the remaining term of Universal Music’s administration rights, which expire in 2025.”
The financial details of the deal were not disclosed but his future recordings are not included. In the press release, Hipgnosis called JT “the iconic American singer, songwriter, record producer and actor who is one of the most influential artists of the last 20 years and named by Billboard as the best performing male solo artist in Top 40/Contemporary Hit Radio history.”
“I am excited to be partnering with Merck and Hipgnosis — he values artists and their creative work and has always been a strong supporter of songwriters and storytelling,” Timberlake said. “I look forward to entering this next chapter.”
The singer, who is working on new music at the moment, has worldwide music sales in excess of 150 million, including 88 million as a solo artist and 70 million with ‘N Sync. The acquisition was made on behalf of Hipgnosis Songs Capital, a partnership between Hipgnosis Song Management and funds managed by private equity firm Blackstone.
Hipgnosis has previously bought catalog or rights of Jimmy Iovine, 50 Cent, Beyonce, No I.D., RZA and The-Dream among others.