Music publisher Dynamite Songs has acquired the catalog of Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Keith Harris, adding over 200 songs to its portfolio.
Dynamite said that the deal covers the publishing rights to over 200 songs written by Harris, including performance royalties from the writer’s share on certain songs and Performance Rights Organisation (PRO) income on the others.
The catalog spans over 20 years, during which time Harris worked closely with global artists like The Black Eyed Peas, Estelle, Madonna, Usher, Robin Thicke and Chrisette Michele.
Harris, known for his partnership with Will.i.am, co-wrote several Black Eyed Peas hits including Meet Me Halfway and Imma Be from the group’s multi-platinum 2009 album, The E.N.D. Meet Me Halfway reached the top 10 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 and has generated over 1 billion streams, while I’mma Be became the group’s third number-one single in the US.
His other credits include Estelle’s Grammy-winning American Boy, Robin Thicke’s Feel Good, Madonna’s Gang Bang, Usher’s Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, and Chrisette Michele’s Be Okay and Let’s Rock.
“Keith Harris’s catalog reflects everything we look for at Dynamite: compositions with proven performance and continued relevance across formats and markets. These are songs that have consistently connected with broad audiences over time.”
Alan Wallis, Dynamite Songs
Alan Wallis, CEO of Dynamite Songs, said: “Keith Harris’s catalog reflects everything we look for at Dynamite: compositions with proven performance and continued relevance across formats and markets. These are songs that have consistently connected with broad audiences over time.
“Keith’s contribution to the sound of the past two decades is indelible, and we’re pleased to be supporting the next chapter of his catalogue’s long and promising life.”
The latest acquisition expands Dynamite’s portfolio to about 1,000 works. Launched by the team behind Mojo Music & Media, including valuation expert Alan Wallis, earlier this year, Dynamite said that it has already acquired catalogs of hits including rights to music by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, Papa Roach, ATB and Dan + Shay.
Dynamite says it focuses on acquiring and managing smaller catalogs containing “high-quality, culturally significant music copyrights.”
The company is backed by investment giant Crestline Investors.
The deal comes amid strong activity in the music rights space. About three weeks ago, GoldState Music acquired the catalog of Grammy-nominated producer and entrepreneur Yung Lan, four months after raising $500 million for music rights acquisitions.
In July, Hopeless Records bought the catalog of influential independent punk label Fat Wreck Chords, founded in 1990 by NOFX’s Fat Mike (Michael John Burkett ) and Erin Burkett.
Earlier deals this year include Amsterdam-based investment fund Pythagoras Music Fund’s purchase of the music rights catalog of veteran rock producer Kevin Shirley, Create Music Group’s acquisition of the catalog of Pack Records, and Reservoir Media’s purchase of the publishing catalog of Lastrada Entertainment.
Music Business Worldwide
