Kobalt has signed both neighbouring rights and music publishing deals with British star Zayn – including his Billboard 200 chart-topping album Mind of Mine.
With a record-breaking debut solo album under his belt, the artist/writer has clearly chosen to shun big money deals in the publishing world.
Instead, Zayn, full name Zayn Malik, created his own UK-based publishing company in 2014 called Drop-Zed Publishing, according to Companies House filings.
It now appears Kobalt will administer Drop-Zed Publishing globally, in addition to handling neighbouring rights for the ex-One Direction artist.
All available works on Mind of Mine – on which Malik was the lead writer – are covered by the pair of Kobalt agreements.
Zayn‘s manager, Sarah Stennett, CEO and founder of First Access Entertainment commented, “Kobalt is a great business partner for Zayn. He made a decision based upon his desire to retain ownership of the copyrights in the songs he has written.
“He feels that Kobalt is best placed to administer those copyrights globally.”
“Zayn made a decision based upon his desire to retain ownership of the copyrights in the songs he has written.”
Sarah Stennett, First Access Entertainment
Sas Metcalfe, President of Global Creative at Kobalt, stated, “Zayn is an exceptional talent as an artist and songwriter. His international success is unparalleled and Kobalt is proud to represent and support his career.
“He’s already off to an amazing start and we’re very excited for what the future will bring.”
Zayn made history when Mind Of Mine saw him become the first male UK solo artist to debut at No.1 on both the US Billboard 200 and the Official UK Albums Chart.
He is the first U.K. act, solo or otherwise, to debut at No.1 on both the U.S. and U.K. album charts since 2009.
In the US, the album has sold more than 157K copies sold to date.
Pillowtalk, the first single from the album, hit No.1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and the UK’s Official Singles Chart.Music Business Worldwide
