Dynamite Songs has completed three catalog acquisitions covering nearly 150 tracks from singer-songwriter Eric Turner, producer John McGee ($K), writer and producer Mark Tieku (TIEKS) and writer and artist Dan Harkna.
The deals bring rights and royalty streams from songs including Tinie Tempah‘s Written in the Stars, Avicii’s Broken Arrows, and Trey Songz‘s Neighbors Know My Name into Dynamite‘s portfolio.
The company, led by CEO Alan Wallis, says it focuses on acquiring smaller catalogs “with culturally significant songs.”
Wallis said: “What excites me most about these latest deals is how clearly they embody what Dynamite stands for – selective, high-quality acquisitions of music that truly matters.
“With around 1 billion total streams between them, these catalogs have consistently demonstrated their commercial strength. We’re deeply grateful to John, Eric, Mark and Dan for entrusting us with these incredible works. As our robust pipeline of potential deals continues to expand, we look forward to partnering with even more creators who share our passion for timeless music and value our artist-first approach to dealmaking.”
“With around 1 billion total streams between them, these catalogs have consistently demonstrated their commercial strength.”
Alan Wallis, Dynamite Songs
Eric Turner, an American singer-songwriter, co-wrote and performed on Written in the Stars, which topped UK charts in 2010 and reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track earned multi-platinum certifications across the US, UK, Norway, Australia and New Zealand. Turner also collaborated with Avicii on Dancing in My Head and Broken Arrows, and worked with UK band Lawson on Learn to Love Again and Juliet. Dynamite acquired Turner’s publishing and songwriting rights plus associated global royalties for these tracks and other selected works.
Commenting on the deal, Turner said: “It feels great to let these songs go and live their lives with Dynamite Songs! I’m sure they are going to be listened to for a long time.”
John McGee, who works under the name $K, co-wrote and co-produced Neighbors Know My Name from Trey Songz’s Grammy-nominated album Ready. That record reached No. 4 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart and received gold certification in the US. His catalog includes additional album tracks with Songz and singles for Jacquees. The deal covers McGee’s publishing and songwriting rights along with global publishing and performance royalties.
“It feels great to let these songs go and live their lives with Dynamite Songs! I’m sure they are going to be listened to for a long time.”
Eric Turner, Singer-songwriter
McGee said: “Selling my catalog to Dynamite Songs was ultimately about trust and vision. After years of building a body of work I’m proud of, I wanted to partner with a team that not only understands the value of the music but knows how to elevate it for future generations.”
“After years of building a body of work I’m proud of, I wanted to partner with a team that not only understands the value of the music but knows how to elevate it for future generations.”
John “$K” MCGee, Producer
“Dynamite brought both the creative respect and strategic insight I was looking for. This move allows me to focus fully on what I love – making new music – while knowing the legacy of my past work is in the right hands.”
The third acquisition involves publishing and recording rights to Sunshine by producer Mark Tieku, known as TIEKS, and vocalist Dan Harkna. The dance track gained attention after appearing in a Fiat 500 advertising campaign, subsequently topping Shazam‘s TV Ad Chart and entering the UK Top 40 Dance Chart. BBC Radio 1 added the song to its A-list rotation, playing it 12 times in one weekend.
Harkna said: “Somehow TIEKS knew it was a hit song from the moment he heard the demo. A cheap bass synth bouncing around a percussive chord progression. A vocal melody with no intelligible lyric, except one…’Sunshine… Sunshine… Sunshine… Shining down on me…’ There was no formula here. TIEKS nonchalantly mutters ‘ye this is a hit’. I shrug. And that’s basically the way it went down.”
Launched by the team behind Mojo Music & Media, including valuation expert Alan Wallis, the publisher’s portfolio now includes about 1,200 works. In May, Dynamite announced its acquisitions of rights to music performed by Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, Papa Roach, ATB and Dan+Shay. In September, the company acquired over 200 songs from producer Keith Harris, who has worked with The Black Eyed Peas, Madonna, Usher, Estelle and Chrisette Michele.
Dynamite Songs opened an office at The Union Club in London’s Soho district last month as it expands operations. The company is backed by investment giant Crestline Investors.
Music Business Worldwide