Today (January 13), the UK-listed company has confirmed that it has acquired 100% of the music publishing rights – including both publisher and writer’s share – to Shakira’s entire catalog.
That catalog comprises 145 songs, which between them have made Shakira the bestselling female Latin artist of all time.
In total, Shakira has sold over 80 million records to date, winning three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys, in addition to a host of other awards.
She currently has over 32 million monthly listeners on Spotify, while her official YouTube channel is closing in on 20 billion lifetime plays.
Colombia-born Shakira’s first internationally-charting album, Pies Descalzos, was released in 1995, selling over four million copies globally.
Her first English language album, Laundry Service, arrived in 2001, selling over 13 million copies worldwide.
Six singles were released from Laundry Service, including the hits Whenever, Wherever, Underneath Your Clothes and Que Me Quedes Tú.
Since then, Shakira’s global hits have included the likes of 2006’s Hips Don’t Lie – her first US No.1 – plus 2009’s She Wolf and the official song of the FIFA 2010 World Cup, Waka Waka (This Time For Africa).
For the Hipgnosis deal, Shakira was represented by her manager Jaime Levine, plus lawyers David Lande and Mitch Tenzer at Ziffren Brittenham Law LLP.
“What no one should ever take for granted is that shakira is one of the most serious and successful songwriters of the last 25 years, having written or co-written virtually every song she has ever recorded.”
Merck Mercuriadis, Hipgnosis Songs Fund founder and CEO, said: “One step at a time, this incredible woman from Colombia has evolved into one of the most famous and influential people in the world. What no one should ever take for granted is that she is one of the most serious and successful songwriters of the last 25 years, having written or co-written virtually every song she has ever recorded.
“She is a superb creator who has led the charge from what was massive physical success to now having bigger success in streaming than most of her contemporaries. This is the result of her being a determined force of nature and having written songs the world is incredibly passionate about. It’s wonderful for us to welcome, Shakira, the Queen of Latin Music and much more, to the Hipgnosis family.”
“I know Hipgnosis will be a great home for my catalog — and I’m so happy to partner with this company led by Merck, who truly values artists and their creations.”
Shakira
Shakira said: “Being a songwriter is an accomplishment that I consider equal to and perhaps even greater than being a singer and an artist. At eight years old — long before I sang — I wrote to make sense of the world. Each song is a reflection of the person I was at the time that I wrote it, but once a song is out in the world, it belongs not only to me but to those who appreciate it as well. I’m humbled that songwriting has given me the privilege of communicating with others, of being a part of something bigger than myself.
“I know Hipgnosis will be a great home for my catalog — and I’m so happy to partner with this company led by Merck, who truly values artists and their creations and is an ally to songwriters everywhere who care deeply about the continued life of their songs.”
Since 2021 got underway, Hipgnosis has announced the acquisition of Jimmy Iovine’s production royalties, as well as 100% of Lindsey Buckingham’s publishing catalog, plus 50% of Neil Young’s publishing catalog.Music Business Worldwide
