Hipgnosis strikes partnership with Songclip, a tech platform for integrating licensed music in apps

Hipgnosis Songs Management has struck a partnership with music licensing tech firm Songclip.

Songclip, which has patented a technology solution for integrating popular licensed music as a feature in apps, claims to be the world’s only patented music clip company.

Owned and operated by Clipmedia, Songclip offers music clip licensing and integration for consumer applications and platforms, with clients ranging from social platforms to dating apps and mobile games.

Songclip says the new partnership will allow it to offer its users access to around 100,000 songs administered by Hipgnosis, by writers including Chrissie Hynde, Sam Hollander, Ari Levine, Jack Antonoff, Savan Kotecha and more.

The deal with Hipgnosis follows a string of other partnerships struck by Songclip over the past year.

In June, the company announced partnerships with both the National Music Publishers Association and with Universal Music Group. In June 2021, Warner Music Group signed a strategic global partnership with the music technology company.

In addition, Songclip also says that it works in partnership with Kobalt, BMG, and 8,000 other rights owners to “help app companies navigate the complexities of music licensing”.

Songclip’s technology suite manages features such as search and discovery, catalog and compliance, licensing, royalty payments, reporting and end-user analytics.

Founded by former Bandsintown and Zynga execs, Songclip closed an $11 million funding round in March 2021 led by Gregg Smith of Evolution VC Partners. That round of funding brought Songclip’s total raised to $22 million.

“Hipgnosis and Songclip have been at the forefront of understanding the value of music IP across apps and social media.”

Andy Blacker, Songclip

“Hipgnosis and Songclip have been at the forefront of understanding the value of music IP across apps and social media,” says Andy Blacker, Co-Founder & CEO of Songclip, a Clipmedia company.

“Our strategic partnership and combined mission makes sure that music in apps will be properly licensed and that IP owners are compensated.”

“Songclip represents the industry-backed solution for making sure apps can easily integrate music, with proper licensing, compliance and payment back to right’s holders.”

Ted Cockle, Hipgnosis

Ted Cockle, Chief Music Officer, Hipgnosis Song Management, added: “Music is at the heart of our lives, it has the power to evoke strong emotions and we can already see how integral it is to many parts of our online life.

“Songclip represents the industry-backed solution for making sure apps can easily integrate music, with proper licensing, compliance and payment back to right’s holders.

“Their IP and technical know-how provides users with straightforward solutions, improving the experience whilst making life easier.”

“Our partnership with Hipgnosis provides a unique opportunity for consumer apps to license some of the most popular and iconic songs ever written and recorded.”

Kendall Berman, Songclip

Kendall Berman, Chief Business Officer at Songclip, said: “Our partnership with Hipgnosis provides a unique opportunity for consumer apps to license some of the most popular and iconic songs ever written and recorded.

“Distributing the Hipgnosis Songs catalogue via our API tremendously increases both the quality and value of the Songclip library for our existing partners, and future partners to come.”Music Business Worldwide