Hipgnosis Buys Catalog of Grammys’ First-Ever Songwriter of the Year, Tobias Jesso Jr.
Written by djfrosty on February 8, 2023
Hipgnosis Song Management has bought 100% of Tobias Jesso Jr.‘s interest in his publishing, including the writer’s share of performance, for 40 of his songs. All tracks included in the deal were released between 2015 and 2020, including “When We Were Young” by Adele, “Slow Hands” by Niall Horan, “You Get My Love” by P!nk, “If You Leave Me Now” by Charlie Puth, “Hallelujah” by Haim and “Malibu Nights” by LANY, as well as several songs Jesso released himself.
News of the deal arrives on the heels of the Grammys, where Jesso made history as the first person to win in the new Songwriter of the Year category. He was awarded the prize based on his extensive impact on pop music in the last year, penning songs like “Boyfriends” by Harry Styles, “Can I Get It” and “To Be Loved” by Adele, “Careless” by FKA Twigs, “C’mon Baby Cry” by Orville Peck, “Dotted Lines” by King Princess, “Let You Go” by Diplo and TSHA and “No Good Reason” by Omar Apollo. None of these songs are included in the Hipgnosis deal.
Hipgnosis Songs Capital is an investment vehicle established by Hipgnosis in conjunction with Blackstone. In October 2021, the New York-based private equity firm pledged $1 billion to further investment in music IP and holds a majority stake in the venture. HSC is considered separate from Hipgnosis Songs Fund, the London-listed acquirer of music publishing and recording rights. Led by founder and CEO Merck Mercuriadis, the company also includes Hipgnosis Songs Management, which manages Hipgnosis Songs Fund’s catalog.
Jesso was represented in the deal by his manager, Ben Persky at Mixed Management, and lawyer Nicky Stein at Clintons.
“Tobias is amongst the most important songwriters in contemporary music today as demonstrated by his winning the 2023 Grammy Award for Songwriter Of The Year, in its inaugural year,” said Mercuriadis in a statement. “I fell in love with his songs right from the get go with Goon eight years ago and he never fails to deliver. I’m delighted to welcome Tobias and his manager Ben Persky to the Hipgnosis family.”
All songs included in Hipgnosis’ purchase are listed in alphabetical order below.
“Alive” by Sia
“Ayala” by XXXTENTACION
“Bad Words” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“Broken” by Madison Ryann Ward
“Bruised Fruit” by St. Paul & The Broken Bones
“Can We Still Be Friends” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“Can’t Stop Thinking About You” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“Crocodile Tears” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“The End Of Love” by Florence + The Machine
“For You” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“Grace” by Florence + The Machine
“Hallelujah” by HAIM
“Hollywood” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“How Could You Babe” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“How Do We Make It” by Jarryd James
“Hunger” by Florence + The Machine
“If He Won’t” by Guy Sebastian
“If You Leave Me Now” by Charlie Puth
“Just A Dream” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“Lay Me Down” by Adele
“Leaving Los Angeles” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“Malibu Nights” by LANY
“Marching Into The Dark” by John Legend
“Nice To Meet Ya” by Niall Horan
“Nice To Meet Ya (Diplo Remix)” by Niall Horan
“No Judgement” by Niall Horan
“Not Thinkin’ Bout You” by Ruel
“Not Thinkin’ Bout You (Remix) Ft. Goldlink” by Ruel
“Oh Lord” (from the soundtrack to Netflix’s The Get Down)
“Orlando” by XXXTENTACION
“Reasons” by Cautious Clay
“Roses” by Shawn Mendes
“Same Mistakes” by Seramic
“Same Old Story” by John Legend
“Slow Hands” by Niall Horan
“Still Around” by Paloma Faith
“Tell The Truth” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“Treat Myself” by Meghan Trainor
“True Love” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“Trying” by Seramic
“Unsaid” by Ruel
“The Wait” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“When We Were Young” by Adele
“Without You” by Tobias Jesso Jr.
“Work For Me” by Laura Mvula
“You Get My Love” by P!nk