Justin Bieber has sold his music rights to Hipgnosis Songs for over $200 million, the company announced.
News of the deal comes after the Wall Street Journal reported in December that Bieber was in talks to sell off his catalog to Hipgnosis Songs Capital. The deal is also comprised of his back catalog, and his publishing and master recording shares, which equate to over 290 titles released before December 31, 2021. Sources additionally told Variety that Bieber’s songs moving forward will still be released under Universal Music.
“I want to thank Merck and his entire Hipgnosis team and all of our partners involved for working so hard to make this historic deal happen,” Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun said in a statement. “When Justin made the decision to make a catalog deal, we quickly found the best partner to preserve and grow this amazing legacy was Merck and Hipgnosis. For 15 years I have been grateful to witness this journey and today I am happy for all those involved. Justin’s greatness is just beginning.”
Merck Mercuriadis, founder and CEO of Hipgnosis Song Management, added: “The impact of Justin Bieber on global culture over the last 14 years has truly been remarkable. This acquisition ranks among the biggest deals ever made for an artist under the age of 70, such is the power of this incredible catalog that has almost 82 million monthly listeners and over 30 billion streams on Spotify alone. Scooter Braun has helped him build a magnificent catalog, and it’s a pleasure to welcome Justin and his incredible songs and recordings to the Hipgnosis family.”
The multi-million dollar deal comes a few months after Bieber announced he’d be delaying the remaining dates of his Justice Tour until an unspecified time in 2023. He most recently took aim at the clothing brand H&M who Biebs deemed as “trash” for putting his face on their clothes without his permission.
According to the retailer, the collection was officially licensed and sent through the usual “approval procedures” before making it onto shelves, but the products are no longer available to purchase on H&M’s website.
“I didn’t approve any of the merch collection that they put up at H&M,” Bieber wrote in an Instagram Spost. “All without my permission and approval. SMH I wouldn’t buy it if I were you.”
