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Sunday, May 29, 2022

Justin Timberlake Sells Rights To Song Catalog To Hipgnosis

Pop icon Justin Timberlake has sold his song catalog rights to Hipgnosis Songs Capital, a fund backed by private equity firm Blackstone.

Hipgnosis announced on Friday that it has bought 100 percent "of all of Justin Timberlake's copyright, ownership and financial interests of the writer and publisher's share of public performance income, and the catalog of musical compositions written by Justin Timberlake."

The sale also includes "the worldwide administration rights to the compositions, subject to the remaining term of Universal Music's administration rights, which expire in 2025."

"I am excited to be partnering with Merck and Hipgnosis - he values artists and their creative work and has always been a strong supporter of songwriters and storytelling," Timberlake said. "I look forward to entering this next chapter."

"Justin Timberlake is not only one of the most influential artists of the last 20 years, but he's also one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His hit songs including 'Cry Me a River,' 'Rock Your Body,' 'SexyBack,' 'My Love,' 'What Goes Around.Comes Around,' 'Suit & Tie,' 'Mirrors' and 'Can't Stop the Feeling' are amongst the most iconic of the period. Putting this deal together has been a complete labor of love," Hipgnosis Song Management founder Merck Mercuriadis said.

Financial details of the deal weren't disclosed. Citing unnamed sources, the Wall Street Journal said the value of the deal could be "just above $100 million" and does not include future works.

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Depeche Mode Co-Founder Andy Fletcher Dead At 60

Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Depeche Mode co-founder and keyboardist Andy Fletcher is no more, the band announced on social media on Thursday (May 26).

Fletcher's bandmates said, "We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member and bandmate Andy 'Fletch' Fletcher."

"Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh or a cold pint," the band added.

Rolling Stone said the legend's death was due to natural causes.

Fletcher, who was born in Nottingham, England, on July 8, 1961, formed Depeche Mode in 1980 and stayed with the band ever since. The band's first album was Speak and Spell, and the most recent LP was Spirit, which came out in 2017.

In 2020, Fletcher and his Depeche Mode bandmates Dave Gahan and Martin Gore and former members Vince Clarke and Alan Wilder were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark noted Fletcher was "a beautiful person in an amazing band."

"I knew Andy and considered him a friend. We crossed many of the same pathways as younger men," tweeted The Curve's Lol Tolhurst. "My heart goes out to his family, bandmates, and DM fans. RIP Fletch."

(Photo: Alberto Cabello)

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Kelly Clarkson Announces EP Based On Popular 'Kellyoke' Segment

Kelly Clarkson has announced a Kellyoke EP based on the hit segment from her daytime talk show, "The Kelly Clarkson Show."

The six-track album, featuring the studio versions of some of her favorite covers performed on the show, will be released on June 9 via Atlantic Records.

"Music is in the DNA of everything I do, so when The Kelly Clarkson Show started we knew it was the perfect way to kick off every episode," Clarkson said in a statement announcing the new album. "Over 500 songs later, and we're still not running out of amazing artists to pay tribute to."

"Picking just six was near-impossible, but these songs have been some of my favorites. Thanks for singing along with me y'all," the Grammy Award-winning singer added.

Clarkson's announcement was accompanied by the release of her popular "Kellyoke cover" of Billie Eilish's "Happier Than Ever," which was first performed during a September 2021 episode of "The Kelly Clarkson Show."

Kellyoke EP Track List:

1. "Blue Bayou" (by Linda Ronstadt) 2. "Call Out My Name" (by the Weeknd) 3. "Happier Than Ever"(by Billie Eilish) 4. "Queen of the Night"(by Whitney Houston) 5. "Trampoline"(by Shaed) 6. "Fake Plastic Trees"(by Radiohead)

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Lorde Praises Kendrick Lamar As 'Most Popular And Influential Artist In Modern Music'

Kendrick Lamar is the "most popular and influential artist in modern music," according to Lorde.

"I'm loving Kendrick," the singer-songwriter wrote in her email newsletter to fans. "I cannot get over the most popular and influential artist in modern music displaying a working nervous system, admitting mistakes, trying to process intergenerational trauma and prejudice."

"I love the way the album opens, the pace and heat of the first few songs, and later 'Count Me Out,' the build and strings in 'Auntie Diaries'. special," Lorde added, referring to Lamar's new album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.

The double LP, which is Lamar's fifth full-length album, was released on May 13.

It debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, marking the third consecutive No. 1 album in the rapper's career.

Lorde, who is currently in London as part of her ongoing Solar Power Tour, is set to embark on the European leg in June.

(Photo: Ophelia Mikkelson Jones)

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