With a platinum pen that has written dynamite hits such as Rihanna’s “Umbrella” (No.1 in more than 20 countries), Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (which nabbed the 2010 Grammy Award for Song of the Year) and Justin Bieber’s “Baby” (the most certified song EVER), it’s safe to say Terius Nash b.k.a. The-Dream is a damn good artist.
And instead of waiting for the aforementioned records (among several others) to trickle down into riches, the celebrated singer/songwriter has struck a deal with the Merck Mercuriadis-founded company Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited to sell off 75 percent of his catalog for a reported $23 million.
The deal includes 302 songs and Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited’s own resources will dole out the payment. The remaining 25 percent will be retained by The-Dream.
“It’s critical for us to set the highest standards with our first acquisition,” Mercuriadis, who once famously managed Elton John and Guns N’ Roses, told Music Business Worldwide. “The-Dream is not only arguably the culturally most important songwriter of his generation but he has written the marquee songs for the culturally most significant artists of our time including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, JAY-Z and Kanye West.
“It’s an honor for this to not only be our first order of business but also to welcome Dream to our Advisory Board. He is a catalyst on so many levels and a big part of our future.”
The-Dream has a highly active career outside of his own solo projects. In the past year alone, he worked with Hip Hop Heavyweights such as JAY-Z, Nas and Kanye West, and appeared just as enthused to enter into his new situation.
“I’m proud to be part of this beautiful venture,” the 40-year-old star added. “Merck is a music titan who began his career well before I ever imagined having one. His futuristic views captured my attention and instantly made an impact. Merck sees me as I see myself. I sought out to be my generation’s Babyface and Dr. Dre, he sees the same. In making this decision I said to Merck, ‘I need a Jimmy Iovine in my life,’ not just to nurture my songs but to also help solidify the legacy I seek for myself and my songs even after I’m gone, for my children and beyond. His reply was simply ‘I Got it!, and after [that] came action like the one you see playing out today in real time.”
Music legend Nile Rodgers of Chic and “Get Lucky” fame also attended the big signing at the London Stock Exchange building.
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SMH, this where blacks go wrong. Build a legacy dont sell! This could be worth more down the line. Giving the white companies more while youll prob spend the 23mil it in a few years time.
My man your acting like most music catalogs especially nowadays have value. People get less than 1 cent off a stream you better sell while the price is high
I feel you Romd0e, but dude is right about selling out. Black men can’t get together to do things cause we just can’t stand each other. We have no common principles and we don’t govern our culture, politics, and economy. Hip hop is transitioning from black to white.
If music catalogues didn’t have value, then we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. You act like when you hear music, it’s ONLY music from today. It’s not. Go to any major event…sporting, movie, festival, etc. and you hear music from the past owned by SOMEBODY! His music is going to be worth more than 23 million, because music over time does actually appreciate. You hear songs like Queen – We Will Rock You or Kool and the Gang – Celebration ALL THE TIME! That is why artists are worth more dead than alive, because of music catalogues, but someone said, THIS is why Black people don’t have anything, because we don’t own shit. We are smart, creative, and talented, but are the worst business owners ever in American history!
How can you speculate what he’ll do with the money? He might flip it to something like tidal but wait! that’s black owned and the people hate it right? You can’t win with this crab ass thinking man.
Never sell. Try to never be in debt. ALWAYS try to own. Dumb move. Period.
You stupid.
The Dream better pray none of those songs he sold to that company end up in a block buster movie, or popular TV show. He will get no gwop if that happens. Didn’t this fool learn from Prince or listen to any rapper that said dont sell the rights to your music. $23 million only? Just off Beiber and Beyonce songs alone should of gotten him $50 mill at the very least. Nash I think you short changed yourself
How is he losing, 25 mill for 305 songs, he owns some, and he can always write 305 more, what’s the issue…
Barry Gordy sold, Jay-Z sold, Clive Davis sold. He’s made millions off of those songs. There’s nothing left to gain. By the time they use that material for something that blows up he’ll be old or dead. Get the money and flip it now! You make money investing, not by saving. That’s why hoarders are broke. Michael Jackson and Prince were facing financial issues. What’s the first thing the estates did? Sold!!!!
Might be above my understanding but imo things like this is why artist go broke stop selling your ish. At least keep the majority of ownership
Some of yall didn’t pay attention in Math class. He got the gwop already. The likely hood of those songs blowing up in a block buster movie with him owning them were very slim like prob less than 5% chance. He took a deal 100% guaranteed deal for 23 million. He easily came out on top for this deal. Music is free now, artist or making less year by year off the music. If the company uses his stuff and it works for them there is a good chance they may come back to him for another deal, if it doesn’t he can say damn yall paid me 23 million for nothing either way he wins. You don’t know what the value of music will be next year or the next four-five years why hold on to something for years when you can’t predict the market for it. He’s a hard working producer by the end of this year he will prob have another 100 songs done.
Your absolutely right on your premise but I just feel $23 mill is to me anyway far less than the value off of the Beiber and Beyonce songs . Those 2 songs alone should of fetched the Dream more than that. I guess the value of those songs is based solely on todays music climate not past success. what do I know
He didn’t sell 100% though. Think if it as taking an advance on what he’ll make in the next 30 years and if you really think about it, how’s he gonna make that? Who’s streaming BabyBaby right now? They’re not gonna use it in the next Star Wars movie. He made out
Music doesn’t age like it used to. About the only time those old songs are going to blow up again and get anybody paid is when those people die, and I’m guessing dude isn’t wishing that on anybody for a couple of extra duckets. This isn’t the 80s anymore or even the 90s. He did about as well as he could of in today’s climate. Like Phonte said a couple of months back when he dropped his project…people have access to the whole history of music and every single disposable song that drops today. That’s what you’re up against now. Even depending on it being in a hit movie is some shaky shit considering that industry isn’t raking in dollars like it used to either, and the blockbusters that really make that kind of money are few and far in between.
He sold his generational wealth…
It probably best hell they been known to kill artist over stuff like this they Murdered Prince after he won the rights to all his music and murdered the King of Pop Michael Jackson he owned the Beatles catalog and it has since been return since his Death !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Except MJ’s kids got $750 million from the Beatles catalog….Can’t speak on Prince, but considering you missed 3/4 of a billion, I’m guessing you’re off on that one too
Really where did you get those numbers The Late Dick Gregory reported on this right after the death Fact, the remaining Beatles and John Lennon widow wife have possession of the catalog MJ once owned Prince got his ownership and was murdered fact no guessing MJ kids got something before the Beatles and Sony got their greedy hands on some money to, these are reported facts look them up b4 you speak out of turn again
Holy shit. Maybe he should have hired you to do his deal. Because 23M isn’t enough to solidify your family for generations?!? A fucking check right there. You sir are a fucking Moron. Enjoy your mediocre day and continue to explain to people how they make poor financial decisions.
Wait, $23,000,000.00 isn’t enough to solidify a family for generations? Man, you must be high as FUUUUUCK if you really believe that. $23,000,000 if invested / spent WISELY is more than enough for GENERATIONS to live off. Interest alone on $20,000,000.00 a year at 3% is $600k per year, anyone that can’t survive on $600k per year needs to get their ass back to school!
Maybe they just died from taking too many drugs.
I liked the The Dream from the jump for letting everybody know shawty a 10 and it was KiKi , Monique etc….
So… if you do the math he made a bit over 76K for over 300 songs. Not a bad investment. Don’t forget there is a big difference in having $23 million now and getting $23 million spread over 10 years. This ninja could easily live the rest of his life good on the interest from investing on that $23 milli, end up giving the $23 milli and the other 25% of his catalog to his future generations, and still be making money in the industry with ease. I realize the names he put out tracks for but them names are a lot bigger than the Dream. Congratulations sir – you secured that bag.
“Justin Bieber’s “Baby” (the most certified song EVER”…wtf does that mean?
He still got paid for the songs initially. He just took the residual money up front vs the trickle down over 30 years he might see. He also controls 25% of his catalogue, is on the advisory board which probably comes with some type of salary AND can make another “x” amount of songs and do the same thing if he wishes. Good for him.
he still own 25%
Trent and the other untalented writers along w/ sorry ass moderators of HHDX rather patrol the “free speech” comment section to delete comments they don’t agree with than ACTUALLY create good content.
Production and songwriting does get you paid. His fat ass even got a deal out of it to make wack ass disposable music of his own. I have to salute.
Terius Nash is diversifying, that’s all. Smart! He is going to use his music like capital. What’s wrong with that? Seems logical.