RZA just made a monster business move. According to Variety, the Wu-Tang Clan legend has sold 50 percent of his Wu-Tang Clan and solo catalogs to music IP investment and song management company Hipgnosis Songs, which amounts to 814 pieces of work. The company didn’t reveal how much they doled out to retain the material.
“RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan did not invent Hip Hop, but they took it from being fun to something that represented a true reflection of what the streets, and being black in America was really like,” Hipgnosis Songs founder Merck Mercuriadis said in a statement. “They were and are the most authentic band and brand in Hip Hop and it all starts with RZA’s vision, his songs and his struggle, manifested in music, that could show the entire world what was really going on.
“He is now globally recognized as a true renaissance man of Hip Hop and most would argue that he is the G.O.A.T.”
The Abbot was represented in the transaction by longtime manager Tyler Childs at Forward Artist Management as well as Fox Rothschild attorney Tim Mandelbaum. The deal includes RZA’s worldwide copyrights, including publishing and writer shares.
“I wear various hats in my artistic expressions but the one that has been so deeply reflective of my life’s journey is my songwriting,” RZA said. “I’m honored to partner up with Merck and the Hipgnosis team to usher my songs into an exciting future.”
Hipgnosis Songs has been buying up catalogs by everyone from Timbaland and Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart to Jack Antonoff and Jeff Bhasker. The company began trading on the London Stock Exchange in July 2018. Between March 2019 and March 2020, the company has spent nearly $700 million to acquire 42 catalogs.
“All of our songs have a proven track record and we do not speculate on new songs regardless of the past performance of the songwriter, producer or artist,” Mercuriadis said. “These proven hit Songs produce reliable, predictable and uncorrelated cash flows which are highly investible.”
RZA Talks "Cut Throat City" Film & Explains Why Wu-Tang Is Forever
RZA just released his new film Cut Throat City, which stars Wesley Snipes, T.I., Shameik Moore, Demetrius Shipp Jr. and Terrence Howard. The movie takes place in New Orleans right as Hurricane Katrina hits. In the storm’s aftermath, four childhood friends discover they’ve lost everything and decide to pull an unconventional heist in the heart of the city.
In a 2018 interview with HipHopDX, RZA explained why he was compelled to make the film.
“I felt like what these four guys was going through was similar to what we go through in my neighborhood,” he told DX’s Kyle Eustice at the time. “Just being men who, based on environment and unfortunate conditions, sometimes is pushed to do acts of desperation.”
Watch the trailer below.
Diversify Yo’ Bonds & Shit!!!!!
He will be complaining about how the labels fucked him in 15 years like De La.
He was just on Broken Record podcast with Rick Rubin back in June talking about how he didn’t need to make money from rap anymore, blah blah. Now this.
Besides the money, Why would someone sell off their catalog? Whats the benefit of it? No ID did it a few months ago also.
Niggas Going Broke Thats why…Covid real out here
Covid lol your a lame
Apparently you don’t know about publishing if you asked that question!
I bet the rest of the clan didn’t get a dime
Dude, it literally says, “Rza sells 50% of his Wu Tang Songs.” In laymen term, it means that it’s his songs, and not other clan members, who have their own songs!
You idiot. That means that he owns the Wu-Tang tracks, and is now selling them. He will be the only one getting dough. You stupid motherfunker!
RZA wrote most of Wu Tang songs it was his vision. I know he broke bread with others, because if it wasn’t for them doing their part, none of this would be happening for him. Wu Tang #legends
700 mill for 42 fuckin songs??
I feel bad for the clan 75% of them could make 5x more than 700 mil but they still focus on hip hop they’re bigger than hip hop. if rza catalog is worth 700 mil, GFK or Meth has to be more than 10 times more than rza’s
no, 700 mill for 42 catalogs from march 2019 – march 2020 including all music rights they bought.
“Hipgnosis Songs has been buying up catalogs by everyone”……
“Between March 2019 and March 2020, the company has spent nearly $700 million to acquire 42 catalogs”……
So RZA’s body of work is just 1 *catalog*; call it “The Rza Catalog”. The other 41 *catalogs* were sold individually, one at a time by 41 other individual artists independent of each other. To be clear; they’ve acquired the works of 42 different artists from 42 different genres, eras, and titles – some of which may not be musicians at all but songwriters. In reality the entire career catalogs of 42 separate individuals who made a living in the music industry were acquired for around 700 million divided between the 42 career catalogs that were bought. In light of this, depending on who the other 41 artists are and how much material is included in each deal, there’s no way to know how much money RZA was paid. Here’s something to think on: Let’s just “assume” that all 42 individual artists were paid equally – (which is laughable, agreed); this would mean that each person was paid 16.6 Million. Of course that would only be assuming that the likes of Timbaland, Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart, Jack Antonoff and Jeff Bhasker were considered as equally talented and successful as Bobby D – Its quite possible he bankrolled about 150 – 200 Million in my best estimate. Well I think he has certainly earned his loot with hard work, dedication and commitment, so go and enjoy it Father Shaolin!! Fuckin’ A! Nice to hear some good news for a change.
Rza did not get nearly as much as timberland
What a person’s self-brand or brand name is worth plays a huge part in negotiating $700-million like Rza. For example, Rza has become a recognized movie director, movie producer, and movie music composer! And above all, he won an Oscar for the Kill Bill soundtrack! That oscar alone puts his brand on top of the world! Because winning an Oscar makes is the most prestigious Hollywood and marketing award in the western world! So, it wouldn’t be surprising if Method Man, who also has a good brand, can’t garner more than $500-million for the sell-off of his song.
The article said they did not disclose the amount and that the company had purchased over 42 catalogs for over 700 million since March. He didn’t get close to 700 million lol.
R
42 catalogues dummy
42 projects.
The fortune of RZA escaping just like his hairline!! it ain’t 1997 no mo’ !
Wonder if ODB’s family will get any cut?
Of course not, neither will any other member of Wu. That’s RZA money right there. He need that money for hair transplant. If you haven’t noticed dude hairline is mature af, bruh.
Hella funny bro
The only people that may call him the GOAT of Rap must be in New York. No one from the South will say something crazy like that.
He is not the goat and I don’t believe there is one, but the South has nothing to say. Your music is terrible, you dumbed down rap and make stripper music. Little Brother, Scarface, Mass Influence, Ghetto Boys, Outkast, Goodie Mob are ok . As whole by far the worst music for any region from NC to Alabama your music is trash.
If dudes is over 35 and they from the south they was Wu Tang fans.
WuTang clan blows. Overrated as fuck.Ghost, Meth, Rae the only ones who are good. RZA is a trash rapper
watch your fuckin tongue
watch your fucking mouth disrespecting the G.O.A.T.
Dumb ass fuck knows nothing, sit down and shut up.
No RZA no WU TANG
RZA a created WU TANG
Must be a millennial lmao
WHAT ARE U LISTENING TO THEN,GO LISTEN TO WUTANGFOREVER AGAIN ROOKIE.
Idiot
Shit they could have brought so trash from me for cheap
My nigga was rapping about fallopian tubes
Reading is fundamental, try it one more time sir.
I bet u God ain’t get one red cent out that deal
God doesn’t use mortal tools of oppression.