Music investment fund Hipgnosis snaps up song rights from leading figure of American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan
Music investment fund Hipgnosis has snapped up song rights from a leading figure of American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan.
Under the deal, Robert ‘RZA’ Diggs has sold 50 per cent of his copyright and royalties for a catalogue of 814 songs.
Deal: Robert ‘RZA’ Diggs (pictured) has sold 50 per cent of his copyright and royalties for a catalogue of 814 songs
Diggs, 51, co-wrote and produced almost all of the ten-member band’s albums, as well as several solo efforts by its members.
Some of Wu-Tang Clan’s top hits have included Protect Ya Neck, C.R.E.A.M. and Bring Da Ruckus. Diggs went on to work with other artists as well, including Kanye West and Jay-Z.
Hipgnosis was founded by 56-year-old Canadian-born Merck Mercuriadis and invests in song rights, as well as other intellectual property associated with music, which it then licenses to third parties.
Mercuriadis said: ‘Wu-Tang Clan 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.’