Firstly, as part of the announcement, the company has made an investment in Timbaland and Gary Marella-founded beat marketplace Beatclub. Financial terms of the investment, part of Beatclub’s series A-2 funding round, were not disclosed.
Founded in late 2021, Beatclub is a music platform and marketplace for artists, producers, and songwriters that connects the creative community with record labels, music publishers, licensing companies and independent artists. The platform’s paid service for creators costs $179.88 per year.
Beatclub says that its sync opportunities portal has already seen producers, songwriters and artists “place over 1000 syncs earning them millions”.
The platform provides creators with access to superstars like J Cole, Justin Timberlake, Mike Dean, Tainy, Tommy Brown, Federico Vindver, Angel Lopez and more. (Beatclub also attracted investment from Hipgnosis in February as part of its series A-2 funding round.)
Anthem is also acquiring what it says are “additional publishing interests” in a catalog of Timbaland’s songs from some of his biggest hits with Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z and others.
Over 500 copyrights were included in the deal, including hit singles from artists such as 50 Cent, Fabolous, Rihanna, Flo Rida, Pussy Cat Dolls, Pink, Britney Spears, Jay-Z, The Black Eyed Peas, Ludacris, Drake, and Chris Cornell. Timbaland also signed a multi-year worldwide publishing administration deal on future songs with ole at the time.
In 2013, Timbaland and ole expanded on their publishing deal by entering into a co-publishing venture, under the name of Blue Stone Music Publishing. They expanded their partnership again in 2017.
According to Anthem, Timbaland is now extending his exclusive songwriting arrangement with the company again and is “bolstering the Anthem/Blue Stone publishing collaboration to co-sign songwriters” in the pop and urban space.
Future activities of the collaboration will continue to be led by industry veteran Eric Spence who will work with Anthem to grow and maintain the active roster of artists.
Blue Stone maintains a roster that includes Milli Beatz, David Bratton, Justin and Jordan Mosley and Garland Mosley, amongst others.
“I have been partners with Anthem for over 10 years and I am happy to extend our creative relationship.”
Timbaland
“I have been partners with Anthem for over 10 years and I am happy to extend our creative relationship. Jason and his team understand my vision with Blue Stone and Beatclub,” said Timbaland.
“Beatclub’s alignment with Anthem will allow our members to access their incredible catalog of songs for sampling in new songs and for potential use in our TV and Film endeavors.”
Gary Marella, Beatclub
Gary Marella, CEO co-founder of Beatclub, added: “We are thrilled to have Anthem as a partner in Beatclub and to extend their relationship with Timbaland.
“Beatclub’s alignment with Anthem will allow our members to access their incredible catalog of songs for sampling in new songs and for potential use in our TV and Film endeavors.”
“We are proud to continue our long run and alliance as Timbaland’s music publishing home, while building on our Blue Stone co-publishing venture, and being part of the exciting Beatclub story.”
Jason Klein, Anthem Entertainment
Jason Klein, CEO of Anthem Entertainment, added: “I couldn’t be more excited to build on our relationship with Timbaland and his team.
“Timbaland’s innovative production and songwriting has changed music over the past three decades and continues to do so. Beatclub is already having a similar impact on the creative community.
“We are proud to continue our long run and alliance as Timbaland’s music publishing home, while building on our Blue Stone co-publishing venture, and being part of the exciting Beatclub story.”
Klein, according to his LinkedIn profile, has served as CEO since January 2023. He succeeded Helen Murphy who was appointed to the role in late 2018.
Anthem Entertainment is home to Anthem Music Publishing, Anthem Records, and a production music division that encompasses Jingle Punks, 5 Alarm Music and Cavendish Music.
The company also has operations in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and London.
Separately, in 2019, publicly traded UK-based rights management firm Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited bought a music catalog from Timbaland.
It is understood that deal saw Hipgnosis acquire 100% of Timbaland’s production royalties across a catalog comprising 108 albums and songs, performed by the likes of Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Jay Z, Rihanna, Drake and others.Music Business Worldwide
