Photo Credit: Reach Music
Reach Music Publishing has announced a deal to acquire the classic song catalog of Chuck D, founder of Public Enemy.
The deal encompasses 50% of copyright interest together with 100% of the writer’s share and includes global administration rights for the classic catalog of Chuck D. Chuck D co-wrote nearly all of Public Enemy’s songs, including “Fight the Power,” “Bring the Noise, “Welcome to the Terrordome,” “Shut ‘Em Down,” and “He Got Game.” All of these songs are included in the Reach Music acquisition, for a total of 300 songs.
The acquisition includes Chuck D’s songwriting contributions to Public Enemy albums covering a 25-year span from 1987 through 2012. The deal spans Chuck D’s work on Public Enemy’s debut album and covers groundbreaking albums like It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back, Fear of a Black Planet, and Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Back.
Reach Music and its affiliate Reach Global have been the music publisher and rights administration company for Chuck D for over 25 years. Through the new deal, Reach has purchased Chuck’s copyright ownership interests that were previously administered by Reach, including the full songwriter’s share.
“I’m so grateful to Chuck for our business together as his music publisher throughout these many decades,” adds Michael Closter, President & Founder of Reach Music. “There’s no one more consequential in the world of hip-hop than Chuck D, and he has written iconic and impactful songs that will forever be a part of musical history. The team at Reach will continue working hard to protect these works while also introducing them to new generations to come.”
“Mike Closter and everyone at Reach has been handling my song catalog for well over 20 years, and doing this deal was the right timing for a forward and logical evolution of our business together in an ever-changing industry,” adds Chuck D. “Reach has always been ahead of the curve on establishing respect for the hip-hop genre songwriting and publishing wise, and they will continue taking care of my works.