![]() ![]() Merck Mercuriadis photographed on Februin Los Angeles. He talks about Hipgnosis as a disruptive force in answers that seem as inspiring - and as well-rehearsed - as a political stump speech. ![]() His response to the first question of a mid-February interview with Billboard clocks in at just over 20 minutes, and an attempt to interject makes him pause just long enough to grin and say, “I appreciate that I’m monologuing you.” Mercuriadis radiates an affable charisma, and he’s a steamroller in interviews. He has an answer to this, as he does to most everything. In theory, a rising tide lifts all ships, but the question irritating Mercuriadis right now is: Who owns those ships? Or, to put it another way, once songwriters sell their work to Hipgnosis, will they continue to benefit from the ways Mercuriadis says he’ll reshape the industry? These are the iconic creative forces behind the great music that Mercuriadis has dedicated his life to, and his company’s purchases have fueled an explosion of music publishing valuations. Hipgnosis has spent almost $2 billion to date snapping up 129 publishing catalogs, the work of everyone from hip-hop/R&B producer Ernest Dion “ No I.D.” Wilson to Neil Young to Al Green’s drummer Al Jackson. Yet a question skeptics have asked about his 4-year-old company, Hipgnosis, has gotten under his skin. Over years spent managing the careers of uncompromising artists like Elton John, Beyoncé and Guns N’ Roses, the 57-year-old music industry veteran has perfected a demeanor of cordial unflappability. Merck Mercuriadis’ eyes flash with exasperation. ![]() They are trying to twist this for their own purposes.” ![]()
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