Public Enemy front man, Chuck D, has made a deal with his longtime publisher Reach Music to sell the company 100% of his writer royalties plus half of his copyright interest in his back catalogue including more than 300 songs.
In a statement about the deal the famous rapper (born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour) told Rolling Stone magazine: “Doing this deal was the right timing for a forward and logical evolution of our business together in an ever changing industry.” “Reach has always been ahead of the curve on establishing respect for the HipHop genre songwriting and publishing-wise, and they will continue taking care of my works.”
While the deal does not cover his entire catalogue, it does include Public Enemy’s most formative work released between 1987 to 2012 including their iconic albums, ‘It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back’, ‘Fear of a Black Planet’ and ‘Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Back’.
During the same fifteen year stretch Chuck D co-wrote most of the group’s songs, including ‘Fight The Power’, ‘Bring The Noise’ and ‘Welcome To The Terrordome’.
About the recent acquisition, Michael Closer, Reach’s president, founder, and owner stated “I’m so grateful to Chuck for our business together as his music publisher throughout these many decades.” “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 music history.” “The team at Reach will continue working hard to protect these works while also introducing them to new generations to come.”
The latest publishing deal follows the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks and Neil Young, each of whom have struck similar deals over the past several years.
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: Dplanet