Warner Chappell Partners With Salaam Remi’s Analog Metaverse

Warner Chappell Music has entered an agreement to jointly administer the majority of the music library of Analog Metaverse, a rights management company founded by producer-songwriter Salaam Remi. The publishing catalog is anchored by Remi’s list of credits, including the debut singles of Amy Winehouse and Miguel, respectively, and one of Alicia Keys‘ best-known songs, plus also includes works by songwriters Dennis Brown, Don Blackman, Bobby “Digital” Dixon and Terri Walker.

Remi co-wrote and produced much of Winehouse’s 2003 debut, Frank, including her debut single “Stronger Than Me,” which won an Ivor Novello Award in 2004, and produced roughly half of the late neo-soul icon’s global breakthrough, 2006’s Back to Black. He also got in on the ground floor of Miguel, co-writing and producing his lead single “All I Want Is You,” featuring J. Cole, and notably co-wrote and co-produced Keys’ 2012 hit “Girl on Fire.”

Analog Metaverse said its catalog features more than 2,000 songs, though it’s unclear how much is included in this joint administration deal. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed. Remi’s team at Analog Metaverse includes Kwame Kandekore as head of legal and business affairs and Josephine Westphal, vp of royalties and administration.

“I’ve personally known Salaam for more than three decades, and it’s such an honor to be entrusted to shepherd not only his own life’s work, but that of legends like Dennis Brown,” said co-chair and CEO Guy Moot. “Carianne [Marshall, WCM Co-Chair/COO] and I are very intentional about the catalogs we work with and really think about how we can grow and tend to them, both today and for the years to come.”

Moot said he sensed a “lot of synergy” between WCM’s approach to asset management and Analog Megaverse’s mission — “it’s great to be joining forces to help writers and their estates realize their full potential.”

Remi added: “Having the benefit of being a songwriter and publisher myself, I fully understand the importance of having partners who not only appreciate the wonderful creations of the icons from the last few generations but also can help us carry them into the future.”

The Analog Metaverse pair-up follows on the heels of WCM’s publishing administration deal with Tom Petty’s estate covering the “vast majority of songs” dotting the late artist’s catalog.