Hipgnosis Acquires Catalog of 'Shape of You' Co-Writer Johnny McDaid

McDaid's co-writing credits include Ed Sheeran's "Shape Of You" and P!nk's "What About Us."

Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited continues its year-long acquisition spree, now purchasing the catalog of songwriter, producer and Snow Patrol keyboardist Johnny McDaid.

Hipgnosis acquired 100% of McDaid's interest in his catalog of songs released before April 1, 2019, which comprises 91 tracks. McDaid's fingerprints are all over the Billboard Hot 100, having co-written songs with Ed Sheeran (including "Shape of You"), P!nk (including "What About Us"), Shawn Mendes, Robbie Williams and of course, Snow Patrol. Altogether, Hipgnosis says McDaid's work has accumulated more than 20 billion streams and earned more than 600 RIAA platinum certifications, and 14 diamond certifications.

"Shape of You" is no doubt the catalog's crown jewel:  The song spent 12 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 2017, and went on to win the Grammy award for best pop solo performance in 2018. A regular collaborator of Sheeran's since 2013, McDaid also co-wrote five songs on the singer's x album.

McDaid was represented by his manager Erik Eger, business manager Kevin McCullough, lawyer Willie Ryan, and the deal was spearheaded by attorney Michael Poster of Michelman and Robinson.

Hipgnosis, the London-based music IP investment and song management company set up by star artist manager Merck Mercuriadis in 2017, has since acquired the catalogs of Jack Antonoff, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), The-Dream, Poo Bear, Timbaland and many more.

Said Mercuriadis: “It’s hard to have some of the biggest songs in the world and yet still be so underrated but Johnny is one of the most extraordinary creators and his work with Ed and so many others speaks for itself, and it’s an honour to welcome him and Erik to the Hipgnosis family.”

Eger added that “Merck’s background as an artist manager enabled him to quickly understand what was important to Johnny in this deal and deliver on it. Johnny and I are encouraged by Merck’s mission of advocating for songwriters and wish him every success in this endeavor.”

Watch Billboard Pro's recent Close Calls episode interviewing Mercuriadis and Nile Rodgers, a member of the Hipgnosis advisory board, here.