Colombian singer/songwriter Shakira has signed a worldwide, long-term publishing agreement with Famous Music, the publishing division of Paramount Pictures.
The new deal covers administration rights in Shakira’s entire catalog-representing more than 30 million albums sold worldwide. The deal also covers greatest-hits and unplugged releases that may come about during the term of the contract.
Shakira’s previous administration deal, with Sony/ATV, expired Nov. 5. Sony/ATV had scooped her up as a songwriter from the onset of her recording career, which began when she signed with Sony Colombia more than 10 years ago.
Shakira’s camp first approached Famous president/COO Ira Jaffe more than a year ago. Sources close to the deal say the advance given to Shakira was in the several millions, with some placing it at more than $10 million, and that Sony/ATV and at least one other major publisher were bidders.
Famous and Sony/ATV will share certain rights in Shakira’s current Spanish-language album, “Fijación Oral Vol. 1,” while Famous entirely controls her new English-language release, “Oral Fixation Vol. 2.” Both albums debuted this year in the top five of The Billboard 200.
Famous Music chairman/CEO Irwin Robinson says parent company Viacom’s reach was a key factor in the deal.
“We brought the possible synergies of the other Viacom divisions,” says Robinson, citing MTV, BET and Paramount.
Latin music’s most successful star worldwide, Shakira is recognized as a top songwriter who records only her own (or co-written) material. Her current Spanish-language single, “La Tortura” (featuring Alejandro Sanz), established a record as the longest-running No. 1 track (25 weeks) on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. “La Tortura” is also the first Spanish-only video to receive regular rotation on MTV in the United States.
