An important fact to take away from the current Spotify drama:
Listening to Neil Young’s music makes money for BlackStone.
Neil Young and the artists below have sold their music to Hipgnosis, which is now owned by BlackStone.
BlackStone is an alternative investment management company that the UN has accused of “contributing to the global housing crisis.” As of October 2021, they own a large stake in the artists below.
Hipgnosis Copyright Portfolio
10cc
50 Cent
Al Jackson Jr
Andrew Watt
Andy Marvel
Ari Levine
The B-52s
Barry Manilow
Benny Blanco
Bernard Edwards
Blondie
Bob Rock
Brendan O’Brien
Brian Kennedy
Carole Bayer Sager
Chris Cornell
Chrissie Hynde
Christine McVie
David A. Stewart
Enrique Iglesias
Eric Bellinger
Fraser T. Smith
George Benson
Giorgio Tuinfort
Itaal Shur
Jack Antonoff
Jamie Scott
Jason Ingram
Jimmy Iovine
Johnta Austin
Jon Bellion
Jonathan Cain
Journey
Kaiser Chiefs
LA Reid
Lindsay Buckingham
Mark Ronson
Michael Knox
Nate Ruess
Neal Schon
Neil Young
Nikki Sixx
Poo Bear
Pusha T
Red Hot Chili Peppers
RedOne
Rhett Akins
Richie Sambora
Rick James
Rico Love
Rodney Jerkins
RZA
Sam Hollander
Sean Garrett
Shakira
Skrillex
Starrah
Steve Winwood
Teddy Geiger
The Chainsmokers
The-Dream
Timbaland
TMS
Tom DeLonge
Tricky Stewart
Capitalism has allowed “Dr. Evil” to purchase music copyrights. As a Spotify user, I often buy the artist’s album to support them and make up for Spotify’s failings. But that practice won’t amend this, because the bad guys own the music. So now when you buy/stream Neil Young, money is going to BlackStone, not just Neil Young, because Hipgnosis owns 50% of Young’s copyright, and BlackStone owns Hipgnosis.
BlackStone has infiltrated music. This is what we as a society need to be objecting to in this moment if we are to protect art’s integrity.
Sources
“Neil Young has sold 50 percent of the worldwide copyright and income interests in his 1,180 song catalogue to Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited.” | Rolling Stone
BlackStone has an ownership stake in Hipgnosis. “In October 2021 The Blackstone Group, an alternative investment management company, announced that it would partner with Mercuriadis to invest $1bn US to acquire song catalogues and music rights. It also announced that Blackstone would take an ownership stake in Hipgnosis Song Management.” | Wikipedia | Bloomberg
BlackStone makes people homeless. “The UN’s housing advisor has accused private equity firms and one of the world’s largest corporate residential landlords, Blackstone Group, of exploiting tenants, “wreaking havoc” in communities and helping to fuel a global housing crisis.” | The Guardian
Melodie Akers 