Rodney-darkchild-jerkins-sells-his-catalog-includes-iconic-work-with-michael-jackson

Annita

Proud Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2011
Messages
3,535
Points
113


Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, the Grammy-winning hitmaker behind some of the most memorable tracks of the past three decades, has officially sold select catalog assets to HarbourView Equity Partners. The deal was made possible through Swedish music tech company Chapter Two, which specializes in music rights and royalty analytics.

While Jerkins’ resume reads like a who’s who of music royalty, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and SZA among them, it’s his groundbreaking work with Michael Jackson that continues to resonate deeply with fans around the world.

Jerkins played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Michael’s late-era work, particularly with the Invincible album. From the high-energy “You Rock My World” to the edgy, tech-heavy “Threatened”, and the defiant “Privacy”, Jerkins brought a modern sonic edge to Michael Jackson’s music while still honoring his signature style. Tracks like “Heartbreaker” and “Invincible” showcased not only Michael’s creative evolution but also Jerkins’ production mastery.

HarbourView’s acquisition ensures that this influential body of work, including the songs crafted for Michael, will be preserved and valued as an essential part of music history.

“At HarbourView, our mission is to curate a canon of work that represents the very best of global culture, which is why it is essential that the contributions of legendary creators like Rodney Jerkins continue to be recognized, preserved, and celebrated,” said Sherrese Clarke, founder and CEO of HarbourView. “We are honored to welcome him to the HarbourView family and humbled by his decision to join us.”

Jerkins, in turn, expressed confidence in the deal, saying, “HarbourView truly understands the value of music and the people who create it. Music creators deserve respect and clarity when it comes to selling their life’s work, and working with both HarbourView and Chapter Two has made that process feel seamless.”

Chapter Two CEO Michel Traore added, “This transaction is a clear sign that creators are realizing the true value of their work faster and more transparently than ever before. Rodney is setting a new benchmark in the industry, and we thank HarbourView for their vision in working with us.”

For fans of Michael Jackson, the recognition of Jerkins’ contributions is a welcome reminder of the collaborative genius that gave us some of the King of Pop’s most underrated and innovative tracks. This move not only secures the legacy of those songs but also cements Jerkins’ place in the story of Michael’s musical journey.
 
I wonder what this means for songs like Get Your Weight Off Of Me and and the upcoming 25th anniversary of Invincible next year.
Unfortunately, it probably means nothing.
 
I wonder what this means for songs like Get Your Weight Off Of Me and and the upcoming 25th anniversary of Invincible next year.
Unfortunately, it probably means nothing.
This HarbourView Equity Partners deal does not mean that the unreleased songs that Rodney Jerkins worked on with Michael Jackson (during the 'Invincible' album sessions) will get a release.

It means that HarbourView Equity Partners will license the officially released songs for films, TV shows, video games, ads/commercials, and even for covers from other artists.

The same thing happened also a few years ago with Hipgnosis, which bought Rodney Jerkins' early body of work.
 
The catalog may have reached its highest value during the production of the biopic, making it a logical decision to sell it. I therefore doubt that there are any MJ outtakes left among them that could be turned into something.
 
Back
Top