British artist and singer Sting is selling his entire career catalog of songs to Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) The company announced on Thursday. It was the latest move of an artist who wants to make money from their work, according to Reuters.
The album contains the entire collection of Sting’s solo albums and also those he recorded that he did with his The Police, a rock group. The Police – including classics Every Breath You Take, Roxanne, Shape of My Heart, “Message in the Bottle, Fields of Gold, Desert Roseand Englishman in New York among others.
UMPG publishing division from Universal Music Group (UMG) has not disclosed the financial terms of the agreement that brings together Sting’s music publishing as well as music catalogs that have been recorded.
“It is absolutely essential to me that my career’s body of work have a home where it is valued and respected – not only to connect with longtime fans in new ways but also to introduce my songs to new audiences, musicians and generations,” Sting declared in an announcement.
“Throughout my career, I have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with UMG as my label partner… so it felt natural to unite everything in one trusted home, as I return to the studio, ready for the next chapter.”
The Police who, among them, Sting was co-founder as bassist and frontman recorded five studio albums between 1978 and 1983.
In his solo career He has released more than twelve studio albums, beginning in 1985 with the Dream of Blue Turtles. The latest album “The Bridge” came out in the month of November.
The 70-year old’s accolades are a collection of the three BRIT Awards, including one for Outstanding Contribution to Music, the Billboard magazine’s Century Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award. He’s been nominated for an Oscar four times.
Sting who is also an actor has been admitted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. Sting’s songs have been covered by artists like Johnny Cash, George Michael and Herbie Hancock , among others.
In the year 2019, US performing rights organization BMI declared that the the mega smash Every Breath You’ll Take was the most-played song ever played on radio.
“Sting is a songwriting genius whose music permeates global culture,” UMG Chairman and Chief Executive Sir Lucian Grainge said.
Other artists who have signed agreements for rights to works includes Mick Fleetwood and Bob Dylan.
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