Bella Figura Music acquires RAK Publishing, including hits by Hot Chocolate and Joan Jett; firm has spent $80m+ on music rights to date
A few weeks ago, it was acquired by a London-based music copyright company Music by Bella Figura closed a “significant equity funding round” led by private equity firm Freshstream.
The round also secured investments from a group of institutional investors, including Canadian pension funds OPTrusta strategic family office and a Dutch private equity investor.
Freshstream is an existing shareholder of the company, having invested 'or more 30 million euros' (about 32.6 million USD) in Bella Figura in early 2023 according to a filing in Times.
Now, Bella Figura Music, founded by Alexi Cory-Smith and Neelesh Prabhu in 2022, has acquired popular London-based independent RAK Publishing (RAK).
Bella Figura Music has confirmed that they have spent more U.S. dollar 80 million USD of music rights to date, including the latest deal for RAK.
RAK was founded in 1969 by record producer Mickie Most and his wife Christina and now represents over a hundred writers, including Ivor Novello winner Errol Brown and BASCA Gold Medal recipient Steve Harley and Suzi Quatro.
RAK product catalogr 1,500 copyright lasts over 50 years and includes hits such as You're so hot recorded by Hot Chocolate, Make Me Smile (Come And See Me) recorded by Steve Harley & The Cockney Rebel, I like rock music recorded by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Children in America recorded by Kim Wilde, Music recorded by John Miles and many others.
In a statement released on Monday (April 22), Alexi Cory-Smith, Co-Founder & CEO of Bella Figura Music said “this agreement ranks as one of our proudest achievements in my career.”
Over the past six months, Bella Figura Music has acquired the catalog of Jeff Silverman (Aloe Blacc, AdeleLee Fields, Truth & Soul) and Adrian Wright (The Human League).
These build on the company's existing catalog collection, including David Gray's IHT label, R3HAB's pre-2022 recording catalog and Guy Chambers' publishing portfolio, which includes includes hits from Robbie Williams such as angel, feel, And Let me entertain you.
“I am delighted that the Bella Figura Music team is at the helm as they share the ethos of a boutique and I know that they will be very interested in such great songs.”
Nathalie Hayes, RAK Group
“My parents started RAK Publishing 55 years ago,” said Nathalie Hayes, CEO of the RAK Group of Companies. I grew up knowing a lot of RAK writers because they often went on vacation with us! It has been an honor to look after such a wonderful catalog for the past 26 years.
“I am delighted that the Bella Figura Music team is at the helm as they share the ethos of a boutique and I know that they will be very interested in such great songs”
“RAK is a British music icon and it is no exaggeration to say that this deal ranks as one of the proudest achievements of my career. I pinch myself every day when I realize Bella Figura is now a part of it and we will do our best to care for and promote their wonderful legacy.
Alexi Cory-Smith, Bella Figura Music
Alexi Cory-Smith, Co-Founder & CEO of Bella Figura Music added: “I have been a fan of the RAK catalog for many years. I have loved these songs and artists since I was a child.”
Cory-Smith added: “I was fascinated by Errol Brown watching Hot Chocolate on Top of the Pops as a young girl – people didn't appreciate how groundbreaking and important they were; but we had plans for that – and I just wanted to be Kim Wilde – I got suspended from school for cutting and dying my hair to look like her (I was about 13), when Children in America go out.
“RAK is a British music icon and it is no exaggeration to say that this deal ranks as one of the proudest achievements of my career. I pinch myself every day when I realize Bella Figura is now a part of it and we will do our best to care for and promote their wonderful legacy.Music business worldwide
