The Deals: Primary Wave Buys Catalog of Design Firm Behind Iconic Album Art; Warner Music Korea Pacts With BIBI’s Label
Categoria: Musica
Other recent deals include Madison Square Garden Entertainment's Kalshi partnership, BMI's acquisition of Soundmouse and more.
Por Billboard | 21/05/2026
Primary Wave Music acquired Aubrey “Po” Powell ‘s interests in the entire catalog of artwork owned by Hipgnosis , the British design studio Powell founded in 1967. The catalog includes artwork created for artists including Bad Company, Styx, Black Sabbath, Queen, Def Leppard, Foreigner, Yes, AC/DC and Genesis. It also includes related objects used to create those artworks, including the original biplanes used in the music video for Pink Floyd’s “Point Me to the Sky” and one of the original “The Object” sculptures used for the cover art of Led Zeppelin’s album Presence . Under the deal, Primary Wave will collaborate with Powell to mount global exhibitions of the Hipgnosis catalog, including pieces that have never been seen by the public. Related Signed: Tash Sultana Inks Record Deal With BMG; Dexys Midnight Runners Make Heavenly Pact Chris Eggertsen Of the partnership, Primary Wave’s deputy COO Lexi Todd said, “We’re beyond excited to partner with Po on one of the most influential visual catalogs in music history. This artwork did more than just accompany records; it shaped how generations of audiences experienced the music itself. Primary Wave looks forward to honoring that deep connection between sound and image by ensuring these iconic works continue to inspire music fans around the world.” Powell added, “When Primary Wave showed an interest in the legacy of Hipgnosis imagery it was music to my ears. For too long I had been approached to sell off bits and pieces of my collection which did not interest me, and I yearned for a company who understood the importance of the work in its entirety and the recognition as a serious art form. I was at an impasse having reached a respectable grade of exhibitions, but without the backup, the connections and the teamwork required to move on up I could expand no further. Primary Wave has offered that support and collaboration – we are in sync and I am looking forward to seeing Hipgnosis grow on the global stage. Exciting times ahead.” Warner Music Korea signed a global partnership with FeelGHood Music , an indie label and management company founded by Korean hip-hop artists Tiger JK and Yoon Mira, to represent Korean artist BIBI . The announcement of the deal aligns with the release of BIBI’s latest song, “BUMPA,” described as “a vibrant fusion of global pop, Latin, and Caribbean rhythms.” According to a press release, BIBI’s 2024 song “Bam Yang Gang” topped charts in Korea and secured her awards including honors at the MAMA Awards and Melon Music Awards. Last year, she embarked on a world tour behind her sophomore album, EVE: ROMANCE . Jieun Kim , president of Warner Music Korea, said in a statement: “BIBI is set to becoming one of the defining artists of her generation due to her unique creative identity and bold sensibilities. The partnership is a strategic alliance to amplify her un