It has been confirmed that Universal Music Publishing Group has acquired the full catalogue of Grammy Award-winning artist Sting. The acquisition is rumoured to be worth 220 million pounds and includes the singer’s solo work along with his discography with the Police. The new deal means that Sting’s material will be united, the singer’s recorded material was already with Universal, but his back catalogue was previously held by rival company Sony Music Publishing. The entertainment conglomerate took to Instagram to share the news.
The 70-year-old singer has provided the following statement concerning the lucrative deal, “I am delighted to have Jody and the team at UMPG curate and manage my song catalog. 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. Throughout my career, I have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with UMG as my label partner, under the watchful guidance of Lucian, so it felt natural to unite everything in one trusted home, as I return to the studio, ready for the next chapter.”
The iconic artist spans over four decades and holds a back catalogue full of hits, both solo and with The Police. Sting first gained notarization through The Police, the group formed in the late seventies with Sting on vocals and bass, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland. The group became a global favourite and went on to rule the charts with such hits as “Roxanne” and “Message in a Bottle”. The group’s catalogue includes five studio albums and multiple singles including the smash it “Every Breath You Take” and “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”.
After some initial solo projects, Sting released his first solo album in 1985 entitled The Dream of the Blue Turtles. The album reached number three within the UK album charts and sired two Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Male Best Pop Vocal Performance. The album’s first single “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” was released on 31st May 1985 and cemented Sting as a solo artist. Born as Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, Sting released fourteen further solo albums, his most recent full release My Bridge was released on 19th November and reached the top 40 within the UK album charts.
Speaking on the impressive range of material acquired, Chairman and Chief executive of Universal Sir Lucian Grainge has provided the following statement, “We are honoured that by choosing Universal for his music publishing, Sting’s entire body of work as a songwriter and recording artist – from the Police to his solo work – will all be within the Universal family, It is a responsibility we don’t take lightly.”
The multi award-winning artist is set to resume his My Songs tour which began last year, the singer will perform on 5th March 2022 at Latvia’s Arena Riga and will finish the 23 date European leg on 13th April 2022 with a performance in Germany. The singer will then return to the UK for a six-date residency at The London Palladium starting on 15th April 2022.
Sting UK tour dates
15/04 – The London Palladium – London
16/04 – The London Palladium – London
17/04 – The London Palladium – London
19/04 – The London Palladium – London
20/04 – The London Palladium – London
21/04 – The London Palladium – London
Click here to purchase tickets.
