On Thursday (July 8), Switzerland-based investment entity MusicBird AG announced the acquisition of songwriter Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem’s catalog. Best known for penning a laundry list of radio hits from the 2000s and early 2010s, Rotem is the hitmaker behind songs like “Beautiful Girls” by Sean Kingston; “Whatcha Say” and “In My Head” by Jason Derulo; “Better In Time” by Leona Lewis; and “Replay” and “Solo” by Iyaz.
A versatile writer with a career spanning over 20 years, Rotem’s catalog includes credits on songs by A-list artists spanning from pop to reggaeton to rap, including Britney Spears, Keith Urban, Gwen Stefani, 50 Cent, Nicki Minaj, Ciara, Charlie Puth and Bad Bunny. This flexible writing style has earned him BMI awards for Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.
Though MusicBird AG’s purchase of Rotem’s catalog is the entity’s first foray into song catalog acquisition, company chairman Jonas Anker promises the new deal is just the beginning for his team. “This is the first of many planned acquisitions,” he said in a recent statement, adding the sale is a “great way to kickstart” the company’s endeavors. “We’re honored that J.R. Rotem entrusted his amazing song collection to us.”
Rotem added, “Like every songwriter, my songs are a precious part of me. So I am gratified that my songs have found a nurturing home with MusicBird.”
Rotem was represented by Guy Blake, partner at Granderson Des Rochers, LLP. MusicBird AG was represented by the company’s head of music Sanji Tandan and Kendall Minter of Taylor English Duma, LLP. Tandan said the acquisition was the “first step” in MusicBird AG’s “proactive pursuit of music assets with high-quality songs, historical value, and brand identity.”
