Downtown Music

22/04/2021

Our Global President Mike Smith wrote a Music Business Worldwide op-ed on the importance of climate action in the music business — introducing EarthPercent, an organization raising money from the industry to support environmental charities.

This MBW op/ed comes from Mike Smith, Global President of Downtown Music Publishing…

15/04/2021

Miles Davis is a cultural icon whose influence extends beyond music into visual art, fashion, film, and design. We asked filmmaker Stanley Nelson, director of the Grammy-nominated documentary "Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool," for his thoughts on why the jazz legend's life and work is still in the cultural zeitgeist — nearly 30 years after his passing.

Filmmaker Stanley Nelson Jr. on the legacy of Miles Davis.

05/04/2021

The jazz standard "Summertime" is one of the most influential works in the history of music, holding the Guinness world record for most recorded song with over 67,591 known versions — including celebrated covers by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis, among many other iconic artists. Kicking off , we teamed up with artist Lauren Tamaki to create an illustrated history of the enduring classic.

In 2019, Downtown entered into a partnership with the estate of George Gershwin, whose catalog includes the enduring classic "Summertime" from "Porgy and Bess" — so we teamed up with illustrator Lauren Tamaki to create a visual history of the iconic song.

31/03/2021

This Women's History Month, we've been celebrating with a playlist featuring the music of badass women spanning genres and generations — from iconic legends to some of the freshest voices from across the world.

This Women's History Month, we made a playlist celebrating the work of badass female artists and songwriters from the Downtown catalog — including legendary icons and some of today's most exciting emerging talent from around the globe.

15/03/2021

Congrats to our clients who received last night! See a full list of our writers who participated in winning works and listen to a playlist featuring selections from all those nominated.

Downtown congratulates our 12 clients who contributed to winning works at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

03/03/2021

Downtown Global President Mike Smith spoke with BBC Radio 4 about the value of songs and music catalogs amid the streaming boom.

John Wilson investigates the value of the songs that provide the soundtracks to our lives.

19/02/2021

Our Global President Mike Smith spoke with Billboard about major catalog sales and what they mean for younger artists.

"What I’m seeing is an emergence of much more of a do-it-yourself ethic. They just want to have a sustainable career in which they’re in control of their own destiny, ideally in control of their own master and publishing rights, and having a sustainable income and robust mental health is probably more important to them than trying to get on the roulette wheel to being a superstar."

Key players unpack why the current spike in catalog sales, particularly among veteran acts, may influence the next generation of iconic creators to act fast.

02/02/2021

We are proud to welcome Sarah McCann to Downtown Music Publishing as our new Senior Vice President of International Creative!

Sarah McCann has been appointed to Senior Vice President of International Creative at Downtown Music Publishing.

10/12/2020

Known for his work with artists like longtime collaborator Sia as well as Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Halsey, Lana Del Rey, Selena Gomez, and many others, we are excited to be entrusted with the diverse catalog of versatile songwriter Chris Braide.

Deal covers Braide’s Sia co-writes including Big Girls Cry, Helium, Flames…

03/12/2020

Congrats to our SVP of Film & Television Music Jumee Park for being named to Billboard's coveted list, alongside our sister company Songtrust's Molly Neuman and so many other great women.

Brianna Agyemang and Jamila Thomas, the founders of , lead this year’s roster of 200+ female executives and activists changing the industry.

03/12/2020

It is an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with so many classic songs by visionary songwriter, producer, and A&R Mickey Stevenson, who helped cultivate the iconic "Motown Sound" that is foundational to modern pop music.

Downtown has acquired classic songs from the catalog of legendary songwriter, producer, and former Motown A&R Mickey Stevenson.

25/11/2020

Congrats to our clients who contributed to projects up for 35 awards in 29 different categories at the 2021 GRAMMYs!

Downtown congratulates our clients who contributed to works up for 35 awards in 29 categories at the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards.

10/09/2020

"These guys get it. They’ve got a formula that looks to shake up the game, to bring a unique angle to it. It’s niche, but it’s massive at the same time.” — RZA on Downtown for The Root!

Robert “RZA” Diggs is not only one of the foremost members of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, but he’s also proven through the years to be quite the astute businessman and entrepreneur. Alongside his older brother Mitchell “Divine” Diggs, RZA announced on Tuesday that Downtown Music Publishing...

08/09/2020

👐 Up from the 36 Chambers, straight from the rugged lands of Shaolin, Wu-Tang killer bees have swarmed Downtown 🐝
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We're honored to be entrusted with representing the iconic Wu-Tang Clan catalog, one of the most timeless songbooks with an influence that transcends genres, mediums, generations, and industries — from music, art, film, and fashion to technology and beyond. Bong-bong.

Downtown has signed a global publishing administration agreement with Wu-Tang Productions to represent the Wu-Tang Clan catalog.

16/07/2020

guest speakers have been announced! Read about the panels featuring executives from across Downtown Music Holdings' portfolio of businesses — as well as interviews with Abe Batshon (BeatStars), Joe Kentish (Warner Records UK), Sue Jacobs (SuperVision), CJ Johnson (SunTrust Robinson Humphrey), and Tracy Gardner (ByteDance/TikTok).

Downtown Summer School will include panels with executives from Downtown Music Holdings' portfolio of businesses and interviews with industry leaders.

15/07/2020

Our new Global President Mike Smith spoke with Music Business Worldwide about his pivotal role at Downtown, the state of music publishing and the future of our company.

Downtown’s new Global President of Music Publishing, Mike Smith, tells MBW what’s on his agenda…

08/07/2020

Reimagining the summer internship, will include panels and Q&A with executives from Downtown Music Holdings' portfolio and behind-the-scenes interviews with industry leaders. Though geared towards students and recent grads, all are welcome to register for free: http://ow.ly/rIVo50AsXIk

30/06/2020

Downtown Music Holdings is launching Downtown Summer School, a week-long virtual program for continued learning about all aspects of the music industry, featuring free virtual panels and executive Q&As broadcasting live July 27-31 — reimagining internships during this era of social distancing. Though primarily designed for high school and college aged students, and those in the early stages of their career, registration is open to all!

Downtown Music Holdings has announced the launch of

23/06/2020

Warmest welcome to Mike Smith from all of us at Downtown Music Publishing. We're thrilled to have you join us!

“Since my first job in the music industry, I have been guided by my underlying love for artists and songwriters. I thoroughly enjoyed the years I spent on the recordings side of the business, but music publishing is where my heart is. Downtown’s ability to build a formidable, twenty-first century music publishing company unencumbered by the baggage of the past has made them an impressive and compelling proposition for songwriters and composers, and I am delighted to become part of their vision.”

Downtown is proud to announce the appointment of respected music industry veteran Mike Smith to the newly created position of Global President.

18/06/2020

Congrats and welcome to Downtown Neighbouring Rights, the newest member of the Downtown portfolio, with a client list that includes Justin Bieber, Koffee, Kimbra, OneRepublic, Tori Amos and Young T & Bugsey — led by neighbouring rights savant and Downtown Music Publishing veteran Dean Francis.

Downtown Music Holdings has established a business unit dedicated to neighbouring rights management — Downtown Neighbouring Rights, led by Dean Francis.

23/05/2020

🎺 Erin Davis and Vince Wilburn, Jr. of the Miles Davis Estate are hosting an Instagram takeover for the iconic jazz legend's birthday, with a coronavirus care package giveaway that includes a new Miles Davis face mask! Tune in on May 26 from noon to 4pm PT.

22/05/2020

Heads up: Downtown Music Publishing is taking a day off! Self-care is important, which is why we've decided to officially close all of our global offices this Friday, May 22, so that we can all take a much needed and well-deserved break. Our campaign will resume next week, but look out for drops by The 1975, deadmau5 & The Neptunes, Neon Trees, El Camino Acid, Roo Panes and more in the meantime!

14/05/2020

We're excited to announce our acquisition of Good Soldier Songs, covering over 350 works by a diverse roster of songwriters and artists, and an active agreement with The 1975 — including the band’s publishing catalog and upcoming album, ​Notes on a Conditional Form​.

Downtown Music Publishing has acquired Good Soldier Songs including The 1975’s publishing catalog and upcoming album, ​Notes on a Conditional Form.