Round Hill Music acquires publishing catalog of Jellybean Benitez including hits by Madonna and Whitney Houston – Music Business Worldwide

Round Hill Music‘s Music Royalty Fund Two vehicle has acquired the music publishing catalog of legendary producer, writer, musician, music supervisor, music publisher and DJ John ‘Jellybean’ Benitez.

The catalog which includes worldwide hits by Madonna, Whitney Houston, Snap, Will Smith and Nas among others.

The company, which has been working with Benitez since 2020, has also agreed plans for a wide-ranging joint venture agreement. 

One of the finest remixers and producers during the post-disco days of the 1980s, Benitez became immersed in the growing disco scene of the 1970s.

He soon became one its best-known DJs as well as a sought-after producer and remixer working with a wide range of artists including  Olivia Newton-John, Sting, Hall & Oates, George Benson, Shalamar, Jocelyn Brown, Patti Austin, Bobby O, Sheena Easton, Talking Heads,  James Ingram, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham, John Waite, The Pointer Sisters, Debbie Harry, a-ha, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Rush, Huey Lewis and the News and Paul McCartney.

In 2005, Benitez was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame and in 2016 Billboard magazine ranked him in the Top 100 most successful dance artists of all-time. 

Benitez’s publishing catalog, which has been built up over the last four decades, includes hits such as Snap’s The Power, Madonna’s Holiday, Nas’ Hate Me Now, Will Smith’s Getting Jiggy with It, Baby Bash’s Suga Suga, Bizarre Inc’s I’m Gonna Get You, Madonna’s Dress You Up and Whitney Houston’s Love Will Save the Day among many others.  

As part of this agreement Round Hill Music says that it will assume full responsibility for global administration of the copyrights acquired. 

The JV deal will allow him to  sign new talent and acquire further rights with a particular focus on the fast-expanding Latin market. 

“Jellybean Benitez is a music industry legend, there’s no better way to describe him.”

Josh Gruss, Round Hill Music 

Josh Gruss, Founder and CEO of Round Hill Music said: “Jellybean Benitez is a music industry legend, there’s no better way to describe him.

“As an artist, producer, writer, and remixer he is universally revered, and his track record of hits is astonishing. He is also a respected entrepreneur and executive who has launched and developed several hugely successful companies.

“This ongoing agreement, which saw us acquire his catalog in 2020 and partner with him going forward on a number of exciting and innovative new projects brings even more creative firepower to our team.” 

“When the opportunity arose to work with him in 2020 it was an absolute no-brainer and our relationship has gone from strength to strength since then.” 

Robin Godfrey-Cass, Round Hill

Robin Godfrey-Cass, Managing Director of Round Hill’s London office added: “I have long been an admirer of Jellybean, whose work has soundtracked so many of our lives over so many years.

“When the opportunity arose to work with him in 2020 it was an absolute no-brainer and our relationship has gone from strength to strength since then.”  

“I like the way Round Hill do business. They are a smart commercial operation but they also understand and appreciate music and have a natural empathy with creators.”

Jellybean Benitez 

Jellybean Benitez added: “I like the way Round Hill do business. They are a smart commercial operation but they also understand and appreciate music and have a natural empathy with creators.

“It’s always more rewarding if you can work with people with whom you have some common ground and that’s certainly the case in this situation.

“I would also like to thank my Lawyer Paul Schindler for representing me with Round Hill Music “

 Music Business Worldwide