Downtown buys independent UK music publishers Salli Isaak Music and Salli Isaak Songs

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Downtown Music Publishing has acquired two UK indie music publishers, Salli Isaak Songs Limited and Salli Isaak Music Publishing Limited.

The Salli Isaak companies were started by Nick Raphael and Jo Charrington in 2006 and are home to hit songwriters such as Sam Smith collaborator Jimmy Napes and Paloma Faith, among others.

Collectively, the Salli Isaak roster has written twenty UK Top 10 singles, nine UK No.1 singles, and won multiple Ivor Novello Awards.

Through its acquisition of the two companies, Downtown adds nearly 700 song copyrights to its catalog, including Napes’ contributions to Sam Smith songs such as Stay With Me, I’m Not the Only One, Too Good at Goodbyes, and Pray, as well as songs recorded by Alicia Keys, Clean Bandit, Dillon Francis, Disclosure, Ella Henderson, Ellie Goulding, Isaac Gracie, James Bay, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Ray BLK, and more.

Additionally, the company has picked up existing future agreements with Napes, Faith, Shane Filan (formerly of Westlife), and Robert Stapleton.

“I would like to thank Nick and Jo for their trust in Downtown.”
Justin Kalifowitz, Downtown

Nick Raphael said: “We are very pleased that our writers and their incredible songs will now sit alongside the wonderful and prestigious catalogue that Downtown continues to build.”

Roberto Neri, Managing Director of Downtown’s UK operation added: “We are so grateful to Nick and Jo who signed these incredible songwriters, who have created worldwide evergreens that we will be listening to and singing for many decades to come.

“This is an incredible acquisition for our company and we are absolutely thrilled to be working with Jimmy, Paloma, and the other exciting songwriters on the roster.”

Downtown CEO Justin Kalifowitz added: “I would like to thank Nick and Jo for their trust in Downtown.

“As we continue to invest in the future of songs and songwriting our mission is to be a truly global partner to the world’s most inspiring creators.

“With that in mind, I couldn’t be more honored or excited to welcome these extraordinary writers and their remarkable music to the company.”

Since the opening of its London office in 2015, Downtown’s catalog has grown to include the likes of Naughty Boy, Imogen Heap, Sacha Skarbek, Saltwives, Goldie, Kano, Izzy Bizu, Charlie Sloth, Zeph Ellis, and ZDOT.