Stargate's Tor Erik Hermansen renews global deal with EMI Music Publishing

27 April 2011

London, 27 April 2011 -- EMI Music Publishing, the world's leading publisher of popular music, today announced it has reached a worldwide agreement to extend its long-term relationship with Tor Erik Hermansen, one half of the hit-making Stargate songwriting and production team.

The new deal builds on EMI Music Publishing's 11 year relationship with Hermansen, during which time Stargate have become one of the worlds' most in-demand production duos, penning number one hits for artists including Beyonce, Katy Perry, Wiz Kahlifa and Ne-Yo. Stargate also co-wrote Rihanna's latest single 'S&M', which currently tops the singles chart in the United States, becoming Stargate's third number one with Rihanna after the success of 'Only Girl (In The World)' and 'What's My Name'.

The extended exclusive songwriting agreement deal sees EMI Music Publishing represent Hermansen's future works on a global basis. His broad catalogue of songs is represented by EMI Music Publishing through his existing agreement. Stargate's catalogue features hit songs including 'Closer' and 'Beautiful Monster' for Ne-Yo, 'Irreplaceable' for Beyonce, 'Black and Yellow' for Wiz Khalifa and 'Firework' for Katy Perry.

Hermansen's Stargate partner Mikkel Eriksen is also represented by EMI Music Publishing in a separate deal, which was concluded in 2008.

Hermansen commented, "I'm thrilled to extend my relationship with EMI, and especially in a week were we can celebrate our 9th US number 1 single together. Over the last decade we've been able to thrive together in a very rough environment. Guy Moot, Roger Faxon, Jon Platt and their team are the best in the game and it's no coincidence that they do as well as they do."

EMI Music Publishing's President, UK and European A&R Guy Moot said, "I've had the privilege of working with Tor for many years now and it's so rewarding to see him and Mikkel achieve the success they, and their managers Tim Blacksmith and Danny D, have worked so hard for and deserve so much. Whether it's delivering a number one hit for Rihanna, Katy Perry or Wiz Khalifa they constantly push themselves to do better and develop further - they're perfectionists. It's a pleasure and a privilege to work with them, and everybody at EMI Music Publishing is looking forward to our relationship continuing for many years to come."

Hermansen began his career in A&R for Warner Music Group in Trondheim, Norway before partnering with Eriksen in1997 to focus solely on songwriting and production. The pair made an immediate impact on the British pop market writing a host top ten hits for amongst others S Club, Hear'Say, Mis-Teeq, Billie Piper, Blue and Atomic Kitten.

In 2005 Hermansen and Eriksen relocated to America, and quickly began writing with Ne-Yo, co-writing four tracks on his 2006 debut album 'In My Own Words' including 'Sexy Love' and the single 'So Sick' which topped the singles chart in both the US and UK. Stargate and Ne-Yo have collaborated on numerous projects including all of his subsequent albums. Since then, Stargate have co-written a series of global chart hits including Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable' which spent 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100; 'Beautiful Liar' performed by Beyonce and Shakira, which topped the charts in multiple territories including America, France, Germany and Britain; Rihanna's number one hits 'Rude Boy', 'Only Girl (In The World)' and 'What's My Name'; and, Katy Perry's UK and US chart topper 'Firework'. Stargate's recent partnership with Wiz Khalifa on 'Black and Yellow' - their first pure rap song - also went to number one in America.

Stargate's songs have won multiple awards and accolades including two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song with 'Miss Independent' performed by Ne-Yo and Rihanna's 'Only Girl In The World' which won Best Dance Recording. They have won an array of ASCAP Awards, been named Songwriters of the Year by ASCAP/PRS, Best Hits Makers by Rolling Stone Magazine and won an Ivor Novello Award for their contribution to 'Beautiful Liar' which was named Best-Selling British Song.

EMI Music Publishing is the world's leading publisher of popular music, representing more than one million copyrights including some of the best known songs ever written. Iconic songs in the EMI Music Publishing catalog include "New York New York", "You've Got A Friend", "The James Bond Theme", "Lady Marmalade", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Always On My Mind", "Over The Rainbow", "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Singin' In the Rain". Its current hit-making writers and producers include Arctic Monkeys, Beyoncé, James Blunt, Gorillaz, Jay-Z, Norah Jones, Pink, Stargate, Kanye West and Amy Winehouse.