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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Jasper Jolly

Hipgnosis in takeover tussle as UK music investor says it would accept rival bid

Hipgnosis Blackstone United States HSM Beyoncé HSF Merck Mercuriadis Hipgnosis Songs Fund
Beyoncé performs onstage at MetLife Stadium on 29 July in East Rutherford, New Jersey, during the Renaissance world tour.
Hipgnosis Songs Fund was founded in 2018 by a former manager of Beyoncé. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood

The troubled owner of music back catalogues ranging from Beyoncé to Neil Young has said it would accept a takeover offer from Blackstone, after the private equity investor revealed it was considering outbidding a rival rights owner’s deal.

Hipgnosis Songs Fund (HSF) launched a strategic review after a turbulent period on the London Stock Exchange, and now faces the prospect of a takeover contest after saying on Sunday it would back Blackstone’s approach over last week’s agreement with Concord Music.

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