MERCURIADIS
RISING
The founder of Hipgnosis has spent $2 billion to transform the business
of songs, making some creators rich and infuriating rivals by forcing them to spend
more. Now he wants to rally songwriters to raise royalties — a plan that might
even boost the fortunes of those who call him Publishing Enemy No. 1BY ED CHRISTMAN // PHOTOGRAPHED BY SPENCER LOWELL
FEBRUARY 20, 2021 • WFEBRUARY 20, 2021 • WWWWW.BILLBOARD.CO.BILLBOARD.COMM 43 43