AYO Music Group, the copyright administration company co-founded by music-clearance veteran Deborah Mannis-Gardner and Tracklib boss Pär Almqvist, has taken investment from RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan.
RZA invested alongside Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon, the founders of the label Disturbing Tha Peace. The investment firm CIH Group and the entrepreneur David Goldberg also took part in the round.
Almqvist said in a statement: “This round of investments lets us sign and actively serve more clients to collect what they are already owed, fulfilling our mission to get music creators paid.”
The company describes itself as an “active copyright administrator” that helps rightsholders get more value from their catalogues. It was co-founded nearly two years ago.
AYO now works with musicians including:
- MC Lyte
- Pete Rock
- LeToya Luckett
- Lil Mama
The company administers publishing, neighbouring rights and recordings for catalogues that are collectively streamed more than 10bn times a year.
RZA said: “I have spent thirty years making sure the people who created the music got paid for it, and I have watched a lot of money disappear into paperwork along the way. Deborah and Pär have built something that actually finds it. That is a mission I want to be part of.”
