Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced the acquisition of Stiff Records, ZTT and Perfect Songs music publishing from SPZ Group, the company founded by Jill Sinclair and legendary record producer, Trevor Horn.

The agreement, effective immediately, brings two of the most influential and iconic British record labels of the last forty years into the Universal Music Group fold, along with master rights to the entire ZTT catalogue and select Stiff recordings from artists including: Art of Noise; Frankie Goes To Hollywood; Jona Lewie; Kirsty MacColl; Shane MacGowan; Propaganda; Sam And The Womp; Lisa Stansfield; Tracey Ullman; Wreckless Eric; and 808 State.   Stiff and ZTT created pioneering and timeless pop records that became global chart hits and helped redefine independent label culture in the UK and beyond. The acquisition includes: Art of Noise's "Moments In Love"; Frankie Goes To Hollywood's debut album Welcome To The Pleasuredome, featuring global hits "The Power of Love," "Relax" and "Two Tribes"; Jona Lewie's "Stop The Cavalry"; Kirsty MacColl's "A New England"; Shane MacGowan's "My Way" and "Haunted" (a duet with Sinéad O'Connor); Sam And The Womp's UK Chart topping hit "Bom Bom"; and 808 State's seminal dance anthem "Pacific State." 

With the agreement, Perfect Songs Publishing will become part of Universal Music Publishing Group, which will develop new creative and commercial opportunities for its extensive song library, home to the multi-platinum songwriting catalogue of Seal, including the triple Grammy Award-winning "Kiss From A Rose." The Perfect Songs catalogue also features songs recorded by a wide variety of artists including: Marsha Ambrosius; Ian Brown; De La Soul; Eminem; Frankie Goes To Hollywood; Groove Armada; Michael Jackson; Holly Johnson; Alicia Keys; Little Mix; Mark Morrison; Olly Murs; Propaganda; Busta Rhymes; Rudimental; Sam And The Womp; Lisa Stansfield; Sugababes; and 808 State. It also includes Art of Noise, one of the most sampled artists in history, whose pioneering recorded work has been reimagined and used by an array of contemporary artists including Charlie XCX; Fatboy Slim; Flying Lotus; Ice Cube; J Cole; Lil Wayne; LL Cool J; Mac Miller; and The Prodigy. 

In making the announcement, Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, said, "Stiff and ZTT are truly unique and iconic labels that captured the zeitgeist of their generation and experienced great commercial success, whilst influencing contemporary music entirely on their own terms.With Perfect Songs, we are adding an award-winning publishing catalogue, rich with hits, acclaim and global success. UMG is committed to building upon the legacy of these revolutionary labels, in keeping with the spirit of their founders." SPZ Group & ZTT Founder, Trevor Horn CBE, said "Jill started Perfect Songs and ZTT in the 80's and I'm extremely proud of what she achieved. Lucian Grange and Jill were really good friends so I'm pleased that these catalogues are going to Universal. I'd like to thank all the writers and the artists on ZTT, Perfect and Stiff. It was a great experience and I enjoyed working with each one of you (most of the time). And I'd like to thank Paul Morley for all the wonderful times at ZTT, Steve Lipson and Anne Dudley, Liam Teeling and Chris O'Donnell (STIFF & Perfect) for their help along the way and Seal."