Santa Monica, CA - Seventeen-time Latin Grammy winner Alejandro Sanz, one of the most important and influential Latin singer/songwriters of the last two decades, has signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), as announced today by Zach Horowitz, Chairman & CEO, UMPG. The multi-year agreement brings Sanz’ entire catalog of songs to UMPG, including the music on his first nine studio albums, as well as songs he writes in the future. Alejandro Sanz has sold over 23 million albums worldwide on his way to becoming one of the most successful global figures in contemporary music. Each of his nine studio albums has gone platinum in his native Spain, Latin America and the United States.
“For over two decades, Alejandro Sanz has been one of the most iconic and popular Latin singer/songwriters in the world. His music is timeless and touches the heart and soul. We’re honored to now represent his entire catalog, and that his future will be with Universal Music Publishing,” said Zach Horowitz, Chairman & CEO, UMPG.
“The Universal Music family is very pleased with Alejandro´s decision to expand his relation with Universal Music Publishing, adding to his worldwide record contract his publishing rights. Alejandro keeps portraying the creative vanguard in the Latin world, for over two decades already, and we are all confident that we can contribute to keep it this way in the following years,” said Jesús López, Chairman/CEO, Universal Music Latin America & Iberian Peninsula.
“I am very thrilled to share my catalog with Universal Publishing, a professional team that works with true passion. I have a lot of music and lots to offer and I am very proud to be able to do this with them. I look forward to sharing great songs/hits together,” said Alejandro Sanz.
Sanz’ latest album La Musica No Se Toca debuted at No. 1 in 18 countries, including Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, and was the best-selling Latin pop album in the United States and Puerto Rico for over 25 weeks. All of the album’s singles – “No Me Compares,” “Se Vende,” and “Mi Marciana” – also topped the charts in 18 countries. The album has sold over half a million copies worldwide and has been certified 5x platinum in Spain, 2x platinum in Colombia, 2x platinum in Mexico, platinum in Argentina and Venezuela, and gold in the United States, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Peru, Uruguay, Chile and Central America. Sanz, who has over 10.6 million followers on Twitter and over 4.5 million on Facebook, has also found success outside of the recording studio, appearing as a judge in the Mexican television version of the talent contest The Voice.
Since releasing his album Viviendo Deprisa in 1991, Alejandro Sanz has accumulated over 107 platinum and gold records, and all of his nine albums have become the best-selling album of the year in his native Spain during the respective years they were released. He is the best selling artist of all time in Spain. In addition to his seventeen total Latin Grammy Awards, he’s also won three Grammy Awards. He has collaborated with global superstars like Shakira, Alicia Keys, Emeli Sandé and Tony Bennett.
In 2013, Sanz was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the prestigious Berklee College of Music for his contribution to international culture and music. Among other achievements, in 2012, Sanz took home the Premio a la Excelencia, a lifetime achievement award, at the Los Premios 40 Principales, and he also won Pop Male Artist of the Year award at the 25th annual Lo Nuestro awards. In 2011, he was awarded the Spanish Ministry of Culture's Medal of Merit in Fine Arts, the White House Vision Award for his philanthropic work through the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Award in recognition of his contributions to Latin music. He’s also been recognized for his involvement with organizations such as Save The Children, Greenpeace, and Doctors Without Borders, among others. He was a driving force behind the Positive Generation project for Doctors Without Borders, which aimed to help fight pediatric AIDS in Zimbabwe. In July 2013 he accomplished an expedition of the Artic alongside Greenpeace to witness the effects of global warming firsthand and lobby for its protection.
