Rap Genius Lands Licensing Deal With Universal

After gracefully taking a public punishment from Google, things are looking up for Rap Genius, which has landed a licensing deal with Universal Music Publishing, according to Billboard.com.

The Universal deal follows the site’s contract with music publishing giant Sony ATV, and comes two months after the website was targeted by the National Music Publishers Association for possible copyright infringement.

Last month, Google removed RG from its main search page for allegedly scamming blog affiliates for clicks (Google eventually loosened its grip, and the site’s founders talked about the hoopla during stop by the Combat Jack Show last week).

Linking with Universal opens RG up to a rap publishing roster that includes Eminem and the Beastie Boys, as well as singers like Mariah Carey and Adele.

“We love UMPG! They have a truly incredible stable of writers — we will lend them a wheelbarrow for the Grammys they are about to win!” Rap Genius founder Ilan Zechory said in a statementposted on the lyrics site. “Rap Genius lets UMPG’s writers connect with their most obsessed fans, and we couldn’t be more excited about solidifying this partnership.”

[VIA – BET.com]