During the last years, several artists have sold their catalogs in big deals as their music rises in value thanks to the streaming era.
The latest concerns the estate of Michael Jackson, which is in talks to sell half of its interest in the singer’s musical catalog in a deal reportedly between $800 million and $900 million.
The package would be the biggest deal to date according to Variety, although several big names have embarked on this booming activity in recent times.
The recent sale of Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber also recently followed the trend by selling his entire catalog to Hipgnosis Songs Capital. for an alleged sum of 200 million dollars.
The company now owns all of the songs the 28-year-old singer released before 2021. This means the company will collect royalties each time one of Bieber’s songs is played from its collection of 290 songs.
“When Justin made the decision to enter into a catalog deal, we quickly found the best partner to preserve and grow this incredible legacy was Merck and Hipgnosis,” said Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun. “For 15 years I have been grateful to witness this journey and today I am happy for everyone who has been on it. Justin’s greatness has only just begun.
Dr.Dre
Shamrock Holdings and Universal Music Group recentlyacquired Dr.Dre’s collection of music revenue streams and other assets in two separate transactions.
The assets, which generate approximately $10 million annually, have been sold for over $200 million. They include artist royalties from two of Dre’s solo albums and his share of NWA artist royalties, his producer royalties, and the author’s share of his catalog of songs that he does not own publishing.
The acquisition of UMG would include the master recording of “The Chronic”, which is set to return to Death Row Entertainment’s Dre in August 2023.
Keith Urban
Litmus Music has acquired Keith Urban’s catalog of master recordings in a deal that includes 10 multi-platinum, platinum, or gold certified studio albums, plus a greatest hits compilation.
The financial terms of the sale have not been made public, but the deal includes future album releases, including one slated for 2023.
“I have the deepest respect for Keith, his incredible talent and his passion for making great music,” said Dan McCarroll, co-founder and chief creative officer of Litmus Music. “He is a musically insatiable musician, record producer, performer and songwriter.”
Huey Lewis and the news
Announcing Primary Wave Music a partnership with multi-platinum rock band Huey Lewis and the News in November 2022.
The deal, which was worth approximately $20 million, encompasses the entire musical catalog of the group marketed from its creation until 1994.
Included in the deal are the hits ‘Heart of Rock & Roll’, Hip to Be Square’, ‘Workin’ For a Livin’ and ‘The Power of Love’, which was written for ‘Back to the Future’.
