Unexpected musical partnerships that rocked the charts
In January 2022, Justin Bieber sold his catalog at the age of 28. He signed over the rights to all the music he made before 2021, approximately 290 songs, to Hipgnosis Songs Capital for US$200 million.
In 2020, Nobel Prize-winning songwriter Bob Dylan sold his songwriting catalog to Universal Music Publishing for an estimated US$200-300 million. Then in 2022, he sold his recording catalog to Sony Music Entertainment for a further US$150-200 million.
Sting sold his songwriting catalog in 2022 for an estimated US$300 million. It went to Universal Music Publishing and included his solo work as well as songs he wrote for The Police, like 'Roxanne' and 'Every Breath You Take.'
Tina Turner sold her entire music catalog to BMG in 2021 for an estimated US$50 million.
The Queen of Latin Pop also joined the trend in 2021, selling the publishing rights to her song catalog to Hipgnosis. The final cost was not revealed, but it was confirmed to be a multi-million dollar deal.
Folk-rock legend Neil Young sold 50% of his stake in his song catalog to investment company Hipgnosis for an estimated US$150 million in 2022.
In 2022, Neil Diamond sold the rights to his extensive publishing and recording catalog to Universal Music. The figure was not disclosed but estimated values range from US$140-$300 million.
The band Imagine Dragons sold their publishing catalog to Concord in 2020 for more than US$100 million, according to Music Business Worldwide.
In 2023, Dr. Dre sold a selection of his artistic property to Shamrock Holdings and Universal Music Group. The sale included his share of his songwriting catalog, royalties from multiple albums, and much more. Sources say the sale is worth US$200-250 million.
Country music star Keith Urban sold the master recordings of 10 of his albums to Litmus Music for an undisclosed amount.
California rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, led by Anthony Kiedis, sold their publishing rights to Hipgnosis for US$140 million in 2021.
David Guetta sold his recording catalog to Universal Music for a sum rumored to be around US$100 million in 2021. The deal also included future records that the artist makes.
The estate of Luther Vandross sold a stake in the deceased musician's “publishing, master recording income stream, and name and likeness rights” to Primary Wave for US$40 million in 2021.
Metal band Mötley Crüe sold their recording catalog to BMG in 2022. Some sources estimate that it went for as much as US$150 million.
The Godfather of Soul passed away in 2006, leaving behind a precious body of work created over his decades-long career. Brown's estate sold a stake in their publishing rights to BMG in 2021, for an estimated US$90 million.
David Bowie's estate reportedly sold his entire music catalog to Warner Chappell Music for over US$250 million in 2022. The iconic musician passed away in 2016.
The bearded duo ZZ top sold all of their publishing rights and the rights to their royalties to the companies BMG and KKR in 2021. They sold it all for a reported US$50 million.
Puerto Rican star Luis Fonsi, best known for his song 'Despacito' which was later remixed by Justin Bieber, sold his publishing catalog in 2022. It went to HarbourView Equity Partners for an estimated US$100 million.
Justin Timberlake sold his entire song catalog to Hipgnosis for an estimated US$100 million in 2022.
The band Genesis, made up of Phil Collins, Tony Banks, and Mike Rutherford, sold their publishing rights as well as a bundle of other income streams to the Concord Music Group in 2022. They received an estimated US$300 million.
Bob Marley's estate made one of the first major deals in music IP back in 2018. They sold 80% of the late icon's back catalog to Primary Wave for US$50 million.
OneRepublic front man and songwriter Ryan Tedder sold a chunk of his impressive songwriting catalog to KKR in 2021. It was valued at an estimated US$200 million. Tedder has written songs for some of the biggest names in music and his credits include Beyoncé's 'Halo' and Adele’s 'Rumour Has It.'
Huey Lewis and the News sold their entire catalog of music created between 1980 and 1994 to Primary Wave in 2022. The value was estimated to be at least US$20 million.
However, the singer had reportedly signed over exclusive rights to much of his catalog and music royalties to the Pullman Group in 1999 that should last until at least 2059. Pullman argued that the BMG sale violated the 1999 contract and claimed that Brown's estate purposefully arranged it behind their backs. They brought a lawsuit against both BMG and the Brown estate in 2022.
Hip hop super-producer Metro Boomin sold a portion of his catalog publishing rights for an impressive US$70 million. Shamrock Capital—the investment firm that acquired a portion of Dr. Dre's catalog for US$200 million, and famously bought the rights to Taylor Swift's first six albums in 2020—closed the deal with the Atlanta native on March 7, 2023, which included records like Migos' 'Bad and Boujee,' Post Malone and Quavo's 'Congratulations,' and The Weeknd's 'Heartless,' all of which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The group cut a deal with the Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment, who are responsible for the 'ABBA Voyage' hologram shows. KISS were already working with them to create 3D avatars for a full holographic residency, but they've now sold the company their entire music catalog, their name, and their likenesses for a whopping US$300 million!
In the past, the publishing rights to a song would belong to the songwriter and the publisher (companies like Sony and Universal Music), while the recording rights usually belonged to the artist who performed the song and the record labels, with everyone involved earning royalties. However, the music industry is starting to change. From Bob Dylan to Justin Timberlake, it seems everyone and their mother are cutting multi-million dollar deals to sell their song catalogs.
After years of attempted deals and negotiations, Pink Floyd has finally sold their catalog to Sony for an incredible US$400 million. Contentious relationships between band members delayed the sale for years, most notably between the primary songwriters—Roger Waters and David Gilmour. Waters left the group during its peak in 1984 and the pair have been feuding ever since. The deal includes their recorded music, name, and likenesses, meaning Sony now receives royalties and can create merchandise. However, the band decided not to sell their songwriting catalogs, which are still held by the individual writers. They were originally looking for $500 million but experts say Waters' controversial public comments about Russia and Israel devalued their offer.
Click through this gallery to find out which other musicians have taken the plunge, and for how much.
Musicians who sold their song catalogs for millions
Pink Floyd finally sign a deal with Sony for US$400 million
MUSIC Entertainment
In the past, the publishing rights to a song would belong to the songwriter and the publisher (companies like Sony and Universal Music), while the recording rights usually belonged to the artist who performed the song and the record labels, with everyone involved earning royalties. However, the music industry is starting to change. From Bob Dylan to Justin Timberlake, it seems everyone and their mother are cutting multi-million dollar deals to sell their song catalogs.
After years of attempted deals and negotiations, Pink Floyd has finally sold their catalog to Sony for an incredible US$400 million. Contentious relationships between band members delayed the sale for years, most notably between the primary songwriters—Roger Waters and David Gilmour. Waters left the group during its peak in 1984 and the pair have been feuding ever since. The deal includes their recorded music, name, and likenesses, meaning Sony now receives royalties and can create merchandise. However, the band decided not to sell their songwriting catalogs, which are still held by the individual writers. They were originally looking for $500 million but experts say Waters' controversial public comments about Russia and Israel devalued their offer.
Click through this gallery to find out which other musicians have taken the plunge, and for how much.