Did The Weeknd Just Sell His Catalogue for $1 Billion?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a groundbreaking deal, The Weeknd has sold his music catalogue for over $1 billion, marking a pivotal moment in the music industry. This unique agreement allows him to maintain creative control while securing a lucrative investment, showcasing his influence and the evolving landscape of artist ownership.
Key Takeaways
- The Weeknd has sold his music catalogue for over $1 billion.
- The agreement allows him to retain creative control and ownership.
- This deal is one of the largest for a single artist in music history.
- The Weeknd boasts over 120 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
- The deal excludes any future material beyond 2025.
Los Angeles, Dec 15 (NationPress) The acclaimed singer-songwriter The Weeknd has made headlines with his recent catalogue agreement. The artist has embarked on a significant new business venture that stands out as one of the most notable catalogue transactions ever made by a modern musician.
Representatives for the 35-year-old artist, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, have confirmed the sale of his music catalogue, which includes tracks from the onset of his career until 2025, according to Female First UK.
Lyric Capital Group has acquired a stake in the catalogue. Importantly, Tesfaye and his team will retain control over the creative direction and maintain ownership interests in the new entity.
Insiders involved in the discussions indicate that the deal was meticulously structured to deviate from the conventional format of catalogue sales.
Rather, Tesfaye aimed for a framework that upholds his power over both his master recordings and publishing rights.
This agreement exclusively includes his work released prior to 2025, excluding any future creations.
According to Female First UK, Tesfaye's existing partnerships with XO, Republic Records, and Universal Music Group remain intact, while Universal Music Publishing Group continues to manage his publishing rights.
Variety reported that the deal's valuation exceeds $1 billion, positioning it among the largest catalogue transactions for a single artist ever documented. The only publicly confirmed deal surpassing this is Sony Music's acquisition of Queen's catalogue, valued at approximately $1.27 billion.
The Weeknd's commercial prowess is undeniably strong, boasting over 120 million monthly listeners on Spotify and a global touring presence that recently pushed his After Hours 'Til Dawn tour past the $1 billion revenue milestone.
Ross Cameron, founder/co-managing partner of Lyric, expressed, “I couldn’t be more thrilled about the partnership between Lyric, Abel, and his team. From our initial meeting, it was evident that we were collaborating with individuals poised to revolutionize how an artist views their assets, music, and legacy.”
“This collaboration led to a groundbreaking partnership between an artist and Lyric, and we are extremely excited about this new endeavor,” he added.
Point of View
This deal exemplifies the changing dynamics in the music industry, where artists are increasingly seeking to retain control over their work. The Weeknd's negotiation strategy reflects a growing awareness among artists about the value of their creative assets. This shift could inspire future musicians to prioritize ownership and creative freedom, ultimately reshaping the industry's landscape.
NationPress
17/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the $1 billion deal include?
The deal encompasses The Weeknd's music catalogue from the beginning of his career up until 2025, excluding any future releases.
Who is involved in the deal?
The deal involves The Weeknd and Lyric Capital Group, which has acquired a stake in the catalogue while allowing Tesfaye to maintain creative control.
How does this deal compare to other artist catalogue sales?
This sale is among the largest ever recorded, with only Sony Music's acquisition of Queen's catalogue surpassing it.
