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KISS -

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!

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Metro Boomin -

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. 

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Justin Bieber -

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.

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Bruce Springsteen - "The Boss" sold his entire catalog to Sony Music Entertainment for a cool US$500 million in 2021.

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Bob Dylan -

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.

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Stevie Nicks - Stevie Nicks sold the majority of her catalog to the publisher and talent management company Primary Wave in 2020. It included her solo work (songs like 'Edge of Seventeen') as well as songs she wrote for Fleetwood Mac, such as 'Landslide' and 'Dreams.' The deal signed over around 80% of her body of work for an estimated US$100 million.

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Bob Marley (1945-1981) -

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.

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Sting -

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.'

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Tina Turner -

Tina Turner sold her entire music catalog to BMG in 2021 for an estimated US$50 million.

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Neil Young -

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.

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Red Hot Chili Peppers -

California rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, led by Anthony Kiedis, sold their publishing rights to Hipgnosis for US$140 million in 2021.

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Dr. Dre -

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.

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David Guetta -

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.

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Neil Diamond -

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.

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Luther Vandross (1951-2005) -

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.

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James Brown (1933-2006) -

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.

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James Brown (1933-2006) -

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.

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David Bowie (1947-2016) -

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.

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Mötley Crüe -

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.

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Justin Timberlake -

Justin Timberlake sold his entire song catalog to Hipgnosis for an estimated US$100 million in 2022.

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Calvin Harris - Calvin Harris is another one of the younger artists to sell his catalog while much of his career is likely still ahead of him. He sold his impressive collection of modern hits to Vine Alternative Investments in 2020 for an estimated US$100 million.

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Genesis -

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.

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Paul Simon - Paul Simon sold his entire songwriting catalog to Sony Music Publishing in 2021, including songs he wrote during his solo career and his time with Simon and Garfunkel. The deal was closed for an undisclosed sum.

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ZZ Top -

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.

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Imagine Dragons -

The band Imagine Dragons sold their publishing catalog to Concord in 2020 for more than US$100 million, according to Music Business Worldwide.

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Keith Urban -

Country music star Keith Urban sold the master recordings of 10 of his albums to Litmus Music for an undisclosed amount.

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Luis Fonsi -

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.

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Shakira -

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.

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Ryan Tedder -

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.'

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Huey Lewis and the News -

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.

See also: The most prolific bands and singers on the planet

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