LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) – In what is being heralded as one of the most substantial valuations in the history of a musician’s music assets, according to Billboard, Sony Music Group has inked a landmark agreement to acquire half of Michael Jackson’s publishing and recorded masters catalog. The deal is estimated to value the assets at over $1.2 billion, potentially reaching $1.5 billion, with Sony set to pay a minimum of $600 million for its stake. This transaction is now considered the most expensive for an artist’s work and assets.
The King of Pop, who passed away in 2009, is heavily played on music streaming services like Spotify, where he averages 40 million monthly listeners. According to the BBC, two of his countless hits, “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” have each been played more than one billion times on Spotify alone. Jackson’s estate continues to generate substantial income, with sales and streams of his music on the rise. His popularity has grown, particularly in the streaming era, with Luminate reporting a 37% increase in album equivalent units from 2020 to 2023. According to the Guinness World Records, his 1982 album Thriller is still the best-selling record of all time.
The deal encompasses material owned by Jackson’s Mijac publishing catalog, incorporating non-Jackson-authored songs from legendary artists such as Sly & the Family Stone, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jackie Wilson, Curtis Mayfield, Ray Charles, Percy Sledge, and Dion. However, it excludes royalties from Broadway productions and other theatrical endeavors featuring Jackson’s music.
The renewed interest in Jackson’s music and the upcoming biopic Michael, set for release in 2025, is anticipated to bolster his fanbase further and contribute to increased revenue for his estate. Notably, the deal solidifies Sony’s extensive involvement in Jackson’s catalog, with past acquisitions totaling over $2 billion.
This strategic move underscores Sony’s stance in acquiring assets within the music industry. The transaction leaves Primary Wave’s stake in place, which is estimated to be around 10% of Jackson’s publishing assets.
