Mary J. Blige is the latest Black music icon to make a major deal involving her music catalogs. On October 26, 2026, Primary Wave Music announced a partnership covering classics like “Family Affair” and “Be Without You.” Variety reported that Blige sold undisclosed shares of her publishing and recorded music assets, although the ownership percentage and financial terms remain private.
Her agreement joins a growing wave of music catalog sales involving Black artists across hip hop, R&B and soul. These transactions can involve songwriting copyrights, master recordings, royalty income or rights to an artist’s name and likeness. Some artists sell entire interests in specified catalogs, while others transfer partial ownership and retain a share of future earnings.
Whitney Houston’s estate became an early Primary Wave partner in 2019 when the company acquired a 50% interest for a reported $7 million. Bloomberg revealed that the business generated approximately $1.5 million annually at the time, increasing to nearly $8 million four years later as Primary Wave developed licensing, branding, and entertainment opportunities.
Luther Vandross’s estate reached a reported $40 million agreement with Primary Wave in 2021 involving publishing, master recording income and likeness rights. That same year, James Brown’s estate completed an estimated $90 million transaction involving music rights, real estate, and his name and image, as detailed by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Prince’s heirs pursued partial ownership sales instead. Primary Wave purchased inheritance interests from several family members, securing approximately half of his estate. The widely reported $156.4 million figure represented the estate’s agreed valuation for tax purposes, not the company’s purchase price. The Star Tribune documented how the acquisitions divided ownership between Primary Wave and the remaining heirs.
The Notorious B.I.G.’s estate entered a similar partnership in 2025. Primary Wave acquired a 50% interest covering publishing, recordings, and certain publicity rights. The agreement valued Biggie’s estate at more than $200 million, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, although the actual payment was never disclosed. His mother, Voletta Wallace, approved the agreement before her death.
Primary Wave expanded further in 2026, announcing partnerships involving Donna Summer’s estate and Wilson Pickett’s estate. Both agreements involve their music and associated rights, but neither disclosed a purchase price.
Younger artists and producers are also cashing in.
Metro Boomin secured one of hip-hop’s biggest reported publishing deals in 2023 when Shamrock Capital acquired a portion of his existing catalog for nearly $70 million. Billboard reported the transaction involving the producer behind hits for Future, Migos, Drake, and 21 Savage. The exact ownership percentage was not disclosed.
T-Pain offered an especially revealing explanation for selling his music. In February 2025, HarbourView Equity Partners acquired his publishing catalog and select master rights in a transaction reportedly worth $100 million, although the amount was never officially confirmed.
During a July 2026 Twitch livestream, T-Pain explained that declining streaming payouts influenced his decision. He questioned whether music royalties would maintain their value over time and emphasized protecting his children’s financial future.
“I’m not leaving my kids’ future in the hands of the music industry at all,” he said.
Even royalty income connected to newer rappers has attracted investors. In June 2024, Royalty Exchange facilitated a $245,000 sale involving publishing royalties from 20 tracks associated with Rod Wave and the late JayDaYoungan. The package had generated $44,545 during the previous year and attracted 19 offers.
However, the sale involved specific royalty income streams. There is no confirmation that Rod Wave personally sold those rights or received the proceeds. His example demonstrates how investors can purchase earnings associated with an artist’s songs without acquiring the artist’s entire catalog.
Nelly also secured a reported $50 million deal in 2023 involving a 50% interest in select recorded music assets. His agreement with HarbourView included hits such as “Hot in Herre,” “Ride Wit Me,” and “Dilemma,” featuring Kelly Rowland.
Songwriters can receive comparable payouts. Hipgnosis Songs Fund paid The-Dream $23.25 million for a 75% interest in 302 compositions in 2018. Music Business Worldwide confirmed that he retained the remaining 25%. His songwriting credits include major records for Beyoncé and Rihanna.
Future sold publishing rights covering 612 songs released between 2004 and 2020 to Influence Media Partners in 2022. The company’s announcement described an eight-figure transaction involving hits including “Mask Off” and “Life Is Good,” without specifying the payment.
Eve followed in 2024, selling her publishing catalog to Iconoclast in a reported deal valued between $25 million and $50 million. Music Business Worldwide confirmed that the acquisition involved publishing rights, not an announced sale of her entire master recording catalog.
Dr. Dre reportedly arranged separate transactions involving music assets and royalties with Universal Music Group and Shamrock Capital in 2023. Pitchfork reported that the combined deals were expected to exceed $200 million.
Michael Jackson’s estate secured one of the industry’s largest transactions. The Los Angeles Times reported that a court upheld its agreement to sell a portion of Jackson’s music interests to Sony for approximately $600 million.
Tina Turner also sold extensive music interests to BMG in 2021. In March 2026, Pophouse Entertainment acquired a majority interest in those rights from BMG, including associated likeness rights. The new transaction’s price was not disclosed.
These sales can provide immediate access to money that might otherwise take decades to collect through royalties. They also allow artists to diversify investments, fund businesses, or establish financial security for their families. For heirs, the agreements can simplify estate management and create new licensing opportunities.
The tradeoff is ownership and control. Buyers may gain the right to collect future income or authorize commercial uses of music, depending on the contract. Artists who retain partial stakes can continue sharing in royalties, while those who sell all their interests in specified rights give up that future income.
