Global superstar The Weeknd has entered one of the most talked-about music deals of the decade after finalizing a groundbreaking partnership with Lyric Capital Group for his music catalogue.
The 35-year-old singer, born Abel Tesfaye, has structured a unique business venture that covers his music masters and publishing from the start of his career through 2025.
Crucially, the deal is not a traditional catalog sale, with The Weeknd and his team retaining creative control, ownership, and shareholder status in the venture.
The Weeknd Pioneers New Model for Artist Ownership
Representatives for The Weeknd confirmed that the artist was never interested in fully selling his catalogue.
“From the beginning of the meeting, it was clear to all at Lyric that Abel would not sell his catalog,” a representative told Variety.
“He wanted to be more innovative and creative in the way we established a partnership.”
The arrangement allows The Weeknd and his team full freedom to execute their creative vision, maintaining control over both publishing and master rights, a structure the representative described as “setting a new standard for artist equity and control.”
What the Weeknd’s Deal Covers
The venture applies only to The Weeknd’s existing catalog through 2025 and does not include future releases.
The artist will continue his longstanding relationship with XO/Republic Records/Universal Music Group, while his publishing remains administered by Universal Music Publishing Group.
Billboard and Bloomberg previously reported that The Weeknd’s catalog assets were valued at a minimum of $1 billion, based on approximately $55 million in annual net label and publisher share.
It remains unclear whether the deal includes additional revenue streams such as merchandise or touring, though representatives for both Lyric Capital and The Weeknd declined to confirm figures.
If accurate, the agreement would rank among the largest catalog deals ever involving a single contemporary artist.
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