List of largest music deals explained

The following is a list of the largest music deals in history signed by artists, including recording contracts and multi-rights agreements with over $50 million, as well catalog acquisitions with a reported sum of over $150 million. Some figures might not be entirely accurate, as some multi-million-dollar contracts were reportedly misrepresented or exaggerated,[1] [2] [3] and many were just media estimations. Therefore, no rankings are given.

An early recorded five-figure deal in music history was reported by The Music Trades magazine in the late 1910s, made by American composer John Stepan Zamecnik.[4] The 1960s saw contracts with six-figures such as an advance deal for $143,000 to Led Zeppelin (Atlantic Records) in 1968, then the biggest deal of its kind for a new band.[5] The 1970s saw a rise in millionaire recording contracts, starting with a deal made by The Rolling Stones in 1971, which represented "a new benchmark in industry contracts", according to Billboard, and became the largest contract ever made by that point.[6] In a short span of years, Neil Diamond signed a $4–5 million deal with Columbia Records, which was later superseded by Paul McCartney's Capitol Records and Elton John's MCA Records deals of $8 million each, as well as Stevie Wonder's 1975 deal with Motown valued at $13 million, reaching a new peak in the industry.[7] [8] The 1980s saw more contracts of eight figures, including record-breaking Diana Ross's $20 million contract with RCA Records in 1980,[9] or the Rolling Stones with CBS Records for $28 million in 1983.[10] An increase of blockbuster deals began in the 1990s, with top-signing artists such as Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince each exceeding the $40–60 million marks,[11] making multiple appearances in the Guinness World Records.[12] Up until 2016, only a few recording and multi-rights contracts outpaced the $100 million mark. The largest music deals belong to catalog acquisitions which include songwriting and publishing rights, with an increase in the late 2010s and early 2020s.[13] [14] The Estate of Michael Jackson made the largest posthumous deals, followed by David Bowie.

Multi-million-sized music deals have often raised skepticism and been criticized in corporate terms for bi-directional disadvantages,[15] [16] [17] [18] including Prince's 1992 contract with Warner Bros deriving a contractual dispute. Referred by a contributor from Forbes to as "the best-known and most-cited example" among misadventured contracts,[16] Mariah Carey's 2001 deal with Virgin Records marked "the first time that a major music corporation decided to cut its losses on a superstar agreement", according to The New York Times.

List of largest recording contracts and multi-right deals

YearArtistMusic companyNotes
2008Jay-ZLive Nation$150 million[19]
2002Robbie WilliamsEMI Records$125 millionLabeled as the largest British record deal in history.[20]
2007MadonnaLive Nation$120 millionLabeled as the largest contract deal in history by a female artist.[21] [22]
1995Michael JacksonSony Music$100 Million[23]
2001Whitney HoustonArista Records$100 millionConsidered the largest contract in music at that point. [24]
2001Mariah CareyVirgin Records$100–80 millionConsidered the largest contract in music at that point. [25] [26]
2008ShakiraLive Nation$100–70 million [27] [28]
1996R.E.M.Warner Records$80 millionConsidered the largest contract made by a band and in music industry at that time.[29]
1996Janet JacksonVirgin Records$80–70 millionConsidered the largest contract in music at that point. [30] [31]
2008NickelbackLive Nation$70–50 million[32]
1991Michael JacksonSony Music$65–60–50 millionConsidered the largest contract in music at that point.[33] [34] [35]
1991Paul McCartneyCapitol Records$65 million
1992MadonnaWarner Records$60 millionConsidered the largest contract in music for a female pop entertainer at that time.[36]
1992Barbra StreisandColumbia Records$60–40 million
1995MetallicaElektra Records$60 million
1999Backstreet BoysJive Records$60 million[37]
2022YoungBoy Never Broke AgainMotown$60 million[38] [39]
1998U2PolyGram$50 million[40]
1991Janet JacksonVirgin Records$50–40–32 millionConsidered the largest contract in music at that point. [41] [42] [43]

Media estimations/expectatives

The following are contracts confirmed artists signed with respective record labels, but sums are largely based on media speculations.

Year! Artist! Music company! ! Notes! class="unsortable"
2022DrakeUniversal Music Group$400 million[44]
1993U2Island Records$200 million
2012Lil WayneCash Money Records$150 million[45]
2016AdeleColumbia Records$130 millionOriginally reported by British tabloid The Sun, but reported by others as an undisclosed amount.[46] [47]
1992PrinceWarner Bros$100 millionUndisclosed price.[48]
2016Harry StylesColumbia Records$80 millionSum not confirmed.[49]

List of largest music catalog acquisitions

YearArtistPurchaser companyNotes
2021Bruce SpringsteenSony Music$550–500 millionConsidered the biggest transaction ever struck for a single artist's body of work.[50] [51]
2020Bob DylanUniversal Music Group$400–300 millionUndisclosed price. It is a songwriting catalog agreement.[52]
2022Phil Collins
Genesis		Concord Music Group$300 million[53]
2021StingUniversal Music Publishing Group$300 million
2021Paul SimonSony Music Publishing$250 million
2023Katy PerryLitmus Music$225 million[54]
2023Justin BieberHipgnosis Songs Fund$200 million[55]
2021Neil YoungHipgnosis Songs Fund$150 million
2022Bob DylanSony Music$150 millionCatalog agreement.

Posthumous

Year! Artist! Purchaser company! ! class="unsortable"
2016Michael Jackson (Estate)Sony Music Publishing$750 million[56]
2018Michael Jackson (Estate)Sony$287 million[57]
2017Michael Jackson (Estate)Sony$250 million[58]
2010Michael Jackson (Estate)Sony$250 million[59]
2022David BowieWarner Chappell Music$250 million

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. U2 inks 6-album deal with Island Records. Variety. June 3, 1993. September 4, 2023. Bruce. Haring.
  2. The Money Tree. Entertainment Weekly. June 25, 1993. September 4, 2023. EW Staff.
  3. Book: Buckley, David. 177. R.E.M.: Fiction: An Alternative Biography. Virgin. 2002. 1-85227-927-3.
  4. Zamecnik Renewe With Fox. The Music Trades. August 2, 1919. September 4, 2023. 45.
  5. Book: Wall, Mick. When Giants Walked the Earth: A Biography of Led Zeppelin. Macmillan Publishers. 2010. September 6, 2023. 84. 978-1-4299-8561-1 . Mick Wall.
  6. Ahmet Ertegun Interview. Billboard. January 17, 1998. September 5, 2023. A-56. 112. 3.
  7. Pricing Tops List of Racker's Beefs. Billboard. August 16, 1975. September 5, 2023. 1. Bob. Kirsch. 87. 33.
  8. The Russ Regan Story. Billboard. August 31, 1974. September 5, 2023. TC-4. Nat. Freedland. 86. 35.
  9. Ebony Interview with Diana Ross. Ebony. November 1981. September 5, 2023. 39. 37. 1.
  10. Web site: Stones' $28 million deal richest in recording history. UPI. August 26, 1983. September 5, 2023.
  11. News: Madonna signs deal 'dramatically greater' than $60 million. The Baltimore Sun. April 21, 1992. September 5, 2023. Knight Ridder. Knight Ridder.
  12. Book: Largest contrats. The Guinness Book of Records. 1994. September 5, 2023. Peter. Matthews. Norris D.. McWhirter. 162.
  13. Why Musical Artists Are Selling Their Catalog Rights. Loudwire. December 2, 2022. September 5, 2023. Gary. Graff.
  14. Why Superstar Artists Are Clamoring to Sell Their Music Rights. Rolling Stone. January 15, 2021. September 5, 2023. Tim. Ingham. Amy X. Wang.
  15. News: Madonna Makes a $60 Million Deal. The New York Times. April 20, 1992. September 5, 2023. Stephen. Holden. Stephen Holden. subscription. March 17, 2014. https://archive.today/20140317051732/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/20/arts/madonna-makes-a-60-million-deal.html.
  16. $100 Million Record Deals For Music's Superstars: Are They A Good Investment?. Forbes. May 24, 2016. September 4, 2023. Hugh. McIntyre.
  17. Who just signed the biggest deal in pop history?. Entertainment Weekly. October 3, 2002. September 4, 2023. Gary. Susman.
  18. Update: Madonna Confirms Deal With Live Nation. Billboard. October 16, 2007. September 4, 2023. Ray. Waddell.
  19. Jay Z, Live Nation Enter Into New Long Term Deal, Continue Roc Nation Partnership: Exclusive. Billboard. May 21, 2017. September 4, 2023. Dan. Rys. subscription. September 4, 2023. https://archive.today/20230904062322/https://www.billboard.com/pro/jay-z-live-nation-enter-into-new-long-term-deal-continue-roc-nation/.
  20. Web site: Williams' $125 million deal sets record in Britain. Houston Chronicle. October 3, 2002. September 4, 2023.
  21. Madonna To Set Record With Sticky & Sweet Tour. Billboard. September 2, 2009. September 4, 2023. Ray. Waddell.
  22. Web site: Líneas de ropa y cosméticos, gimnasios, marcas audiovisuales... repasamos la carrera empresarial de Madonna. LaSexta. August 15, 2018. September 27, 2023. es.
  23. News: Sisario . Ben . March 15, 2016. Sony to Pay Michael Jackson's Estate $750 Million for Stake in Music Catalog. The New York Times . September 15, 2023. September 27, 2023. https://archive.today/20230927171259/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/business/media/sony-to-pay-michael-jacksons-estate-750-million-for-stake-in-music-catalog.html. subscription.
  24. Whitney Houston Inks $100 Million Arista Deal. Billboard. August 3, 2001. September 4, 2023. Billboard Staff.
  25. News: Mariah Gets Scratched, but With a Glittering Buyout From EMI. The New York Times. January 24, 2002. September 4, 2023. Barry. James. subscription. https://archive.today/20200721180306/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/24/news/mariah-gets-scratched-but-with-a-glittering-buyout-from-emi.html. July 21, 2020.
  26. The Year the Bubble Burst: How 2001 Mega Contracts For Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey Signaled a Shift in the Music Business. Billboard. May 9, 2021. September 4, 2023. Naima. Cochrane. subscription. September 4, 2023. https://archive.today/20230904080027/https://www.billboard.com/pro/whitney-houston-mariah-carey-2001-contracts/.
  27. Shakira Leaves Epic, Signs Massive Live Nation Deal. Rolling Stone. July 3, 2009. September 4, 2023. subscription. https://archive.today/20230904144742/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/shakira-leaves-epic-signs-massive-live-nation-deal-249220/. September 4, 2023.
  28. Shakira Nears $30 Million Deal With Live Nation, Sony: Report. Billboard. May 7, 2012. September 6, 2023. The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter.
  29. Warner Bros. Records re-sign R.E.M. for $80 million. Entertainment Weekly. September 13, 1996. September 4, 2023. David. Hochman.
  30. Web site: Janet Signs Biggest Deal;So There, Mr. "King Of Pop". https://web.archive.org/web/20230904155117/https://www.mtv.com/news/eymif7/janet-signs-biggest-dealso-there-mr-king-of-pop. dead. September 4, 2023. MTV. January 12, 1996. September 4, 2023. MTV News Staff.
  31. News: R.E.M., Warner Records Sign $80-Million Deal. Los Angeles Times. August 25, 1996. September 4, 2023. Chuck. Philips. Chuck Philips. subscription. September 4, 2023. https://archive.today/20230904142613/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-25-mn-37596-story.html.
  32. Web site: UPDATE 1-Nickelback joins Live Nation in global deal. Reuters. July 8, 2008. September 4, 2023. Yinka. Adegoke.
  33. News: Prince signs $100-million deal. Tampa Bay Times. September 4, 1992. September 4, 2023. https://archive.today/20230905163154/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/09/04/prince-signs-100-million-deal/. September 5, 2023. subscription.
  34. News: Madonna signs deal 'dramatically greater' than $60 million. The Baltimore Sun. April 21, 1992. September 5, 2023. Knight Ridder. Knight Ridder.
  35. News: Aerosmith to Sign Monster Sony Pac. Los Angeles Times. August 14, 1991. September 5, 2023. https://archive.today/20230905182911/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-14-ca-551-story.html. September 5, 2023. subscription.
  36. Book: Palmer, Landon. Rock Star/Movie Star. Oxford University Press. 2020. September 6, 2023. 203. 978-0-19-088842-8 .
  37. Web site: Backstreet Boys Sign $60 Million Contract. https://web.archive.org/web/20230904151206/https://www.mtv.com/news/0d3rlj/backstreet-boys-sign-60-million-contract. dead. September 4, 2023. MTV. November 16, 1999. September 4, 2023. MTV News Staff.
  38. NBA YoungBoy Reveals He Signed $60 Million Record Deal. Rap-Up. August 1, 2022. September 4, 2023.
  39. 2022-10-24. YoungBoy Never Broke Again Signs With Motown. Stutz. Colin. 2024-07-19. Billboard.
  40. Web site: U2 Signs Pricey Deal For Best Of Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20230905183934/https://www.mtv.com/news/st7ls0/u2-signs-pricey-deal-for-best-of-albums. dead. September 5, 2023. MTV. September 8, 1998. September 4, 2023. MTV News Staff.
  41. Book: Banks, Jack. Monopoly Television: Mtv's Quest To Control The Music. Taylor & Francis. 2018. September 27, 2023. 148. 978-0-429-96739-9 .
  42. Janet's Deal of the Decade. Entertainment Weekly. January 12, 1996. September 27, 2023. Dana. Kennedy.
  43. Janet Jackson Inks Record $50 Mil. Deal With Virgin Records. Jet. March 25, 1991. September 27, 2023. 60.
  44. Drake Strikes Massive, Multi-Faceted Deal With Universal Music Group. Variety. May 3, 2022. September 6, 2023. Shirley. Halperin.
  45. Web site: Lil Wayne signed $150 million deal?. Stuff. May 3, 2012. September 4, 2023. Mark. Savage.
  46. Web site: Adele Signs $130 Million Sony Deal. Hypebot. May 2016. September 4, 2023.
  47. Web site: Is Adele About to Sign a £90 Million Record Deal?. Newsweek. May 23, 2016. September 4, 2023. Tufayel. Ahmed.
  48. Web site: From Prince to Megan Thee Stallion: When record contracts go wrong. BBC. March 3, 2020. September 4, 2023. Mark. Savage.
  49. Web site: Harry Styles reportedly signs $80 million record deal. RTÉ. July 1, 2016. September 4, 2023.
  50. News: Bruce Springsteen Sells Music Catalog in Massive Deal. The New York Times. December 15, 2021. September 5, 2023. Ben. Sisario. Ben Sisario. subscription. December 16, 2021. https://archive.today/20211216051118/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/15/arts/music/bruce-springsteen-sells-music-catalog.html.
  51. News: Bruce Springsteen sells music catalog to Sony in record-breaking, $500-million deal. Los Angeles Times. December 26, 2021. September 4, 2023. subscription. Randall. Roberts. https://archive.today/20211216210410/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-12-16/bruce-springsteen-500-million-master-recordings-publishing. December 16, 2021.
  52. News: Bob Dylan Sells His Songwriting Catalog in Blockbuster Deal. The New York Times. December 7, 2020. September 5, 2023. Ben. Sisario. Ben Sisario. subscription. December 7, 2020. https://archive.today/20201207165137/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/07/arts/music/bob-dylan-universal-music.html.
  53. Phil Collins And Genesis Sell Music Rights For Reported $300 Million: Here's How That Compares With Other Rock Icons. Forbes. September 29, 2022. September 5, 2023. Marisa. Dellatto. subscription. September 5, 2023. https://archive.today/20230905153703/https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/09/29/phil-collins-and-genesis-sell-music-rights-for-reported-300-million-heres-how-that-compares-with-other-rock-icons/?sh=47edb623738f.
  54. Web site: Katy Perry Sells Catalog Rights to Litmus Music for $225 Million. September 18, 2023. September 18, 2023. Variety. Jem. Aswad.
  55. Web site: Justin Bieber sells music catalogue for $200 million: How does his deal compare to other artists?. Euronews. January 26, 2023. September 4, 2023. Jonny. Walfisz.
  56. Sony Finalizes Acquisition of Michael Jackson Estate's Stake in Sony/ATV Publishing. Billboard. September 30, 2016. September 5, 2023. Ed. Christman. subscription. September 5, 2023. https://archive.today/20230905160753/https://www.billboard.com/pro/sony-atv-michael-jackson-publishing-acquisition-completed/.
  57. Sony Buys Out Michael Jackson Estate's Remaining Stake in EMI Music Publishing. Variety. July 31, 2018. September 8, 2023. Shirley. Halperin.
  58. Michael Jackson Estate and Sony Extend Recorded-Music Deal. Variety. December 14, 2017. September 8, 2023. Variety Staff.
  59. News: Sony Places Big Bet on a Fallen 'King'. The Wall Street Journal. March 16, 2010. September 5, 2023. Ethan. Smith. subscription. October 29, 2015. https://archive.today/20151029202510/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704588404575124023860735864.

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