List of largest music deals
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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.[b] 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that point.[6] In a short span of years, Neil Diamond signed a $4–5 million deal with Columbia Records, which was later superseded by Paul McCartney's Capitol Records and Elton John's MCA Records deals of $8 million each, as well as Stevie Wonder's 1975 deal with Motown valued at $13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,[c] reaching a new peak in the industry.[8][9] The 1980s saw more contracts of eight figures, including record-breaking Diana Ross's $20 million contract with RCA Records in 1980,[10] or the Rolling Stones with CBS Records for $28 million in 1983.[11] 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,[12][13] making multiple appearances in the Guinness World Records.[14] Up until 2016, only a few recording and multi-rights contracts outpaced the $100 million mark.[15] The largest music deals belong to catalog acquisitions which include songwriting and publishing rights, with an increase in the late 2010s and early 2020s.[16][17] 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,[18][19][15][20][21][22] including Prince's 1992 contract with Warner Bros deriving a contractual dispute.[18] Referred by a contributor from Forbes to as "the best-known and most-cited example" among misadventured contracts,[15] 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.[23]
List of largest recording contracts and multi-right deals
Year | Artist | Music company | Approx deal | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Jay-Z | Live Nation | $150 million | [24] | |
2002 | Robbie Williams | EMI Records | $125 million | Labeled as the largest British record deal in history. | [25] |
2007 | Madonna | Live Nation | $120 million | Labeled as the largest contract deal in history by a female artist. | [26][22][27] |
1995 | Michael Jackson | Sony Music | $100 Million | [28] | |
2001 | Whitney Houston | Arista Records | $100 million | Considered the largest contract in music at that point. | [29] |
2001 | Mariah Carey | Virgin Records | $100–80 million | Considered the largest contract in music at that point. | [23][21][29] |
2008 | Shakira | Live Nation | $100–70 million | [30][31] | |
1996 | R.E.M. | Warner Records | $80 million | Considered the largest contract made by a band and in music industry at that time. | [32][12] |
1996 | Janet Jackson | Virgin Records | $80–70 million | Considered the largest contract in music at that point. | [33][12] |
2008 | Nickelback | Live Nation | $70–50 million | [34] | |
1991 | Michael Jackson | Sony Music | $65–60–50 million[d] | Considered the largest contract in music at that point. | [12][39][13][40] |
1991 | Paul McCartney | Capitol Records | $65 million | [14] | |
1992 | Madonna | Warner Records | $60 million | Considered the largest contract in music for a female pop entertainer at that time. | [12][13][41] |
1992 | Barbra Streisand | Columbia Records | $60–40 million | [12][14] | |
1995 | Metallica | Elektra Records | $60 million | [12] | |
1999 | Backstreet Boys | Jive Records | $60 million | [42] | |
2022 | NBA YoungBoy | Atlantic Records | $60 million | [43] | |
1998 | U2 | PolyGram | $50 million | [44] | |
1991 | Janet Jackson | Virgin Records | $50–40–32 million | Considered the largest contract in music at that point. | [45][46][47] |
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 | Approx deal | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Drake | Universal Music Group | $400 million | [48] | |
1993 | U2 | Island Records | $200 million | [2] | |
2012 | Lil Wayne | Cash Money Records | $150 million | [49] | |
2016 | Adele | Columbia Records | $130 million | Originally reported by British tabloid The Sun, but reported by others as an undisclosed amount. | [15][50][51] |
1992 | Prince | Warner Bros | $100 million | Undisclosed price.[2] | [18] |
2016 | Harry Styles | Columbia Records | $80 million | Sum not confirmed. | [52] |
List of largest music catalog acquisitions
Year | Artist | Purchaser company | Approx deal | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Bruce Springsteen | Sony Music | $550–500 million | Considered the biggest transaction ever struck for a single artist's body of work. | [53][54] |
2020 | Bob Dylan | Universal Music Group | $400–300 million | Undisclosed price. It is a songwriting catalog agreement. | [55][56] |
2022 | Phil Collins Genesis | Concord Music Group | $300 million | [56] | |
2021 | Sting | Universal Music Publishing Group | $300 million | [56] | |
2021 | Paul Simon | Sony Music Publishing | $250 million | [57] | |
2023 | Katy Perry | Litmus Music | $225 million | [58] | |
2023 | Justin Bieber | Hipgnosis Songs Fund | $200 million | [57] | |
2021 | Neil Young | Hipgnosis Songs Fund | $150 million | [56] | |
2022 | Bob Dylan | Sony Music | $150 million | Catalog agreement. | [56] |
Posthumous
Year | Artist | Purchaser company | Approx deal | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Michael Jackson (Estate) | Sony Music Publishing | $750 million | [59] |
2018 | Michael Jackson (Estate) | Sony | $287 million | [60] |
2017 | Michael Jackson (Estate) | Sony | $250 million | [61] |
2010 | Michael Jackson (Estate) | Sony | $250 million | [62] |
2022 | David Bowie | Warner Chappell Music | $250 million | [56] |
See also
- Hollywood accounting
- Lists of most expensive items by category
- Forbes list of highest-earning musicians
- Panayiotou v. Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd.
- Taylor Swift masters dispute
- List of largest book deals
Notes
- ^ Due to high undisclosed reports as well varying estimated figures in certain cases, claims are taken by media
- ^ The list excludes sponsorship deals, broadcasting rights, assets, or other business ventures made by recording artists with enterprises outside of the industry
- ^ Also reported for an amount of $37 million.[7]
- ^ Michael Jackson's 1991 deal with Sony largely vary by estimations. Established figures ranged from $50 million to 60 million and even $65 million. Originally, the deal was even also estimated at $1 billion by early media speculations.[35][36][37][38]
References
- ^ Haring, Bruce (June 3, 1993). "U2 inks 6-album deal with Island Records". Variety. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c EW Staff (June 25, 1993). "The Money Tree". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Buckley, David (2002). R.E.M.: Fiction: An Alternative Biography. Virgin. p. 177. ISBN 1-85227-927-3.
- ^ "Zamecnik Renewe With Fox". The Music Trades. August 2, 1919. p. 45. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Wall, Mick (2010). When Giants Walked the Earth: A Biography of Led Zeppelin. Macmillan Publishers. p. 84. ISBN 978-1-4299-8561-1. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ "Ahmet Ertegun Interview". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 3. January 17, 1998. p. A-56. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Mitchell, Elvis (September 10, 2022). "The Treat: Writer-musician Nabil Ayers on Stevie Wonder's 'Songs in the Key of Life'". KCRW. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Kirsch, Bob (August 16, 1975). "Pricing Tops List of Racker's Beefs". Billboard. Vol. 87, no. 33. p. 1. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Freedland, Nat (August 31, 1974). "The Russ Regan Story". Billboard. Vol. 86, no. 35. p. TC-4. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ "Ebony Interview with Diana Ross". Ebony. Vol. 37, no. 1. November 1981. p. 39. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ "Stones' $28 million deal richest in recording history". UPI. August 26, 1983. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Philips, Chuck (August 25, 1996). "R.E.M., Warner Records Sign $80-Million Deal". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c Knight Ridder (April 21, 1992). "Madonna signs deal 'dramatically greater' than $60 million". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c Matthews, Peter; McWhirter, Norris D. (1994). Largest contrats. The Guinness Book of Records. p. 162. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c d McIntyre, Hugh (May 24, 2016). "$100 Million Record Deals For Music's Superstars: Are They A Good Investment?". Forbes. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Graff, Gary (December 2, 2022). "Why Musical Artists Are Selling Their Catalog Rights". Loudwire. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Ingham, Tim; Wang, Amy X (January 15, 2021). "Why Superstar Artists Are Clamoring to Sell Their Music Rights". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c Savage, Mark (March 3, 2020). "From Prince to Megan Thee Stallion: When record contracts go wrong". BBC. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (April 20, 1992). "Madonna Makes a $60 Million Deal". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Susman, Gary (October 3, 2002). "Who just signed the biggest deal in pop history?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ a b Cochrane, Naima (May 9, 2021). "The Year the Bubble Burst: How 2001 Mega Contracts For Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey Signaled a Shift in the Music Business". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ a b Waddell, Ray (October 16, 2007). "Update: Madonna Confirms Deal With Live Nation". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ a b James, Barry (January 24, 2002). "Mariah Gets Scratched, but With a Glittering Buyout From EMI". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Rys, Dan (May 21, 2017). "Jay Z, Live Nation Enter Into New Long Term Deal, Continue Roc Nation Partnership: Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "Williams' $125 million deal sets record in Britain". Houston Chronicle. October 3, 2002. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Waddell, Ray (September 2, 2009). "Madonna To Set Record With Sticky & Sweet Tour". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "Líneas de ropa y cosméticos, gimnasios, marcas audiovisuales... repasamos la carrera empresarial de Madonna" (in Spanish). LaSexta. August 15, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Sisario, Ben (March 15, 2016). "Sony to Pay Michael Jackson's Estate $750 Million for Stake in Music Catalog". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Billboard Staff (August 3, 2001). "Whitney Houston Inks $100 Million Arista Deal". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "Shakira Leaves Epic, Signs Massive Live Nation Deal". Rolling Stone. July 3, 2009. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ The Hollywood Reporter (May 7, 2012). "Shakira Nears $30 Million Deal With Live Nation, Sony: Report". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ Hochman, David (September 13, 1996). "Warner Bros. Records re-sign R.E.M. for $80 million". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ MTV News Staff (January 12, 1996). "Janet Signs Biggest Deal;So There, Mr. "King Of Pop"". MTV. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Adegoke, Yinka (July 8, 2008). "UPDATE 1-Nickelback joins Live Nation in global deal". Reuters. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (March 21, 1991). "Michael Jackson's Thriller". Washington Post. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ McNary, Dave (March 21, 1991). "Michael Jackson re-signs with Sony - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Rothenberg, Randall (March 21, 1991). "Michael Jackson Gets Thriller of Deal To Stay With Sony". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ "Michael Jackson, A Division Of Sony". Bloomberg News. March 31, 1991. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ "Prince signs $100-million deal". Tampa Bay Times. September 4, 1992. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "Aerosmith to Sign Monster Sony Pac". Los Angeles Times. August 14, 1991. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Palmer, Landon (2020). Rock Star/Movie Star. Oxford University Press. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-19-088842-8. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ MTV News Staff (November 16, 1999). "Backstreet Boys Sign $60 Million Contract". MTV. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "NBA YoungBoy Reveals He Signed $60 Million Record Deal". Rap-Up. August 1, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ MTV News Staff (September 8, 1998). "U2 Signs Pricey Deal For Best Of Albums". MTV. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Banks, Jack (2018). Monopoly Television: Mtv's Quest To Control The Music. Taylor & Francis. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-429-96739-9. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Kennedy, Dana (January 12, 1996). "Janet's Deal of the Decade". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ "Janet Jackson Inks Record $50 Mil. Deal With Virgin Records". Jet. March 25, 1991. p. 60. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Halperin, Shirley (May 3, 2022). "Drake Strikes Massive, Multi-Faceted Deal With Universal Music Group". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ Savage, Mark (May 3, 2012). "Lil Wayne signed $150 million deal?". Stuff. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "Adele Signs $130 Million Sony Deal". Hypebot. May 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Ahmed, Tufayel (May 23, 2016). "Is Adele About to Sign a £90 Million Record Deal?". Newsweek. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "Harry Styles reportedly signs $80 million record deal". RTÉ. July 1, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Sisario, Ben (December 15, 2021). "Bruce Springsteen Sells Music Catalog in Massive Deal". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Roberts, Randall (December 26, 2021). "Bruce Springsteen sells music catalog to Sony in record-breaking, $500-million deal". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Sisario, Ben (December 7, 2020). "Bob Dylan Sells His Songwriting Catalog in Blockbuster Deal". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Dellatto, Marisa (September 29, 2022). "Phil Collins And Genesis Sell Music Rights For Reported $300 Million: Here's How That Compares With Other Rock Icons". Forbes. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Walfisz, Jonny (January 26, 2023). "Justin Bieber sells music catalogue for $200 million: How does his deal compare to other artists?". Euronews. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Aswad, Jem (September 18, 2023). "Katy Perry Sells Catalog Rights to Litmus Music for $225 Million". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ Christman, Ed (September 30, 2016). "Sony Finalizes Acquisition of Michael Jackson Estate's Stake in Sony/ATV Publishing". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Halperin, Shirley (July 31, 2018). "Sony Buys Out Michael Jackson Estate's Remaining Stake in EMI Music Publishing". Variety. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ Variety Staff (December 14, 2017). "Michael Jackson Estate and Sony Extend Recorded-Music Deal". Variety. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Ethan (March 16, 2010). "Sony Places Big Bet on a Fallen 'King'". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on October 29, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
External links
- The $50-Million Rap Master : MCA, Andre Harrell Forge Long-Term Multimedia Deal — Los Angeles Times (1992)
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