Justin Bieber, one of the best-selling artists of the 21st Century, joins a growing group of artists who have cashed out on their catalogs. The pop star has sold his music rights to Hipgnosis Songs Capital for $200 million.
The deal includes Bieber’s shares of his publishing and recorded-music catalog, Bieber’s interest in his publishing copyrights, including the writer’s share of performance, master recordings, and neighboring rights for his entire back catalog, comprising over 290 titles released before 31 December 2021.
Bieber’s songs will continue to be managed by Universal Music, the singer’s longtime home and his master recordings will continue to always be owned by UMG. The move means Hipgnosis will receive a payment every time a song they own part of is played in public.
Artists are increasingly selling stakes in their work to music funds - including Justin Timberlake and Shakira, who have also struck deals with Hipgnosis.
The Bieber deal would be the largest music-rights purchase for Hipgnosis to date. Earlier this year, the company acquired the song-catalog rights of Justin Timberlake, whose works are a few years older than Bieber’s, in a deal reported to be worth just over $100 million.
While Bieber’s share of hits like “Sorry,” “Love Yourself” and even older tracks like “Baby” is said to be relatively small, they are still massive global hits that for many define an era.
The news arrives during a troubled time for the singer, just weeks after he postponed the remaining dates in his “Justice” tour until an unspecified time “next year.” The tour, which was originally scheduled to launch in 2020, has been postponed or delayed several times, initially due to the pandemic but most recently following his bout with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a rare virus that in his case caused facial paralysis.
It finally launched in March and covered most of North America, but he postponed the remaining dates early in June after announcing his difficulties with the disease.
Covid-19 is a primary factor in the decision of some top artists to sell their catalogs. No touring means no touring income, which means alternative revenue sources must be found for bills to be paid.
Even though Justin hasn't disclosed his reason, the postponements of his tours due to Covid-19 and him being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome seem to be reason enough to assume he's making money out of his music.
