Britney Spears Sells Music Rights for Billions

Pop superstar Britney Spears has sold the rights to her entire musical catalogue to the publishing company Primary Wave. The deal, finalised on 30 December, is reported to be worth approximately $200 million (around ৳2,440 crore), marking one of the most significant music rights sales in recent years.

Spears, who debuted in 1999, has released nine studio albums and sold over 150 million records worldwide, establishing herself as one of the defining pop icons of her generation. She achieved global fame with hits such as “…Baby One More Time”, “Oops!… I Did It Again”, and “Toxic”, songs that continue to resonate with audiences across generations.

Following her 2022 collaboration with Elton John on “Hold Me Closer”, Spears has not released any new music. In January 2024, she confirmed that she would not be returning to the music industry, effectively ending her career as a recording artist.

Britney’s personal and professional life has long been under intense scrutiny. At the age of 26, she was placed under a legal conservatorship controlled by her father, Jamie Spears, which gave him authority over her finances and personal decisions. After 13 years of this conservatorship, she regained her freedom in 2021. In 2023, Spears published her memoir, The Woman in Me, in which she chronicled her struggles during this period.

Primary Wave was founded by music executive Lawrence Mestel over 20 years ago, beginning with the acquisition of 50% of Kurt Cobain’s song rights. The company has since purchased rights from numerous high-profile artists.

Other stars, including Justin Timberlake and Shakira, have also sold portions of their music rights, reflecting a growing trend among artists to monetise their back catalogue. Spears’ decision to sell her catalogue represents both a financial milestone and a symbolic closure to a tumultuous career, ensuring her music will continue to generate revenue and influence the pop landscape for years to come.