Justin Bieber could make roughly $200 million by selling his music rights to newly formed Hipgnosis Songs Capital.
The 28-year-old “Love Yourself” singer’s publishing and recorded music catalog would both be part of the sale, which would mark the largest such acquisition for the company, those familiar with the likely deal told The Wall Street Journal.
Though the deal would be significant if it closes, investing in music that has yet to pass the test of time is considered to be a bigger risk than purchasing the rights to decades-old work, according to WSJ. It’s typical for many to listen to new music when it’s initially released but often its popularity wanes over time.
A fellow pop icon named Justin, Justin Timberlake, sold his song catalog rights to the same company earlier in 2022, but for far less. The rights of the former NSYNC star reportedly went for $100 million, sources told WSJ.
Among the works included in Bieber’s catalog are the six studio albums to his name thus far, remix and compilation albums, and a myriad of singles as well as other artists’ tracks like 2017′s “Despacito.” Bieber features prominently on the mega-hit song led by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.
Hipgnosis owes its late 2021 founding to Blackstone and Hipgnosis Song Management Ltd., according to WSJ.
The company is run by Merck Mercruiadis, a reportedly prime figure in the value of recent sales for music rights, who previously counted Beyoncé and Elton John among those he managed.
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