In a move that joins the growing trend of musicians selling their music catalogs, British band Culture Club has reportedly struck a deal with Primary Wave Music Publishing. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Culture Club, fronted by iconic lead vocalist Boy George, rose to fame in the 1980s with hits like "Karma Chameleon," "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," and "Time (Clock of the Heart)." Their success earned them various music rights, including publishing and master recording royalties.
According to industry insiders, the sale of music rights has become increasingly popular among artists seeking financial security and liquidity. This trend has been fueled by the rise of music rights investment firms, such as Primary Wave, Hipgnosis Songs Fund, and Kobalt Capital.
Music rights consist of two primary categories: publishing rights and master recording rights. Publishing rights refer to the copyrights to the lyrics and melodies of a song, while master recording rights involve the sound recordings.
Music rights societies, such as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, collect and distribute royalties for songwriters and publishers. These organizations ensure that artists are compensated for the public performance of their music.
Who owns the right to music and how it works can be a complex issue. Generally, songwriters and publishers own the publishing rights, while record labels and artists own the master recording rights. However, the specifics of each agreement can vary greatly.
Culture Club's decision to sell a portion of their music rights to Primary Wave is not an isolated incident. Other notable artists who have made similar moves include Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Stevie Nicks.
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Image Source: Culture Club performing at the 2019 Isle of Wight Festival. Credit: Getty Images