In 2021, Iconic Artists Group, a music rights company, announced a deal worth over $100 million to acquire Rod Stewart's music catalogue 1. The deal, one of the largest in music rights history, grants Iconic Artists control over Stewart's recordings and publishing royalties.

The acquisition of Rod Stewart's music catalogue marks a significant move for Iconic Artists Group, which has been actively acquiring music rights from iconic artists. The company's portfolio now includes the catalogues of artists like Quincy Jones, Debbie Harry, and Chaka Khan 2 3.

The music industry has seen a surge in interest in music rights investments in recent years. Companies like Hipgnosis Songs Fund, Primary Wave, and Kobalt Capital have been acquiring music catalogues from various artists, recognizing the value of the steady income streams generated by music royalties 4.

Understanding music rights can be complex. They include various types such as recording rights, publishing rights, and mechanical rights 5. Music rights societies like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC help manage and distribute royalties to artists and publishers 6.

Who owns the rights to a song can be a contentious issue. In the case of Rod Stewart's music catalogue, the acquisition by Iconic Artists Group grants them control over the royalties generated from the recordings and compositions. However, the ownership of the actual compositions may vary, as some songs were written by other artists or co-writers 7.