In a major move in the music industry, Colombian pop superstar Shakira has sold her entire catalog of 145 songs to Hipgnosis Songs Fund for an undisclosed sum. The deal, announced on March 16, 2021, marks one of the largest artist-owned song catalog sales in recent years.
/Shakira-5f5b59d4b1b6e100365f448e.jpg)
Shakira, known for hits like "Hips Don't Lie" and "Whenever, Wherever," joins a growing list of artists who have sold their music catalogs to investors in the last few years. This trend, fueled by the increasing value of music rights, has seen artists from Bob Dylan to Neil Young sell their catalogs for substantial sums.
The sale includes all of Shakira's compositions and publishing rights, with Hipgnosis acquiring a 100% stake in the catalog. The deal does not include her master recordings, which she retains ownership of.
Hipgnosis, a London-based music investment firm, has been actively acquiring music catalogs since its inception in 2018. The company's portfolio includes the catalogs of artists like Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, and Tim Balme.
Music rights, which include both publishing and master recording rights, have become increasingly valuable in the digital age. With streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music driving revenue growth in the music industry, the value of these rights has skyrocketed.
According to the National Music Publishers Association, the total revenue from music publishing in the US grew by 10.5% in 2020, reaching $1.3 billion. Similarly, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) reported that global recorded music revenue grew by 7.4% in 2020, reaching $21.6 billion.
The sale of Shakira's catalog to Hipgnosis is a testament to the growing value of music rights and the trend of artists selling their catalogs to investors. While the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, industry insiders estimate the sale to be worth over $30 million.
For more information on music rights and the music industry, check out these resources: