The Weeknd seals his rumoured $1bn lyric capital catalogue deal
The Weeknd’s back catalogue has just changed hands in a deal rumoured to top $1bn.
The Weeknd has reportedly finalised one of the biggest catalogue deals in music history, sealing a rumoured $1 billion agreement with Lyric Capital. The landmark deal places the Canadian superstar among a growing list of artists cashing in on the long-term value of their music rights as catalogue acquisitions continue to reshape the industry.
The agreement is understood to cover a substantial portion of The Weeknd’s recorded music and publishing catalogue, spanning the global hits that have defined his career over the past decade. While full details have not been publicly disclosed, industry sources suggest the valuation reflects both the scale of his streaming success and the enduring cultural impact of his work.
The Weeknd has built one of the most commercially powerful catalogues of the streaming era, with songs that consistently generate billions of plays across platforms and remain fixtures on global charts years after release. Albums like After Hours and Dawn FM have helped cement his position as one of the most influential pop artists of his generation, making his catalogue especially attractive to investors seeking long-term, stable returns.
Lyric Capital, known for its artist-friendly approach to catalogue investments, has positioned itself as a partner rather than a traditional buyer. The firm typically focuses on preserving artists’ creative legacies while maximising the future value of their work through strategic licensing, sync opportunities and global rights management. That model is believed to have been a key factor in securing the deal.
The reported $1bn figure places the agreement among the largest music catalogue transactions ever, highlighting how elite artists are now able to monetise their work at unprecedented levels. It also reflects broader shifts in the business, as streaming has made catalogue revenues more predictable and attractive to private equity firms and investment funds.
For The Weeknd, the deal offers both financial security and flexibility. Artists who enter into these agreements often retain a degree of creative control while freeing themselves from the long-term administrative burden of rights management. It can also allow them to reinvest in new projects, ventures beyond music, or future releases without the same commercial pressures.
As the music industry continues to evolve, The Weeknd’s agreement with Lyric Capital stands as a clear signal that superstar catalogues remain among the most valuable assets in entertainment. It also reinforces the growing power artists now have to shape how their work is valued, managed and preserved for generations to come.