Pop singer and Grammy winner Britney Spears has sold the rights to her entire music catalogue to independent publisher Primary Wave in a deal valued at approximately $200 million.
The transaction involved transferring ownership of a body of work that includes some of the defining hits of late 1990s and early 2000s pop music. Spears, 44, built a catalogue spanning nine studio albums since her 1999 debut, selling more than 150 million records globally.
Primary Wave, which also holds rights to catalogues from artists including Prince, Whitney Houston, and the Notorious BIG, has not responded to requests for comment. Representatives for Spears declined to comment on the sale. The deal marks a significant financial move for an artist who spent 13 years under a legal conservatorship that controlled her personal and professional affairs. That arrangement, overseen by her father, ended in 2021 following an extended legal battle that drew international attention to conservatorship practices.
Spears rose to prominence with her 1999 single “…Baby One More Time,” which became a cultural phenomenon and established her as a dominant force in pop music. Subsequent hits including “Oops!… I Did It Again,” “Toxic,” and “Gimme More” cemented her commercial success and influence on the genre.
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The singer has not released solo material since stating in January 2024 that she would never return to the music industry. Her most recent musical output was a 2022 duet with Elton John titled “Hold Me Closer,” which combined elements of his 1971 song “Tiny Dancer” with vocals from Spears.
Precise financial terms of the Primary Wave agreement have not been disclosed publicly, though sources familiar with the matter confirmed the approximate $200 million valuation. The figure places Spears among a growing list of high-profile artists who have monetized their publishing and master recording rights in recent years. Bruce Springsteen sold his catalogue to Sony in 2021 for a reported $500 million, while Justin Bieber struck a deal with Hipgnosis Songs Capital in 2023 estimated at $200 million. Other artists including Justin Timberlake and Shakira have completed similar transactions as the market for music catalogues has expanded.
Primary Wave was founded two decades ago by music executive Lawrence Mestel, who launched the company after acquiring half of Kurt Cobain’s share in the Nirvana catalogue. The publisher has since grown into a major player in catalogue acquisitions, focusing on iconic artists whose work generates consistent revenue through streaming, licensing, and synchronization placements.
The sale comes after several turbulent years in Spears’ personal life. Her conservatorship, established in 2008 following highly publicized struggles with mental health and substance use, gave her father Jamie Spears control over her finances, medical decisions, and career choices. The arrangement drew little public scrutiny for years until fans and advocacy groups began questioning its necessity and scope. The #FreeBritney movement gained momentum on social media, eventually contributing to legal challenges that led to the conservatorship’s termination in November 2021.
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In 2023, Spears published a memoir titled “The Woman in Me,” which detailed her experiences under the conservatorship and addressed various aspects of her career and personal relationships. The book became a commercial success, topping bestseller lists and generating extensive media coverage. Her former husband Kevin Federline, with whom she shares two sons, released his own memoir at the end of 2025 titled “You Thought You Knew.” The publication added to ongoing public interest in Spears’ life and the various figures connected to her story.
Music catalogue sales have become increasingly common as artists seek to capitalize on the stable revenue streams generated by streaming platforms and licensing opportunities. For older artists or those stepping back from active recording careers, selling catalogues offers immediate liquidity rather than waiting for royalty payments to accumulate over time.
Industry analysts note that catalogues from established artists with enduring popularity command premium valuations because their works continue generating income through multiple channels. Spears’ hits remain fixtures on radio, streaming playlists, and in film and television soundtracks, ensuring ongoing revenue.
The structure of catalogue deals varies. Some transactions involve only publishing rights, which cover songwriting and composition, while others include master recordings, which control the actual sound recordings. Full catalogue sales encompassing both rights typically command higher prices. It remains unclear whether Spears’ deal with Primary Wave covers publishing, masters, or both. The company’s previous acquisitions have involved various combinations of rights depending on what the artist or estate controlled.
For Spears, the sale represents a significant financial transaction completed under her own authority following the end of the conservatorship. During those 13 years, major professional decisions required approval from her father or court-appointed representatives.
The transaction also reflects broader trends in the music industry, where catalogue valuations have surged as investors recognize the asset class’s stability compared to traditional equities. Private equity firms and specialized music investment funds have entered the market alongside established publishers, driving up prices.
Whether Spears will pursue other creative or business ventures following the sale remains unknown. Her statement about not returning to music suggested a desire to step away from the industry that defined much of her adult life.
Primary Wave has positioned itself as a partner to artists and estates, offering not just capital but also marketing and brand management services.
