Mijac Music
The Mijac Music catalogue is a music catalogue founded by American singer songwriter Michael Jackson in 1980. It comprises songs written by Michael Jackson, as well as notable songs performed by Jackson and other artists, including Sly and the Family Stone, Kenneth Gamble, and Leon Huff. The catalogue also includes songs made famous by other artists such as Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, and Aretha Franklin.[1]
History
The publishing rights to the Michael Jackson Mijac catalog were managed by Warner-Chappell from its inception in 1980. In 2005, the catalogue's value was reported to be at least $75 million.[2] Following Jackson's death in 2009, the catalogue's value was estimated to be between $50 million and $100 million, rising to $150 million within a year, according to Billboard.[3][4]
In 2010, John Branca, the executor of Jackson's estate, moved the catalogue from Warner-Chappell to Sony Music Entertainment, granting Sony the rights to administration for 7 years in a deal worth $250 million.[5] This agreement was renewed in 2018 for an additional 7 years, again for $250 million.[6]
Ownership
As of 2024, Michael Jackson's estate holds a 90% share of the catalogue, while Primary Wave Music holds the remaining 10%. In 2024, the estate sold half of Jackson's stake in Mijac Music to Sony Music Entertainment for $600 million, marking the largest deal for a single music artist's assets to date.[7]
References
- ^ "Sony Music Acquires Major Stake in Michael Jackson Catalog, Valued at $1.2 Billion-Plus". 9 February 2024.
- ^ "How Michael Jackson Made $1 Billion Since His Death". Billboard.
- ^ Arango, Tim; Sisario, Ben (27 June 2009). "Jackson's Estate: Piles of Assets, Loads of Debt". The New York Times.
- ^ "How Michael Jackson Made $1 Billion Since His Death". Billboard.
- ^ "Michael Jackson in 'record' $200m music deal". BBC. March 16, 2010. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
- ^ Variety Staff (December 14, 2017). "Michael Jackson Estate and Sony Extend Recorded-Music Deal". Variety. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "Sony Music Acquires Major Stake in Michael Jackson Catalog, Valued at $1.2 Billion-Plus". 9 February 2024.
