Britney. Freedom is the right to sell.
Britney fought for 13 years to make her own decisions. One of the first big ones was to sell her music for $200 million.
THE GIST ON BRITNEY: "Freedom Is the Right to Sell"
What did Britney do with her freedom?
Britney Spears spent 13 years fighting for the right to make her own decisions. A few months ago, one of the first big ones she made was to sell the rights to her music. $200 million, to a private equity firm.
What was she freed from?
For 13 years, her father controlled everything: her money, her medication, her diary, her relationships. In November 2021 she won her freedom.
Four years later she sold the rights to Toxic, Baby One More Time and every other hit to a company called Primary Wave.
What did Primary Wave buy?
The future revenue those songs will generate: streams, sync deals and cover licences. They package it as an income stream and sell it on to pension funds and insurance companies.
Britney isn't alone. Kiss sold their entire catalogue to Pophouse for $300 million. Genesis did the same. Every catalogue we love has been turned into a spreadsheet.
Did she sell out?
People say so, but that assumes she should have wanted the songs more than the cash. She performed them, promoted them, toured them and lived them. She's the one who lost 13 years to them, and she's the one who gets to decide what they're worth.
The right to sell what you own is the definition of ownership. You can't be free if you can't cash out. The sale is proof of her freedom, not the end of it. Would you do the same?
Was Britney right to sell her catalogue?
Your take. One tap, then see how everyone else voted.
Quick answers
How much did Britney Spears sell her music rights for?
$200 million, to a company called Primary Wave.
What do buyers like Primary Wave do with a catalogue?
They buy the future revenue from streams, sync deals and cover licences, package it as an income stream and sell it on to pension funds and insurance companies.
Who else has sold their catalogue?
Kiss sold theirs to Pophouse for $300 million, and Genesis did the same.
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