Britney Spears Sells Music Catalog, Other Rights to Primary Wave

In a major music industry transaction, pop icon Britney Spears has finalized an agreement to sell her extensive song catalog to the publishing company Primary Wave. According to two sources who spoke with Variety, the deal also includes an unspecified bundle of additional rights. Representatives for both Spears and Primary Wave chose not to comment on the report, which was initially broken by the outlet TMZ.

While the precise financial terms remain confidential, TMZ's initial reporting estimated the value of the acquisition to be in the low nine-figure range, suggesting a price tag well over one hundred million dollars. This valuation reflects the enduring commercial power of Spears's catalog, which includes early 2000s mega-hits like "...Baby One More Time" and "Toxic" that continue to generate substantial royalties. Industry experts note that such catalog sales have become a defining trend, as artists and estates seek to monetize their legacy assets in a volatile market.

Primary Wave, founded in 2006 by music executive Larry Mestel, has established itself as a dominant force in music publishing by acquiring stakes in the catalogs of legendary artists such as Bob Marley, Stevie Nicks, and Whitney Houston. The company's strategy often involves not just collecting royalties, but actively marketing and expanding the commercial footprint of the music through new sync licenses, brand partnerships, and biographical projects. This acquisition of Spears's work represents a significant expansion of their portfolio into the defining pop music of the millennial era.

The sale marks a notable financial move for Spears, who regained full control of her personal and professional affairs in late 2021 following the termination of a controversial 13-year conservatorship. For Primary Wave, adding one of pop's most recognizable catalogs is a major coup. As one anonymous industry analyst put it, "This isn't just buying songs; it's acquiring a piece of cultural history with proven, multi-generational appeal." Further details regarding the specific songs included and the structure of the deal are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.