In recent years, there has been a growing trend of private equity firms and other investors acquiring music rights. This is driven by a number of factors, including the increasing value of music assets, and the growing demand for music streaming services.
According to reports, the global music streaming market size is expected to reach $103.07 billion by 2030. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 14.7% from 2022 to 2030.
This growing interest can be seen as a positive trend for the music industry. It signifies a heightened demand for music and acknowledges the importance of compensating artists and songwriters for their creative endeavors. Additionally, this trend creates new opportunities for investors to participate in and contribute to the music industry.
HarbourView Equity Partners is a global investment firm focused on investment opportunities in the entertainment and media space. The firm was founded in 2021 by Sherrese Clarke Soares, a veteran investment banker with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment and media industry.
HarbourView Equity Partners’ investment strategy is to acquire music rights from artists and labels, and then leverage those rights in a variety of ways. This includes licensing the music for use in films, television shows, and commercials; creating new derivative works from the music; and distributing the music through digital platforms.
Since launching in 2021, the firm has acquired a diverse portfolio featuring thousands of titles spanning numerous genres, eras, and artists, and comprising over 20,000 songs across both master recordings and publishing income streams.
This month alone, HarbourView Equity Partners has made at least two high-profile acquisitions of music assets. Yesterday, the firm announced the acquisition of a royalty income stream of select recorded music assets from Grammy-winning rapper, Nelly. The deal included some of Nelly’s most popular tracks, such as “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma.”
In a press release, Clarke Soares said, “This catalog has made an incredible impact on generations of fans. Works such as, ‘Hot in Herre’ and ‘Shake Ya Tailfeather’ defined an era of music of a unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and country music that is undeniable. We are thrilled to add these influential pieces to our repertoire and work with the team to continue supporting the artistry within our ecosystem.”
That same day, the firm also announced that it had reached an agreement with Wiz Khalifa, for a portion of his catalog. The deal includes “See You Again,” “Black and Yellow,” and “The Thrill,” and spans “the rapper’s prolific career across dozens of albums, mixtapes, and collaborations with some of the biggest names in entertainment.” The financials of this exchange have yet to be revealed.
Clarke Soares spoke on the acquisition. “Wiz Khalifa has already made a profound impact on culture as a musician, executive, media visionary, and creative force,” she said. “We celebrate his talent and creativity and are thrilled to welcome him and his team to the HarbourView family today.”
Wiz Khalifa himself added, “Sherrese and HarbourView truly understand the value of music and artistry. We are excited to partner with them as they continue to build a dynamic media company that is in line with the values and goals we all have here.”
In addition to music assets, HarbourView Equity Partners also invests in other types of entertainment assets. In March, the firm made its first major investment in the film and TV space, announcing its investment in MACRO, the multi-platform media company, founded by Charles D. King.
This deal brings together two respected Black-owned businesses in the entertainment world. Both Soares and King share a common vision of promoting diversity and authenticity in content creation.
Harbourview’s investment is part of a new $90+ million investment in MACRO. The investment capital will be used to scale and expand operations across MACRO’s existing business verticals, and diversify its revenue streams.
The entertainment industry is constantly changing, but one thing that remains constant is the demand for music. As new technologies emerge and new ways of consuming music are developed, the value of music rights is only likely to increase.
by Tony O. Lawson
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