The Weeknd has quietly finalized a landmark deal for his music catalog – and it’s reportedly worth around $1 billion. In an era when many stars are cashing out their song rights, the “Blinding Lights” hitmaker chose a different route. Instead of an outright sale, The Weeknd (born Abel Tesfaye) struck a unique partnership with Lyric Capital that lets him cash in on his hits while still holding the reins. The private equity firm has invested in his catalog from his early mixtape days through 2025, giving them a stake in one of pop’s most-streamed bodies of work – but crucially, the artist and his team retain creative control.
Industry insiders are buzzing that the structure of this deal could redefine how artists monetize their music. “From the beginning, it was clear Abel would not sell his catalog,” a Lyric Capital representative said, explaining that the superstar was determined to find an innovative approach. The result is a first-of-its-kind arrangement that the rep calls “a unique deal setting a new standard for artist equity and control.” In other words, The Weeknd gets a historic payday without handing over the keys to his artistic legacy.
Exact figures haven’t been confirmed by either party, but multiple reports peg the valuation in the billion-dollar range – making it one of the priciest deals ever for a single artist’s catalog. Notably, the agreement covers only The Weeknd’s existing music and does not include future releases, which remain entirely his. By securing a massive influx of capital while keeping ownership of his work, The Weeknd has just raised the bar for how superstar artists can strike business gold and still stay in the driver’s seat.
