Britney Spears has shocked the music world by selling her rights to her entire catalogue to publisher Primary Wave, with paperwork signed on December 30, 2025.
According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the former pop star sold her ownership share for around $200 million USD ($282 million AUD)… too cheap if you ask me!
With hit songs like Oops!… I Did It Again!, Baby One More Time, Gimme More, Circus and Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman, Spears has become one of the most recognisable voices in the world since her debut album was released in 1999.
Why did Britney Spears sell the rights to her music?
Although the 44-year-old has been in the spotlight since childhood, she has not performed live since October 21, 2018, when she closed her Piece of Me tour in Austin, Texas.
That being said, her millions may be beginning to dwindle. Britney may have earned more money last year than most of us will in our lifetime- but her outgoings are no doubt through the roof.
Paying for her security, staff, mansion, kids, ex- husband‘s lifestyle- it all adds up and this deal could be a move to secure financial security.
Free Britney is free… sort of
The pop star was released from her conservatorship in 2021, after 13 years, and in her 2023 memoir, The Woman In Me, she detailed how every aspect of her life was controlled by others.
The book sold 1.1 million copies in the U.S. alone through its first week, and Universal Pictures later announced it had picked up the rights to adapt it.
This deal cements Britney’s first major decision since regaining her freedom, and although it is still a decision which sees her lose the rights to her music, it is still her decision.
What other singers have sold their music catalogue?
Spears is not alone in her decision, Justin Bieber previously sold the rights to his music for $200 million USD back in January 2023.
Bob Dylan also sold his recorded music to Sony Music Entertainment in 2022, and his entire catalogue to the Universal Music Group in 2020, alongside Bruce Springsteen who let go of his music rights to Sony Music for about $500 million in 2021.
What is Primary Wave?
Primary Wave Music is an independent music publishing company founded in 2006 by Lawrence Mestel.
It acts as a self-proclaimed “home for legends,” managing, branding, and promoting iconic songs from artists like Bob Marley, Prince, Whitney Houston, and Nirvana.
Primary Wave also owns the rights to music from Stevie Nicks, and the estates of Prince and Biggie Smalls- at least Britney will be in good company!
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