In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global music industry, Canadian megastar The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, has finalised a landmark business venture involving his music catalogue valued at a staggering $1 billion USD. This development, first reported by Variety on Saturday, December 13, 2025, represents a seismic shift in how top-tier artists manage their life's work.
A Partnership, Not a Sale: Redefining Artist Control
Contrary to sensational headlines suggesting a simple sell-off, this deal is a sophisticated partnership. The 35-year-old singer has teamed up with Lyric Capital Group in an arrangement that sees the firm invest in his catalogue from its inception through to 2025. Crucially, The Weeknd retains ownership and creative control.
This structure marks a clear departure from the recent trend where legends like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, or contemporaries like Justin Bieber and Katy Perry, cashed out their future royalties for immediate, massive paydays. A representative for The Weeknd confirmed to Variety that he and his team will remain shareholders and owners, maintaining the freedom to execute their creative vision.
"From the beginning of the meeting, it was clear to all at Lyric that Abel would not sell his catalogue," the representative stated. "This unique catalogue deal sets a new standard for artist equity and control."
The $1 Billion Valuation: How It Stacks Up
The sheer size of this valuation places The Weeknd in an exclusive club previously reserved for music's most enduring legends. To put the figure in perspective, only a handful of deals have reached this billion-dollar threshold.
Sony Music acquired Queen's catalogue for about $1.27 billion, while a 50% stake in Michael Jackson's assets was valued at $1.25 billion. For a contemporary artist still releasing chart-topping music, this is almost unprecedented. Compare this to his peers: Justin Bieber's catalogue went for $200 million, and Katy Perry's for $225 million.
The deal applies only to music masters and publishing through 2025 and excludes future releases. The Weeknd continues his partnership with XO/Republic/Universal Music Group. While not a conventional sale, industry sources like Billboard and Bloomberg had previously valued the assets at a minimum of $1 billion based on about $55 million in annual earnings.
Why Lyric Capital Bet Big on The Weeknd
The massive investment is a bet on The Weeknd's unparalleled commercial power and enduring appeal. The data supporting this bet is formidable.
He currently boasts over 120 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and his hit "Blinding Lights" is the most-streamed track of all time. However, his live performance revenue is perhaps the most compelling metric. By extending his "After Hours Till Dawn Tour" into 2025, The Weeknd has officially joined the elite billion-dollar tour club, a feat achieved only by Taylor Swift and Coldplay.
The tour has grossed over $1 billion in ticket sales, making it the top-earning tour by a solo male artist in history. A single run of four sold-out nights at Los Angeles's SoFi Stadium grossed a whopping $34 million. Ross Cameron, Lyric's founding partner, praised the innovative approach: "...we were sitting around the table with individuals that were going to change the way an artist thinks about his assets, music and legacy."
This deal signifies a pivotal moment. Instead of cashing out or fighting to buy back his rights like Taylor Swift did, The Weeknd has leveraged his peak stardom to secure monumental investment while keeping the keys to his kingdom. He has secured the liquidity of a billionaire mogul with the creative freedom of an independent artist, rewriting the rules for modern superstardom as he prepares for 48 more shows in 2026.
