The Weeknd Eyes $1B Catalog-Backed Financing, Keeps Rights

The Weeknd is in early talks to secure about $1 billion in financing backed by his music catalog, a move that would allow him to raise capital while preserving ownership of his publishing rights and master recordings. The discussions are being led by Lyric Capital Group, a New York private equity firm that specializes in music royalties, and no final agreement has been announced.

Under the proposed structure, the financing would consist of 500 million in senior debt, 250 million in junior debt, and 250 million in equity. The goal, according to people familiar with the process, is to create a cash-flow-backed package that would be serviced by royalties generated from The Weeknd’s catalog across streaming, licensing, and radio. The agreement would enable the artist to liquidity while continuing to own and control his intellectual property, a model that has gained traction in recent years as musicians seek alternative funding sources beyond traditional record advances.

Key pieces of the arrangement remain in flux. Chord Music Partners currently holds a 50 percent stake in The Weeknd’s publishing catalog, with a consortium that includes Universal Music Group and Dundee Partners....