Blog Catalog Gold Rush: Why everyone’s buying music rights and what comes next
We’re seeing some of the most iconic catalogs in music history reach unicorn status. Valuations are hitting billions, and the rush to acquire legacy IP is changing the game.
Over the past few years, music catalog acquisitions have become one of the hottest trends in the music industry. From legacy icons to pop powerhouses, artists are selling their catalogs for UNICORN NUMBERS, rightfully so, and it’s not just labels throwing bags of money at them. Distributors, tech platforms, and even private equity firms are now squabbling to secure pieces of music history, history that formed culture and culture that will be remembered as some of the most iconic times in human history (I challenge you to name a more impactful time in human music history outside of the last 80 years). So what’s driving this catalog gold rush, what does this all mean, what does music consumption and fan engagement, and dare I say… even Super fandom look like tomorrow?
At StreamPush, we’re MusicTech die-hards... Bruce Willis would have a tough time around us, we’re always looking at WTF is shaping music culture and strategy. Here’s our take on the catalog boom, and where we believe things are heading next, because at the moment... roads? Where we’re going, we won't need roads.
A Billion-Dollar business
In the last 24 months alone, we've seen some of the largest deals in music history:
Queen sold their catalog for a reported $1.27 billion.
Michael Jackson’s estate sold a 50% stake in his music rights to Sony Music Entertainment at a valuation of over $1.2 billion.
Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, and Bob Dylan all secured deals ranging from $200M to $500M.
But these deals aren’t just about nostalgia. They’re business plays, strategic investments in IP that continue to perform well, particularly in the streaming economy. These catalogs generate predictable, long-tail revenue from platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. And more importantly, they can be revived, rebranded, and repackaged for new generations of fans.
Why music catalogs sell for millions?
Why are so many players getting involved?
It’s not just major labels and legacy publishers anymore. A new wave of players is entering the catalog space:
- Distributors are acquiring indie catalogs to increase long-term valuation and control over IP
- Music tech platforms are packaging rights into new formats: everything from NFTs to immersive audio experiences
- Streaming services are investing in catalogs to anchor audience retention and brand equity
- Even VCs and private equity funds now treat music catalogs like stable assets, comparable to real estate or blue-chip stocks
This flood of investment means one thing: the competition for fan attention is about to get even more creative.
New power players in the Catalog space
The landscape of music catalog acquisitions is rapidly evolving, with significant moves by key industry players reshaping how music is monetized and experienced. At StreamPush, the mission is to stay committed and at the forefront of these developments. Our tools empower artists and rights holders to maximize the value of their catalogs through innovative, artist-friendly solutions.
Create Music Group's strategic acquisitions
In December 2024, Create Music Group acquired a 50% stake in UK-based label and publisher Enhanced Music, a long-standing StreamPush client. Founded by Will Holland, Enhanced is known for its genre-defining labels, including Enhanced Recordings, Colorize, Enhanced Progressive, Shapes of Solitude, and Enhanced Chill. With billions of streams and multiple chart-topping releases under its belt, Enhanced has helped shape the modern dance music landscape while maintaining a deep focus on artist development and curation.
The deal includes both label and publishing rights, covering works by top-tier artists such as The Chainsmokers, Tiësto, Steve Aoki, Regard, Elley Duhé, and more. For CMG, the acquisition aligns with a broader strategy of investing in growth-ready labels with one-stop rights and deep genre credibility. For Enhanced, it opens up the opportunity to scale its vision globally while maintaining the values that made it a trusted tastemaker in electronic music.
As Enhanced continues its next chapter with CMG, its partnership with StreamPush reflects a forward-thinking approach to catalog activation. It leverages 24/7 live streaming to keep music constantly discoverable, connect with niche audiences, and create new revenue pathways without compromising artistic integrity.
In March 2025, Create Music Group made headlines with its acquisition of deadmau5's extensive catalog and that of his label, MAU5TRAP RECORDINGS, in a deal valued at over $55 million. This acquisition encompasses master recordings and publishing rights for more than 4,000 songs. Beyond the acquisition, CMG and deadmau5 have formed a joint venture aimed at remastering and re-releasing key tracks, launching new content, and exploring emerging media avenues such as gaming, virtual reality, and live streaming to expand the catalog's reach and revenue streams.
Following this, in April 2025, CMG acquired the independent electronic label !K7 Music. This strategic move aims to preserve the label's legacy while scaling its vision.
Armada Music’s Beat Music Fund
Another noteworthy development is Armada Music's launch of the BEAT Music Fund, a venture designed to invest in and acquire electronic dance music catalogs. This initiative reflects a growing trend among labels to not only acquire but actively manage and revitalize music catalogs, ensuring that timeless tracks remain relevant and accessible to new audiences. As a proud client of StreamPush, Armada Music exemplifies how leveraging innovative streaming solutions can breathe new life into catalogs.
These acquisitions underscore a pivotal shift in the industry: the recognition that owning a catalog is just the beginning. The real challenge (and opportunity) lies in activating these catalogs to foster continuous fan engagement and generate sustained revenue. This is where 24/7 music live streaming platforms like StreamPush come into play.
Where catalogs go next: Always-on music ecosystems
What happens after a catalog is acquired? Traditionally, it's repackaged through reissues, sync placements, or deluxe editions. But increasingly, we’re seeing another model emerge: 24/7 music live streaming. Imagine a continuous stream, a digital TV station, playing an artist’s or label’s catalog non-stop. These streams:
- Enhance Discoverability: Fans can explore songs in real-time and request Spotify links via the StreamPush chatbot, bridging passive listening and active fandom
- Foster Community: Build a dedicated space where fans can interact, share, and immerse themselves in the music
- Drive Revenue: Utilize monetization features inherent in streaming platforms, such as ads, subscriptions, and direct fan contributions
This isn't a theory, it's already happening. Lo-fi hip-hop, jazz standards, classic soul, underground hip-hop... These genres are pushing the envelope in 24/7 environments. Labels are waking up to the idea that catalog activation doesn’t just require a tour or a new remix. Sometimes, you just simply need to always be there for your fans.
What It Means for Rights Holders
Whether you're a label, artist, estate, or distributor, here’s what this trend means:
- Owning a catalog is no longer enough. Activating it is key
- 24/7 streaming isn't a gimmick: it’s a way to extend lifecycle value and build a community around existing music
- Catalogs are cultural assets. The more touch points you create with fans (especially in real-time), the more value you extract.
Final Thought: Catalogs Deserve More Than Shelves
At StreamPush, we believe the future of catalog strategy lies in persistent fan engagement, not just passive availability. We’re not here to hard-sell a service. We’re here to challenge the narrative: