Tina Turner latest star to sell music rights - but why are artists selling their back catalogues?
Tina Turner has become the latest international music star to sell the rights to their back catalogue. The 81-year-old, widely referred to as the Queen of Rock and Roll, signed over her share of her recordings, her music publishing writer’s share, and her name, image and likeness. Turner’s catalogue includes the hits Private Dancer, What’s Love Got To Do With It, The Best and GoldenEye and her solo works include 10 studio albums, two live albums, two soundtracks and five compilations, which together have sold more than 100 million records.
She struck the deal with BMG, saying "like any artist, the protection of my life’s work, my musical inheritance, is something personal." Her record label remains Warner Music.
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Why has she sold her back catalogue?
In her statement, Turner didn't explain why she sold the rights, simply saying they were now in "professional and reliable hands".
How much did Tina make?
The deal was struck for an undisclosed sum.
Who else has sold their back catalogue?
In December, it was announced Bob Dylan had sold his back catalogue to Universal Music Group in a deal reportedly worth 300 million dollars (£215 million).
Neil Young sold half of his catalogue to music investment fund Hipgnosis Songs for an estimated 150 million dollars (£108 million) while Stevie Nicks sold a majority of her rights for a reported 100 million dollars (£72 million).
Musician David Crosby also followed in their footsteps, saying on Twitter it was "his only option".
Responding to a follower on Twitter asking whether he would sell rights to his songs, Crosby said: "I can’t work, and streaming stole my record money... it’s my only option."
The musician has criticised streaming platforms for not paying artists a reasonable amount, tweeting: "Get your song played a million times and get less than $5. Seems fair."
Hips Don't Lie singer Shakira has also sold her back catalogue, selling the publishing rights to the London-based music royalties investment firm Hipgnosis for an undisclosed sum.
Her hit songs include Whenever, Wherever and the 2010 Fifa World Cup song Waka Waka.
She said: "Being a songwriter is an accomplishment that I consider equal to and perhaps even greater than being a singer and an artist.
"At eight years old, long before I sang, I wrote to make sense of the world. I know Hipgnosis will be a great home for my catalogue."
Why do artists sell their back catalogue of music?
The Covid-19 pandemic is one of the major factors, as artists have lost out on money coming in from touring, they have looked at alternatives ways to generate income.
Another reason is tax benefits, musicians have to pay 20% in capital gains tax on their music, but US President Joe Biden is planning to change the rate so it falls in line with income tax. For high-earners this would increase the rate to 37% on their earnings.
Dylan's back catalogue of music sold for $300 million, a 20% tax rate means he would have paid $60 million in tax and this rises to $111 million if he pays the planned increased rate of 37%.
Selling his entire back catalogue in a multi-million deal with a 20% tax rate seems like a sensible idea compared to waiting for the money to trickle in via royalty income which would be taxed at 37%.