Sony Music Publishing Acquires Recognition Music Group's Music Rights Portfolio in $2 Billion Deal

Sony Music Publishing Acquires Recognition Music Group's Music Rights Portfolio in $2 Billion Deal

Sony Music Publishing has recently announced an agreement to acquire Recognition Music Group's complete music rights portfolio from Blackstone-managed funds. The deal, valued at around $2 billion, will give Sony Music Publishing ownership of over 45,000 songs, including hits like Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Under the Bridge," and Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)." This acquisition follows Sony Music Publishing's previous purchase of Hipgnosis Songs Group in 2025 and is part of a larger investment venture with GIC and Sony Music Group to acquire music catalog assets globally.

Rob Stringer, Chairman of Sony Music Group, expressed pride in representing these iconic songs, while Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Publishing, emphasized the enduring power of great music. Blackstone's Qasim Abbas highlighted the transaction as a vote of confidence in music rights as an established asset class, with Sony being an exceptional home for these catalogues. Recognition Music Group CEO Ben Katovsky noted the honor of stewarding the catalog and the team's pride in enhancing the legacy and value of the songs.

Sony Bank Inc. is also involved in this investment, and the transaction was facilitated by legal firms such as Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP and advisory firms like Ernst & Young. The partnership between Sony Music Publishing, Recognition, and Blackstone underscores the commitment to preserving and championing the legacy of these timeless songs for future generations.