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Should Future Have Sold His Catalog?

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Honestly, this news comes as a major shock. Future, one of the most iconic rappers of our generation, has officially sold the publishing catalog of his legendary music to an investment firm. Reportedly, this deal between the “Stick Talk” rapper and Warner Bros. and the BlackRock-backed firm is valued in the “high eight figures,” according to pitchfork.com.

His publishing catalog contains 612 titles, music ranging from 2004-2020, which contains collaborations with the likes of Rihanna, Drake, The Weeknd, and more. Although this news may be surprising to fans that this rapper is officially releasing his rights to the catalog, this is a major sign for the future of artists and businesses. If Future’s catalog is worth a high eight figure deal, then these companies definitely know it’ll be worth excessively more than that down the line. According to pitchfork.com., “As of February 2022, Influence Media had spent $300 million purchasing publishing rights to songs by Bruno Mars, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, and Justin Bieber. That month, the company received additional investment from Warner Music Group and BlackRock.”

Sources close to the rapper have claimed that the deal is worth up close to $75 million, which fans have taken to social media believing that they feel it’s worth even more. Although many may disagree with Future’s decision to sell his publishing catalog, he is entirely confident in his choice as to what this could mean for his legacy. In a statement Future said, “I put everything into my music, and I wanted to make sure these were in good hands as I thought about the next chapter of these songs,” moguldom.com reported. “I’m proud to partner up with Rene and the team at Influence Media and send a signal that this music has timeless value. My music is my art, and these songs represent some of the most precious artwork of my career.”

Critics have taken to Twitter to express their concern for the future of Hip Hop and why some of the most legendary artists would contemplate releasing the rights to their catalogs and master’s for a multi-million deal. According to Twitter user Marquis Arnold, “#HipHop is about to go through a big decline in the next 10 years that’s the real reason artist are selling their Publishing and masters… The same thing that happened to Disco  music is happening to HipHop.”

What is your reaction to Future’s game changing decision? Should he have done the deal?

 

By Kori Barnes, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Instagram: @korixnicole

Written by TrueStar Staff

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