The Weeknd is working to raise $1 billion by leveraging his music catalog without selling his rights as he eyes a post-music career shift.
The Weeknd is aiming to secure a whopping $1 billion in financing using his chart-topping music catalog as collateral without giving up ownership of his rights.
The Grammy Award-winning artist is working with Lyric Capital Group, a New York-based firm that specializes in music royalties, to structure a deal that would immediately deliver $250 million in cash and an additional $750 million in debt, according to Bloomberg.
Rather than selling off his catalog, the plan involves leveraging the remaining half of his publishing rights, which are not currently held by Chord Music Partners. Chord already owns 50 percent of his publishing stake. The move would allow The Weeknd to retain full control of his music while unlocking capital for future ventures in film, television and fashion.
The Weeknd’s catalog includes some of the most commercially successful singles of the past decade, including “Blinding Lights,” “Starboy” and “Can’t Feel My Face.”
Each track continues to generate consistent revenue, making them attractive assets for financial backing. If the deal closes, it could catapult The Weeknd into the billionaire tier of music moguls. However, the high level of debt involved also introduces considerable financial risk.
The move comes as The Weeknd prepares to step away from his stage name and rebrand for his next chapter. He’s currently on the After Hours Til Dawn 2025 stadium tour, which kicked off on May 9 in Phoenix and will wrap up September 20 in Las Vegas.
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