Mary J. Blige Sells Catalog Shares to Primary Wave in Music's Latest Rights Deal

Mary J. Blige has sold undisclosed shares of her publishing and recorded-music assets to Primary Wave Music, the company announced Monday. The deal includes some of her biggest hits: "Family Affair," "My Life," "Mary Jane (All Night Long)," "You Bring Me Joy," "Be Without You" and "I Can Love You." Further financial details were not disclosed.

Known as "the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul," Blige has sold an estimated 50 million records worldwide across a career of more than 30 years. Her catalog spans 15 studio albums, two live albums and 83 singles. That output has earned her nine Grammy Awards from 37 nominations, plus two Oscar and one Emmy nomination. She received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2018 and entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. Her first Las Vegas residency, "Mary J. Blige: My Life, My Story," began this past May and runs 20 dates through February 2027 at Dolby Live at Park MGM.

Natalia Nastaskin, Primary Wave's Chief Content Officer, said: "From the moment I heard 'You Remind Me' on NY's KISS-FM, I became a Day 1 Mary J. Blige fan. For over 30 years, she has gifted the world with hit after undeniable hit and in the process has created the soundtrack of our lives. To partner with the Queen herself on her extraordinary catalog and her everlasting legacy is an honor for me and for our entire Primary Wave team."

Who else moved this week?

• Stella Lefty has signed with Nashville-based Make Wake Artists for management. Lefty, a Sandlot-Atlantic Outpost recording artist, is enjoying one of the year's biggest hits with "Boston." Founder and Chief Navigation Officer Chris Kappy and managing partner Sophia Sansone will manage her. Make Wake, launched in 2015, also manages Luke Combs, Jon Bellion, Flatland Cavalry and Dylan Marlowe.

Boyz II Men have signed with Warner Records Nashville and will release an all-new country project in 2027. Since their 1991 Philadelphia debut, "Cooleyhighharmony," the group has sold an estimated 60 million albums worldwide, won four Grammy Awards and earned a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

JoJo has partnered with Seeker Music, which acquired original and re-recorded versions of her first two albums, "JoJo" and "The High Road," plus future releases. Seeker will release a deluxe 20th anniversary edition of "The High Road" featuring four bonus tracks from the original 2006 editions and acoustic versions. Seeker already held interest in two of her hits through deals with other cowriters.

Believe has named Mel Curley Global Head of Editorial & Marketing Partnerships. Based in New York, Curley reports to Chief Marketing Officer Darya Pourshasb and will lead global EMP strategy across Believe's Artist Services, Label & Artist Solutions and TuneCore. Curley joins from Amazon Music, where she oversaw relationships with more than 350 independent distributors, labels and artists, after senior roles at Arista Records and Sony Music Entertainment.

Hybe Americas has launched Tru Records, a label "created to discover and develop the next generation of Latin pop artists." Alejandro Mejía serves as first general manager. Santos Bravos, the first Latin pop group created by Hybe Americas, is the label's first artist.

What are the executives saying?

Kappy said of Lefty: "Stella's connection to her fans reminds me of Luke's fan connection very early on… It is real!!! Stella has the talent, authenticity and drive to build something truly special, and our team is committed to helping her realize that potential."

Warner Records Nashville Chair & President Cris Lacy called the group's impact "decades in the making," adding that learning Randy Travis was seminal to their desire to collaborate with Nashville songwriters convinced the label to sign them.

JoJo said: "Deciding who to trust with such a personal and important part of my catalog wasn't something I took lightly. Over time it was heartening to learn more about Seeker's ethos and see how involved and passionate Evan is — someone who truly understands artists because he is a creator himself." Seeker CEO and founder Evan Bogart responded: "I've personally been such a fan for so long, and it means the world to all of us at Seeker to be partnering with her. This is just the beginning!"

Pourshasb framed the Believe hire around platform competition: "As competition for audience attention intensifies, our ability to connect artists and labels with fans across digital platforms has never been more important."

Mejía said Tru Records' launch "represents a unique opportunity to champion Latin American talent and bring it to new audiences around the world."

The Blige deal lands amid continued heavy demand for legacy catalogs, and Primary Wave now holds a stake in one of hip-hop soul's defining discographies while her Las Vegas residency runs into 2027.