Sony, Prince Estate Ink Distribution Deal
• Sony Music Entertainment and the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson have forged an exclusive distribution agreement covering 35 essential previously released album titles from the Prince catalog.
The titles covered under the new agreement will be distributed by Legacy Recordings, a division of SME, with worldwide rights beginning immediately to 19 previously released album titles that were originally released between 1995-2010, including The Gold Experience (1995), Emancipation (1996), Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic (1999), The Rainbow Children (2001) and 3121 (2006), as well as titles originally distributed by Sony, including Musicology (2004) and Planet Earth (2007). Additional albums from 2014-2015 will also be distributed with worldwide rights under the deal in the future. The agreement also includes rights to other previously released material recorded post-1995, including singles, B-sides, remixes, non-album tracks, live recordings and music videos.
Starting in 2021, Sony/Legacy’s distribution rights will be expanded to include 12 Prince non-soundtrack albums, featuring music recorded by the artist from 1978-1996 for distribution in the U.S. We’re talking about Prince (1979), Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), 1999 (1982), Around The World In A Day (1985), Sign ‘O’ The Times (1987), Lovesexy (1988), Diamonds and Pearls (1991) and [Love Symbol] (1992), as well as the hit singles “1999,” “Little Red Corvette,” “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” and “Raspberry Beret,” to name a few.
“A true artist and visionary, Prince changed the world with his music, bringing love, joy and inspiration to millions,” said Richard Story, President, SME Commercial Music Group. “Sony Music is honored to play a part in keeping Prince’s music alive and making it available for generations of lifelong listeners and future fans.” Troy Carter, entertainment advisor to the Prince Estate, remarked, “The Sony team’s enthusiasm and deep knowledge of Prince’s music make them the ideal partner to release these iconic bodies of work. We’re looking forward to working with the heirs and Sony on giving fans what they’ve been waiting for — more great music from Prince.”
