Bob Dylan is selling his entire catalog of recorded music to Sony Music. The report from Sony Music explained that the deal for 60 years’ worth of the acclaimed artist’s work was a “landmark agreement” for the company. The deal between the two was decided upon last July yet was only publicly announced Monday.
The deal that was struck includes Dylan’s entire discography since 1962— starting with his self-titled debut record and continuing into his newest releases such as 2020’s Rough and Rowdy Ways. The agreement also includes the rights to several, future music releases from Dylan. Sony Music didn’t disclose the price of the deal, but Billboard Magazine has estimated that the recordings would be worth at least $200 million due to each project’s revenue.
Dylan made a similar deal with Universal Music Publishing Group back in 2020 when he sold his entire catalog of songs to the company (this deal was separate from recorded music rights as it specifically covers the music and lyrics). The agreement was massive news, at the time, as Dylan had been known to control most of his intellectual property.
The official statement from Sony Music about Bob Dylan selling his catalog of recorded music can be read below:
“Columbia Records has had a special relationship with Bob Dylan from the beginning of his career and we are tremendously proud and excited to be continuing to grow and evolve our ongoing 60-year partnership,” Sony Music Entertainment CEO Rob Stringer said in a statement. “Bob is one of music’s greatest icons and an artist of unrivaled genius. The essential impact he and his recordings continue to have on popular culture is second to none and we’re thrilled he will now be a permanent member of the Sony Music family. We are excited to work with Bob and his team to find new ways to make his music available to his many fans today and to future generations.”
