A Major Deal in Music History
This transaction adds to the $140 million that Hipgnosis paid for the band's composition and publishing rights in 2021.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are reportedly selling their catalog of recordings for $350 million, according to Billboard. The sale includes their original recorded works, with the annual return of the catalog estimated at $26 million.
Currently, the band retains the rights and master recordings of 13 studio albums and other releases through Warner Music. It is unclear whether they also hold the royalties from their first four albums, which were released through EMI.
A Landmark Sale
Billboard also reports that the Red Hot Chili Peppers may have already reached an agreement with Warner Music for the sale, though no official confirmation has been made.
If finalized at $350 million, the band's total earnings from music rights sales will reach approximately $500 million. In 2021, Hipgnosis had already paid $140 million for their composition and publishing rights.
Following Industry Trends
The Red Hot Chili Peppers join a growing list of major artists who have sold their music catalogs, including Pink Floyd, Queen, Kiss, and Tame Impala.
- Pink Floyd sold their catalog to Sony in October for $400 million.
- Kevin Parker of Tame Impala sold all past and future music to Sony for an undisclosed amount.
- Kiss sold their entire music catalog, band name, image, and copyrights to Swedish investment firm Pophouse.
- Queen holds the record for the most expensive music deal, selling their catalog to Sony in June for $1.27 billion—the largest transaction of its kind in music history.
Future Plans
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have not yet disclosed their plans for 2025. However, they recently participated in the FireAid charity concert in Los Angeles, raising funds to support areas affected by devastating California wildfires.
