HarbourView Equity Partners Acquires Nelly Catalog for $50 Million

Newark-based asset-management group HarbourView Equity Partners announced their acquisition of a selection of Grammy-award winning artist Nelly's catalog in July 2023. Although official details were not released to the public, sources say that the deal was valued at around $50 million and comprised of at least half of the artist's recorded work, including iconic hits such as "Hot in Here," and "Ride Wit Me." In a comment about the venture, Nelly stated, "I am excited to partner with HarbourView to create opportunities for discovery of my music decades from now.”

In recent years there has been a rapidly increasing trend in institutional capital purchasing publishing rights to artists' music catalogs. HarbourView's acquisition of Nelly's catalog is merely the latest addition to the company's collection of over 36 other catalogs, which includes music from popular country artists Brad Paisley and Lady A (formerly known as Lady Antebellum), rock bands Hollywood Undead and Incubus, and many more.

For HarbourView, investing in Nelly's musical assets is a favorable choice for a variety of reasons. Publishing rights are seen as a high-yield investment for owners, while the rate of music consumption is historically high and stable. As an iconic and long-standing pillar in the rap genre, Nelly's music has always and will continue to be recognized and have a consistent fanbase. HarbourView CEO Sherrese Clarke Soares has noted, "this catalog has made an incredible impact on generations of fans." Both Nelly and HarbourView recognize the ways in which HarbourView leveraging the rights to Nelly's music will lead to its popularity and increase the resulting profit in the future.

A major problem with investing in musical assets for HarbourView (and PE firms which hold the rights) is that it takes a very long time, often decades, before they see any return on their capital. Enter Symphony Markets - serving as a broker between the rights holders and the public at large. Music fans can invest in their favorite songs and artists, with the added bonus of a chance at benefitting financially as a result of this support.