MusicBird Secures $100 Million Term Loan Facility to Buy More Music Rights

MusicBird AG, a Swiss-based music rights investment firm, has signed a term loan facility with a capacity up to $100 million with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). With publishing rights from hitmaker J.R. Rotem (Rihanna, Jason Derulo, Fall Out Boy) and master income and publishing rights from Shaggy already part of their acquired catalog, the firm is hoping to invest even further in music.

Founded in 2020, MusicBird began acquiring music rights in 2021. The company is focused on becoming a “boutique house of hits,” as described in their announcement, with a highly selective portfolio of “evergreen” songs. The firm notes it is open to all types of genres and regions when considering new catalogs and hopes to harness technology to help grow music revenue.

In addition to this new push into growing their catalog, MusicBird also recently appointed a new CEO, Paul Brown — who previously served as vp global content and platforms for HTC and svp strategic partnerships at Spotify — as well as a new CFO, Roger Howl — who previously worked as senior vp of finance at Hipgnosis Songs Fund.

This announcement comes shortly after a number of key catalog deals have been announced, including Opus Music Group’s 9-figure acquisition of Juice WRLD’s catalog and Hipgnosis’ acquisitions of parts of Tobias Jesso Jr. and Justin Bieber’s catalogs. Meanwhile, Variety is reporting a possible upcoming sale for Michael Jackson’s estate. Though last year some were predicting a slowdown in the catalog market, it appears there are still many players continuing to invest in music IP, despite an economic downturn, rising interest rates and other extenuating circumstances affecting the global economy.

Tony Beaudoin, managing director of entertainment finance at MUFG says: “MUFG is thrilled to lead the senior debt facility for MusicBird, which will allow the company to expand its catalog acquisition initiative of valued music rights. Paul and Roger bring trusted experience in the music space to the company and MUFG is confident in their ability to grow MusicBird’s IP library.”