Britney Spears Sells Music Catalog: ‘Toxic’ & ‘Baby One More Time’ Rights Sold

Britney Spears has sold the rights to her music catalog, including hits like “Toxic,” “Baby One More Time,” and “Gimme More,” to music publisher Primary Wave, according to reports confirmed by multiple sources.

Legal documents show the deal was finalized on December 30, with TMZ first reporting the sale on Tuesday. An unnamed source familiar with the agreement subsequently confirmed the transaction to The New York Times. The financial terms of the sale remain undisclosed.

The sale of music catalogs has become increasingly common in recent years, offering artists substantial upfront payments in exchange for ownership of their master recordings and publishing rights. Bruce Springsteen sold his entire song catalog to Sony Music Entertainment in 2021 for a reported $500 million, whereas Queen’s catalog was acquired by Sony for over $1 billion in 2024, according to reports.

Spears, 44, has released nine studio albums since her debut in 1999, becoming one of the best-selling female artists of all time. Her career spanned nearly two decades at the forefront of pop music, often accompanied by intense public scrutiny of her personal life.

The pop star’s conservatorship, which lasted nearly 14 years, ended in November 2021 following widespread public attention and a legal battle led by her fans. The arrangement restricted her personal and financial freedoms, requiring court approval for major life decisions. In her 2023 memoir, The Woman in Me, Spears detailed the controlling nature of the conservatorship, alleging it limited her control over her diet, family planning, and overall autonomy, stating it “stripped me of my womanhood [and] made me into a child.”

Primary Wave’s portfolio includes the catalogs of numerous music icons, including Bob Marley, Stevie Nicks, Prince, and Whitney Houston. The company as well acquired a 50 percent stake in The Notorious B.I.G.’s estate last March.

Spears has not publicly commented on the sale of her music catalog. She previously stated she has no plans to return to performing in the United States, citing “extremely sensitive reasons” in a January 8 Instagram post. She expressed a desire to potentially perform in the United Kingdom and Australia.