Quincy Jones’ Catalog—Including Michael Jackson Albums—Acquired by HarbourView Equity Partners

The estate of Quincy Jones has finalized a landmark deal with HarbourView Equity Partners, encompassing a significant portion of his music catalog, including his stake in three iconic Michael Jackson albums: Off the Wall, Thriller, and Awful. The acquisition, announced this week, extends beyond those blockbuster recordings to include Jones’ songwriting share in Kanye West’s “Good Life” (sampling Jackson’s “P.Y.T.”) and George Benson’s 1980 hit, “Give Me the Night,” as well as his work on television, including a stake in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

The sale reflects a continuing, though fluctuating, market for music catalogs, even after a peak in 2020-2022. HarbourView, which also manages catalogs for artists like Kelly Clarkson, Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, and T-Pain, sees the acquisition as a long-term investment and a stewardship opportunity. “Our father didn’t just create hits, he built platforms that shaped culture across music, film, media, and technology,” said Quincy Jones III (QD3) in a statement. “He believed innovation was a creative tool and embraced it early… He had a deep passion for empowering future generations of creatives, and saw technology/innovation as a conduit if used ethically.”

Beyond the Blockbusters: A Catalog of Cultural Touchstones

While the Jackson albums represent a massive component of the deal – Thriller remains one of the best-selling albums of all time – the scope of Jones’ catalog is remarkably broad. The acquisition includes Jones’ recorded music and publishing rights, as well as ancillary rights extending into television. Notably, HarbourView will also acquire the rights to the theme songs Jones composed for the classic sitcom Sanford and Son and the crime drama Ironsides. HarbourView CEO Sherrese Clarke highlighted these as a unique and valuable facet of the acquisition, noting the enduring cultural impact of those themes. “Growing up, the intro to Sanford and Sons was iconic,” she told Rolling Stone, even humming a bit of the recognizable saxophone melody.

Jones, who died in November 2024 at the age of 91, was a 28-time Grammy Award winner and a pivotal figure in 20th-century music. His career spanned seven decades, encompassing roles as a trumpet player, composer, arranger, producer, conductor, and record executive. His daughter, actress Rashida Jones, emphasized his forward-thinking approach. “Long before anyone talked about ‘multi-platform,’ he was already building bridges and connecting the dots across music, film, television, publishing, technology and culture,” she said in a statement.

The Financial Stakes and Legacy Preservation

The financial details of the deal haven’t been publicly disclosed, but Jones likely held a 10 percent basic royalty from the Jackson albums, a substantial figure given their combined sales exceeding 100 million copies worldwide. A previous dispute with the Jackson estate in the 2010s over allegedly unpaid royalties brought some of these details to light, as reported by Rolling Stone. Clarke emphasized that the economic terms were favorable and that the process was collaborative with the Jones family.

Yet, Clarke stressed that the acquisition was about more than just financial gain. “But to me, it’s more an honor to have the responsibility of working with this family so closely to continue to exalt his legacy,” she said. HarbourView has committed to working closely with the Quincy Jones Estate on future initiatives related to his name, image, and likeness, and to safeguarding his work from unauthorized uses, including those involving artificial intelligence. This commitment to legacy preservation was a key factor in the deal, according to the estate.

A Changing Landscape for Music Catalogs

The sale comes at a time when the market for music catalogs has seen significant activity, with many legacy artists selling their rights in recent years. Black Enterprise notes that while the peak of these sales occurred between 2020 and 2022, the Jones estate’s sale indicates that “premier ‘blue chip’ catalogs still command significant interest from investors.” This suggests that high-profile, well-managed catalogs continue to be attractive assets, even as the overall market cools.

HarbourView’s portfolio reflects this strategy, encompassing a diverse range of artists, and catalogs. The firm’s approach appears to be focused on long-term stewardship and maximizing the value of these assets through strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives.

What’s Next for the Quincy Jones Legacy

HarbourView and the Quincy Jones Estate are planning a tribute event for Jones on March 13 in Los Angeles, ahead of the Academy Awards. While specific details of future projects remain under wraps, Clarke indicated that the firm is committed to developing initiatives that honor Jones’ legacy and extend his influence for generations to approach. Rashida Jones echoed this sentiment, stating, “As his children, our responsibility is to protect not only the catalog, but the spirit and love behind it.” The partnership signals a continued effort to celebrate and preserve the work of a true musical icon.

—

This article originally appeared on Rolling Stone.