Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
South Korean investment and management company Beyond Music has acquired Puerto Rican reggaeton star Yandel's music catalog, including publishing rights, royalties, a share of performance royalties, and neighboring rights royalties.
According to a press release, the acquisition is a “first of its kind” for an Asian music company to directly acquire a Latin artist's catalog, and Beyond is looking to “diversify its portfolio and [this] This agreement marks the company's first step into the rapidly growing Latin market. ” The deal follows HYBE's acquisition of Exile Music, the music division of Spanish-language studio Exile Content, in November.
“We are deeply humbled by Yandel's extraordinary artistry and unparalleled career, and look forward to working with him as he moves on to the next heights of his career,” Changwon Lee, CEO of Beyond Music, said in a statement. I am honored to be able to collaborate with you.” “As the principal custodian of some of the most iconic non-British musical works, we aim to support truly burgeoning creativity across the Latin and Asian music ecosystem. We see similar characteristics of great growth in both pop (including K-pop) and hope to share and bring together the best of both worlds.”
Since its founding in 2021, Beyond Music has invested primarily in the Asian catalogue, and currently holds rights to over 37,000 Asian and international music titles. In December 2022, the company made its first North American acquisition, purchasing the catalog of Canadian producer and songwriter Gregg Wells, who has produced and written music for Adele, Taylor Swift, John Legend, Dua Lipa, and more. Ta.
Obtaining a Yandel catalog is a power move. A bona fide hitmaker, the singer-songwriter started her career in the late 1990s as one half of the duo Wisin & Yandel, and has released countless hits including “Absadora” and “Rakata.” Yandel began his full-fledged solo career in 2013 and has since released a total of eight albums, including 2013's De Líder a Leyenda, which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart. has released a solo album.
Last year, Yandel made his first solo appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Yandel 150,” a collaboration with Fayed. The two released a joint EP titled Manifesting 20-05 on Thursday (April 11).