Patti LaBelle, one of the most enduring voices in American music, recently finalized a deal to sell the income stream from her royalties to Primary Wave.
Primary Wave declined to disclose the terms of the agreement, which was made on Oct. 29. The deal covers royalties across LaBelle’s entire catalog, which includes 18 studio albums and three live albums released over a career that spans more than six decades. The singer is best known for hits such as “If Only You Knew,” “On My Own,” “New Attitude” and the chart-topping “Lady Marmalade.
Let’s Make Music Deal
“Lady Marmalade,” recorded with the girl group LaBelle, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974 and became a cultural staple across generations. The song returned to the charts in 2001 when Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink and Lil’ Kim released their cover for the film “Moulin Rouge!” The Library of Congress selected the original LaBelle recording for the National Recording Registry in 2020, recognizing its cultural and historical significance.
LaBelle has long been recognized as one of the most influential performers of her era. Over her career, she has earned two Grammy Awards and 13 nominations. Her record sales total 50 million globally, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, and include seven gold albums. She also earned a platinum certification for her 1986 album Winner in You. That album featured “On My Own,” her duet with Michael McDonald, written by Burt Bacharach, which spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100.
The agreement marks another major acquisition for Primary Wave in a year defined by high-profile catalog activity. In March, the company completed a deal for Biggie Smalls’ catalog, adding one of hip-hop’s most influential legacies to its holdings. In July, Primary Wave secured a separate agreement for original Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green’s catalog. Earlier in the summer, the firm also purchased the royalty rights belonging to members of The Cars.
Such deals have become increasingly common amid a broader boom in catalog acquisitions. Over the past several years, artists and estates have pursued royalty sales as a strategy to capitalize on their existing work, secure financial stability or streamline estate planning. Musicians including Paul Simon and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins are among those who have sold some or all of their royalty income in similar arrangements.
Primary Wave, which brands itself as a company that builds long-term legacy value for major artists, described the partnership with LaBelle as a significant moment for its catalog business. “We are so honored to be in business with a legend such as Ms. LaBelle,” Steven Greener of Primary Wave said in a statement. “She’s a true icon and trailblazer. We are looking forward to doing great things together.”
LaBelle’s influence extends beyond her chart achievements. Through her work with the group LaBelle, her solo career and her role as a cultural figure, she has remained a defining presence in R&B, soul and pop music. Her voice and performance style have influenced generations of artists, and her music continues to appear in film, television and new recordings.
While Primary Wave did not provide further details about how it plans to elevate or promote LaBelle’s catalog, the company typically invests in marketing, brand partnerships and strategic placements that bring renewed attention to artists’ existing work. The firm’s recent acquisitions suggest an ongoing strategy of expanding its roster with artists whose catalogs carry enduring commercial and cultural value.
The deal ensures that LaBelle’s full body of work, from her early recordings with LaBelle to her solo hits, will be managed and marketed as part of a growing portfolio of marquee artists. For Primary Wave, it represents another addition to a year of aggressive catalog expansion. For LaBelle, it places her extensive musical legacy in the hands of a firm that has increasingly positioned itself as a major player in the business of preserving and monetizing classic works.
