Yes, Rihanna does own her master recordings.
After fulfilling her initial recording contract, Rihanna established her own imprint under Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. A significant aspect of this arrangement was a deal that ensured she retained ownership of all her master recordings. This strategic move allowed her to gain control over her valuable musical catalog.
Understanding Master Ownership in Music
Master recordings, often referred to simply as "masters," are the original sound recordings of a song. They represent the definitive version from which all copies are made, whether for physical albums, digital downloads, or streaming. For recording artists, owning their masters is a critical achievement that provides substantial benefits.
- Creative Control: Owning the masters grants an artist the ultimate authority over how their music is used. This includes decisions about licensing tracks for films, television shows, commercials, and other media, ensuring the artist's vision and brand are respected.
- Enhanced Revenue Streams: Artists who own their masters receive a significantly larger share of royalties generated from sales, streaming, and synchronization licensing (sync deals). This contrasts sharply with traditional record deals where labels typically own the masters and collect the majority of these revenues.
- Long-Term Asset Value: A catalog of master recordings is a valuable intellectual property asset. It can generate income for decades and can be leveraged for future business ventures, sold, or passed down as a legacy.
Rihanna's transition to owning her masters is part of a broader trend where more artists are seeking to reclaim or secure ownership of their original recordings, recognizing the long-term financial and creative power it affords.
