Sony Music to acquire Recognition Music Group in landmark $4 billion deal
Sony Music has confirmed intentions to acquire Recognition Music Group.
Sony is completing the deal with funds managed by Blackstone, and is being made as part of an investment venture it announced earlier this year with the Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC.
While no fee has been disclosed by Sony, Reuters report that the fee is $4 billion, according to “a source familiar with the transaction”.
As part of the deal, Sony will gain ownership of over 45,000 songs, including work by Neil Young, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fleetwood Mac, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Soundgarden, Leonard Cohen, and Justin Timberlake.
In a statement, Sony Music’s Rob Stringer said, “We are so proud and excited to represent this incredible catalogue of many of the greatest songs in pop history through this momentous acquisition.”
Meanwhile, Jon Platt, chairman and CEO at Sony Music Publishing, said, “Our investment in this extraordinary catalog reflects our belief in the enduring power of great music – a belief that resonates deeply throughout Sony Music Group and is shared by our partners at GIC.”
Platt added, “These timeless songs continue to define culture and inspire generations, and it is privilege to champion their legacy as guardians of their next chapter.”
Additionally, Qasim Abbas, senior managing Director and head of tactical opportunities international at Blackstone, said of the deal, “This transaction delivers a strong outcome for Blackstone and our investors and represents a further vote of confidence in music rights as an institutionally established asset class.”
Abbas continued, “Sony is an exceptional home for these iconic catalogues, and we look forward to continuing to invest across the music sector through Recognition.”
Although the deal has been agreed, it is still subject to customary closing conditions before it can be completed.
Recognition Music Group was initially founded as Hipgnosis, before Blackstone began investing in the company, eventually completing an acquisition in 2024 and rebranding the business in 2025.
This is not the first time that Blackstone has done a deal with Sony, which previously acquired Hipgnosis Song Group in 2025.
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