Eight-time Grammy-award-winning singer Tina Turner has sold a sizable portfolio of music rights from her solo career to BMG, the company announced Tuesday (Oct. 5).
Through the acquisition, BMG will become “a partner in all of Tina Turner’s music interests,” according to a statement made by the company, including Turner’s artist’s share of her recordings, her writer’s share of publishing and her neighboring rights. Under the deal, BMG has also secured rights to her name, image and likeness for brand partnership, merchandising and sponsorship usages. The company is calling the deal its single largest artist acquisition ever.
The acquisition will include the legendary singer’s expansive discography, which includes 10 studio albums — including classics like Private Dancer, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, and Break Every Rule, which peaked at No. 4 on the chart — two live albums, two soundtracks and five compilations (including her greatest hits record All The Best, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in 2005). Altogether, Turner has sold over 100 million records to date.
Though BMG will be taking over Turner’s interests, Warner Music will remain her record company, maintaining the share of Turner’s records it has held since she began her solo career in the early 1980s.
Known as the queen of rock ‘n’ roll, Turner’s career continues to make an indelible impact on the music industry. Last year, her song “What’s Love Got to Do With It” was revamped by electronic producer Kygo and given new life on the Billboard charts — including Turner’s first appearance on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, where it peaked at No. 7. It also topped the Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart and reached No. 20 on the Adult Contemporary Airplay chart.
Turner began her storied career in the 1960s as one-half of the duo Ike & Tina Turner, notching numerous chart hits over 15 years. As a solo artist, she racked up several top 20 placements on the Billboard Hot 100, including the No. 1 hit “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “Better Be Good to Me,” “Private Dancer,” “We Don’t Need Another Hero,” “Typical Male” and “The Best.” Her life and work have since been immortalized in three different projects, including the 2021 documentary Tina, the 1993 biopic What’s Love Got To Do With It and the Tony-winning stage musical Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.
“Like any artist, the protection of my life’s work, my musical inheritance, is something personal. I am confident that with BMG and Warner Music my work is in professional, reliable hands,” said Turner in a statement.
BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch added, “We are honored to take on the job of managing Tina Turner’s musical and commercial interests. It is a responsibility we take seriously and will pursue diligently. She is truly and simply, the best.”
Turner’s music rights will join BMG’s already vast catalog, which includes works by John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Mick Fleetwood, Roger Waters, Kurt Cobain, Blondie, David Bowie, Scorpions, The Kinks, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
