master recordings

Juice WRLD Estate Sells His Catalog

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Juice WRLD’s estate reportedly sold most of his catalog in a nine-figure deal, carried out quietly in early 2022. According to Billboard, independent music publisher and record label Opus Music Group now owns much of the late rapper’s material. Moreover, it includes 90% of his publishing rights, as well as the rights to 90% of his master recordings’ income. Not only did it include Juice WRLD’s released discography, but also hundreds of tracks that never saw the light of day. Juice released two albums, two posthumous albums, a collab tape with Future, a solo mixtape, and nine EPs.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 31: Juice Wrld performs at Made in America – Day 1 at Benjamin Franklin Parkway on August 31, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Arik Mazur/WireImage)

Furthermore, his label partners Interscope and Lil Bibby’s Grade A Productions kept their ownership of the “Lucid Dreams” star’s masters. Still, this deal raised eyebrows because of the secrecy surrounding its execution, as these reports just surfaced. However, the company that bought most of the publishing and income rights is apparently a fresh face in the industry. According to their website, Opus only represents two other artists. Moreover, these are pop and reggaetón stars Maluma from Colombia and Rauw Alejandro from Puerto Rico. Although they didn’t directly address the sale, they did speak to Billboard about the late artist in a statement. “To represent the body of work of Juice Wrld – whose cultural significance and generational influence can’t be overstated – is an honor and a responsibility,” they shared.

Meanwhile, this news comes months after Juice’s cousin criticized his ex-girlfriend and record label for allegedly “controlling” and “manipulating” the late rapper. While he didn’t specify which label, Juice signed to Lil Bibby’s imprint. Moreover, him and Interscope Records signed him in 2017 for $3 million. Regardless, Bibby organized the latest Juice WRLD Fest. It included performances form Trippie Redd, Ski Mask the Slump God, Lil Tecca, G Herbo, and more.

Still, the late rapper’s legacy continues to live on and endure in the ears and hearts of millions. For example, he became the first artist to have four albums sell 500,000 copies each in a year, specifically 2022. Moreover, all four of his albums in his entire discography continued to dominate the charts. Let us know what you think of this sale in the comments and come back to HNHH for the latest on Juice WRLD.

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R. Kelly’s Team Says His Master Recordings Were Stolen, Might Be Linked To “I Admit It”

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R Kelly currently sits behind bars for sex crimes, which made it extremely odd to see a new album of his pop up on streaming sites on Friday. An album titled, I Admit It appeared on his Spotify, Apple Music, and TIDAL pages, including unreleased records. His team denied that it was a real release while Sony Music said they were investigating how this dropped on a subsidiary label. However, it seems like his team may have come up with a theory behind the unauthorized release.

According to TMZ, R. Kelly’s team found a theory that could explain the release of I Admit It. Police revealed a man named Keith Calbert called them to report a robbery at Kelly’s warehouse. Calbert oversees R Kelly’s property, and the warehouse storing the master recordings. But in February, Calbert called the police and reported a theft regarding hundreds of missing recordings.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 06: Singer R. Kelly leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on June 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The singer appeared in front of a judge to face new charges of criminal sexual abuse. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

Authorities explained that Calbert informed them of two roadies removing the masters from the warehouse and bringing them to California nine months earlier. Calbert informed the roadies of returning the masters. However, they told him that it costs $160K for them to return these records.

Calbert said he told the roadies to return the masters but ultimately, they placed a $160K price tag to bring them back Despite warning the roadies that the recordings must be returned, the roadies said that needed $160K.

Police revealed that Calbert showed them 10 shelves that were once full and now, completely emptied. Apparently, there are between 300 to 500 recordings that have gone missing.

Kelly’s team reported the stolen property but there’s no reason as to why it took so long. In the meantime, police said that the case is closed since the investigation led to no arrests.

There are still many questions surrounding the release of last week’s I Admit It. His team believe that the two roadies likely have something to do with it.

We’ll continue to keep you posted on any more updates surrounding R. Kelly’s stolen masters.

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