Sony Publishing to Acquire Recognition Music in Billion-Plus Dollar Deal, Including Songs by Fleetwood Mac, Beyonce, Lady Gaga

May 11, 2026 5:32am PT Sony Publishing to Acquire Recognition Music in Billion-Plus Dollar Deal, Including Songs by Fleetwood Mac, Beyonce, Lady Gaga

By Jem Aswad

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Jem Aswad

Executive Editor, Music

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As expected, Sony Music Publishing has announced an agreement to acquire the complete music rights portfolio of Recognition Music Group from funds managed by Blackstone, subject to customary closing conditions.

Terms of the deal were not announced, but sources and Billboard have valued the catalog in the $2 billion range, although estimates vary widely.

The deal will see Sony Music Publishing acquiring Recognition’s entire catalog of works, which includes shares in more than 45,000 songs, among them Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under the Bridge,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way,” Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven,” Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” Chic’s “Good Times,” Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer,” Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This),” Shakira’s “Whenever, Wherever,” Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” among many others.

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