King of Pop vs. Sony Music

Michael Jackson: The King of Pop and His Pioneering Moves in Music Publishing Ownership

Michael Jackson isn’t just remembered for his unparalleled contributions to music, but also for his business acumen, especially when it came to owning music publishing. While most people know him as the “King of Pop,” fewer realize that Jackson was also a trailblazer in the music business, securing rights to some of the most valuable music catalogs in the world, including those of The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and countless others. His move into music publishing changed the industry forever, but it also brought with it conflict, particularly with Sony, leading to decades of speculation and conspiracy theories.

In this post, we’ll walk through the timeline of Jackson’s publishing deals, his complex relationship with Sony, and explore the long-standing rumors that his control of Sony/ATV Music Publishing might have made him a target.

The Big Move: Michael Jackson Buys the Beatles Catalog

Jackson’s journey into music publishing began in 1985 when he made what many now regard as one of the savviest business decisions in music history. Paul McCartney, a friend and collaborator of Jackson at the time, had casually mentioned the value of owning publishing rights during their work on “Say Say Say.” McCartney himself had been buying up rights to songs and encouraged Jackson to do the same.

Taking that advice, Jackson learned that ATV Music Publishing—which held the rights to The Beatles’ catalog—was up for sale. In a move that stunned the music world, Jackson purchased ATV Music for $47.5 million in 1985. This catalog included over 250 Beatles songs, as well as music from artists like Little Richard and Elvis Presley.

This deal was a watershed moment in music publishing. Jackson had managed to acquire not just one of the most valuable song collections in history, but had done so at a price that would now be considered a steal. By the late ’90s, ATV Music’s value skyrocketed to over $1 billion.

The Creation of Sony/ATV Music Publishing

In 1995, Michael Jackson made another bold business move. He entered into a joint venture with Sony, merging his ATV Music Publishing with Sony’s catalog to form Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Jackson retained a 50% ownership stake in this new entity. The joint venture gave Jackson control over not only his own catalog but also Sony’s vast music library, including songs from Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift.

The Sony/ATV partnership made Jackson an even more formidable force in the industry. The catalog grew to include over 750,000 songs, making it one of the largest and most lucrative in the world. At its peak, Sony/ATV was valued at $2-3 billion.

Michael Jackson vs. Sony: The Conspiracy and Conflict

As Jackson’s ownership stake in Sony/ATV grew more valuable, so did tensions between him and Sony. By the early 2000s, their relationship began to fray. Jackson publicly accused Tommy Mottola, the head of Sony Music, of being manipulative and even “racist,” calling him the “devil.” Jackson claimed that Sony had not properly promoted his 2001 album “Invincible”, and he suspected that they wanted him to fail so they could gain control of his 50% stake in Sony/ATV.

One of the primary reasons for these suspicions was that Jackson had reportedly used Sony/ATV as collateral for loans. Rumors circulated that Sony wanted to force Jackson into financial distress so they could buy his share of the catalog at a reduced price. Jackson hinted at this during his speeches, claiming that Sony was trying to manipulate him out of his ownership rights.

The Conspiracy: Did Sony Want Michael Jackson Dead?

Jackson’s financial struggles, combined with his increasingly public feud with Sony, led to rampant conspiracy theories. After his sudden death in 2009, rumors swirled that Sony may have wanted Jackson dead in order to regain full control of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Under the terms of his estate, Jackson’s 50% ownership stake remained intact, but these conspiracy theories suggest that his death conveniently opened the door for Sony to eventually buy out the Jackson estate’s interest in the company.

In 2016, Sony paid $750 million to acquire full ownership of Sony/ATV, buying out Jackson’s stake. While this deal seemed like a natural business decision, for some, it reinforced the conspiracy theory that Jackson’s untimely death was orchestrated to allow Sony to take control of the catalog.

John Branca, Michael Jackson’s former attorney and co-executor of his estate, has dismissed these conspiracy theories. In interviews, Branca claimed that Jackson’s financial struggles were the result of mismanagement and overspending, not Sony’s interference. Still, Jackson’s comments during his lifetime, combined with the events following his death, have left a cloud of suspicion hanging over Sony.

Expert Opinions: The Legacy of Michael Jackson’s Business Moves

Music industry experts still marvel at Jackson’s foresight in acquiring ATV Music and merging it with Sony. Jay Z, a major advocate for artists owning their own masters and publishing, once praised Jackson for being ahead of his time: “What Michael did in music publishing was genius. He took control of something people didn’t even understand the value of back then.”

Industry executives have also recognized that Jackson’s business moves changed the way artists approached their careers. In the years since Jackson’s acquisition of Sony/ATV, more artists, including Taylor Swift and Kanye West, have become vocal about owning their own publishing rights, recognizing the long-term financial benefits and control it provides.

The Timeline of Jackson’s Publishing Power

• 1985: Jackson purchases ATV Music Publishing for $47.5 million, securing rights to The Beatles and other iconic catalogs.
• 1995: Jackson enters a joint venture with Sony, creating Sony/ATV Music Publishing, with Jackson retaining a 50% stake.
• 2001: Tensions between Jackson and Sony come to a head, with Jackson accusing Sony of sabotaging his career.
• 2009: Jackson dies suddenly, sparking conspiracy theories about Sony’s involvement and desire for control of the publishing rights.
•   2016: Sony buys out Jackson’s share of Sony/ATV for $750 million, gaining full control of the world’s largest music catalog.

The Impact of Jackson’s Publishing Legacy

Today, Michael Jackson’s business moves remain legendary in the music industry. By acquiring ATV Music, merging it with Sony, and holding onto a 50% stake, Jackson ensured that his estate would benefit from one of the most valuable assets in music history. His ability to see the long-term value of publishing, even when others didn’t, paved the way for artists today to fight for ownership of their work.

The conspiracy theories surrounding his death and the ultimate fate of his catalog continue to fuel speculation, but what remains undeniable is that Michael Jackson was not only a musical icon but a business pioneer who forever changed the industry.

As more artists recognize the importance of owning their work, they will continue to follow the path Jackson started, ensuring that their legacies—and their music—remain in their control.