Loeb Advises Sony Music Group on Acquisition of Recognition Music Group Catalog

Loeb & Loeb represented Sony Music Publishing in its acquisition of the complete music rights portfolio of Recognition Music Group, a music rights investment and management company affiliated with Blackstone.

Under the agreement, Sony Music Publishing acquired Recognition’s entire catalog, encompassing more than 45,000 songs across approximately 150 catalogues, featuring works recorded and performed by some of the world’s most iconic artists. The catalog includes enduring compositions such as Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” 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,” Prince’s “Kiss,” Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” and many, many others. 

The transaction was completed in partnership with the investment venture between GIC and Sony Music Group focused on acquiring and growing high‑quality music catalog assets globally.

The acquisition follows Loeb’s prior representation of Sony Music Publishing’s acquisition of Hipgnosis Songs Group and their North American operating company in 2025 and reflects its continued expansion across premier songwriting and publishing catalogs spanning genres and international markets.

Loeb provided global diligence for Sony Music Publishing as well as advising on certain aspects of the acquisition, including negotiation of the transaction terms and analysis of the extensive publishing and music rights assets involved.

The Loeb team was led by John Frankenheimer, chair of the firm’s Music industry group, and included Corporate partner Allan Duboff and associate Camila Piedrahita Abello; Entertainment of counsel John Rolfe, senior counsel Mitchell Manger and associates Devon Spencer, Megan Pekar, Nick Huelster, Matthew Regan and Dimitry Krol; and Tax partner Ryan Austin.

For more information, please see Sony Music Publishing’s press release.