The Weeknd has finalized an innovative and unprecedented $1 billion partnership with Lyric Capital Group, which involves investment in his music catalog from the start of his career through 2025. The deal, confirmed by representatives and reported by Variety, is considered one of the largest artist catalog transactions in history and is distinguished by its structure that maintains the artist's creative control and ownership. Unlike traditional catalog sales, this arrangement is a joint venture that allows The Weeknd and his team to retain all rights to his publishing and master recordings, with no sale of ownership. The deal applies only to existing works up to 2025, excluding future releases, and involves a unique 'Royalty Backed Note' to further enhance artist-friendly terms. The deal’s estimated value, based on earlier reports, is around $1 billion, making it one of the most significant deals involving a single artist’s catalog. The partnership exemplifies a new standard for artist equity and control in the music industry, with Lyric Capital investing in music royalties and owning catalogs from other major artists. The Weeknd, with over 120 million monthly Spotify listeners and record-breaking streams, continues his global success while maintaining full control over his catalog through this innovative partnership.