A Sale That Stunned the Music World
In early 2023, headlines erupted: Justin Bieber sold his entire music catalogue — every single song he had released up to 2022 — for a jaw-dropping £200 million ($250 million USD). The buyer? UK-based investment giant Hipgnosis Songs Capital.
Fans and financial analysts alike were stunned. Why would one of the world’s biggest pop stars, only 28 at the time, give up ownership of his life’s work? For many, it seemed like a savvy business move. But those close to Bieber suggest a far more emotional and alarming reason behind the deal.
💰 What Did the Deal Include?
The agreement transferred 100% of Bieber’s publishing rights and artist royalties from his master recordings — including hits like Sorry, Peaches, Baby, and Love Yourself — to Hipgnosis. Essentially, the company now collects revenue every time those tracks are streamed, played, or used commercially.
This kind of deal is common for veteran artists looking to cash out toward retirement, but Bieber is far from done musically. In fact, he recently released a deeply personal album titled Swag in July 2025. So what really drove him to do it?
😓 The Truth: Health Issues, Burnout, and Industry Fatigue
Insiders and industry observers have painted a concerning picture:
👉 Persistent health issues, including Lyme disease, anxiety, and mental health struggles
👉 Burnout after over a decade of nonstop touring, promotion, and public scrutiny
👉 Tensions with longtime manager Scooter Braun, including alleged creative disagreements and personal rifts
One anonymous source told Rolling Stone:
“Justin wasn’t trying to retire. He was trying to breathe. The money wasn’t the main motivator — peace was.”
This lines up with Justin’s 2020 confession that the pressures of early fame left him with deep trauma. At one point, his drug use had become so severe that his team feared for his life daily.
📉 From Asset to Exhausted
From the very beginning of his career, Bieber was a commercial juggernaut — discovered on YouTube, signed by Usher, and turned into a teenage money-making machine by Scooter Braun and major labels.
But even as he matured into an adult artist, the machine continued to churn out new content — albums, documentaries, tours, merchandise drops, public apologies, and PR comebacks. For the industry, Bieber was a product that never stopped printing money.
After years of being pulled in every direction, the catalogue sale represented something else:
🎯 A severing of ties
🎯 A reset button
🎯 An exit strategy from the monetisation of his past
🧠 What This Means for Bieber (and His Fans)
While Bieber now has £200 million in liquid assets, he has also relinquished artistic control over a huge portion of his career. Any brand or show can now license his music without his input — and he’ll no longer earn from those plays.
This sparked concerns among loyal fans. On X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote:
“Selling your whole music legacy at 28 is not normal. Something is really wrong.”
Some believe the decision reflects an emotional state more than a financial one — a sign of a man who, despite achieving everything, still feels trapped.
🎵 A New Chapter with “Swag”
In a surprising twist, Bieber released his latest album Swag in July 2025, post-catalogue sale. The 21-track project is raw, soulful, and confessional — a major departure from his pop-driven past.
Highlights include:
- “Walking Away” – addressing past addictions and regrets
- “All I Can Talk” – exploring marriage, identity, and isolation
- “Unowned” – possibly referencing the catalogue deal with lyrics like “They bought the songs but not my soul”
Critics praised the album as Bieber’s most emotionally mature yet, likening it to Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers for its introspective style.
🧩 Final Thoughts: What Price Is Too High?
Justin Bieber’s £200 million deal may seem like a win on paper, but the story beneath reveals a disturbing truth: Fame doesn’t guarantee fulfillment. When the industry treats artists as commodities, the human behind the brand often breaks down.
Whether this is Bieber’s quiet exit or a rebirth remains to be seen. But for now, it’s clear:
He didn’t just sell a catalogue — he might have been trying to buy back his peace.
FAQs
Why did Justin Bieber sell his music catalogue?
While it was seen as a financial move, sources say the real reason was burnout, health concerns, and feeling emotionally disconnected from the industry.
Who bought Justin Bieber’s catalogue?
UK-based investment firm Hipgnosis Songs Capital purchased 100% of Bieber’s music catalogue up to 2022.
Will Justin Bieber make new music after selling his catalogue?
Yes. In July 2025, he released a new album titled Swag, which has received critical acclaim.
Does Bieber still earn from his old songs?
No. He sold all rights and future royalties to Hipgnosis, meaning he no longer profits from his older tracks.
