Michael Jackson’s Estate Acquires Sly and the Family Stone’s Catalog
Michael Jackson’s estate now has the rights to one of music’s greatest dynasties. According to a new report in Variety, the pop icon’s publishing company MIJAC Music has acquired majority ownership of the U.S. rights over the Sly and the Family Stone’s catalog for an undisclosed sum. Per the agreement, the Estate also owns the entirety of the band’s catalog outside of the United States.
The deal puts an end to the legal back-and-forth between the Jackson Estate and Primary Wave Music Publishing, who claimed to have a stake in the band’s catalog last year. Sly and the Family Stone’s royalties have been hotly disputed for years. In 2015, Sly Stone was awarded $5 million in damages five years after he sued his former longtime manager, Jerry Goldstein, for allegedly defrauding him out of millions in royalties. A judge later overruled the legal win after it was unearthed the funk icon sold his royalties to a production company in the 1980s, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Based on the new agreement, MJ’s Estate has the rights to the publishing and royalty streams of the legendary funk ensemble’s classic hits such as“Family Affair,” Dance To The Music,” And “Everyday People.”
Sly Stone, who was present at the signing of the agreement, simply commented “Thank You Mijac (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).”
John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of MJ’s Estate, added in a joint statement, “Sly and the Family Stone were a force for enlightenment and positive change, a message that Michael believed in. He recognized Stewart’s genius and the power of his words and music which is why he first acquired the catalog and why we at MIJAC follow in Michael’s footsteps today.”