Patti LaBelle — one of the most enduring and powerful voices in American music — has recently finalised a landmark deal to monetise the income stream from her royalty payments by partnering with Primary Wave. (Source: The Hollywood Reporter) 

A Deal That Spans a Legendary Career

On October 29, 2025, Primary Wave announced it had entered into an agreement with LaBelle that covers royalties across her full body of work — including her solo recordings and catalogue from her earlier career. While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed to the public, this move marks a major strategic step for both the artist and the company. (Source: Complex)

LaBelle’s catalogue spans 18 studio albums and three live albums — material that stretches across over six decades, and which includes major hits such as “If Only You Knew”, “On My Own”, “New Attitude” and the iconic “Lady Marmalade”. 

The Cultural Impact of Her Music

The song “Lady Marmalade,” recorded with the group Labelle, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974 and has since become a cultural touchstone. It returned to the charts in 2001 with a cover by Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink and Lil’ Kim for the film Moulin Rouge!. The original version was also selected by the Library of Congress for the National Recording Registry, underlining its historic and cultural significance. 

LaBelle has long been celebrated as one of the most influential performers of her era. Her accolades include two Grammy Awards and thirteen nominations, global sales in excess of 50 million records, seven gold albums and a platinum album for Winner in You. 

What the Deal Means — for LaBelle and the Industry

For LaBelle, this agreement presents an opportunity to further secure and commercialise her legacy, allowing her catalogue — from early group work through solo success — to be managed and marketed in a new phase. For Primary Wave, the deal continues the company’s aggressive pursuit of high-profile catalog acquisitions. Earlier in the year, they acquired the estates/rights for artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., Peter Green (original guitarist of Fleetwood Mac) and catalogues belonging to members of The Cars. 

While Primary Wave did not publicly detail how they will promote LaBelle’s catalogue, their model typically involves investing in marketing, brand partnerships and strategic placements in film/TV and other media to breathe new life into legacy artists’ work. (Source: Primary Wave press release) 

A Legacy in Sound and Enterprise

LaBelle’s influence extends far beyond chart hits. Through her work with the group Labelle and her solo career, she has become a defining presence in R&B, soul and pop music. Her distinctive voice, dynamic performance style and longevity have inspired multiple generations of artists and continue to resonate through usage in film, television, and new media.

The partnership with Primary Wave positions her body of work under the banner of a growing catalogue of marquee artists whose music is being actively revitalised and monetised. In this light, the deal signifies not only a commercial transaction but also a strategic move to preserve and amplify the cultural value of LaBelle’s music.