Primary Wave Music has entered into a deal with the estate of Donna Summer.
Summer is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee who passed away in 2012 at age 63. Her legacy includes 17 studio albums, with three reaching the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 between 1978 and 1980: “Live and More,” “Bad Girls,” and “On the Radio – Greatest Hits Volumes I & II,” Billboard reports.
Her music portfolio includes nearly 90 singles, with more than one-third appearing on the Billboard Hot 100. This includes the certified platinum hit single “Hot Stuff” from the “Bad Girls” album, which earned Summer a Grammy for “Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.” Other singles released by Summer include “Last Dance,” “She Works Hard for the Money,” “Dim All the Lights,” and “I Feel Love.”
According to a press release, Primary Wave Music has acquired Summer’s music catalog and records, as well as her name, image, and likeness rights. The estate will collaborate with the independent publisher for opportunities across marketing, branding, digital, and film and television projects.
Primary Wave Music’s Other Acquisitions
As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Primary Wave Music also holds a 50% stake in the estate of Notorious B.I.G., which includes B.I.G.’s publishing and master rights, as well as his name, image, voice, and “other identifiable characteristics.”
“The estate and Primary Wave will collaborate on all business moving forward in an effort to continue the incredible and innovative work done thus far with one goal in mind, to keep the legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. alive,” the company said at the time, according to Variety.
In 2025, Patti LaBelle also closed a royalty deal with Primary Wave Music for her entire catalog, which includes 18 studio albums and three live albums.
“We are so honored to be in business with a legend such as Ms. LaBelle. She’s a true icon and trailblazer. We are looking forward to doing great things together,” Primary Wave’s Steven Greener said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
