Warner Music Group has acquired a controlling stake in Tempo Music Investments, a catalog-focused joint venture initially launched with Providence Equity Partners in 2019. Providence Equity will remain as a minority owner for now, with WMG having an option to purchase their remaining stake by the end of 2027.

The Tempo Music catalog includes works from notable artists such as Twenty One Pilots, Adele, Bruno Mars, and Wiz Khalifa. The portfolio consists of approximately 80% publishing rights and 20% recorded music rights. Anonymous sources value the deal at around $450 million, down from the fund's initial $650 million valuation.

Warner Music CEO Robert Kyncl has emphasized the company's aggressive acquisition strategy, with this purchase following recent acquisitions of the DWA and Extravaganza catalogs in early 2025. To strengthen its acquisition capabilities, WMG recently hired Goldman Sachs veteran Michael Ryan-Southern.

The acquisition is expected to provide WMG with enhanced control over the catalog's management. According to Kyncl, the investment will become more profitable as existing publishing deals expire, allowing WMG to expand its direct control over the catalog.

Michael Ryan-Southern stated, "WMG and Tempo have a long-standing history and aligned interests in uplifting great music and catalogs. This deal is a natural fit for us, and a good example of how our investment strategy is designed to build our scale and influence, while delivering additional revenue at a high margin."

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