Musicbusinessworldwide.com
Firebird Music is significantly expanding its presence in the music rights market with the launch of a $750 million catalog acquisition fund, backed by investment giant Ares Management and longtime supporter The Raine Group.
The new platform is designed to finance acquisitions of recorded music and publishing catalogs while strengthening Firebird’s growing network of artist management, label and publishing businesses. Alongside the fund’s launch, Ares has also made a direct investment in Firebird itself, with Ares Managing Director Jeevan Sagoo joining the company’s board of directors.
According to reports, the fund is structured with approximately $350 million in equity financing from Ares, Firebird and Raine, alongside $400 million in debt financing provided by Pinnacle. The investment also gives Ares a minority ownership stake in Firebird, further deepening the firm’s involvement in the music rights sector.
Founded in 2022 by former Ticketmaster CEO Nathan Hubbard and music executive Nat Zilkha, Firebird has rapidly assembled a portfolio spanning artist management, independent labels and publishing companies. Recent acquisitions include a majority stake in UK-based Goodlife Management, adding another prominent management company to a roster that already includes Red Light Management, Mick Management, Hills Artists and Special Projects.
Beyond acquisitions, Firebird has increasingly focused on direct partnerships with artists. In early 2025, the company announced a multimillion-dollar investment in Yungblud’s business interests through YB Inc., a holding company encompassing the artist’s recorded music, touring, merchandise, fashion and festival ventures. Earlier this year, Hubbard said Firebird intends to invest more than $500 million into artist partnerships over the next two years, having already deployed more than $300 million.
The latest fund reflects continued investor confidence in music rights as an asset class. Ares has steadily increased its exposure to the sector, including its participation in GoldState Music’s major fundraising efforts over the past two years.
Firebird says the new capital will allow it to offer artists more flexible long-term partnerships by combining catalog investment with access to its broader management and business infrastructure.
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