On Christmas Day 2006, the world lost James Brown due to congestive heart failure. According to the New York Times, after multiple legal battles over the “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” singer’s estate during the past 15 years, it has reportedly been sold to Primary Wave Music for an estimated amount of $90 million.
“In this exciting partnership with the estate, Primary Wave Music has acquired a stake in Brown’s publishing, master recording income stream, and name and likeness rights,” the company said in a statement. “Primary Wave will also continue a partnership with the estate, which will include several projects related to The James Brown 2000 Trust, which was established in 2000 by Mr. Brown for charitable and educational purposes.”
James Brown’s wish that the bulk of his estate fund scholarships for needy children may finally come true, 15 years after the soul icon’s death. Primary Wave Music will pay an estimated $90 million for his estate after litigation delays. https://t.co/JgUZQO0D1G
— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 13, 2021
According to the New York Times, the deal could allow some of the money allocated towards Brown’s scholarships. Before his death, the “Godfather of Soul” reportedly planned to donate most of his estate in the form of scholarships to children in need, detailing it in his will.
Legal battles over Brown’s estate have included the singer’s children and executors. Tommie Rae Hynie, who the “I Got You (Feel Good)” singer married in 2001, also got involved in pursuing his estate. However, a court reportedly ruled that she was not the singer’s wife last year. Per the New York Times, Brown discovered after tying the knot to Hynie that she was married to someone else.
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Excited to work with the South Carolina native’s estate, the founder and CEO of Primary Wave Music commented on the deal, “I FEEL GOOD! Wow, I am awed that Primary Wave has been chosen by the estate of James Brown to partner with the Godfather of Soul. We are thrilled to help continue the expansion of his influence and further his legacy through both his music and The James Brown 2000 Trust.”
Though certain legal cases reportedly need to be settled before any scholarship money can be given out, Russell L. Bauknight, an executor for the singer who’s also tied up in legal drama related to the estate, hopes that scholarships can be disbursed as early as 2022.
