New York-based independent music company Reservoir Media has executed a comprehensive partnership with Atlanta trap pioneer T.I., acquiring the rapper’s entire publishing catalog and stakes in his non-Atlantic recorded works. This transaction matters significantly to labels, publishers, and rights holders as it demonstrates a growing market appetite for securing both historical IP and future revenue streams from legacy hip-hop artists, particularly those navigating complex legal battles over their primary masters.
Catalog Scope and Future Rights
The agreement, announced on Thursday, July 9, 2026, grants Reservoir control over T.I.’s back catalog and all future compositions. This includes his latest album, Kill the King, which recently debuted in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts. The deal extends beyond solo releases to encompass T.I.’s extensive feature songwriting credits for artists such as B.o.B, A$AP Rocky, Slim Thug, Trey Songz, Dave East, Sean Kingston, and Big K.R.I.T. Reservoir president and COO Rell Lafargue emphasized that welcoming such an influential artist reinforces the company’s mission to grow its roster with world-class music that possesses cultural significance and staying power.
Strategic Focus on Non-Atlantic Recordings
While T.I. remains embroiled in a buyback-focused legal dispute with Cinq/GoDigital regarding his Atlantic masters spanning Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head, Reservoir has strategically targeted his non-Atlantic recordings. The partnership covers specific projects including his 2001 Arista release, his 2014 post-Atlantic project, and his 2018 album, alongside various non-album singles. Financial terms were not disclosed, though Reservoir has previously indicated its sweet spot for major catalog transactions ranges between $40 million and $60 million. T.I., represented by Steven G. Shapiro and Ed Paparo of Davis, Shapiro, Lewit & Grabel, LLP, stated he is excited to diversify the business and expand the reach of his catalog through this new alliance. This move follows Reservoir’s recent acquisition of the Miles Davis publishing catalog and a joint venture with Latin publisher TU, signaling a continued aggressive expansion into diverse music genres.
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