Who Owns Whitney Houston's Voice? A Million Dollar Question (Or Maybe Not)
Let's talk about Whitney Houston. Not the woman, the legend. And while we're at it, let's talk about money. Lots and lots of money. Because when you mix those two things, you get a story that's more dramatic than a soap opera.
The Queen is Dead, Long Live the Queen (and Her Money)
Whitney Houston, the voice that could melt butter, sadly passed away in 2012. But her music? Oh, that's still raking in the dough. Which begs the question: Who’s cashing those checks?
Now, you might think it's her family, right? Her kids, maybe her mom, Cissy Houston, who also happens to be a legendary singer herself. Well, it's kinda complicated.
Estate Management: The Real Stars of the Show
Whitney's estate is the legal entity that owns her music. And let’s just say, it’s a well-managed estate. Think of it as a savvy business manager who’s turned a tragedy into a money-making machine.
But here’s the kicker: even the estate doesn’t own all of Whitney's music. Remember those iconic songs like "I Will Always Love You"? Well, the songwriting royalties for those tunes belong to Dolly Parton, who originally wrote the song. So, Dolly’s still getting a pretty penny every time you belt out that chorus in the shower.
Primary Wave: The New Kids on the Block
In a twist that would make a soap opera writer jealous, a company called Primary Wave bought the rights to a bunch of Whitney's hit songs. They're basically the new owners of classics like "How Will I Know" and "I Wanna Dance With Somebody." Talk about a lucrative purchase!
So, to sum it up: Whitney Houston's music is a complex web of ownership. The estate is the main player, but there are other entities involved, like Dolly Parton and Primary Wave. And let's not forget the record labels that released her albums. It's a tangled mess, but someone's definitely laughing all the way to the bank.
How To... Whitney Houston Music Edition
- How to become a Whitney Houston superfan: Listen to all her albums, watch her movies, and learn all the lyrics.
- How to make money from Whitney Houston music: Become a music producer, a songwriter, or invest in music rights. Just kidding (kinda).
- How to sing like Whitney Houston: Practice, practice, practice. And maybe take some vocal lessons.
- How to appreciate Whitney Houston's legacy: Enjoy her music, learn about her life, and support her family and the organizations she cared about.
- How to get over Whitney Houston: It's impossible. Just kidding again.
