T.I. Signs Full Catalog Publishing Deal With Reservoir
T.I. has signed a publishing deal with Reservoir Media that covers his entire catalog, from his earliest work through future releases. The deal, announced July 9, includes his new album Kill the King, which debuted in the top 10 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts, as well as catalog staples like “What You Know” and “Live Your Life.”
Reservoir will handle both his back catalog and anything he puts out going forward. The scope makes sense when you look at the numbers. T.I. has released 11 studio albums, over 100 singles, and 13 mixtapes, and has sold an estimated 14 million albums worldwide. He holds three Grammy wins, including Best Rap Solo Performance for “What You Know” in 2007 and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Swagga Like Us” at the 2009 ceremony.
What the Deal Covers
Music Business Worldwide went deepest on the catalog details. Paper Trail alone produced the 8x-platinum “Live Your Life” featuring Rihanna, the 5x-platinum “Dead and Gone” with Justin Timberlake, and “Swagga Like Us” with Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne. His 2006 album King went 2x-platinum and hit number one, and Paper Trail from 2008 went 4x-platinum, also at number one.
T.I. said in a statement, “I’m very excited about building a strong partnership with Reservoir as we work together to diversify the business and expand the reach of my catalog.” Reservoir EVP of A&R and Catalog Development Faith Newman pointed to his role in shaping Atlanta’s rap scene and hip-hop more broadly over the past two decades. President and COO Rell Lafargue called him “one of those rare powerhouses whose music has real cultural significance and staying power.”
About Reservoir
Reservoir is a New York-based independent music company founded in 2007, and it describes itself as the first female-founded and led publicly traded independent music company in the United States. The company reported revenue of $175.7 million in its fiscal 2026, up 11% year over year, and deployed around $120 million in acquisitions and advances during that period. Recent activity includes a worldwide publishing administration deal with Hans Zimmer signed in March and a joint venture with Latin music company TU Publishing last month. The T.I. signing fits a pattern of Reservoir pursuing catalog deals with artists who have documented cultural reach.
It is worth noting that Reservoir is also navigating an unsolicited acquisition proposal from two existing shareholders, Wesbild Inc. and Richmond Hill Investments, who submitted a non-binding offer of $10.50 per share in cash back in March. Only Music Business Worldwide reported that context in relation to this deal.
T.I. was represented in the transaction by Steven G. Shapiro and Ed Paparo of Davis, Shapiro, Lewit and Grabel, LLP, according to Music Business Worldwide. Billboard and Variety did not name the legal representatives.
Sources: Billboard.com · Variety.com · Musicbusinessworldwide.com