Following the acquisition of the Blackground/Black Fountain Publishing catalog, a new music publishing company is being launched. Billboard can report exclusively that Legacy Publishing is helmed by veteran music executive Chaka Zulu with partners Paris Kirk and Boikai Cummings.
Encompassing more than 800 songs, the catalog houses key recordings by Aaliyah, Missy Elliott and Timbaland, plus hit collaborations featuring Jay-Z, Drake, Lil Wayne and Nas, among others. Headquartered in Atlanta, Legacy Publishing will also have a presence in Los Angeles, London and Johannesburg.
According to the press announcement, Legacy Publishing seeks “to reinvigorate these works through strategic partnerships, innovative capital structures and proactive asset management.” Financial details about the acquisition and the catalog’s value aren’t being disclosed. However, the new entity is backed by investors from the music, sports, consumer goods and financial services sectors. Those investors include NBA All-Star John Wall, Nyema Tubman (SheaMoisture/Sundial Brands), Courtney Stewart (Right Hand Music), Tunde Balogun (LVRN), Ty Baisden (COLTURE Holdings) and artist/entrepreneur Brent Faiyaz (ISO Supremacy).
Commenting on the company’s choice of moniker, Zulu — who co-founded Disturbing tha Peace Records with his brother Jeff Dixon and Ludacris — said, “Everything we do contributes to our legacy. We are building a business our descendants can be proud of; one rooted in values, thoughtful acquisitions, flexible partnerships and a clear sense of purpose.”
“Copyright owners are looking for both financial flexibility and true partnership,” stated Cummings, founder of CIH Group and Octav AI, an upcoming asset management software. “High-quality music assets require the right structure and experienced partners to help them evolve into the next era of music.”
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Since acquiring the Blackground/Black Fountain Publishing catalog, Legacy says it has released 15 new songs featuring samples from the catalog, which have “generated more than 726 million streams on Spotify.” Examples include “CN Tower” by PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake, “WASSUP” by Young Miko, “Somebody” by Latto, “JT Coming” by JT, “Open Invite” by Teyana Taylor and Kaytranada, and “All the Signs” by Don Toliver. “GONE,” a previously unreleased collaboration between Aaliyah and Tank, has also been issued, as has an EDM remix of Faiyaz’s “Jackie Brown” that’s garnered more than 334 million Spotify streams.
Legacy Publishing has also secured sync placements in film, television, gaming and advertising. Those include: Drake’s “Look What You’ve Done,” featured in Hulu’s Reasonable Doubt; Young Miko’s “WASSUP,” featured in EA Sports’ FC 2026 and Nike’s “Tomo el Juego / SUFA25 Next Gen Football” campaign; Pretty Ricky’s “Your Body” in an Oreo commercial; and a Fortnite dance emote set to JT’s “JT Coming.”
“We are one of the few publishing groups whose partners actively manage some of the world’s biggest artists,” added Kirk, who’s also a partner at COLTURE. “With more than 30 years of combined experience in cultural curation, deal structuring and asset management, we’re just getting started.”
