Main Wave Music, together with Brazil-headquartered Nas Nuvens Music Group, has entered right into a partnership with iconic Brazilian composer, singer, and guitarist, Gilberto Gil.
The deal sees Main Wave and Nas Nuvens Music Group purchase Gilberto Gil’s catalog.
The businesses declare in a press launch that the partnership is “one of the vital vital to emerge from South America,” and that it’s “certainly one of Brazil’s largest music transactions”.
They added that deal “redefin[es] the method to catalog and legacy partnerships within the area”.
Gilberto Gil is described by Main Wave and Nas Nuvens Music Group as one “of an important and influential figures in not simply music however Brazilian tradition”.
Nas Nuvens was based and is led by Liminha, described as “one of the vital influential music producers in Latin America”.
Fashioned in 2021 via a partnership between non-public fairness fund Starboard Companions, the corporate got down to emulate Main Wave’s mannequin within the Brazilian market – specifically, buying partial stakes within the works of iconic artists.
Main Wave is a strategic investor within the firm, which shares its identify with the Nas Nuvens Studio, based by Liminha in partnership with Gilberto Gil in Rio de Janeiro in 1984.
Bloomberg reported in 2024 that Main Wave acquired a 50% stake in Nas Nuvens Catalog, valuing the Sao Paulo-headquartered firm at round USD $100 million.
Nas Nuvens manages greater than 80 music catalogs representing a few of Brazil’s “most iconic artists and songwriters”, together with Carlinhos Brown, Chorão (Charlie Brown Jr.), Arlindo Cruz, Zeca Baleiro, Vanessa da Mata, Vinicius Cantuaria, Celso Fonseca, Kiko Zambianchi, Sombrinha, Renato Teixeira, Raimundos, Nelson Ned, Nando Cordel, Zeeba, Bruno Martini, Matheus Aleixo, Tico Santa Cruz, Timbalada, Maneva, Planta e Raiz, and Flora Matos, amongst many others, in addition to the catalogs of document labels reminiscent of CID, MZA, and Midas.
In line with the press launch, the partnership will “give attention to the concretization and preservation of Gilberto Gil’s legacy”.
It is going to additionally give attention to “accelerating the internationalization of his catalog and cultural affect amongst new generations, throughout new platforms, and to international audiences”.
The businesses added that the deal builds on the “cautious stewardship” led by Gilberto Gil’s spouse Flora Gil and the group at unbiased document label Gege “over the previous many years”.
“Gilberto Gil is the residing embodiment of Brazilian tradition on the world stage, representing every thing that makes Brazil distinctive and globally related.”
Jason Eliasen, Nas Nuvens Music Group
Jason Eliasen, CFO & COO, Nas Nuvens Music Group, added: “Gilberto Gil is the residing embodiment of Brazilian tradition on the world stage, representing every thing that makes Brazil distinctive and globally related.
This partnership will not be solely iconic for Brazil, however a landmark second for international music, recognizing the common significance of Gil’s work.
“It creates a strong bridge between Brazil and the worldwide music ecosystem, permitting us to anchor Gil’s legacy at dwelling whereas bringing his music, his picture, and his story to audiences all over the world.”
“Gilberto Gil will not be solely one of many best artists Brazil has ever produced — he’s a part of the soul of our tradition.”
Liminha, CEO, Nas Nuvens Music Group
Liminha, CEO, Nas Nuvens Music Group, added: “Gilberto Gil will not be solely one of many best artists Brazil has ever produced — he’s a part of the soul of our tradition.
“I’ve had the privilege of strolling alongside him for many years, as a producer, musician, composer, collaborator, and buddy, and I’ve seen firsthand how deeply his music connects individuals throughout generations and transcends borders.
“I’ve discovered an incredible deal by observing the knowledge he brings to on a regular basis life. Past being an incredible artist, Gil is a good human being.
“At Nas Nuvens Music Group, this partnership is deeply private to us: it’s about honoring Gil’s legacy with the respect it deserves and making certain that his music continues to journey the world with the identical energy, magnificence, and freedom which have all the time outlined his work.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Gilberto Gil and his household into the Main Wave and Nas Nuvens household.”
Invoice Cisneros, Main Wave Music
Invoice Cisneros, President, Main Wave Music, mentioned: “We’re thrilled to welcome Gilberto Gil and his household into the Main Wave and Nas Nuvens household.
“We’re deeply honored that Gil and group have chosen Main Wave and Nas Nuvens to assist shield and develop the unbelievable legacy he has already given the world.”
Main Wave famous that Gil’s profession, which started within the early 60s, “helped outline the Tropicália motion and reshaped the trajectory of Latin music”.
His profession spans greater than six many years and contains greater than 60 albums. Amongst his most best-known songs are Vamos Fugir, Aquele Abraco, Toda Menina Baiana, Andar com Fé, Palco, Realce, and dozens of others, which Main Wave famous “have turn out to be woven into Brazil’s cultural cloth”.
His work has earned him two Grammy Awards, 9 Latin Grammy Awards, and in 2005, he was the primary Latin American recipient of the Polar Music Prize.
Gil collaborated with and “earned the admiration of” icons reminiscent of George Harrison, Stevie Marvel, and Sting.
He recorded a Brazilian model of No Lady, No Cry and is broadly thought to be a pioneer in introducing reggae to Brazil.
Jimmy Cliff toured Brazil alongside Gil, and Gil recorded in Jamaica with The Wailers. In 2025, at 83 years of age, the “genre-bending” artist. who’s “thought of certainly one of Brazil’s best composers” introduced his farewell tour performing throughout South America, Europe and the States.
Gil’s farewell tour, Tempo Rei, continues via 2026, and can embody a headlining efficiency at Rock in Rio.
Elsewhere, globally, in November, Main Wave partnered with Derry Music Firm for the music, publishing copyrights, and recording catalog of legendary jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck.
Additionally in November, the corporate entered right into a partnership with the property of Phil Lynott, co-founder and songwriter of iconic Irish rock band Skinny Lizzy.
In October, the corporate struck a partnership with Grammy winner Patti LaBelle.
In July final yr, the corporate struck a music rights deal with the Property of legendary English blues rock singer-songwriter and guitarist, Peter Inexperienced.
In June 2025, Main Wave partnered with Grammy-nominated band the Automobiles.
In March final yr, the corporate acquired a stake within the Biggie Smalls catalog, which was reported to have valued the artist’s property at $200 million.
Main Wave’s portfolio additionally contains rights to works by Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks, and Luther Vandross. The corporate has additionally signed a advertising and marketing and publishing administration take care of Grammy-winning songwriter and performer Jimmy Webb, together with offers with the property of nation and people singer-songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker, Grammy-winning violinist Itzhak Perlman, and Feels So Good composer Chuck Mangione.
The corporate has additionally just lately acquired the catalog of Nuno Bettencourt of 90s rock band Excessive; inked a publishing partnership with alt-rock band The Spin Docs; and signed a music rights deal with Neil Finn of Crowded Home.
Main Wave additionally struck a deal for the recorded, publishing, model and identify and likeness rights of The Village Folks of YMCA fame; a catalog deal with the property of songwriter and musician P.F. Sloan; and a stake within the catalog of singer/songwriter Neil Sedaka.
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