HarbourView Equity Partners has struck a partnership with Chaka Khan focused on catalog development, global licensing, and the creation of new creative ventures.
The deal, which according to the Hollywood Reporter includes a stake in Khan’s catalog, comes at a moment of renewed creative momentum for Khan, who released her single Chakzilla in May 2026, her first new music in more than seven years.
Khan also completed a run on the Queens! 4 Legends, 1 Stage tour alongside Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle and Stephanie Mills, which was recognized by Billboard as one of the highest-grossing R&B tours of the year.
“Chaka Khan is a remarkable talent, an artist whose voice, spirit, and presence have moved effortlessly across generations while never losing their power or soul,” said Sherrese Clarke, Founder and CEO of HarbourView.
“Chaka Khan is a remarkable talent – an artist whose voice, spirit, and presence have moved effortlessly across generations while never losing their power or soul.”
Sherrese Clarke, HarbourView
“She is not only an iconic vocalist, but a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose energy, authenticity, and sense of self continue to inspire,” Clarke added.
“As both a musical force and a fashion icon, Chaka embodies a rare blend of strength, style, and spirit.
“We are honored to work alongside her as she continues to evolve her legacy in ways that feel as vibrant and resonant as ever,” said Clarke.
Khan said: “Music is the most powerful and generous thing I know, you give it away and somehow it always comes back bigger.”
“This beautiful group at HarbourView gets what my music means, not just as a business, but as a body of love. That matters to me deeply.”
Chaka Khan
“Seeing these songs still finding new ears and new hearts fills me up with joy,” Khan added.
“This beautiful group at HarbourView gets what my music means, not just as a business, but as a body of love. That matters to me deeply.”
Khan is an 11–timeGrammy Award winner whose career has spanned more than five decades, beginning as the lead vocalist of funk band Rufus.
Her catalog of anthems includes I’m Every Woman, Ain’t Nobody, Sweet Thing, Through the Fire, Tell Me Something Good, Like Sugar, and I Feel for You – the 1984 crossover hit featuring Grandmaster Melle Mel, which the press release describes as the first R&B track to feature a rap artist.
Khan was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023 with the Musical Excellence Award, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2026, and the BET Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.
The partnership marks another milestone in HarbourView‘s expansion of its entertainment portfolio.
The Newark, New Jersey-headquartered firm, founded in 2021 by former Tempo Music CEO Sherrese Clarke with backing from Apollo Global Management, has been on an active acquisition run in recent years.
In March, the firm acquired music and non-music assets from the estate of Quincy Jones, including recorded music, publishing, and ancillary rights such as his participation in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
In May 2026, the company acquired the pre-2024 catalog of Stefflon Don.
Other recent deals include a majority stake in Slipknot‘s catalog, and the publishing catalog and select masters of T-Pain.
HarbourView pointed to recent examples of its value creation efforts across its portfolio, including Daniel Caesar‘s Blessed being featured in Netflix‘s hit series Forever, a commercial license of Fleetwood Mac‘s The Chain in the official F1 movie trailer, and Bad Bunny‘s hit EoO, which samples Hector y Tito‘s Perreo Baby from HarbourView‘s catalog.
According to HarbourView, the company has amassed approximately $3.88 billion in regulatory assets under management and over 70 music catalogs to date, featuring a catalog of approximately 41,000 songs across both master recordings and publishing income streams.
The company’s portfolio includes catalogs from Kelly Clarkson, T-Pain, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, James Fauntleroy, George Benson, Luis Fonsi, Fleetwood Mac‘s Christine McVie, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Nelly, Wiz Khalifa, and Kane Brown, among others.
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP served as legal counsel to HarbourView in the transaction.
Khan was represented by the Law Office of Ron E. Dolecki, P.C.Music Business Worldwide
