← 8 Landmark Deals in Black Music

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By Janell Hazelwood | Published July 1, 2011 | Full size is 620 × 480 pixels

Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, sold 50% of Jobete Music Co., the publishing arm of the label, to EMI Music Publishing for $132 million in July 1997, in what was considered one of the most significant music publishing deals of all time. Motown churned out more than 100 No. 1 hits in more than three decades, and changed the face of soul music with its top-selling roster.

Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, sold 50% of Jobete Music Co., the publishing arm…