Global Music Rights

Global Music Rights (GMR) is a boutique performing rights organization based in New York that represents 150 to 200 top-tier songwriters, composers, and music publishers for the licensing of public performance rights in the United States. Founded in 2013 by Irving Azoff and Randy Grimmett, it was the first new PRO in the United States in nearly 75 years. GMR represents over 50,000 musical works and generates an estimated $400 to $450 million in annual revenue. In December 2024, private equity firm Hellman and Friedman acquired a majority stake valuing GMR at $3.3 billion.

How Global Music Rights Works

GMR operates differently from the traditional US PROs (ASCAP and BMI) in several ways. ASCAP and BMI operate under Department of Justice consent decrees, which require them to accept any songwriter who applies for membership and regulate how they negotiate with licensees. GMR is not bound by consent decrees. It is an invitation-only society, meaning it selectively signs songwriters whose catalogs carry significant licensing value.

GMR's licensing model covers the public performance of its affiliated songwriters' works across these channels:

• Digital streaming: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other streaming platforms.
• Terrestrial and satellite radio: Traditional AM/FM radio stations and satellite radio services.
• Streaming and linear television: Television broadcasters and streaming TV providers.
• Live venues: Concerts, festivals, and live performance venues.
• Public establishments: Bars, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and other businesses that play music publicly.

GMR positions itself as a boutique alternative to the larger PROs by offering its members several distinctive terms. Songwriters receive individualized service, transparent pay structures including a published rate card, audit rights, revenue guarantees, and value-based compensation. GMR also offers its affiliates the freedom to leave with their catalog if they elect not to renew, without imposing "licenses in effect" restrictions that prevent writers from moving between PROs during an existing license term.

The organization maintains a publicly searchable catalog on its website, allowing any prospective licensee to search its repertoire by work title, performer, songwriter, publisher, work identification number, or ISWC. GMR's policy is not to seek enforcement of any song not listed on its website, providing clarity for licensees about what works require a GMR license.

CEO Randy Grimmett leads day-to-day operations, with the Azoff Company retaining operational control following the Hellman and Friedman acquisition. GMR reports a near-perfect retention rate among its client roster.

Real-World Example

A major-label songwriter with 15 charting hits signs with GMR. Under a traditional PRO, the songwriter might receive a standard royalty split with limited transparency into how rates were negotiated with licensees. Under GMR, the songwriter receives a customized agreement with a revenue guarantee, a published rate card showing exactly how much licensees pay, and audit rights to verify royalty calculations.

If GMR collects $2 million in performance royalties for that songwriter's catalog in a given year from streaming platforms, radio stations, and live venues, the songwriter can audit GMR's books to verify the collection. The songwriter knows the exact rate each licensee pays because GMR's rate card is transparent. If the songwriter decides not to renew with GMR at the end of the contract term, they can move their catalog to another PRO without waiting for existing licenses to expire.

GMR's roster includes Bruce Springsteen, Drake, Billie Eilish, Bruno Mars, Harry Styles, Post Malone, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Jon Bon Jovi, the Prince Estate, Smokey Robinson, Shane McAnally, Shawn Mendes, Travis Scott, and many others. The concentration of high-value catalogs allows GMR to negotiate from a position of strength with licensees who need access to those works.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

GMR is not accessible to most independent artists. The organization is invitation-only and specifically targets songwriters and composers whose catalogs have star-level commercial value. If you are an independent songwriter building your career, GMR is likely not an option until your catalog generates significant licensing demand.

However, GMR's existence matters to all songwriters because it has forced changes in the broader PRO market. Before GMR, ASCAP and BMI operated with less competitive pressure. GMR's introduction of transparent rate cards, revenue guarantees, and the freedom to leave with your catalog has pushed other PROs to improve their offerings. ASCAP and BMI have enhanced their member benefits in response to GMR's competition.

For independent artists, the practical takeaway is understanding that the US PRO market has options. If you are an ASCAP or BMI member, you can evaluate whether GMR or SESAC might offer better terms once your catalog reaches a level of commercial significance. GMR's model demonstrates that transparency in royalty calculations and the ability to move between PROs are reasonable expectations, not luxuries.

If you are a licensee (a business that plays music publicly), GMR's catalog must be licensed separately from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. A business that plays music by GMR-affiliated artists without a GMR license is infringing, even if it holds licenses from the other three PROs. GMR's publicly searchable catalog makes it straightforward to check whether specific works require a GMR license.

PRO Comparison Table

Territory Covered

GMR licenses public performance rights exclusively within the United States. The organization covers digital streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music), terrestrial and satellite radio, streaming and linear television, live venues (concerts, festivals), and public establishments (bars, restaurants, hotels, retail stores).

GMR does not operate internationally. For royalties generated outside the United States, GMR-affiliated songwriters rely on their publishers or foreign sub-publishers to collect directly from foreign societies. GMR maintains a smaller international network compared to ASCAP and BMI, which have reciprocal agreements with 85 to 90+ foreign societies. This means GMR members may experience longer delays or require additional arrangements for international royalty collection.

How to Join GMR

Step 1: Receive an Invitation

1. GMR is an invitation-only society. You cannot apply directly.
2. GMR selectively signs songwriters and composers whose catalogs carry significant licensing value. The roster numbers approximately 160 to 200 songwriters or songwriter estates.
3. GMR targets writers with star-level commercial catalogs, typically including charting hits, major-label releases, or significant licensing demand.

Step 2: Negotiate a Customized Agreement

1. Once invited, GMR negotiates a customized agreement tailored to your catalog's value.
2. The agreement includes a revenue guarantee, a published rate card showing exact licensee rates, audit rights, and value-based compensation.
3. Contract terms vary by writer. GMR offers the freedom to leave with your catalog if you elect not to renew, without "licenses in effect" restrictions that prevent writers from moving between PROs during an existing license term.

Step 3: Register Your Works

1. Provide GMR with your complete catalog information, including song titles, writer credits, publisher shares, and ISWC numbers.
2. GMR adds your works to its publicly searchable catalog on its website.
3. Licensees can search GMR's repertoire by work title, performer, songwriter, publisher, work identification number, or ISWC.

Required Documents

• Catalog information (song titles, writer credits, publisher shares)
• Publishing agreements (if applicable)
• ISWC numbers for registered works
• No application fee or membership dues

Membership Fees and Overhead Rate

Fees

• Joining fee: None. GMR is invitation-only with no application fee.
• Annual membership fee: None. GMR operates as a for-profit company.
• Songwriter fee: Not applicable (invitation only).
• Publisher fee: Not applicable (invitation only).

Overhead Rate

GMR does not publicly disclose its overhead rate or administrative deduction percentage. As a for-profit PRO, GMR's business model differs from non-profit organizations like ASCAP and BMI. GMR claims to pay the highest per-performance rates of any US PRO, attributing this to its selective roster and efficient operations.

GMR provides its members with transparent pay structures, including a published rate card showing exactly how much licensees pay. Members also receive audit rights to verify royalty calculations. The combination of revenue guarantees, value-based compensation, and transparent rate cards means that GMR's effective overhead is embedded in its negotiated agreements rather than published as a single percentage.

In December 2024, private equity firm Hellman and Friedman acquired a majority stake (approximately 90%) valuing GMR at $3.3 billion. The Azoff Company and CEO Randy Grimmett (now Executive Chairman) retained operational control. Jeff Toig was promoted to CEO in 2025.

Royalty Distribution Schedule

GMR distributes royalties monthly, making it the fastest-paying PRO in the United States. Other US PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) pay quarterly. GMR's payment delay is approximately 3 to 6 months after the performance period, compared to 5.5 to 9 months for other US PROs.

The monthly distribution cycle is attractive to high-earning songwriters who qualify for GMR's selective roster. It provides more consistent cash flow compared to the quarterly cycles of ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.

GMR's license agreements with radio stations typically have an initial 4-year term. The current GMR radio license term expires on March 31, 2026, with an option for stations to renew for an additional 3-year term (exercise window: October 1 to December 15, 2025).

Reciprocal Agreements with Foreign Societies

GMR maintains a smaller international network compared to ASCAP and BMI. Unlike ASCAP (90+ foreign societies) and BMI (85+ foreign societies), GMR does not prominently publish a list of reciprocal agreements with foreign collective management organizations.

GMR is not bound by Department of Justice consent decrees, which means it negotiates licenses directly with licensees rather than being required to accept all applicants. This gives GMR more negotiating leverage but also means its international reach is more limited. GMR-affiliated songwriters who need international royalty collection typically rely on their publishers or foreign sub-publishers to manage those relationships directly with foreign societies.

For non-US songwriters whose works are performed in the United States, GMR's catalog must be licensed separately from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. A business that plays music by GMR-affiliated artists without a GMR license is infringing, even if it holds licenses from the other three PROs.

Notable Members

GMR's roster includes approximately 160 to 200 of the most commercially successful songwriters and composer estates in the world. Notable members include:

• Bruce Springsteen: 568 songs in GMR's catalog. One of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 140 million records sold worldwide. 20 Grammy Awards. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. (Wikipedia)
• Drake: Rapper, singer, and songwriter. Most streamed artist on Spotify in the 2010s. 5 Grammy Awards from 50 nominations. (Wikipedia)
• Billie Eilish: Singer and songwriter. Joined GMR in November 2024. 9 Grammy Awards including Album of the Year for "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" (2020) and "Hit Me Hard and Soft" (2024). 2 Academy Awards for Best Original Song. (Wikipedia)
• Bruno Mars: Singer, songwriter, and producer. 15 Grammy Awards. Has sold over 130 million records worldwide. Known for "Uptown Funk," "24K Magic," and "That's What I Like." (Wikipedia)
• Harry Styles: Singer, songwriter, and actor. Former One Direction member. 3 Grammy Awards including Album of the Year for "Harry's House" (2023). Announced his fourth album "Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally" for release on March 6, 2026 via Columbia. (Wikipedia)
• The Weeknd: Singer, songwriter, and record producer. Joined GMR in April 2022. 4 Grammy Awards. First artist to simultaneously hold the top three spots on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. (Wikipedia)
• Jon Bon Jovi: 433 songs in GMR's catalog. Singer, songwriter, and founder of Bon Jovi. The band has sold over 120 million records worldwide. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. (Wikipedia)
• Eddie Vedder: 294 songs in GMR's catalog. Lead singer and guitarist of Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam has sold over 85 million records worldwide. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. (Wikipedia)
• Prince Estate: 353 songs (George Harrison Estate also represented). Prince sold over 150 million records worldwide. 7 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. (Wikipedia)
• Shane McAnally: Country music songwriter and producer. 3 Grammy Awards including Best Country Song. Has written number 1 hits for Kacey Musgraves, Sam Hunt, Kenny Chesney, and Luke Bryan. (Wikipedia)
• Bad Bunny: Rapper and singer. Most streamed artist on Spotify in 2020, 2021, and 2022. 3 Grammy Awards. (Wikipedia)

Video Guides

Similar PROs

• ASCAP - United States performing rights organization (open membership)
• BMI - United States performing rights organization (open membership)
• SESAC - United States performing rights organization (invitation only)
• SoundExchange - US digital performance rights organization
• PRS for Music - United Kingdom performing rights organization
• AllTrack - US performing rights organization
• Full PRO Directory - Browse all performing rights organizations

Related Resources

• Performing Rights Organizations (PRO) - What a PRO is and how it functions
• Performance Royalties - How performance royalties are generated and collected
• Blanket License - The licensing model used by GMR and other PROs
• Mechanical Royalties - How mechanical royalties differ from performance royalties
• Collective Management Organization (CMO) - How CMOs operate globally
• Global Music Rights Official Website - Visit GMR for licensing and catalog information
• Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital earnings