Boy George Aligns With Primary Wave Publishing to Help Recoup Culture Club Copyrights

Boy George and his Culture Club troupe are linking up with Primary Wave Music Publishing in a new multi-million-dollar deal.

Under the agreement, the independent publisher will acquire a stake in the iconic '80s new wave band's music publishing and master recording income stream -- including hits like "Karma Chameleon," "I'll Tumble 4 Ya," and "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me."

"My songs are very precious to me. They are the story of my life," says Boy George in a release. "I wanted to partner with Primary Wave as they respect the legacy but also understand I want the songs heard. Primary Wave were a pleasure to deal with. They acted as partners from day one. The right partners with the right experience and definitely a new way of thinking. Primary Wave are ahead of their time (So was I! Wink!)."

As first reported by the New York Post, the deal is intended to help Boy George and his band recoup the rights (and fortune) for those hits, after missing out on significant royalty fees for decades. The publisher has experience in that department: In 2016, Primary Wave also helped Steve Cropper, who co-penned "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Otis Redding, regain ownership of his music publishing catalog.  

"We are elated to have Boy George and Culture Club joining the growing Primary Wave family," says Lawrence Mestel, CEO and founder of the publishing company. "I have personally been a fan of their music for decades and their songs still stand the test of time. Boy George was way ahead of his time in music, fashion, and culture. A true original. We look forward to an amazing partnership and bringing new life into these classic new wave hits."

Adds Boy George's attorney, Jeremy Rosen: "Since winning the Grammy for best new artist in 1984, Boy George and Culture Club defined a generation of pop music and style with countless nostalgic classics and over 150 million records sold. I am very proud to facilitate this Primary Wave partnership to ensure that their legacy continues to evolve and enrich our lives."

The announcement comes just a week after Primary Wave inked a landmark partnership with Whitney Houston's estate, which gives the publisher a 50 percent stake in the estate's assets and includes plans for a "hologram" tour and an album of unreleased material.