Deftones Sell Majority of Catalog to Warner Music Group

Alternative metal mainstays Deftones have reportedly sold the bulk of their catalog to Warner Music Group, according to a new Billboard report citing unnamed sources. The deal includes the band’s master-recording royalties, co-publishing stakes, and writer’s royalties.

While WMG previously owned the band’s master recordings and publishing was handled in-house via Warner Chappell, this latest transaction transfers the majority of the band’s rights, though at least one member reportedly retained their personal share of royalties. The exact date of the sale remains undisclosed, though sources indicate it occurred within the last two years.

Billboard notes the band was seeking a “mid-to high-double-digit multiple” on the catalog—a valuation method that takes into account gross profit and future earning potential. Today, music catalogs typically sell for 12- to 18-times multiples, though superstar artists have been known to command above 20-times multiples.

The timing of the sale comes amid a surge in popularity for Deftones’ back catalog, fueled in part by viral trends on TikTok. Over the past few years, the band has enjoyed renewed chart success, arena headliner status, and certifications for older releases. Last July, multiple albums in the discography were awarded platinum and gold status in the U.S., and their 1997 album Around The Fur reached #3 on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart in December 2025.

Frontman Chino Moreno reflected on the band’s rise in August 2025, stating:

“We literally are bigger than we’ve ever been in our almost 30-year existence.”

While the exact valuation of the deal is unknown, industry experts note that the catalog’s increasing demand likely maximized the return for the band.

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