Ozuna Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal With EMPIRE
Reggaeton singer Ozuna has signed a new publishing deal with EMPIRE Publishing, under which the company will administer all of his future songs worldwide. Publishing administration means collecting and licensing the money a song earns from radio, streaming, live performance and licensing on behalf of its writers and owners.
The deal was announced on stage by EMPIRE CEO and founder Ghazi during a live taping of On the Record, Billboard's music business podcast. The taping was held at Latin Music Week in Miami, which runs from October 19 to 22, 2026. The full interview is due to be posted on all podcast platforms on Wednesday, October 21.
According to Billboard's report, the agreement goes beyond collecting royalties. EMPIRE will also provide additional services, including creative work and synchronisation, or "sync," which means licensing songs for use in films, television shows, adverts and games.
Ghazi told the podcast that he has been close with Ozuna's lawyer for years and has wanted to work with the artist for a long time. The two parties' relationship with EMPIRE now moves from talk to contract.
Ozuna's publishing history is a little more settled than his label history. He had been signed to Kobalt for publishing administration since 2017. In 2020, Billboard reported that he renewed that Kobalt arrangement after his album ENOC debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart. That renewal covered his future works and his back catalogue, meaning songs already written and recorded.
EMPIRE says it entered Latin music in 2011, when it moved into reggaeton. Since then it has signed a long list of Latin acts, including Natalia Jiménez, Jay Wheeler, Zhamira, CONEP, Luis Enrique, Darkiel, Grupo Hacendado, Mxka and Toni Lozano. Vinny Kumar is president of EMPIRE Publishing.
Ozuna's name has been prominent at this year's Latin industry events. In September, he was announced as one of the performers at the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards, alongside Manuel Turizo, Pablo Alborán and Tito Double P. His debut album, Odisea, debuted at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart.
For a songwriter, the practical question is always where the money comes from. Publishing income is paid each time a song is played, performed, streamed or licensed, and it is often split between writers and publishers under contract. A deal that covers every future song worldwide therefore decides who collects on that work for years to come.
