NEW YORK, NY (October 29, 2025) – Primary Wave Music, the leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world, have announced today their partnership with the incomparable Patti LaBelle. The partnership includes the Grammy winning singer’s artist royalties across her legendary and award-winning catalog of music which includes an incredible 18 studio albums, 3 live albums, 14 compilation albums, and 47 singles. To date, Ms. LaBelle has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. A whopping 42 singles have appeared on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart, and she has charted 20 albums on the Billboard Top 200, two of which soared to the top 10. A decorated performer, LaBelle has won two Grammys and has 13 nominations under her belt. She is an Emmy nominee, a four-time Image Award winner, an American Music Award winner and, in 1993, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Included in the deal are some of LaBelle’s greatest hits across her critically acclaimed career including “Lady Marmalade,” “If Only You Knew,” “New Attitude,” “On My Own,” and more. Recorded in 1974 by the group LaBelle, “Lady Marmalade” quickly shot to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Led by the sultry vocals of Ms. LaBelle, “Lady Marmalade” was billed as the song that made Labelle one of the hottest girl groups of the 70s. Over the years, the song has been a classic and has been covered by several artists – the most popular cover likely being the 2001 version by Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink, and Lil’ Kim. That version appeared on the soundtrack to the film Moulin Rouge! and was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for an astounding five weeks. In 2021, the Library of Congress selected the song for preservation in the National Recording Registry.
“If Only You Knew” was released in 1983 and is the first single off Ms. LaBelle’s 6th studio album. The single landed on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 4 weeks at the number one spot on the U.S. R&B charts, marking the first time she had a number one song on the R&B charts as a solo artist. The Grammy nominated “New Attitude” was released as a single in 1984, helping to introduce Ms. LaBelle into the pop music world. The song was written and recorded for the 1984 film Beverly Hills Cop which helped it reach the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another incredible hit that’s included in this new partnership is “On My Own”, a duet Ms. LaBelle recorded with Michael McDonald. Written by Burt Bacharach, the song was recorded by the pair and appeared on the singer’s eighth studio album. “On My Own” was the album’s lead single and became the most successful single ever for both Ms. Labelle and Michael McDonald. It soared to number on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for three weeks. The song would go on to be nominated for a Grammy for “Best Pop Performance By A Duo or Group.”
Of the partnership, Primary Wave’s Steven Greener said, “We are so honored to be in business with a legend such as Ms. Labelle. She’s a true icon and trailblazer. We are looking forward to doing great things together.”
About Patti LaBelle
Beautiful, simply does not describe the incomparable force known to the world as Patti LaBelle. As time continues to evolve, the soulful songbird’s name has become synonymous with grace, style, elegance and class. Belting out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets have created the unique platform of versatility that she is known and revered for.
It’s a small wonder that Patti has time for anything else in between recording and touring, but she makes time and the world is oh so happy that she does! She has written six books, Don’t Block the Blessings, LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About, Patti’s Pearls, Patti LaBelle’s Lite Cuisine, Recipes for the Good Life and Desserts LaBelle. Recently, Patti released a 20th anniversary edition of her New York Times bestselling cookbook, LaBelle Cuisine, featuring three new recipes.
Additionally, Patti has been featured in popular films and television programs including A Soldier’s Story, A Different World, The Neighborhood, American Horror Story, Empire, Star and The Kominsky Method, holiday movies, A Family Christmas Gift and A New Orleans Noel, and starred in her own TV series, Out All Night, and cooking show, Patti LaBelle’s Place. She’s also wowed audiences with unforgettable performances on the hit competition series, Dancing with the Stars and The Masked Singer and starred in Broadway productions of Your Arms are Too Short to Box with God, Fela, and After Midnight.
In 2007, she introduced Patti’s Good Life, a successful food and lifestyle brand that offers a variety of frozen comfort foods, breakfast items and desserts, including her world-famous sweet potato pie. The Patti’s Good Life brand is available at retailers across the United States including Walmart and Target. Always a person to take on new challenges, in 2017 Patti launched a record label, GPE Records, and released her first jazz album, Bel Hommage.
Although she is an award-winning entertainer, author and entrepreneur, Patti’s work as a humanitarian is just as noteworthy. She remains an advocate for adoption, diabetes, cancer, HIV / AIDS and many other causes and non-profit initiatives. While she has reached the heights of success throughout her 60 plus year career, Patti has also endured and survived personal strife. Within a ten-year period, she lost her mother, three sisters and best friend to diabetes and cancer. In 1994, she was diagnosed with diabetes and shortly thereafter became a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association.
The same motivation that had Patricia Louise Holte blossom from a choir member to lead vocalist for Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles and later Labelle, to a solo artist, is the same energy that keeps her fire burning at eighty years young. “Each year I grow, and that’s a blessing from God. I do what I can do. I do what I feel God has given me the energy to do, so I just go out there and I do it…it’s not about making money because I don’t need money, but I need to sing. With a voice or without, I’ve got to get on that stage.” And the world is thankful that Patti’s voice sounds so good to our ears.
Read more on Billboard, Hollywood Reporter, Hits Daily Double, Celebrity Access, or Digital Music News.