Seeker Music has acquired both the original recordings and the re-recorded versions of JoJo’s first two albums.
The deal covers the singer’s self-titled 2004 debut and its 2006 follow-up, The High Road, as well as the versions of both albums she re-recorded and released in 2018.
JoJo said it “feels full-circle to have both versions of these albums together.”
Financial terms of the acquisition, announced today (October 23), were not disclosed.
Seeker is the music rights, publishing, and record company led by songwriter Evan Bogart and backed by M&G Investments.
As part of the deal, the 2018 re-recordings are being renamed as Clover Room Edition releases.
Seeker has also released a deluxe 20th anniversary edition of The High Road, featuring the complete original album and four bonus tracks from the original 2006 editions.
The Seeker release adds a new acoustic recording of the Spanish-language version of Too Little Too Late, titled Acepto La Realidad (Versión Acústica).
Physical editions, including a 180g vinyl version, will follow, with pre-orders opening alongside the digital release.
“Deciding who to trust with such a personal and important part of my catalog wasn’t something I took lightly,” said JoJo. “So, when discussions started about Seeker acquiring the original recordings of JoJo and The High Road, my interest was piqued.
“Over time it was heartening to learn more about their ethos and see how involved and passionate Evan is – someone who truly understands artists because he is a creator himself. I appreciate the care they’ve taken in understanding what this music means to me and to my fans.
“It feels full-circle to have both versions of these albums together with a team committed to finding new ways to amplify it.”
Seeker says it already holds publishing interests in Leave (Get Out) and Too Little Too Late.
Its interest in Too Little Too Late came through its acquisition of songwriter RuthAnne Cunningham’s publishing catalog, as MBW noted in January 2023.
Its interest in Leave (Get Out) came via its acquisition of Soulshock & Karlin’s catalog through Notting Hill Music.
Seeker previously reworked Too Little Too Late into 2 Little 2 Late, a 2025 release by Levi featuring Mario.
Alexander Stewart’s The Way a Heart Breaks also interpolates the song.
Bogart, who co-wrote Rihanna’s SOS and Beyoncé’s Halo, has previously written with JoJo, according to Seeker.
“JoJo is straight up incredible,” said Bogart. “She’s one of the greatest voices of her generation, and continues to inspire generations of songwriters, producers and vocalists.
“Her fans have stood by her for more than 20 years, and you can hear why in every note.
“She’s one of the greatest voices of her generation, and continues to inspire generations of songwriters, producers and vocalists.”
Evan Bogart, Seeker Music
“I’ve personally been such a fan for so long, and it means the world to all of us at Seeker to be partnering with her. This is just the beginning!”
JoJo’s “The High Road Tour: 20 Years Unplugged” kicks off at Royale in Boston on November 13.
The seven-date run includes Washington, D.C.’s Howard Theatre and New York’s Irving Plaza, before closing at Chicago’s Park West on November 24.
Seeker says it is working on archival music and visual releases based on JoJo’s discography.
The company is also developing a new single built around JoJo’s music with what it describes as “one of today’s leading electronic music acts,” which it did not name.
“We’re super excited to be partnering with JoJo and to globally celebrate her music this year and beyond,” said Steven Melrose, Seeker’s Chief Creative Officer. “To kick things off, we’re releasing the deluxe 20th anniversary edition of The High Road today, and she’ll be continuing the celebration next month with her sold-out ‘20 Years Unplugged’ tour.
“We already have so much in store for the music from that album and her debut, and can’t wait to continue building new chapters together!”
JoJo was 13 when Leave (Get Out) reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Top 40 chart in 2004, making her the youngest solo artist ever to top it.
Her first two albums were released via Blackground Records.
JoJo sued Blackground and its Da Family Records imprint in 2013 and was freed from her contract in 2014, according to NPR.
With the originals pulled from streaming services, she re-recorded both albums and released the new versions in 2018.
Blackground Records 2.0 announced in August 2021 that it would bring the original versions of both albums to streaming services through a partnership with EMPIRE, and both originals returned on September 24 that year.
Seeker’s announcement did not specify who sold it the original recordings of JoJo and The High Road, or who previously owned the 2018 re-recordings, which the company says she released independently.
WBUR reported in 2020 that JoJo owned the masters to those re-recordings.
The deal unites JoJo’s originals and her re-recordings under a single owner.
Taylor Swift, who re-recorded four of her first six albums after their master rights were sold, bought back the original recordings from Shamrock Capital in May 2025.
Seeker was founded in 2020 and says its portfolio, which spans more than 19,000 copyrights, is valued at more than USD $400 million.
Its catalog includes music from Joan Jett, Christopher Cross, Run the Jewels, Nu Shooz, and SWV.
In March, the company closed its inaugural USD $267 million asset-backed securitization.
In June, it signed a global distribution deal with Universal Music Group’s Virgin Music Group.
JoJo was represented in the deal by Michael Guido and Rawan Ezzo of Carroll, Guido, Groffman, Cohen, Bar & Karalian.
Seeker was represented by Eric Custer and Jacob Geskin of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, and by its General Counsel, Dan Stuart.Music Business Worldwide
