Rachel Hazes has sold the music rights of the late Dutch singer André Hazes to the Netherlands-based investment firm Pythagoras Music Fund (PMF).
The transaction involves the acquisition of shares in Melvin Produkties, the production company through which the rights were managed. The financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.
The sale changes the ownership of the Amsterdam singer's musical legacy following their death in 2004. While the rights have moved to a commercial entity founded in 2021 by individuals including composer John Ewbank, Rachel Hazes stated that she will remain involved in an advisory capacity from the background.
She explained that after nearly four decades of managing the estate, she intends to take a step back to take more rest
in the years ahead.
According to the statement released by PMF, the firm intends to protect and cherish the name and image of André Hazes for future generations. The investment fund, which also holds rights for artists such as Golden Earring and Frank Sinatra, confirmed that the deal will not impact the annual concert series Holland Sings Hazes.
Hein van der Ree, a partner at PMF, stated that the company considers the trust placed in them by Rachel Hazes to be an enormous honor, but also a responsibility that we take very seriously.
Rachel Hazes emphasized that her primary goal remains the preservation of the singer’s work. For me, one thing is paramount: that the name André Hazes, his music, his rights, and everything he has left behind is treated with respect, remains protected, and is also preserved for future generations,
she said.
The sale has drawn attention due to the long-standing public and legal disputes between Rachel Hazes and her children, André Jr. and Roxeanne, regarding the singer’s estate.
In 2023, a court ruled that Rachel was not an heir under the terms of the late singer’s testament due to an ongoing divorce procedure at the time of his death. Despite these previous claims regarding the inheritance, the rights have now been transferred to an external investment firm rather than to the children.
Ricardo Klaverdijk of Melvin Produkties remains closely involved in the collaboration with Pythagoras Music Fund, while the specific terms and value of the deal have not been made public.