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Jay-Z-Backed MarcyPen Capital Pursues 50% Stake in Rihannas Fenty Beauty from LVMH
MarcyPen Capital Partners, the investment firm co‑founded by hip‑hop mogul Shawn "Jay‑Z" Carter, is reportedly in talks to acquire the luxury conglomerate LVMH’s 50‑percent ownership of Rihanna’s cosmetics brand, Fenty Beauty. The move follows LVMH’s decision to enlist investment bank Evercore to explore strategic options for its stake, which generated roughly $450 million in net sales in 2024.
Fenty Beauty launched in 2017 through a partnership between Rihanna and Kendo Brands, LVMH’s beauty incubator. The brand quickly rose to prominence with its inclusive foundation shade range, addressing a long‑standing gap for dark‑skinned Black women. Reuters reports that the company is valued between $1 billion and $2 billion.
MarcyPen’s interest comes amid a broader trend of LVMH evaluating the sale of its stake. Evercore’s engagement signals that the French conglomerate is open to options that could unlock value for its investors. MarcyPen, formed by merging Marcy Venture Partners and Pendulum Opportunities, focuses on growth‑stage consumer businesses and has a history of investing in Rihanna’s ventures, including funding rounds for Savage X Fenty in 2019 and 2022.
If the deal proceeds, Fenty Beauty would come under the joint ownership of Rihanna and a firm backed by Jay‑Z. The partnership would bring together two of the entertainment and business worlds’ most influential figures. MarcyPen is reportedly evaluating several financing structures and has engaged outside investors in preliminary discussions.
Industry analysts note that a sale of LVMH’s stake would allow the luxury group to reallocate capital to other high‑margin brands within its portfolio. For Rihanna, full control of Fenty Beauty could provide greater strategic flexibility and the ability to expand the brand’s product lines without external constraints.
The beauty industry has seen a shift toward inclusive and socially conscious brands, and Fenty Beauty’s success has been cited as a benchmark. A change in ownership could reinforce the brand’s positioning and potentially accelerate its growth trajectory.
At this stage, no definitive timeline has been announced. MarcyPen has not confirmed a formal offer, and LVMH has not disclosed any counter‑proposals. The parties are reportedly in early‑stage negotiations, and the outcome will likely be influenced by market conditions, regulatory approvals, and the alignment of strategic goals.
The next key development will be whether MarcyPen can secure financing and reach an agreement with LVMH that satisfies both parties. Investors will be watching the negotiations closely, as the transaction could reshape the competitive landscape of the global cosmetics market.
As of now, the deal remains in the exploratory phase, with no public commitment from either side. The parties are expected to continue discussions in the coming weeks, and a formal announcement would likely be made once a definitive agreement is reached.
Fenty Beauty launched in 2017 through a partnership between Rihanna and Kendo Brands, LVMH’s beauty incubator. The brand quickly rose to prominence with its inclusive foundation shade range, addressing a long‑standing gap for dark‑skinned Black women. Reuters reports that the company is valued between $1 billion and $2 billion.
MarcyPen’s interest comes amid a broader trend of LVMH evaluating the sale of its stake. Evercore’s engagement signals that the French conglomerate is open to options that could unlock value for its investors. MarcyPen, formed by merging Marcy Venture Partners and Pendulum Opportunities, focuses on growth‑stage consumer businesses and has a history of investing in Rihanna’s ventures, including funding rounds for Savage X Fenty in 2019 and 2022.
If the deal proceeds, Fenty Beauty would come under the joint ownership of Rihanna and a firm backed by Jay‑Z. The partnership would bring together two of the entertainment and business worlds’ most influential figures. MarcyPen is reportedly evaluating several financing structures and has engaged outside investors in preliminary discussions.
Industry analysts note that a sale of LVMH’s stake would allow the luxury group to reallocate capital to other high‑margin brands within its portfolio. For Rihanna, full control of Fenty Beauty could provide greater strategic flexibility and the ability to expand the brand’s product lines without external constraints.
The beauty industry has seen a shift toward inclusive and socially conscious brands, and Fenty Beauty’s success has been cited as a benchmark. A change in ownership could reinforce the brand’s positioning and potentially accelerate its growth trajectory.
At this stage, no definitive timeline has been announced. MarcyPen has not confirmed a formal offer, and LVMH has not disclosed any counter‑proposals. The parties are reportedly in early‑stage negotiations, and the outcome will likely be influenced by market conditions, regulatory approvals, and the alignment of strategic goals.
The next key development will be whether MarcyPen can secure financing and reach an agreement with LVMH that satisfies both parties. Investors will be watching the negotiations closely, as the transaction could reshape the competitive landscape of the global cosmetics market.
As of now, the deal remains in the exploratory phase, with no public commitment from either side. The parties are expected to continue discussions in the coming weeks, and a formal announcement would likely be made once a definitive agreement is reached.
