Katy Perry Sells Catalog Rights for $225 Million

After months of rumors, US pop star Katy Perry has sold her music rights to Litmus Music for $225 million, the company announced Monday. 

The deal includes Perry’s stakes in master recordings and publishing rights for the five albums she released between 2008 and 2020: “One of the Boys,” “Teenage Dream”, “Prism,” “Witness” and “Smile.” 

Universal Music Group continues to own the masters to those albums.

After years as a major superstar, Perry has slowed her career, focusing on residencies in Las Vegas, philanthropy work, and raising a family with her partner, actor Orlando Bloom.

Litmus, the Carlyle-backed company co-founded by former Capitol Records president Dan McCarroll, launched in the summer of 2022 and made its first major acquisition the following December, buying Keith Urban’s rights to his master recordings.

McCarroll said, “Katy Perry is a creative visionary who has made a major impact across music, TV, film, and philanthropy. I’m so honored to be partnering with her again, and to help Litmus manage her incredible repertoire.”

Co-founder and CEO Hank Forsyth added, “Katy’s songs are an essential part of the global cultural fabric. We are so grateful to be working together again with such a trusted partner whose integrity shines in everything that she does.”

“We believe this is a testament to the team’s ability to partner with the world’s top artists. Katy’s iconic songs have not only achieved outstanding commercial success but have significantly influenced popular culture,” said Matt Settle, Managing Director at Carlyle.