Katy Perry Sells Her Hit-Filled Catalog to Litmus Music for a Reported $225 Million

Perry’s deal with Litmus follows Keith Urban and Benny Blanco’s previous recent business deals with the company

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Katy Perry attends the 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
Katy Perry. PHOTO: TAYLOR HILL/FILMMAGIC

Come on, Katy Perry — show ’em what your music is worth.

On Monday, The Carlyle Group announced the “Firework” performer sold the rights of her songs and albums released between 2008 and 2020 to Litmus Music — for a reported $225 million, according to Deadline and Billboard.

The deal includes Perry’s five albums released through Capitol Records — 2008’s One of the Boys, 2010’s Teenage Dream, 2013’s Prism, 2017’s Witness and 2020’s Smile — which feature 16 singles that’ve since been certified multiplatinum by the RIAA. (The albums’ masters will continue to be owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol’s parent company, per Music Business Worldwide.)

Katy Perry Sells Music Catalog To Carlyle's Litmus For $225 Million –  Deadline

“Katy Perry is a creative visionary who has made a major impact across music, TV, film, and philanthropy,” said Litmus co-founder and chief creative officer Dan McCarroll, who’s worked with the 38-year-old pop star since he was named president of Capitol Records in 2010.

McCarroll continued, “I’m so honored to be partnering with her again and to help Litmus manage her incredible repertoire.”

Perry’s released some massive singles throughout her career, with seven of them reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100: “I Kissed a Girl,” “California Gurls,” “Firework,” “E.T.,” “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.),” “Part of Me,” “Roar” and “Dark Horse.”

“Katy’s songs are an essential part of the global cultural fabric,” Litmus co-founder and CEO Hank Forsyth said in a press statement, noting that the company is “so grateful to be working together again with such a trusted partner whose integrity shines in everything that she does.”

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Willem Dafoe, Katy Perry Episode 1817 Pictured: Musical guest Katy Perry performs When Im Gone on Saturday, January 29, 2022
Katy Perry. WILL HEATH/NBC/NBCU PHOTO BANK VIA GETTY

Litmus launched last summer, and Keith Urban became the first artist to sell his catalog to the company in December 2022. Hit songwriter, producer and musician Benny Blanco then sold a “significant portfolio of compositions” to them in June of this year, per Litmus’ website.

Of Perry’s sale, Carlyle’s managing director Matt Settle said in a press statement, “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.”

Katy Perry : r/MusicWomen

Aside from the business deal, Perry’s currently gearing up to wrap her Las Vegas residency Play with its final leg of shows at from Oct. 4 through Nov. 4.