Australian pop star and songwriter Sia has reportedly sold a 50% stake in her music catalog for $180 million, with the deal including “Cheap Thrills,” her global hit featuring Jamaican dancehall superstar Sean Paul.
The transaction, reported by TMZ and later confirmed in part by entertainment company Pophouse, gives Pophouse a 50% interest in Sia’s publishing and master music rights. The reported $180 million valuation covers some of the biggest songs associated with her career, including “Chandelier,” “Titanium” and “Cheap Thrills.”
For dancehall audiences, the inclusion of “Cheap Thrills” is particularly significant. Released in 2016, the Sean Paul-assisted version transformed the already successful song into a major pop-dancehall crossover, pairing Sia’s distinctive vocals with Sean Paul’s Jamaican delivery.
“Cheap Thrills” became one of the defining international collaborations of Sean Paul’s career and further demonstrated the reach of dancehall into mainstream global pop. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the two artists a major worldwide audience.
According to TMZ, which cited legal documents it obtained, $165 million of the reported transaction is tied to songs Sia wrote before her marriage to Dan Bernad. That portion includes “Chandelier,” “Titanium” and “Cheap Thrills.”
Bernad reportedly agreed to waive any claim to that $165 million in exchange for $1 million. A separate $15 million portion connected to songs created during the marriage is reportedly being held in escrow while the former couple determines how those proceeds will be divided.
Pophouse confirmed that it had acquired a 50% stake in Sia’s publishing and master rights but did not disclose the purchase price in its announcement.
The company said the partnership will involve developing Sia’s existing catalog while working with the singer-songwriter on new creative projects.
For Sean Paul and dancehall, the deal is another reminder of the commercial value attached to international records that have brought Jamaican music into the global pop market.
“Cheap Thrills” remains one of the most prominent examples of that crossover. Sia’s songwriting and production helped establish the song, while Sean Paul’s contribution gave the hit a distinct dancehall identity that helped it connect with audiences far beyond Jamaica.
Pophouse’s acquisition now places half of the rights to that catalog in the hands of a major entertainment investment company, while Sia retains the other 50% and continues developing new music and projects.
Sia Sells 50% of Music Catalog for Reported $180 Million, Including Sean Paul Hit ‘Cheap Thrills’
Taelah Nash is a veteran journalist, media executive, and the Editor-in-Chief of Rapture Stone, leading the publication’s global editorial vision, investigative strategy, and multi-platform newsroom operations. With over fifteen years of award-winning experience spanning investigative field reporting, broadcast production, and digital media management, Nash brings a battle-tested journalistic foundation to the top of the masthead. Before stepping into executive newsroom leadership, Nash built her reputation on the front lines of journalism as a senior field correspondent and investigative reporter. She covered high-stakes socio-political developments, cultural movements, and breaking news across regional and international beats. Known for her unyielding commitment to editorial integrity and sharp analytical depth, her career includes high-profile interviews with government officials, industry leaders, and cultural figures, alongside deep-dive investigative series that brought critical issues to the forefront.
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