Taylor's Version She's Got Her Masters Back!

Taylor Swift Regains Control: Pop Icon Buys Back Rights to First Six Albums

In a move that resonates deeply with artists and fans alike, Taylor Swift has officially announced the acquisition of the rights to her first six albums. This landmark achievement marks the culmination of a years-long journey to reclaim ownership of her early discography, a saga that has captivated the music industry.

The announcement, made via her website on Friday, detailed that the acquisition includes not only the original master recordings, but also associated music videos, concert films, and other related content. Swift's statement reflected the emotional weight of this victory. "Right now my mind is just a slideshow... All the times I was thiiiiiiiiiiis close, reaching out for it, only for it to fall through," she wrote. "I almost stopped thinking it could ever happen, after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and yanked away. But that's all in the past now."

A Recap of the Battle for Her Masters

The road to reclaiming these masters has been a complex and public one. Here's a brief timeline of the key events:

• 2019: Scooter Braun, through his company Ithaca Holdings, acquired Big Machine Label Group, the label Swift was signed to when she released her first six albums, thereby gaining ownership of her masters.
• 2020: Shamrock Capital, a private equity firm, purchased Swift's masters from Braun.
• 2021-Present: Swift embarked on a mission to re-record her first six albums, dubbed "Taylor's Version," exercising her right to own the copyright to her music and lyrics.

Swift's initial reaction to the sale of her masters to Scooter Braun was one of profound disappointment. In a 2019 Tumblr post, she described it as her "worst case scenario," highlighting her concerns about the lack of loyalty in the music industry.

The Broader Implications

The battle over Taylor Swift's masters brought to light the common practice of major labels retaining ownership of master recordings. While artists like Jay-Z and Rihanna have also famously bought back their masters, Swift's situation resonated deeply due to her vocal advocacy for artists' rights and her determination to control her own narrative.

What's Next for Taylor's Versions?

With the acquisition now complete, Swift hinted at the future of her re-recording project. While Fearless (Taylor's Version), Red (Taylor's Version), Speak Now (Taylor's Version), and 1989 (Taylor's Version) have already been released to critical and commercial acclaim, she noted that Reputation and her self-titled debut "can still have their moments to re-emerge when the time is right."

A Triumph for Artists Everywhere

Taylor Swift's successful acquisition of her masters is more than just a personal victory; it's a powerful statement about the importance of artists owning their work and controlling their legacies. It serves as an inspiration to musicians around the world and underscores the evolving landscape of the music industry, where artists are increasingly empowered to advocate for their rights and take charge of their creative output.

This is truly a defining moment.

Tags: Taylor Swift, Album Rights, Music Industry, Scooter Braun, Shamrock Capitol, Master Recordings, Music, Artists, Music Videos, Big Machine

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/05/30/nx-s1-5418039/taylor-swift-masters-rights-big-machine