Taylor Swift Reclaims Her Masters, Closing Six-Year Battle for Artistic Ownership

Taylor Swift has officially regained control of her master recordings, marking a monumental moment in her career. On May 30, Swift, 35, shared the emotional news via Instagram and her website, revealing that she had purchased the rights to her first six albums. This concludes a saga that began nearly six years ago when music manager Scooter Braun acquired her catalog, sparking a public and legal struggle over artistic ownership.

In her heartfelt announcement, Swift described the moment as a long-awaited dream come true. She spoke of years spent yearning for control over her own art, recalling moments when the possibility felt just out of reach. Her statement conveyed immense relief and gratitude, as she now owns not only her songs but also related content like music videos, concert films, and unreleased tracks.

Swift Honors Fans And Partners While Inspiring Artists To Fight For Creative Control

Swift emphasized that her journey back to ownership would not have been possible without her fans. Their unwavering support of her re-recordings and The Eras Tour helped make the buyback financially feasible. She also expressed deep appreciation for Shamrock Capital, the private equity firm that facilitated the transaction, praising their respectful and transparent dealings.

Addressing fan questions, Swift shared that she has not yet re-recorded much of her Reputation album due to its emotional intensity and personal relevance. She confessed that the original album is so specific to that period in her life, she struggled to recreate its essence. However, she confirmed that her debut album has been fully re-recorded and hinted that both projects may still be released when the time feels right.

Swift reflected on the wider impact of her battle, noting how her experience has encouraged younger artists to negotiate ownership of their master recordings. She celebrated this cultural shift, which challenges the long-standing norms of the music industry. Her advocacy has transformed what was once an insider issue into a topic of mainstream conversation.

Swift’s Fight For Ownership Began With Betrayal And Ended In Historic Music Victory

The conflict began in June 2019 when Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings purchased Big Machine Records, acquiring Swift’s early catalog. Swift, who had signed with Big Machine in 2005, claimed she was blindsided by the sale and had previously begged for the chance to own her music. Instead, she was offered a deal to “earn back” albums one at a time—an offer she rejected.

In November 2020, Braun sold the catalog to Shamrock Capital. Swift revealed she tried to negotiate directly with Braun to buy her masters, but was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement that restricted her speech. She declined, calling Braun’s continued financial benefit from her work a deal-breaker. This prompted her to begin the re-recording process under the new terms of her Universal contract.

Since 2021, Swift has released four re-recorded albums—Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989—all of which topped the charts. Her victory serves as a beacon for artists’ rights and creative autonomy. Concluding her statement, Swift expressed elation and a profound sense of closure, declaring that the best things that had once slipped from her grasp now, finally, belong to her.