Taylor Swift Makes A New Move and Gets Her Masters Back
Taylor Swift has officially regained control of her entire music catalog. Thus, the singer makes a monumental moment in her career. In a heartfelt letter shared on her website last Friday (May 31), the global pop icon revealed she has successfully purchased the master recordings of her first six studio albums. In this way, Swift completed a significant chapter.
“I’m trying to gather my thoughts into something coherent,” Swift wrote. “But right now, my mind is just a slideshow — a flashback sequence of all the times I daydreamed about, wished for, and pined away for a chance to get to tell you this news.”
Swift’s journey to reclaim her music began in 2019. At that moment, her former label, Big Machine Records, sold her master’s to music executive Scooter Braun. The transaction took place without her knowledge or consent. Taylor Swift publicly condemned it. She described it as her “worst case scenario.” She accused Braun of “incessant, manipulative bullying,” and vowed to one day own her work.
Braun later sold the masters to Shamrock Capital. This made Swift pursue a different way, re-recording her early albums and releasing them as “Taylor’s Version.” Shamrock acknowledged the outcome in her statement Friday, saying they were “thrilled” and “so happy for Taylor.”
In his own comment, Braun added: “I am happy for her.”
Taylor Swift and Returning Her Records
So, now, after years of tireless effort, Swift has finally reclaimed what was hers all along. “I almost stopped thinking it could happen after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away,” she wrote. “But that’s all in the past now.”
She credited her fans — the devoted Swifties — for their “passionate support.” Taylor especially mentioned the re-recorded albums and her record-breaking Eras Tour. The tour recently concluded after nearly two years and 149 shows across 50 cities on five continents. The tour went on to become the highest-grossing of all time.
“I’ve been bursting into tears of joy at random intervals ever since I found out this is really happening,” she shared. “I really get to say these words: All of the music I’ve ever made… now belongs to me.”
Thus, as fans eagerly waited for the re-recordings of her debut, Taylor Swift, and 2017’s Reputation, Swift offered an update. The debut album is now fully re-recorded. It comes complete with beloved tracks like “Tim McGraw” and “Teardrops on My Guitar.” Yet, she admitted she’s only just begun work on Reputation. However, fans may recognize a familiar tune from the latter, “Look What You Made Me Do.”
What Fans Should Expect
Swift hinted that both albums “can still have their moment to re-emerge when the time is right.” Thus, she raised anticipation for what was next in her ongoing re-recording journey.
Meanwhile, the fandom remains on high alert. IMAX sparked a flurry of speculation Friday by sharing a cryptic image resembling one of Swift’s signature friendship bracelets. Fans suspect the post could be a teaser for a potential concert film or documentary. This is due to noticing extra cameras during the final shows in Vancouver. IMAX has yet to confirm anything, only telling fans to “calm down.”
As Swift closes this chapter with the master finally in her hands, she offers a note of gratitude that reflects the emotional weight of the moment: “I can’t thank you enough for helping to reunite me with this art that I have dedicated my life to, but have never owned until now.”
For Taylor Swift, the dream of ownership, once out of reach, is now a reality. And in typical Swift fashion, she’s owning every last note.
