Taylor Swift has once again taken back control of her entire music catalog. In a detailed message shared on her official website, Swift expressed her gratitude to her fans for helping her reclaim ownership of all the music she has ever created. She emphasized the significance of finally owning the art she has dedicated her life to.
The renowned pop star disclosed that she acquired her recordings catalog, originally released under Big Machine Records, from its recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Shamrock Capital expressed their delight with the outcome, stating they are thrilled for Taylor in a released statement.
Swift has been actively re-recording and releasing her first six albums over the past few years in a strategic move to regain control of her music. This decision stemmed from Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquiring Big Machine Records in 2019, which controlled the masters of those initial albums. The acquisition reignited a longstanding feud between Braun and Swift, despite Ithaca subsequently selling her catalog to Shamrock for a reported $300 million US.
Swift had previously voiced her concerns about the deal, labeling it as her worst-case scenario, fearing her musical legacy would be in the hands of someone who aimed to undermine it. She had accused Braun of harassing and bullying her for an extended period, particularly during her ongoing dispute with rapper Ye.
In her pursuit to reclaim her catalog, Swift continued to release her own versions of the early songs, which she now owned. The “Taylor’s Version” releases went beyond mere re-recordings, incorporating new “from the vault” music, Easter eggs, and visuals that enhanced the understanding of her work.
Braun, now serving as CEO of Hybe America, expressed his happiness for Swift upon hearing the news. Swift, amidst re-recordings, also unveiled new music, such as last year’s “The Tortured Poets Department,” announced during the 2024 Grammys and released during her groundbreaking tour.
To date, Swift has re-recorded four albums, starting with “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” and “Red (Taylor’s Version)” in 2021, all achieving commercial and cultural success by debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Her latest re-recording, “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” arrived in October 2023, shortly after the release of “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version),” the same year she clinched the record for the woman with the most No. 1 albums in history.
Fans speculate that “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” could be the next release, following hints like the airing of “Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version)” in various shows. Swift indicated in her note that she has yet to re-record a quarter of her catalog but has completed the re-recording of her self-titled debut album, expressing her satisfaction with the new sound.
Both her debut album and “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” hold the potential for a resurgence at the right moment, according to Swift. Representatives for Swift and Hybe have not provided immediate comments upon request.
As the music industry continues to watch Swift’s strategic moves, her journey to reclaim her artistry remains a focal point for fans and industry insiders alike.