Taylor Swift reacquires ownership of her past music catalogues: iconic songstress regains control over earlier works.
Pop icon Taylor Swift announced her ownership of the rights to her entire music catalog on Friday, six years after her initial dispute with record executives over the matter.
"I am now the rightful owner of all the music I have ever created," Swift wrote on her official website, marking the end of years of legal battles over her first six albums.
Swift's fight for control over her work gained significant momentum after industry mogul Scooter Braun acquired her previous label, Big Machine Records, in 2019. Braun later sold the master rights to an investment firm.
The move coming a few days after public sparring between Swift and Braun has been deemed a strategic re-recording endeavor on Swift's part, with her releasing four albums, dubbed "Taylor's Version," which included award-winning albums "Reputation" and "Taylor Swift."
Having re-recorded her albums, Swift bought back her master rights from Shamrock Capital for an undisclosed sum. The pop sensation has been outspoken about artists' rights and has been a vocal advocate for creative ownership.
Swift's successful fight to regain control is significant, as numerous artists, including Prince, Michael Jackson, Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Dr. Dre, have fought for ownership of their masters. Swift's victory in this regard has fueled a growing trend among artists to demand ownership of their creative output.
Throughout her nearly two-year-long $2 billion Eras tour, which concluded last year, Swift raised significant funds to offset the costs associated with purchasing her master recordings. The tour, which spanned 149 shows worldwide, was widely praised for its length, as each performance clocked in at over three hours.
Tickets for the tour sold quickly, with many sold at exorbitant prices. Swift's devoted fans, known as "Swifties," were eager to attend, with many also participating in impromptu concerts in parking lots outside venues.
Swift's statement on gaining ownership hinted at the impact her fight would have on the music industry: "Every time a new artist tells me they negotiated to own their master recordings in their record contract because of this fight, I'm reminded of how important it was for all this to happen."
With this significant victory, Swift continues to make waves in the music industry by advocating for the artistic and intellectual property rights of musicians.
- As a result of her extensive legal battles, Taylor Swift announced that she is now the rightful owner of all the music she has ever created, marking a significant shift in the ownership of her master rights.
- With numerous artists, such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Dr. Dre, preceding her in demanding ownership of their masters, Swift's victory as a vocal advocate for creative ownership has fueled a growing trend among musicians.
- With her successful fight to regain control, Swift has showcased the potential impact artists can have on the music industry, reminding others that every negotiation for master rights ownership is crucial in upholding the rights of musicians.
