In a landmark moment for artists’ rights, Taylor Swift has officially bought back the master recordings of her first six albums, ending a long-running dispute over who controls her music.
Swift announced the news on her website, sharing her joy at finally owning all the music she’s created. “I’ve been bursting into tears of joy ever since I found out this is really happening,” she wrote.
The saga began in 2019 when music manager Scooter Braun purchased Big Machine Records, the label that held the rights to Swift’s early albums — including Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation. Swift publicly criticized Braun, accusing him of enabling bullying and describing the sale as a betrayal that stripped her of her life’s work.
To fight back, Swift started re-recording her old albums, releasing “Taylor’s Versions” with extra tracks and refreshed sound. She has completed four so far but delayed redoing Reputation due to its deeply personal nature.
Owning the master recordings means Swift now controls how her music is licensed and distributed — from streaming platforms to movies and commercials — giving her greater creative and financial control.
Though the exact cost of buying back her masters hasn’t been disclosed, the catalog’s previous value was estimated in the hundreds of millions.
Swift thanked her fans for their support throughout the years and said her journey has encouraged other artists to insist on owning their work from the start.
“This is not just my victory,” she said. “It’s a new chapter for artists everywhere.”
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