Taylor Swift Regains Control of Her Music, Buys Back First Six Albums
- Thump Music
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
June 1, 2025
In a landmark move for artistic control, American superstar Taylor Swift has successfully repurchased the masters of her first six albums, reclaiming ownership of a significant portion of her musical catalog. The announcement, made by Swift herself, marks a triumphant chapter in her ongoing journey to secure the rights to her early work, a saga that has captivated fans and the music industry alike.
Swift shared her elation in a statement, saying, “I’ve been bursting into tears of joy ... all of the music I’ve ever made...now belongs...to me.” The singer-songwriter has regained control of her albums Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), and Reputation (2017), which were originally released under Big Machine Label Group before the masters were sold to Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in 2019 and later to Shamrock Capital in 2020.
The journey to this moment began in 2019 when Swift publicly expressed frustration after Braun’s acquisition of her catalog, claiming she was not given the opportunity to buy back her masters. In response, she embarked on an ambitious project to re-record her early albums, releasing “Taylor’s Version” editions of Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989, which gave her ownership of the new recordings and redirected fan support away from the original masters.
Recent reports indicate that Shamrock Capital, the investment firm that purchased the masters from Braun in 2020, was encouraged by Braun to sell the catalog back to Swift, with estimates of the deal ranging between $600 million and $1 billion. While the exact financial terms remain undisclosed, the transaction represents a significant victory for Swift and a potential precedent for other artists seeking control over their work.
Fans have celebrated the news across social media, with posts on X echoing Swift’s joy and hailing her as a trailblazer. The move aligns with her long-standing advocacy for artists’ rights, a cause she has championed since the initial dispute. Industry experts note that Swift’s re-recording strategy not only bolstered her leverage in negotiations but also highlighted the value of creative ownership in an era dominated by streaming and corporate deals.
The repurchase underscores a broader shift in the music industry, where artists are increasingly fighting to retain or regain control of their intellectual property. Swift’s success may inspire others to follow suit, reshaping how record labels and investment firms approach catalog sales.
Taylor Swift has not yet announced plans for the newly acquired masters, but fans are eager to see how this milestone will influence her future releases and legacy. For now, the pop icon can celebrate a hard-won victory, with her music—past, present, and future—firmly in her hands.
Comments