On this day in 2019, Taylor Swift’s back catalog, complete with six chart-topping albums, was purchased by businessman Scooter Braun’s company, Ithaca Holdings. The sale was estimated at about $300 million and included almost all of Swift’s master recordings. The sale was apparently not approved by Swift, who wanted to purchase the masters herself. As a result, a multi-year feud between Swift and Braun took place. The feud involved Swift publicly accusing Braun of bullying her. Later, Taylor Swift re-recorded most of her first six albums as a stiff middle finger to Braun, in an effort to devalue that $300 million purchase.
Videos by American Songwriter
Swift first signed with Big Machine in 2005 during the label’s early years. Her initial contract gave the label full ownership of her master recordings. As a result, the label had the power to sell her songs wherever they wished. The only power Swift really had was songwriter ownership. That meant she could decide if her songs were used in films or commercials.
In 2018, Swift finally left Big Machine and signed with Republic Records. That new contract allowed her to have full control of her work going forward. Sadly, Big Machine came to an end, was acquired by Braun, and control of Swift’s first six albums was still left out of her hands.
Following the acquisition, Swift made a very bold move. She would re-record and re-release four of her first six albums. Though, she initially planned to re-record all six. Swift put up the new versions of the albums for fans to consume. Judging by how historically diehard Swifties can be, they consumed the new “Taylor’s version” releases en masse; thus, devaluing Braun’s purchase. It was a pretty boss move, honestly.
In 2025, Taylor Swift Finally Bought Back the Masters for Her First Six Albums
Thankfully, this feud wasn’t meant to last forever. In 2025, Taylor Swift was able to buy back her masters from Shamrock Capital, a company that purchased the masters from Braun in 2020.
Taylor Swift re-recorded only four albums and hasn’t announced plans to continue to re-record all of her first six albums. The remaining records might not see a re-recording at all. It would be pointless, honestly. Swift has full control of her music now, and fans can enjoy anything she puts out without worry. It’s a great ending to a pretty crappy story that is all too familiar to many musicians who sign to big labels.
Photo by Christopher Polk/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.