In a landmark move sending shockwaves through the music industry, Taylor Swift has officially bought back the rights to her original master recordings, marking a triumphant and deeply personal victory in her years-long battle for artistic ownership. The deal closes a turbulent chapter that has fuelled global conversations around creative control, artist rights, and the power dynamics of the modern music business.
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Taylor Swift - Masters buyback letter
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Taylor Swift @ Wembley Stadium (Kalpesh Patel)
Swift, who famously re-recorded and re-released her early albums under the Taylor’s Version moniker, now reclaims ownership of the masters to her first six albums released under Big Machine Records: Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), and Reputation (2017).
Taylor Swift @ The O2 Arena
“This Is My Life’s Work” In a heartfelt statement shared across her social channels, Swift said: “This is not just about music. It’s about respect, reclaiming my narrative, and setting a precedent. Owning my work has always been my goal—and today, that dream is finally a reality.”
The ownership dispute began in 2019 when Big Machine Label Group, including her master recordings, was sold to Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings—reportedly without her knowledge. Swift responded by launching an ambitious campaign to re-record her early discography, thereby regaining control of her songs and diluting the value of the originals.
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That decision proved to be both a creative and commercial masterstroke. Swift’s Taylor’s Version re-recordings topped charts around the world, with Fearless, Red, Speak Now, 1989, and most recently Reputation (Taylor’s Version) all debuting at No. 1 and earning critical acclaim. These releases not only restored her creative autonomy but redefined how legacy music catalogs are valued and marketed in the streaming era.
Now, with full control over both the re-recordings and the original masters, Swift is in an unprecedented position of power—artistically and financially. The powerhouse musician’s journey has reshaped the conversation about artistic rights in the music industry. By speaking candidly about her experience and taking tangible steps to reclaim her work, she has empowered a new generation of artists to value ownership and transparency in their contracts.
“Young artists and songwriters deserve to own their work,” she previously told Rolling Stone. “Without that, you’re just renting the soul of your music.” Her actions have made her not just a chart-topping superstar, but a leader in music industry reform. Read her full letter, posted on her website, below:
With the global phenomenon that was the Eras Tour now wrapped and her most recent studio album The Tortured Poets Department still dominating charts and streaming platforms, Taylor Swift has entered a new era of total creative independence.
Taylor Swift @ Wembley Stadium
Speculation is already mounting around what she’ll do next with her now-complete catalog—whether a deluxe box set, a retrospective project, or something entirely unexpected. Regardless, Swift’s story has become the blueprint for artistic resilience and reinvention in the 21st century.
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