Image Credit: Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift Regains Control of Her Early Catalog After Selling Back Her Masters from Shamrock Capital
In a significant move within the music industry, Taylor Swift announced on her official platforms that she has reacquired the rights to her first six albums, which she previously sold to Shamrock Capital. This Los Angeles-based investment firm, originally founded by Roy E. Disney-nephew of Walt Disney-had purchased her masters from Scooter Braun in 2019. Braun’s acquisition was part of a larger deal involving the purchase of Big Machine Records, which owned her early recordings.
“The most authentic things I’ve ever owned… are finally mine,” Swift shared publicly. “For years, I’ve been asking, pleading for a chance to own my work,” she added. “Instead, I was offered the opportunity to sign away my rights to Big Machine Records and to re-record my albums one at a time, with each new release. I chose to walk away because I knew that once I signed that contract, Scott Borchetta would sell my masters, effectively selling my future along with them.”
Rejection of a Partnership and the Decision to Re-Record
At the time of Shamrock’s acquisition, Swift’s social media statement indicated she was offered a partnership with the company. However, she declined, citing concerns that Braun’s deal would allow him to continue profiting from her work. This decision was a catalyst for her plan to re-record her original albums, which she released under the title “Taylor’s Versions.”
Her re-recording project gained momentum with the 2021 release of Fearless (Taylor’s Version). Since then, she has reissued her iconic albums Red, Speak Now, and 1989. Notably, 1989 (Taylor’s Version) debuted with an unprecedented opening week, selling over 1.5 million copies in the United States alone-marking her most successful debut week to date and surpassing the initial release of the original album.
Upcoming Re-Releases and Artistic Reflections
Regarding her remaining re-recordings, Swift shared updates during her recent fan engagement. The reissue of her debut album, Taylor Swift, has already been completed, and she expressed satisfaction with how it sounds now. Conversely, her attempt to re-record Reputation has encountered some difficulties. She described the original album as a pivotal period in her life, which made it challenging to recreate without feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Currently, she has no firm plans to release these projects but remains open to the possibility.
Swift attributes her ability to reclaim her masters to her dedicated fanbase and the extraordinary success of her Eras Tour, which has sold over $2 billion worth of tickets across 149 shows. The tour’s popularity has played a crucial role in empowering her to take back control of her musical legacy.
