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Taylor Swift has officially reclaimed what many believed she never could—ownership of her first six studio albums. In a heartfelt announcement, the global pop icon confirmed she has bought back the master recordings of Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation, ending a years-long feud over the rights to her original music catalog.
Swift, known as much for her business savvy as her songwriting, declared the news with emotion and pride, saying, "All of the music I've ever made now belongs to me." Her journey to ownership began in 2019 when music executive Scooter Braun acquired Big Machine Records, taking with him the rights to Swift's early works. The move infuriated Swift, who accused Braun of being complicit in bullying and of orchestrating a backroom deal that excluded her entirely.
In response, Swift embarked on a revolutionary mission to re-record her old albums under the "Taylor's Version" banner, a bold tactic that not only reclaimed artistic control but disrupted the very mechanics of music licensing. To date, she has re-released four of those six albums, complete with never-before-heard tracks and revamped production, reinforcing her influence and chart dominance.
Now, with the full catalog back in her hands, Swift also gains the rights to her original concert films, music videos, artwork, and previously unreleased recordings. It's an unprecedented victory in an industry where artists often forfeit ownership for exposure and support. Swift, however, was always clear about her ambitions: control her music and determine how it is used. By purchasing her masters, she ensures her songs are licensed only on her terms.
The significance of this moment goes beyond Swift. It challenges a long-standing model that prioritizes corporate ownership over creative origin. When a 14-year-old Taylor moved to Nashville and signed with Big Machine, she couldn't have foreseen the legal and emotional tug-of-war that would follow. But 20 years later, she has emerged not just as an artist, but as a symbol of self-empowerment and advocacy for musicians everywhere.
