Taylor Swift has officially regained ownership of her first six albums, closing a turbulent chapter that began nearly six years ago when her original label, Big Machine Records, sold her masters to music executive Scooter Braun without her knowledge.
In a heartfelt letter posted on her website and social media, Swift announced the news, calling it her “greatest dream come true” and expressing overwhelming gratitude to her fans for their unwavering support throughout the ordeal The pop superstar now controls not only her music, but also related assets like music videos, concert films, and unreleased content.
The saga started in 2019 when Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Records, instantly giving him control over Swift’s catalog from her debut through Reputation. Swift publicly objected, claiming she was denied a fair chance to buy her own masters and describing Braun’s involvement as “manipulative bullying” In 2020, Braun sold the masters to Shamrock Capital for over $300 million, a deal Swift also said happened without her consent.
Determined to reclaim her legacy, Swift began re-recording her early albums, releasing four “Taylor’s Version” records so far. These re-recordings not only diminished the commercial value of the originals but also empowered Swift to direct fan support to versions she fully owns.
The exact price Swift paid Shamrock Capital to buy back her masters remains undisclosed, but industry estimates place the figure in the mid-$300 million range With this acquisition, Swift now has full creative and financial control over her entire discography—a rare feat in the music industry.
Scooter Braun, for his part, issued a brief statement after the news broke: “I am happy for her,” signaling an end to one of pop music’s most public feuds.
Swift’s announcement has already sparked speculation about the release of Reputation (Taylor’s Version), with fans poring over her letter for clues about what’s next. For now, Swift stands as one of the few major artists to own her entire body of work, a victory that resonates far beyond her own career.
