In a monumental announcement that sends ripples across the music industry, global superstar Taylor Swift has confirmed she has successfully acquired the master recordings of her first six albums. This landmark achievement marks the end of a protracted and highly publicized battle for ownership of her artistic legacy, a fight that has galvanized artists and fans worldwide.
In a letter posted on her official website on Friday, May 30, 2025, Swift shared the joyous news, declaring, “All of the music I’ve ever made now belongs… to me.” The acquisition encompasses the master recordings of her self-titled debut, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation, along with associated music videos, concert films, album artwork, photography, and even unreleased tracks.
This significant development brings closure to a saga that began in 2019 when music executive Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings purchased Swift’s former record label, Big Machine Records, thereby gaining control of her early catalog. Swift publicly condemned the sale, alleging she was not given a fair opportunity to purchase her masters and accusing Braun of “manipulative bullying.”
The situation further evolved in November 2020 when Braun sold the master rights to private equity firm Shamrock Capital. Swift expressed her disappointment, stating it was the “second time my music had been sold without my knowledge,” and she refused to enter into an equity partnership with Shamrock that would continue to profit Braun.
In response to this protracted dispute, Swift embarked on an unprecedented and ambitious project: re-recording her first six albums. This strategic move, dubbed “Taylor’s Version,” allowed her to create new master recordings that she would fully own, effectively devaluing the original masters held by others. To date, she has released four immensely successful re-recorded albums: Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and Red (Taylor’s Version) in 2021, and Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) in 2023. These “Taylor’s Version” releases not only topped charts globally but also included “From the Vault” tracks and additional content, delighting fans and proving the immense power of artist autonomy.
While the financial terms of the deal with Shamrock Capital were not disclosed, reports suggest Swift paid a sum similar to what Shamrock initially acquired them for, an amount previously estimated to be over $300 million. In her letter, Swift expressed profound gratitude to Shamrock Capital, acknowledging them as “the first people to ever offer this to me,” and commending their “honest, fair, and respectful” handling of the transaction.
The re-acquisition of her masters represents a profound victory for Swift, underscoring her unwavering dedication to owning her work and setting a powerful precedent within the music industry. Her relentless pursuit of ownership has ignited crucial conversations among artists about their rights and control over their creations. As Swift aptly put it, “All I’ve ever wanted was the opportunity to work hard enough to be able to one day purchase my music outright with no strings attached, no partnership, with full autonomy.”
With this chapter now closed, Swift confirms that her remaining re-recordings, Reputation (Taylor’s Version) and her debut album, can still be released when the time is right, but now from a place of “celebration” rather than “sadness and longing.” The pop sensation’s journey to reclaim her masters stands as a testament to her business acumen, artistic integrity, and the unparalleled loyalty of her global fanbase. Sources