It’s official: Taylor Swift now owns the original recordings from her first six studio albums – a monumental victory in a nearly six-year battle that has reshaped the music industry and redefined what artist ownership can look like.
The pop superstar shared the news on this day (May, 30) with her fans on her social networks, expressing her joy and gratitude as she confirmed that she had finally regained full control of the music that built her career. For Swifties, this is more than a milestone, it’s justice that’s long overdue.
Taylor Swift during the Eras Tour.
From Losing Her Work to Taking It Back
The story began in 2019, when Swift’s former label, Big Machine Records, was sold to Scooter Braun’s company. As part of the deal? The rights to Swift’s original recordings from the start of her career – from her 2006 self-titled debut album to 2017’s Reputation. Swift had no say in the sale and felt betrayed, claiming she had been denied the opportunity to buy her masters herself.
What followed was a move unprecedented in the world of pop music: Swift announced that she would re-record all six of her albums under the label “Taylor’s Version” – a way of reclaiming her legacy and diverting support from the versions she didn’t own. It was not only an act of defiance, but also a bold business strategy that fans enthusiastically embraced. Each re-recording topped the charts, broke records and rekindled the love for her early eras.
Now, thanks to a deal struck with investment company Shamrock Holdings (which had already bought the masters from Braun), Swift has bought them back. All the notes, all the lyrics, all the memories of her formative musical years are hers at last.
Scooter Braun, who was previously owning Swift’s masters catalog.
“All My Music Belongs to Me”
Swift’s announcement in a long letter on her website was sincere but poised. “All my music finally belongs to me,” she wrote in a statement, expressing both relief and power. For fans, it’s the end they’ve been waiting for – not just a legal resolution, but a symbolic return home.
All of the music I’ve ever made now belongs to me … Every single era. My entire life’s work. – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s Post On X (formerly Twitter).
Fans, Fellow Artists, and Industry Take Notice
The reaction from the music world was swift and encouraging. Fans flooded social media with messages of support and nostalgia. But the ripple effect extends far beyond fans. Swift’s fight has already sparked deeper conversations about artists’ rights, contract transparency and the ethical role of record labels. Her willingness to re-record her music and fight the plans of billionaire corporations has set a new precedent.
More Than a Win — A Movement
Taylor Swift’s story is no longer just about an artist fighting back. It’s become a case study in reclaiming agency, rewriting industry norms, and proving that passion, patience, and persistence can change everything.
She didn’t just want her music back, she wanted to change the way the system worked. And today, with her masters in her hands and the music world watching, that’s exactly what she’s done.
It’s not just a return, but a legacy, rewritten on her own terms.
