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On May 30, 2025, Taylor Swift revealed she had regained ownership of the master recordings for her first six studio albums. This marked a major moment in a long-running public dispute that began in 2019.
That year, Scooter Braun’s company, Ithaca Holdings, acquired Big Machine Label Group and with it, Swift’s early catalog. Since then, Taylor Swift has openly criticized the deal and begun re-recording her albums.
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Scooter Braun’s initial acquisition sparked the conflict
Scooter Braun’s purchase of Big Machine shocked Swift and her fans. Taylor Swift said she was not given the option to buy her masters before the deal was made.
She described Braun’s involvement as something that deeply upset her, due to past disagreements they had had. Almost immediately, she announced plans to re-record her older work under her own control.
Braun sold the masters to Shamrock Capital in 2020
In 2020, Braun sold the master rights to Taylor Swift’s early albums to Shamrock Capital in a deal reportedly worth around $300 million. Taylor Swift later confirmed she had been contacted by Shamrock about a potential partnership.
However, she turned it down when she learned Braun would still profit from the arrangement. Her focus remained on releasing re-recorded versions of her songs.
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Swift re-recorded her albums to regain control
By mid-2023, Swift had released four of her six re-recorded albums as “Taylor’s Version.” These new editions included updated production and previously unreleased tracks “from the vault.”
Fans responded strongly, choosing to stream the new versions rather than the originals. This strategy helped Taylor Swift reduce the commercial value of the original masters still held by others.
The 2025 buyback reunited Swift with her original recordings
Then came the big news in May 2025: Taylor Swift had officially bought back her original masters from Shamrock Capital. The deal was reportedly worth about $360 million, according to industry sources.
Swift celebrated the moment as a major personal and professional win. She expressed deep gratitude to her fans for their support.
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Scooter Braun publicly responds to Taylor Swift's masters buyback
On May 30, 2025, after Taylor Swift bought back the masters of her first six albums from Shamrock Capital, Scooter Braun publicly responded by saying,
“I am happy for her.”
This marked a shift from his earlier silence on the matter. Some reports even suggest Braun may have encouraged Shamrock to offer the masters back to Swift, though that hasn’t been confirmed.
In a 2024 interview, Braun said, “Five years later, I think it’s time to move on,”
Adding that private conversations matter more than public disputes. He clarified that he had never spoken directly to Taylor Swift during the conflict. While his recent statement appears supportive, details about his actual involvement in the 2025 deal remain unclear.
Braun said he learned from the public backlash
Braun admitted in earlier comments that the situation had taught him a lot, though he avoided speaking directly about Taylor Swift. He mentioned that public disputes often distract from the real work artists and managers do.
He also noted he had not spoken to Taylor Swift during any part of the process. For the most part, Braun has distanced himself from the matter since selling the masters.
Swift’s reclaiming of her work influenced the music industry
Taylor Swift’s journey to reclaim her work has had a ripple effect across the music industry. It has made younger artists more aware of the importance of owning their masters.
Some new record deals now include clauses allowing artists to buy back their rights over time. This shift is largely credited to the public nature of Swift’s battle.
The conflict highlights questions about artist rights
While Taylor Swift now owns both her original and re-recorded versions, the story also raises a bigger question: Who should own an artist’s work? Many in the industry view her experience as a lesson in standing up for creative control.
Braun’s low-profile response contrasts sharply with Taylor Swift’s highly public journey. In the end, it shows two very different approaches to the same issue.
This drama could change future record deals
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Looking ahead, Taylor Swift’s success in regaining her masters could change how record deals are written. More artists are now asking for transparency and future ownership rights in their contracts.
Labels may need to adjust their approach to stay competitive and fair. Whether or not Braun comments further, the impact of this drama will likely last for years.
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