By Andrew Hoxha 
For years, one of the world’s most iconic singer-songwriters has carried a public and personal weight—one that her most devoted fans have followed closely, one that music insiders couldn’t ignore, and one that touched the heart of every creative person who’s ever lost control of their own work. That story has now taken a dramatic and deeply satisfying turn.
But it’s not just about songs or contracts—it’s about ownership, memory, legacy, and the relentless drive of one artist determined to rewrite her future, quite literally, on her own terms.
And now, after legal disputes, business deals, re-recordings, and a global tour that shattered expectations, that artist—Taylor Swift—has finally made the announcement her supporters have been waiting for.
Taylor Swift now owns all of her music (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Taylor Swift now owns all of her music (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
A Battle Years in the Making
In 2018, Taylor Swift’s contract with Big Machine Label Group came to an end. At that point, she had already transformed from a teenage country prodigy into a global pop icon. Her six studio albums under the label—Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation—had each marked a bold chapter in her evolution as a songwriter and performer.
Yet, despite being the creative force behind those records, Swift didn’t own the master recordings of any of them.
That reality became painfully public in 2019, when music executive Scooter Braun, through his company Ithaca Holdings, acquired Big Machine Label Group—including the masters of Swift’s first six albums—for a reported $300 million.
The transaction ignited a firestorm.
To Taylor and her fans, the sale wasn’t just a business move. It was a loss of autonomy, of artistic identity, and of deeply personal work being controlled by someone she had publicly stated made her feel “manipulated and bullied.” The outcry from her fanbase was immediate, and so began a movement that reached beyond Swift herself.
More Than a Music Deal—A Fight for Artistic Ownership
What followed was not a quiet negotiation behind the scenes, but a loud, visible campaign for artistic rights. Taylor refused to be silenced. She voiced her concerns in open letters, on social media, and during award show speeches.
Rather than try to negotiate further with Braun—who later sold the rights to Shamrock Capital, a private equity firm—Taylor took a revolutionary step: she would re-record her first six albums.
And she didn’t just re-record them—she reimagined them.
Each re-release, labeled “Taylor’s Version,” came with added tracks from the vault, new cover art, and the passion of a musician reclaiming her narrative. The project not only thrilled fans, but turned into a commercial and critical triumph. Swift’s versions of Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989 all debuted at number one, further proving that music fans do care about who owns the art.
Scooter Braun’s company purchased the rights to Taylor Swift’s first 6 albums (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Anti-Defamation League)
Scooter Braun’s company purchased the rights to Taylor Swift’s first 6 albums (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Anti-Defamation League)
The Era That Changed Everything
All of this unfolded as Taylor Swift entered what might be the most defining era of her career. With the Eras Tour, a global concert phenomenon that became a cultural moment in itself, she not only revisited every stage of her musical journey but did so on her own terms.
Night after night, in stadiums packed with glittering fans, Taylor proved that an artist could evolve, endure, and still stay true to herself—while also challenging the industry that so often chews up and repackages talent.
And with each concert, with every sold-out night and livestreamed moment, she was gaining more than applause. She was gaining leverage.
The Announcement That Shook the Music Industry
Now, after years of legal battles, emotional ups and downs, and fan-led support campaigns, Taylor Swift has confirmed something that once seemed impossible:
She now owns all of her music.
In a heartfelt letter posted to her official website, Taylor shared the news directly with her fans, explaining just how monumental this moment is for her—not just professionally, but personally.
“I almost stopped thinking it could ever happen, after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away,” she wrote. “But that’s all in the past now. All of the music I’ve ever made … now belongs … to me.”
To those unfamiliar with how the music industry works, this may seem like a simple win. But in an industry where artists rarely own their own masters—especially young ones signed early in their careers—it’s a revolutionary milestone.
Taylor didn’t just ask for her music back. She earned it. She bought it outright, with no strings, no partnerships, and complete autonomy.
A Journey Fueled by Fans and Faith
The letter continued with gratitude—a core theme in Taylor’s messages over the years. She credited her ability to reclaim her work to the unwavering support of her fans, particularly during the launch of “Taylor’s Version” re-recordings and the success of The Eras Tour.
“The passionate support you showed those albums and the success story you turned The Eras Tour into is why I was able to buy back my music,” she explained.
“I can’t thank you enough for helping to reunite me with this art that I have dedicated my life to, but have never owned until now.”
Her words read more like a thank-you note than a press release, and that’s what has always separated Swift from the crowd—her humanity. Even at the height of her fame, she remains in direct dialogue with her audience.
Business Meets Emotion
Swift also expressed appreciation toward Shamrock Capital, the private equity firm that purchased her masters from Scooter Braun in 2020. Unlike Braun, the company appears to have approached the deal with integrity.
“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,” she said. “I will be forever grateful to everyone at Shamrock Capital… They saw it for what it was to me: my memories and sweat and my handwriting and my decades of dreams.”
In true Swift fashion, she even joked that her first tattoo might now be a giant shamrock—a fitting tribute to the firm that finally gave her the opportunity no one else would.
A Ripple Effect in the Music World
But Taylor’s victory isn’t just her own—it’s sparked something much bigger.
Other musicians, inspired by her courage and tenacity, have begun renegotiating their contracts, re-recording old material, and demanding master ownership from the outset.
“Every time a new artist tells me they negotiated to own their master recordings in their record contract because of this fight, I’m reminded of how important it was for all of this to happen,” Taylor shared.
She emphasized how this seemingly “industry-specific” battle had become a wider movement—and how deeply it moved her that fans, not just fellow artists, cared about the outcome.
Elated, Empowered, and Owning the Future
As she closed the letter, Taylor described her emotions as nothing short of “elated and amazed.” And rightly so. After years of being told she couldn’t, she did. After years of having her work treated as a commodity, she reclaimed it as a legacy.
From the outside, this might just look like a music deal. But to Taylor Swift, and to millions who watched it unfold, it’s something much more.
It’s a reminder that art matters. Ownership matters. And standing your ground, no matter how powerful the opposition, can eventually shift the tide.
Final Thoughts: Why This Matters Beyond Music
Taylor Swift’s battle to own her music was never just about six albums or a multimillion-dollar contract. It was about autonomy, artistic identity, and the deeply human desire to own what you create.
In a world where so many artists are asked to give away their rights in exchange for opportunity, Taylor Swift’s story stands as a landmark example of resilience and empowerment.
And whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or just someone navigating your own creative path, her journey sends a powerful message:
Don’t settle for borrowed ownership. Fight to call your story your own.