Taylor Swift Reclaims Masters in Historic Deal

Taylor Swift has achieved a monumental victory in her career. On May 30, 2025, she announced she successfully purchased the master recordings of her first six albums from Shamrock Capital. This move marks the end of a six-year saga that began when her former label, Big Machine, sold her catalog to Scooter Braun in 2019.

The deal, reported to be around $360 million, grants Swift ownership of albums including her debut, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation. In a heartfelt letter to fans, Swift expressed overwhelming joy, calling it her "greatest dream come true."

In June 2019, Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group for approximately $330 million, gaining control of Swift’s early catalog. Swift publicly criticized the deal, stating she was not given a fair opportunity to purchase her masters. She described the sale as her "worst-case scenario," citing personal conflicts with Braun, including his ties to Kanye West.

In November 2020, Braun sold the masters to Shamrock Capital for a reported $405 million. Swift revealed that Braun required a non-disclosure agreement to prevent her from speaking negatively about him, which she refused. Instead, she embarked on an ambitious re-recording project to regain control of her music.

Swift’s response was to re-record her first six albums, releasing Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Red (Taylor’s Version), Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) between 2021 and 2023. These re-recordings, complete with bonus tracks, were a massive success, bolstered by her dedicated fanbase and support from platforms like iHeartRadio, which replaced older versions with her new recordings.

The re-recordings inspired her record-breaking Eras Tour, which grossed an estimated $2.2 billion. Swift credited the tour’s success with giving her the financial leverage to buy back her masters. She noted that her fans’ support was crucial in making this moment possible.

In her announcement, Swift shared a handwritten letter filled with gratitude. She praised Shamrock Capital for their respectful and fair handling of the deal, emphasizing that they understood the personal significance of her music. "This was a business deal to them, but I really felt like they saw it for what it was to me: my memories and my sweat and my handwriting and my decades of dreams," she wrote.

Swift humorously mentioned considering a shamrock tattoo on her forehead to honor the company. She also addressed the status of Reputation (Taylor’s Version), revealing she has only re-recorded a quarter of the album, citing its deeply personal nature as a challenge.

With full ownership, Swift now controls her music, videos, album art, and unreleased tracks. She plans to reissue her original albums alongside the re-recorded Taylor’s Versions, giving fans access to both. This move ensures she can license her original recordings for films, TV shows, and other commercial uses.

Swift’s purchase is a landmark moment for artists’ rights. Her re-recording project sparked industry-wide discussions on intellectual property and the ethics of private equity in music. By regaining her masters, Swift has set a precedent for artists seeking control over their work.

A Triumph for Swifties

Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, have been vocal supporters throughout the ordeal. Their streaming and purchasing of Taylor’s Versions significantly devalued the original masters held by Shamrock. Swift thanked her fans, stating, "I can’t thank you enough for helping to reunite me with this art that I have dedicated my life to."

The deal’s reported price, close to the $360 million Shamrock paid in 2020, suggests the firm made little profit. Sources close to the negotiations clarified that Braun had no role in facilitating the sale, countering earlier rumors.

Swift’s victory is not just personal but cultural. Her journey has reshaped how the music industry views master recordings, proving that artists can reclaim their legacy with determination and fan support. As she continues her career, Swift’s story remains one of resilience and empowerment.