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In June 2019, the [[Mastering (audio)|masters]] to the first six studio albums by American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] were acquired by talent manager [[Scooter Braun]] as part of his acquisition of [[Big Machine Records]], Swift's record company until 2019. Swift said she had been trying to buy the masters for years, but that Big Machine had offered unfavorable conditions. She condemned Braun's purchase; although she attempted to make peace, she denounced him as an "incessant, manipulative bully".<ref name="Vox">{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/7/1/20677241/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-controversy-explained|title=The Taylor Swift/Scooter Braun controversy, explained|last=Grady|first=Constance|date=July 1, 2019|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|access-date=August 23, 2019 |
In June 2019, the [[Mastering (audio)|masters]] to the first six studio albums by American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] were acquired by talent manager [[Scooter Braun]] as part of his acquisition of [[Big Machine Records]], Swift's record company until 2019. Swift said she had been trying to buy the masters for years, but that Big Machine had offered unfavorable conditions. She condemned Braun's purchase; although she attempted to make peace, she denounced him as an "incessant, manipulative bully".<ref name="Vox">{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/7/1/20677241/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-controversy-explained|title=The Taylor Swift/Scooter Braun controversy, explained|last=Grady|first=Constance|date=July 1, 2019|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|access-date=August 23, 2019}}</ref> Big Machine's former president [[Scott Borchetta]] said that Swift had declined an opportunity to buy the masters and challenged Swift's claims.<ref name="NZHerald">{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-feud-ramps-up-as-texts-leak-and-stars-take-sides/U2EOIZFWJT43VTTODNLJBIPVMY/|title=Taylor Swift, Scooter Braun feud ramps up as texts leak and stars take sides|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=July 2, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref> |
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Swift and Big Machine have had a series of disputes, including Swift's allegations of Big Machine blocking her from using her older material for the [[American Music Awards of 2019]] and the documentary ''[[Miss Americana]]'' (2020), as well as an unauthorized release of ''[[Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008]]'' in 2020. Swift announced she would [[Re-recording (music)|re-record]] her first six studio albums as a means to gain ownership to her back catalog. In April 2021, she released ''[[Fearless (Taylor's Version)]]'', a re-recording of her 2008 album ''[[Fearless (Taylor Swift album)|Fearless]].'' |
Swift and Big Machine have had a series of disputes, including Swift's allegations of Big Machine blocking her from using her older material for the [[American Music Awards of 2019]] and the documentary ''[[Miss Americana]]'' (2020), as well as an unauthorized release of ''[[Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008]]'' in 2020. Swift announced she would [[Re-recording (music)|re-record]] her first six studio albums as a means to gain ownership to her back catalog. In April 2021, she released ''[[Fearless (Taylor's Version)]]'', a re-recording of her 2008 album ''[[Fearless (Taylor Swift album)|Fearless]].'' |
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[[File:Taylor Swift Speak Now Tour 2011 4.jpg|thumb|upright|Taylor Swift (''pictured in 2010'') signed a record deal in 2005 which gave Big Machine Records the rights to the masters of her first six albums]] |
[[File:Taylor Swift Speak Now Tour 2011 4.jpg|thumb|upright|Taylor Swift (''pictured in 2010'') signed a record deal in 2005 which gave Big Machine Records the rights to the masters of her first six albums]] |
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A [[Mastering (audio)|master]] |
A [[Mastering (audio)|master]] is the first recording of an audio recording, from which copies are made for sales and distribution. The owner of the master, therefore, owns all copies, such as digital versions for [[Music download|download]] or on [[Streaming media|streaming]] platforms, or physical versions available on [[Compact disc|CDs]] and [[Gramophone record|vinyl records]].<ref name="inews"/> Anyone who wishes to reproduce a record must ask permission from the master owner.<ref name="Vox"/> Before the emergence of digital music platforms, musicians relied on [[record label]]s to promote their music means such as [[airplay]] or physical distributions to retailers. These labels would typically require artists to sign record deals which would give them the rights to their masters "in perpetuity".<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48801130|title=Taylor Swift v Scooter Braun: Is it personal or strictly business|first=Paul|last=Glynn|publisher=BBC|date=July 1, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref> |
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In 2005, American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] signed a 13-year record deal with [[Big Machine Records]], a [[Nashville]]-based record label run by [[Scott Borchetta]]. |
In 2005, American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] signed a 13-year record deal with [[Big Machine Records]], a [[Nashville]]-based record label run by [[Scott Borchetta]]. The contract gave Big Machine the rights to Swift's first six albums in exchange for a cash advance.<ref name="inews"/> From 2006 to 2017, Swift released six [[studio album]]s with Big Machine: ''[[Taylor Swift (album)|Taylor Swift]]'' (2006), ''[[Fearless (Taylor Swift album)|Fearless]]'' (2008), ''[[Speak Now]]'' (2010), ''[[Red (Taylor Swift album)|Red]]'' (2012), ''[[1989 (Taylor Swift album)|1989]]'' (2014), and ''[[Reputation (Taylor Swift album)|Reputation]]'' (2017).<ref name="RS">{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-scott-borchetta-explainer-853424/|title=Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta: What the Hell Happened?|first=Brittany|last=Spanos|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=July 1, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref> |
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In November 2018, the contract expired, and Swift signed a new contract with [[Universal Music Group]] record label [[Republic Records]]. ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that to that point Swift's catalog constituted around 80% of Big Machine's revenue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/taylor-swift-stands-to-make-music-business-history-as-a-free-agent-1202918336/|title=Taylor Swift Stands to Make Music Business History as a Free Agent|date=August 27, 2018|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Chris|last=Willman|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref> Swift revealed an element as part of her Republic Records contract which affected all artists under Universal: any sale of the company's shares in [[Spotify]] (the largest on-demand music streaming platform) resulted in [[Equity (finance)|equity]] for Universal artists.<ref name="RS" /> The contract with Republic Records also allowed Swift to fully own the masters to albums distributed by them, starting with her 2019 album ''[[Lover (album)|Lover]]''.<ref name="Vox" /> |
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== Dispute == |
== Dispute == |
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| quote = For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work. Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to Big Machine Records and "earn' one album back at a time, one for every new one I turned in. ... I learned about Scooter Braun's purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world. All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I've received at his hands for years. |
| quote = For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work. Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to Big Machine Records and "earn' one album back at a time, one for every new one I turned in. ... I learned about Scooter Braun's purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world. All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I've received at his hands for years. |
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| author = Taylor Swift |
| author = Taylor Swift |
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| source = Tumblr, June 30, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://taylorswift.tumblr.com/post/185958366550/for-years-i-asked-pleaded-for-a-chance-to-own-my|title=Taylor Swift on Tumblr|date=June 30, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021 |
| source = Tumblr, June 30, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://taylorswift.tumblr.com/post/185958366550/for-years-i-asked-pleaded-for-a-chance-to-own-my|title=Taylor Swift on Tumblr|date=June 30, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref> |
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}} |
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In 2019, Big Machine Records, which released Swift's first six studio albums, was acquired (reportedly for $300 million) by talent manager and businessman [[Scooter Braun]] and his company Ithaca Holdings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8518119/scooter-braun-acquires-big-machine-label-group-scott-borchetta|title=Scooter Braun Acquires Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Label Group, Taylor Swift Catalog For Over $300 Million|first=Ed|last=Christman|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=June 30, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021 |
In 2019, Big Machine Records, which released Swift's first six studio albums, was acquired (reportedly for $300 million) by talent manager and businessman [[Scooter Braun]] and his company Ithaca Holdings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8518119/scooter-braun-acquires-big-machine-label-group-scott-borchetta|title=Scooter Braun Acquires Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Label Group, Taylor Swift Catalog For Over $300 Million|first=Ed|last=Christman|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=June 30, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref> The acquisition was financed by [[the Carlyle Group]] and several other private equity firms. As part of the acquisition, ownership of the masters to Swift's first six studio albums transferred to Braun.<ref name="Vox"/> |
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On June 30, the day of Big Machine's announcement, Swift denounced the acquisition on her [[Tumblr]] account. She stated that she had tried to buy her masters for years, but was not given a chance unless she signed another contract, which she was not willing to do. While she knew that Big Machine was for sale, she said that she was unaware Braun would be the buyer, whom she described as an "incessant, manipulative bully": "Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it."<ref name="inews">{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-masters-scooter-braun-selling-rights-music-rerecording-row-explained-762411|title=Taylor Swift masters: The controversy around Scooter Braun selling the rights to her old music explained|first=Alex|last=Finnis|work=[[i (newspaper)|i]]|date=November 17, 2020|accessdate=February 13, 2021 |
On June 30, the day of Big Machine's announcement, Swift denounced the acquisition on her [[Tumblr]] account. She stated that she had tried to buy her masters for years, but was not given a chance unless she signed another contract, which she was not willing to do. While she knew that Big Machine was for sale, she said that she was unaware Braun would be the buyer, whom she described as an "incessant, manipulative bully": "Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it."<ref name="inews">{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-masters-scooter-braun-selling-rights-music-rerecording-row-explained-762411|title=Taylor Swift masters: The controversy around Scooter Braun selling the rights to her old music explained|first=Alex|last=Finnis|work=[[i (newspaper)|i]]|date=November 17, 2020|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref> She accused Borchetta of betraying her loyalty for selling her catalog to Scooter, whom Borchetta had known for his "bullying" towards Swift.<ref name="RS"/> |
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In response, Borchetta published a blog post titled "It's Time For Some Truth" on the Big Machine website.<ref name="RS"/> On June 25, 2019, Big Machine shareholders and Braun's Ithaca Holdings held a phone call regarding the transaction. While Swift's father, Scott Swift, was one of Big Machine's minority shareholders (holding 4% of stakes),<ref name="inews"/> he did not join the phone call due to a "very strict" [[non-disclosure agreement]]. A final call was held on June 28, when Scott Swift was represented by a lawyer from Swift's management company, 13 Management.<ref name="RS"/> |
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Borchetta said that he had sent a text message to Swift on June 29, challenging Swift's claim that she had not been aware of Braun's transaction beforehand.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/01/arts/music/taylor-swift-master-recordings.html|title=Taylor Swift's Feud With Scooter Braun Spotlights Musicians' Struggles to Own Their Work|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Ben|last=Sisario|first2=Joe|last2=Coscarelli|date=July 1, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021 |
Borchetta said that he had sent a text message to Swift on June 29, challenging Swift's claim that she had not been aware of Braun's transaction beforehand.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/01/arts/music/taylor-swift-master-recordings.html|title=Taylor Swift's Feud With Scooter Braun Spotlights Musicians' Struggles to Own Their Work|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Ben|last=Sisario|first2=Joe|last2=Coscarelli|date=July 1, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref> He denied that Swift had been hostile towards Braun, whom he described as a "good source of information".<ref name="NZHerald"/> He also posted a text message he alleged Swift had sent before signing to Republic Records; in the message, Swift said she would accept another seven-year contract with Big Machine on the condition that she took ownership of her audiovisual works. Borchetta agreed, but asked for a ten-year contract. The authenticity of the text message has not been verified.<ref name="RS"/> |
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=== Subsequent disputes === |
=== Subsequent disputes === |
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[[File:Disrupt SF TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019 - Day 2 (48838717986).jpg|thumb|left|Scooter Braun ''(pictured in 2019)'', who acquired Big Machine Records and the masters of Swift's six albums, said he received "death threats" from Swift's fans.]] |
[[File:Disrupt SF TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019 - Day 2 (48838717986).jpg|thumb|left|Scooter Braun ''(pictured in 2019)'', who acquired Big Machine Records and the masters of Swift's six albums, said he received "death threats" from Swift's fans.]] |
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In November 2019, Swift accused Braun and Borchetta of blocking her from performing her older songs at the [[American Music Awards of 2019]] and from using older material for her 2020 documentary ''[[Miss Americana]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|date=November 14, 2019|title=Taylor Swift Says Scooter Braun & Scott Borchetta Won't Let Her Perform Her Old Songs at 2019 AMAs|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8543706/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-scott-borchetta-perform-old-music-amas|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 15, 2019 |
In November 2019, Swift accused Braun and Borchetta of blocking her from performing her older songs at the [[American Music Awards of 2019]] and from using older material for her 2020 documentary ''[[Miss Americana]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|date=November 14, 2019|title=Taylor Swift Says Scooter Braun & Scott Borchetta Won't Let Her Perform Her Old Songs at 2019 AMAs|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8543706/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-scott-borchetta-perform-old-music-amas|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref> While Big Machine Records initially rejected Swift's claim, they later issued a statement saying they had "agreed to grant all licenses of their artists' performances to stream post show and for re-broadcast on mutually approved platforms" for the American Music Awards; the statement did not mention Swift.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8544038/taylor-swift-amas-cleared-perform-old-songs|title=Taylor Swift Cleared by Big Machine to Perform Old Songs at AMAs|last=Cirisano|first=Tatiana|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=November 18, 2019|access-date=November 23, 2019}}</ref> The statement also said that Big Machine had negotiated with the producer of the award show, [[Dick Clark Productions]]; Dick Clark Productions contested that they ever agreed to issue any statement with Big Machine.<ref name="TheCut">{{cite web|url=https://www.thecut.com/2019/11/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-justin-bieber-feud-explained.html|title=Untangling the Incredibly Complicated Taylor Swift–Scooter Braun Feud|first=Amanda|last=Arnold|first2=Melinda|last2=Fakuade|work=[[The Cut (website)|The Cut]]|date=November 22, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref> |
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Braun said he received [[death threat]]s from Swift's fans, and pleaded to have a conversation with Swift on the matter.<ref name="TheCut"/> In April 2020, Big Machine released ''[[Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008]]'', a live album of Swift's performances at a 2008 radio show for [[IHeartMedia|Clear Channel]]. Swift said she did not authorize the release, and called it "shameless greed".<ref name="usat">{{Cite news|title=Taylor Swift Slams Big Machine's New Unauthorized Live Album as 'Shameless Greed'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/23/taylor-swift-big-machines-new-unapproved-album-shameless-greed/3015021001/|last=Henderson|first=Cydney|date=April 23, 2020|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|access-date=April 23, 2020 |
Braun said he received [[death threat]]s from Swift's fans, and pleaded to have a conversation with Swift on the matter.<ref name="TheCut"/> In April 2020, Big Machine released ''[[Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008]]'', a live album of Swift's performances at a 2008 radio show for [[IHeartMedia|Clear Channel]]. Swift said she did not authorize the release, and called it "shameless greed".<ref name="usat">{{Cite news|title=Taylor Swift Slams Big Machine's New Unauthorized Live Album as 'Shameless Greed'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/23/taylor-swift-big-machines-new-unapproved-album-shameless-greed/3015021001/|last=Henderson|first=Cydney|date=April 23, 2020|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|access-date=April 23, 2020}}</ref> In October 2020, Braun sold Swift's masters, videos and artworks, to [[Shamrock Holdings]], reportedly for $300 million, according to ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Scooter Braun Sells Taylor Swift's Big Machine Masters for Big Pay Day |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/scooter-braun-sells-taylor-swift-big-machine-masters-1234832080/|first=Shirley|last=Halperin |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref> Swift claimed that Braun offered her a chance at bidding on her masters on the condition of signing an non-disclosure agreement regarding her public statements on Braun, which she refused.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beumont-Thomas |first1=Ben |title=Taylor Swift criticises Scooter Braun after $300m masters sale |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/nov/17/taylor-swift-criticises-scooter-braun-amid-300m-masters-sale |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=November 18, 2020|date=November 17, 2020}}</ref> She also declined an offer by Shamrock to become an [[equity partner]], on the grounds that Braun would continue to profit from her work.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sisario|first1=Ben|last2=Coscarelli|first2=Joe|last3=Kelly|first3=Kate|date=November 17, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Denounces Scooter Braun as Her Catalog Is Sold Again|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/16/arts/music/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-masters.html|access-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref> |
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== Reaction == |
== Reaction == |
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Publications highlighted Swift's public opposition to the acquisition of her masters as trailblazing: while the issue of master ownership and the conflicts between record labels artists such as [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[the Beatles]], [[Janet Jackson]], and [[Def Leppard]] have been prevalent, Swift was one of the few to make it public.<ref name="bbc"/><ref name="NYT"/><ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swifts-music-ownership-controversy-with-scooter-braun-what-it-means-and-why-it-matters/|title=Taylor Swift’s Music Ownership Controversy With Scooter Braun: What It Means and Why It Matters|first=Sam|last=Sodomsky|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=July 1, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021 |
Publications highlighted Swift's public opposition to the acquisition of her masters as trailblazing: while the issue of master ownership and the conflicts between record labels artists such as [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[the Beatles]], [[Janet Jackson]], and [[Def Leppard]] have been prevalent, Swift was one of the few to make it public.<ref name="bbc"/><ref name="NYT"/><ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swifts-music-ownership-controversy-with-scooter-braun-what-it-means-and-why-it-matters/|title=Taylor Swift’s Music Ownership Controversy With Scooter Braun: What It Means and Why It Matters|first=Sam|last=Sodomsky|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=July 1, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref><ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/23/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-amas-old-music-masters|title=Why Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun's bad blood may reshape the industry|first=Dominic|last=Rushe|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=November 23, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref> Her social media posts prompted both support and opposition from her contemporaries; those who supported include [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]], [[Sky Ferreira]] and [[Iggy Azalea]], who cited Swift's reason that artists should rightfully own their music.<ref name="Pitchfork"/> Those who opposed include Braun's clients<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/demi-lovato-signs-scooter-braun-manager-1203212073/|title=Demi Lovato Signs With Scooter Braun for Management|first=Shirley|last=Halperin|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=May 11, 2019|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref> Justin Bieber and [[Demi Lovato]], who believed he was a man of good character, and that the decision was not personal.<ref name="Vox"/> |
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The magazine ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described the masters dispute as one of the 50 "most important moments" of the music industry in the 2010s decade: "While Braun and Borchetta vehemently contest [Swift's claims], the actual facts of the situation may not matter — as Swift is using every tool she's got, including pleading directly to a zealous fanbase for help, to establish herself as a self-made artist who calls her own shots."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/lists/the-50-most-important-music-moments-of-the-decade-912772/|title=The 50 Most Important Music Moments of the Decade|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 25, 2019|access-date=October 10, 2020 |
The magazine ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described the masters dispute as one of the 50 "most important moments" of the music industry in the 2010s decade: "While Braun and Borchetta vehemently contest [Swift's claims], the actual facts of the situation may not matter — as Swift is using every tool she's got, including pleading directly to a zealous fanbase for help, to establish herself as a self-made artist who calls her own shots."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/lists/the-50-most-important-music-moments-of-the-decade-912772/|title=The 50 Most Important Music Moments of the Decade|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 25, 2019|access-date=October 10, 2020}}</ref> According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', Swift's masters dispute hinted at a change in the digital music era, where artists are more informed of their ownership and would not rely on record labels for marketing as heavily as in the past.<ref name="guardian"/> |
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== Aftermath == |
== Aftermath == |
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Swift announced in August 2019 that she would [[re-recording (music)|re-record]] her old songs, as a means to fully own her music and distribute them for commercial purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49432817|title=Taylor Swift wants to re-record her old hits after ownership row|publisher=BBC|date=August 22, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021 |
Swift announced in August 2019 that she would [[re-recording (music)|re-record]] her old songs, as a means to fully own her music and distribute them for commercial purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49432817|title=Taylor Swift wants to re-record her old hits after ownership row|publisher=BBC|date=August 22, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021}}</ref> She began re-recording her back catalog in November 2020.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Taylor Swift Confirms Sale of Her Masters, Says She Is Already Re-Recording Her Catalog |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-responds-scooter-brauns-sale-of-her-catalog-saying-1234833284/|first=Chris|last=Willman |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 18, 2020}}</ref> In February 2021, Swift announced that she had finished the re-recording of her 2008 studio album ''Fearless''; she released it as ''[[Fearless (Taylor's Version)]]'' on April 9. She released "[[Love Story (Taylor's Version)]]", a re-recording of her 2008 single "[[Love Story (Taylor Swift song)|Love Story]]", as the lead single on February 12.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56038367|title=Taylor Swift's two versions Love Story compared|first=Mark|last=Savage|publisher=BBC|date=February 12, 2021|accessdate=February 12, 2021|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213005241/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56038367|url-status=live}}</ref> She then released two other tracks off the album before the album's release. Several music critics positively reviewed ''Fearless (Taylor's Version)'', and praised Swift's move to re-record her music, viewing it as an act of preservation of artist rights.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 9, 2021|title=Taylor Swift wisely chooses not to rewrite history on Fearless (Taylor’s Version) – review|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-review-taylors-version-b1828897.html|access-date=April 10, 2021|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bernstein|first=Jonathan|last2=Bernstein|first2=Jonathan|date=April 9, 2021|title=Taylor Swift Carefully Reimagines Her Past on 'Fearless: Taylor's Version'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-1153454/|access-date=April 10, 2021|website=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 9, 2021|title=Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor’s Version) review – old wounds take on new resonances {{!}} Alexis Petridis' album of the week|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/09/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-review|access-date=April 10, 2021|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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[[Category:Music controversies]] |
[[Category:Music controversies]] |
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[[Category:2019 controversies in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Taylor Swift]] |
[[Category:Taylor Swift]] |
Revision as of 13:37, 18 April 2021
In June 2019, the masters to the first six studio albums by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift were acquired by talent manager Scooter Braun as part of his acquisition of Big Machine Records, Swift's record company until 2019. Swift said she had been trying to buy the masters for years, but that Big Machine had offered unfavorable conditions. She condemned Braun's purchase; although she attempted to make peace, she denounced him as an "incessant, manipulative bully".[1] Big Machine's former president Scott Borchetta said that Swift had declined an opportunity to buy the masters and challenged Swift's claims.[2]
Swift and Big Machine have had a series of disputes, including Swift's allegations of Big Machine blocking her from using her older material for the American Music Awards of 2019 and the documentary Miss Americana (2020), as well as an unauthorized release of Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008 in 2020. Swift announced she would re-record her first six studio albums as a means to gain ownership to her back catalog. In April 2021, she released Fearless (Taylor's Version), a re-recording of her 2008 album Fearless.
Background
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Taylor_Swift_Speak_Now_Tour_2011_4.jpg/170px-Taylor_Swift_Speak_Now_Tour_2011_4.jpg)
A master is the first recording of an audio recording, from which copies are made for sales and distribution. The owner of the master, therefore, owns all copies, such as digital versions for download or on streaming platforms, or physical versions available on CDs and vinyl records.[3] Anyone who wishes to reproduce a record must ask permission from the master owner.[1] Before the emergence of digital music platforms, musicians relied on record labels to promote their music means such as airplay or physical distributions to retailers. These labels would typically require artists to sign record deals which would give them the rights to their masters "in perpetuity".[4]
In 2005, American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift signed a 13-year record deal with Big Machine Records, a Nashville-based record label run by Scott Borchetta. The contract gave Big Machine the rights to Swift's first six albums in exchange for a cash advance.[3] From 2006 to 2017, Swift released six studio albums with Big Machine: Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), and Reputation (2017).[5]
In November 2018, the contract expired, and Swift signed a new contract with Universal Music Group record label Republic Records. Variety reported that to that point Swift's catalog constituted around 80% of Big Machine's revenue.[6] Swift revealed an element as part of her Republic Records contract which affected all artists under Universal: any sale of the company's shares in Spotify (the largest on-demand music streaming platform) resulted in equity for Universal artists.[5] The contract with Republic Records also allowed Swift to fully own the masters to albums distributed by them, starting with her 2019 album Lover.[1]
Dispute
Acquisition of Big Machine Records
For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work. Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to Big Machine Records and "earn' one album back at a time, one for every new one I turned in. ... I learned about Scooter Braun's purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world. All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I've received at his hands for years.
Taylor Swift, Tumblr, June 30, 2019[7]
In 2019, Big Machine Records, which released Swift's first six studio albums, was acquired (reportedly for $300 million) by talent manager and businessman Scooter Braun and his company Ithaca Holdings.[8] The acquisition was financed by the Carlyle Group and several other private equity firms. As part of the acquisition, ownership of the masters to Swift's first six studio albums transferred to Braun.[1]
On June 30, the day of Big Machine's announcement, Swift denounced the acquisition on her Tumblr account. She stated that she had tried to buy her masters for years, but was not given a chance unless she signed another contract, which she was not willing to do. While she knew that Big Machine was for sale, she said that she was unaware Braun would be the buyer, whom she described as an "incessant, manipulative bully": "Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it."[3] She accused Borchetta of betraying her loyalty for selling her catalog to Scooter, whom Borchetta had known for his "bullying" towards Swift.[5]
In response, Borchetta published a blog post titled "It's Time For Some Truth" on the Big Machine website.[5] On June 25, 2019, Big Machine shareholders and Braun's Ithaca Holdings held a phone call regarding the transaction. While Swift's father, Scott Swift, was one of Big Machine's minority shareholders (holding 4% of stakes),[3] he did not join the phone call due to a "very strict" non-disclosure agreement. A final call was held on June 28, when Scott Swift was represented by a lawyer from Swift's management company, 13 Management.[5]
Borchetta said that he had sent a text message to Swift on June 29, challenging Swift's claim that she had not been aware of Braun's transaction beforehand.[9] He denied that Swift had been hostile towards Braun, whom he described as a "good source of information".[2] He also posted a text message he alleged Swift had sent before signing to Republic Records; in the message, Swift said she would accept another seven-year contract with Big Machine on the condition that she took ownership of her audiovisual works. Borchetta agreed, but asked for a ten-year contract. The authenticity of the text message has not been verified.[5]
Subsequent disputes
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Disrupt_SF_TechCrunch_Disrupt_San_Francisco_2019_-_Day_2_%2848838717986%29.jpg/220px-Disrupt_SF_TechCrunch_Disrupt_San_Francisco_2019_-_Day_2_%2848838717986%29.jpg)
In November 2019, Swift accused Braun and Borchetta of blocking her from performing her older songs at the American Music Awards of 2019 and from using older material for her 2020 documentary Miss Americana.[10] While Big Machine Records initially rejected Swift's claim, they later issued a statement saying they had "agreed to grant all licenses of their artists' performances to stream post show and for re-broadcast on mutually approved platforms" for the American Music Awards; the statement did not mention Swift.[11] The statement also said that Big Machine had negotiated with the producer of the award show, Dick Clark Productions; Dick Clark Productions contested that they ever agreed to issue any statement with Big Machine.[12]
Braun said he received death threats from Swift's fans, and pleaded to have a conversation with Swift on the matter.[12] In April 2020, Big Machine released Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008, a live album of Swift's performances at a 2008 radio show for Clear Channel. Swift said she did not authorize the release, and called it "shameless greed".[13] In October 2020, Braun sold Swift's masters, videos and artworks, to Shamrock Holdings, reportedly for $300 million, according to Variety.[14] Swift claimed that Braun offered her a chance at bidding on her masters on the condition of signing an non-disclosure agreement regarding her public statements on Braun, which she refused.[15] She also declined an offer by Shamrock to become an equity partner, on the grounds that Braun would continue to profit from her work.[16]
Reaction
Publications highlighted Swift's public opposition to the acquisition of her masters as trailblazing: while the issue of master ownership and the conflicts between record labels artists such as Prince, the Beatles, Janet Jackson, and Def Leppard have been prevalent, Swift was one of the few to make it public.[4][9][17][18] Her social media posts prompted both support and opposition from her contemporaries; those who supported include Halsey, Sky Ferreira and Iggy Azalea, who cited Swift's reason that artists should rightfully own their music.[17] Those who opposed include Braun's clients[19] Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato, who believed he was a man of good character, and that the decision was not personal.[1]
The magazine Rolling Stone described the masters dispute as one of the 50 "most important moments" of the music industry in the 2010s decade: "While Braun and Borchetta vehemently contest [Swift's claims], the actual facts of the situation may not matter — as Swift is using every tool she's got, including pleading directly to a zealous fanbase for help, to establish herself as a self-made artist who calls her own shots."[20] According to The Guardian, Swift's masters dispute hinted at a change in the digital music era, where artists are more informed of their ownership and would not rely on record labels for marketing as heavily as in the past.[18]
Aftermath
Swift announced in August 2019 that she would re-record her old songs, as a means to fully own her music and distribute them for commercial purposes.[21] She began re-recording her back catalog in November 2020.[22] In February 2021, Swift announced that she had finished the re-recording of her 2008 studio album Fearless; she released it as Fearless (Taylor's Version) on April 9. She released "Love Story (Taylor's Version)", a re-recording of her 2008 single "Love Story", as the lead single on February 12.[23] She then released two other tracks off the album before the album's release. Several music critics positively reviewed Fearless (Taylor's Version), and praised Swift's move to re-record her music, viewing it as an act of preservation of artist rights.[24][25][26]
References
- ^ a b c d e Grady, Constance (July 1, 2019). "The Taylor Swift/Scooter Braun controversy, explained". Vox. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b "Taylor Swift, Scooter Braun feud ramps up as texts leak and stars take sides". The New Zealand Herald. July 2, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Finnis, Alex (November 17, 2020). "Taylor Swift masters: The controversy around Scooter Braun selling the rights to her old music explained". i. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Glynn, Paul (July 1, 2019). "Taylor Swift v Scooter Braun: Is it personal or strictly business". BBC. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Spanos, Brittany (July 1, 2019). "Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta: What the Hell Happened?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ Willman, Chris (August 27, 2018). "Taylor Swift Stands to Make Music Business History as a Free Agent". Variety. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ "Taylor Swift on Tumblr". June 30, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ Christman, Ed (June 30, 2019). "Scooter Braun Acquires Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Label Group, Taylor Swift Catalog For Over $300 Million". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Sisario, Ben; Coscarelli, Joe (July 1, 2019). "Taylor Swift's Feud With Scooter Braun Spotlights Musicians' Struggles to Own Their Work". The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (November 14, 2019). "Taylor Swift Says Scooter Braun & Scott Borchetta Won't Let Her Perform Her Old Songs at 2019 AMAs". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ Cirisano, Tatiana (November 18, 2019). "Taylor Swift Cleared by Big Machine to Perform Old Songs at AMAs". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ^ a b Arnold, Amanda; Fakuade, Melinda (November 22, 2019). "Untangling the Incredibly Complicated Taylor Swift–Scooter Braun Feud". The Cut. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ Henderson, Cydney (April 23, 2020). "Taylor Swift Slams Big Machine's New Unauthorized Live Album as 'Shameless Greed'". USA Today. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Halperin, Shirley (November 16, 2020). "Scooter Braun Sells Taylor Swift's Big Machine Masters for Big Pay Day". Variety. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ Beumont-Thomas, Ben (November 17, 2020). "Taylor Swift criticises Scooter Braun after $300m masters sale". The Guardian. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ Sisario, Ben; Coscarelli, Joe; Kelly, Kate (November 17, 2020). "Taylor Swift Denounces Scooter Braun as Her Catalog Is Sold Again". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ a b Sodomsky, Sam (July 1, 2019). "Taylor Swift's Music Ownership Controversy With Scooter Braun: What It Means and Why It Matters". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Rushe, Dominic (November 23, 2019). "Why Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun's bad blood may reshape the industry". The Guardian. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ Halperin, Shirley (May 11, 2019). "Demi Lovato Signs With Scooter Braun for Management". Variety. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "The 50 Most Important Music Moments of the Decade". Rolling Stone. November 25, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ "Taylor Swift wants to re-record her old hits after ownership row". BBC. August 22, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ Willman, Chris (November 16, 2020). "Taylor Swift Confirms Sale of Her Masters, Says She Is Already Re-Recording Her Catalog". Variety. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ Savage, Mark (February 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift's two versions Love Story compared". BBC. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "Taylor Swift wisely chooses not to rewrite history on Fearless (Taylor's Version) – review". The Independent. April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ Bernstein, Jonathan; Bernstein, Jonathan (April 9, 2021). "Taylor Swift Carefully Reimagines Her Past on 'Fearless: Taylor's Version'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor's Version) review – old wounds take on new resonances | Alexis Petridis' album of the week". the Guardian. April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.