On Friday, May 30, Taylor Swift proudly announced that she has successfully regained ownership of her master recordings from Shamrock Capital, the private equity firm that acquired them from Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in late 2020. Reports indicate that Shamrock sold Swift’s extensive music catalog back to her for a price close to their original purchase of approximately $360 million.
In a heartfelt message posted on her website, Swift shared her emotional journey, stating, “All the times I was this close, reaching out for it, only for it to fall through. I almost stopped thinking it could ever happen after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away. But that’s all in the past now… I really get to say these words: All of the music I’ve ever made… now belongs to me.” She emphasized that this achievement encompasses not only her music but also her music videos, concert films, album art, and unreleased songs—her entire life’s work.
In her announcement, Swift expressed deep gratitude towards Shamrock for their respectful handling of the deal, acknowledging their understanding of the personal significance behind the transaction. “My memories and my sweat and my handwriting and my decades of dreams,” she wrote. “I am endlessly thankful. My first tattoo might just be a huge shamrock in the middle of my forehead.”
In response to Swift's purchase, Braun told Billboard, “I am happy for her,” highlighting the supportive sentiment surrounding this pivotal moment in her career.
The saga of Swift's masters began in June 2019 when Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group, which owned the master recordings of Swift's first six albums, for an estimated $300 million. Since then, Swift has publicly voiced her dissatisfaction with the handling of her masters. To regain control over her music, she embarked on a journey of re-recording her Big Machine albums, starting with Fearless (Taylor’s Version) in April 2021, followed by Red (Taylor’s Version) in November 2021. In 2023, she released Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) and 1989 (Taylor’s Version), both of which topped the Billboard 200 chart.
Fans eagerly await the re-recording of Swift's self-titled debut album and her final Big Machine LP, Reputation. Since her departure from Big Machine in November 2018, Swift has released five additional albums under Republic Records, including Lover (2019), Folklore (2020), Evermore (2020), Midnights (2022), and The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Her recent Eras Tour redefined concert experiences and significantly boosted streams and sales across her entire catalog, including her re-recordings.
While the exact terms of the deal were not disclosed, sources indicate that Swift’s purchase price was close to the $360 million Shamrock initially paid, suggesting that Shamrock may not have made a substantial profit from the sale. However, overall, Shamrock reportedly earned about $100 million in profit during their ownership of Swift's catalog. Billboard estimates reveal that Swift’s six albums and two live albums generated approximately $60 million per year globally from 2022 to 2024, indicating a lucrative yet complicated financial landscape surrounding her music rights.
In 2023, Billboard reported that Swift’s re-recordings of Fearless and Red significantly outperformed their original versions in streaming, with Fearless (Taylor’s Version) earning three times the album units of the original, and Red (Taylor’s Version) achieving ten times the original’s performance. As of May 22, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) has accumulated 2.3 million equivalent album units compared to the original’s 8.6 million, showcasing the overwhelming support from her fanbase.
In her emotional message, Swift reflected on her journey, stating, “To say this is my greatest dream come true is actually being pretty reserved about it.” She thanked her fans for their unwavering support, which played a vital role in her ability to reclaim her music. Swift emphasized her desire for autonomy over her art, stating, “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.”
As she continues to navigate her music career, Swift remains committed to advocating for artist rights and ownership, inspiring countless others within the industry. The ongoing discussions sparked by her experience highlight the importance of artists owning their master recordings, reshaping the future landscape of the music industry.
Swift's journey serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and determination in the face of adversity, and her fans eagerly anticipate the next chapters in her illustrious career.
