Taylor Swift has expenses too: The insane amount she paid for her masters

Taylor Swift has officially regained ownership of her master recordings, concluding a years-long battle over the rights to her first six albums. The 35-year-old singer-songwriter reportedly paid $360 million to buy back her catalog from Shamrock Capital, a private equity firm that had acquired the masters from Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings in 2020. The transaction marks a major victory for Swift, who has been vocal about artists' rights and ownership in the music industry.

Swift's fight for control over her music began in 2019 when Braun purchased Big Machine Records, the label that originally owned her recordings. At the time, Swift expressed frustration, claiming she was never given the opportunity to buy her own work. In response, she launched her ambitious Taylor's Version project, re-recording and re-releasing her albums to reclaim commercial control over her songs. So far, she has released new versions of Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989, with fans eagerly anticipating her Reputation (Taylor's Version).

She was very clear about it

In an emotional announcement posted on her website Friday, Swift shared her excitement over the deal. "I've been bursting into tears of joy at random intervals ever since I found out that this is really happening," she wrote. "All of the music I've ever made ... now belongs ... to me." She described the journey as a long and difficult one, with moments where she doubted it would ever happen. However, she emphasized that she never stopped fighting for the chance to reclaim her work.

Despite securing ownership of her masters, Swift revealed that she has yet to complete the re-recording of Reputation (Taylor's Version) and her self-titled debut album. She assured fans that both albums "can still have their moment to re-emerge when the time is right." Her Taylor's Version re-recordings have been widely celebrated, with fans rallying behind her efforts and streaming the new versions instead of the originals tied to Braun's former ownership.

Braun, who was at the center of the controversy, responded to Swift's announcement by telling Page Six that he is "happy for her." His initial acquisition of Swift's masters had sparked widespread backlash, with many criticizing the music industry's handling of artists' rights. Swift's successful buyback is seen as a landmark moment, reinforcing the importance of musicians owning their work and setting a precedent for other artists fighting for control of their catalogs.

With Swift now in full control of her catalog, fans are eager to see what she does next. Whether she chooses to focus on re-recording Reputation or explores new creative projects, one thing is clear-her music is finally hers again. The deal is not only a personal triumph but also a defining moment in the music industry, highlighting the power of perseverance and self-advocacy for artists worldwide.