Taylor Swift's Master Plan: Reclaiming Ownership Through Re-Recordings
In 2019, Kelly Clarkson's tweet sparked a significant move in the music industry involving Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun. When Braun acquired Big Machine Label Group, he also gained ownership of Swift's first six studio albums. Swift, who had tried to buy her masters in the past, was shocked by the sale and expressed her disappointment publicly.
Swift's albums with Big Machine were more than just music—they represented her growth from a teenage artist to a global pop sensation. Clarkson suggested that Swift re-record her songs to devalue the originals and give fans a reason to support the new versions. Swift took this advice and began re-recording her albums, starting with Fearless in November 2020.
After Braun sold Swift's catalog to Shamrock Capital, Swift decided to re-record all her music instead of negotiating with the new owners. The re-releases of Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989 all debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, while the original recordings lost streaming traction. Swift's strategic move paid off, just as Clarkson had envisioned.
Swift's decision to re-record her music was met with praise from fans and the music industry. She successfully reclaimed ownership of her masters in May 2025 by buying them back from Shamrock Capital. With this acquisition, Swift now has control over her recordings, music videos, album art, and unreleased songs from her entire catalog.
Despite owning her masters again, Swift still plans to release Taylor's Version albums for Reputation and her self-titled debut. While her debut album is fully re-recorded and ready for release, Reputation remains a work in progress due to its emotional significance. Fans eagerly await the release of these final two re-recorded albums, showcasing Swift's resilience and business acumen in the music industry.