Have we finally reached the end of the Scooter Braun versus Taylor Swift conflict? The answer is unclear, but seemingly final developments have been made with the two’s connections. Scooter Braun’s company Ithaca Holdings LLC acquired the very record company Swift recorded her first six albums, Big Machine Label Group. Meaning, Braun now held the rights to the majority of Swift’s work. In 2018, as soon as her contract was over, Taylor signed with Universal Music Group. According to Variety, of the approximately $300 million that Braun bought Big Machine Label Group for, $140 million worth was for Taylor’s six albums.
Swift has since publicly denounced Braun as “the definition of toxic male privilege in our industry.” Furthermore, she has announced that she will be re-recording her first six albums with her own control over the music’s rights. Swift has also publicly come out and said that the selling of her music’s rights to Braun happened without her “approval, consultation or consent.” The musician had even reached out and attempted to buy the rights to her music herself but was denied this offer entirely.
In this new development, reported by sources such as The New York Times and Variety, Braun has apparently sold Taylor’s masters to an unknown investment company for upward of $300, approximated to be closer to $450, million. The exchange was said to be a strong economic move on Braun’s part, making him a great profit while removing himself somewhat from the situation of Taylor’s masters. The world still awaits a statement from Swift on the transaction.
However, at this same time, as of November of 2020, Taylor is free to begin re-recording her previous albums. The reprise of the Scooter Braun drama as well as the reopened opportunity for Taylor to record her old songs has revamped the “Swiftie” fan base. Many fans of TikTok and Twitter have been discussing which songs they are most excited to listen to for the first time again. A current favorite for Swifties on TikTok has been “All Too Well,” an emotional song off of Swift’s Red album. There have been rumors flying around of an extended, up to 10 minute version of the heart-wrenching song. These are all just rumors for now. However, it will be exciting for fans to see if Taylor will release any different versions of her classic songs.
Though fans continue to mourn for Taylor, they also are excited about her future. Her album folklore was released this summer and reflected her true artistic songwriting ability, with songs such as “cardigan,” “the 1,” “exile” and “august” all becoming hits. This album was extremely well-received and made fans excited by her music to come in these new years of Taylor working with Universal Music Group. Fans will be even more excited to stream all of Taylor’s old music once it is re-released under her name.
Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Youtube and Pinterest!