The Daily Aus Taylor Swift's album saga, explained
Jun 8, 2025
Taylor Swift's recent acquisition of her music masters marks a pivotal moment in artist rights. The podcast dives into her tumultuous relationship with Big Machine Records, shedding light on the controversial sale of her early catalog. It also explores the intertwined saga with Kanye West and Scooter Braun, revealing the personal and professional turmoil Swift faced. Ultimately, her journey towards ownership represents a significant milestone for artists everywhere, highlighting the importance of maintaining control over creative work.
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What Are Masters?
- Owning masters means controlling the original recording files of songs.
- It grants full creative control over music use beyond just ownership of the songs themselves.
Standard Ownership of Masters
- It is standard for record labels, not artists, to own masters.
- Labels take on financial risk, providing resources and marketing in exchange for ownership.
Scooter Braun Buys Masters
- Scooter Braun bought Big Machine Records, owning Taylor Swift's masters.
- Braun is known for managing major artists including Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Demi Lovato.