Taylor Swift is a global sensation when it comes to the music fraternity. She is the first billionaire whose main source of income is music. Known for her artistic versatility, Taylor Swift has a huge fan base of millions. Back in June 2019, the global singer got into a controversy with her former record label, Big Machine Records, regarding the ownership of the masters of her first six albums. During the same time, Scooter Braun took over Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records as the new owner. Here’s everything you need to know about the controversy.
Scooter Braun and Taylor Swift’s controversy in 2019
In June 2019, as per multiple reports, Scooter Braun took hold of Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records and purchased the record label for USD 330 million. After becoming the new owner, Scooter got the rights to every album, music video and artwork recorded under Big Machine Records, which included Taylor Swift’s six albums. Following this, the global singer stated earlier that she tried to purchase albums but failed to do so because the company offered some unfavourable conditions.
Taylor also stated that she never expected the new owner to be Scooter. She later posted on her Tumblr account accusing Scooter of being an ‘incessant, manipulative bully.’ In a past interview with Billboard in 2019, Scooter shared that he met the global singer when his then-client, Justin Bieber performed as an opener in her first Fearless tour. He also revealed that on the same night, he met Scott Borchetta. Later, he sold the company and Taylor Swift’s albums to Scooter Braun.
Big Machine Records also reportedly released an unreleased work of Taylor Swift, Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008, in 2020, without the global singer’s permission. They also blocked her from performing her songs at the 2019 American Music Awards and obstructed her from using them in her documentary, Miss Americana in 2020.
In October 2020, Scooter Braun sold the old masters of Big Machine to Shamrock Holdings for USD 405 million, under the condition of getting every profit from the masters. Later, Shamrock Holdings offered Taylor Swift an equal partnership over her albums, but the latter rejected the offer.
Taylor Swift re-recorded and released a new version under her name
In 2020, Taylor Swift re-recorded four albums from her initial six albums. The new versions of the four albums were released under her name, Taylor’s version of Fearless, Red, Speak Now and 1989. For the unversed, Taylor was the first signed artist when Scott started Big Machine Records in 2005. In November 2018, Taylor Swift signed a contract with Republic Records, after her contract with Scott’s record company expired.
Taylor Swift gets full ownership of her initial six albums
For those unaware, from 2021 to 2023, Taylor Swift tried to get back the ownership of her music catalogue after releasing the four re-recorded versions of her six albums. After six years of controversy, she finally got the rights to her albums with the help of Shamrock Holdings in 2025. On May 30, 2025 the global singer announced through an emotional letter that she got full control over all her videos, concert films, art, photography and unreleased materials. According to a report by USA Today, Scooter Braun reacted to Taylor Swift’s masters announcement and said:
“I am happy for her.”
What do you think about the controversy between Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun? Let us know.
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