Scooter Braun And Taylor Swift - How Her Music Changed Hands

It's almost like a story from a book, this whole situation involving Taylor Swift's early recordings and how they came to be owned by someone else. For a long time, fans and music lovers everywhere wondered about the journey of her first six albums. This really began a big discussion about artist ownership and the business side of creative work, you know, when a major change happened in 2019.

The core of this widely discussed event, in a way, revolves around a music executive named Scooter Braun. His company made a significant purchase, which then, quite literally, put him in control of a very important part of Taylor Swift's artistic output. This move, as a matter of fact, set off a chain of events that has kept many people talking and following along.

So, we're going to look at the details of this situation, based on what has been shared and reported. We'll explore how these recordings changed hands, the reactions that followed, and what happened later on, too, as Taylor Swift worked to regain ownership of her songs.

Table of Contents

Who is Scooter Braun?

Scooter Braun, you see, is a well-known figure in the music business. He's often called a famed artist manager, and also a music executive. His work involves, well, guiding the careers of various performers and making deals in the recording world. People know him for his role as a businessman, particularly one who has been responsible for quite a bit of change in the industry, too.

Personal Details - Scooter Braun

RoleFamed artist manager, music executive, businessman
Age (as reported)43

How Did Scooter Braun Get Taylor's Music Initially?

The story of how Scooter Braun gained control of Taylor Swift's early recordings began in June 2019. This was when his company, Ithaca Holdings, made a significant purchase. Ithaca Holdings, you see, acquired Big Machine Records. This record label, as a matter of fact, was Taylor Swift's former musical home.

When Ithaca Holdings purchased Big Machine Records, it meant that the ownership of a very important part of Taylor Swift's artistic output changed hands. This acquisition, in fact, included the rights to her first six albums. So, with this business deal, Scooter Braun's company gained control over those initial recordings, a rather big shift for her music.

What Was the Immediate Reaction to Scooter Braun Getting Taylor's Music?

When the news broke in June 2019 that Scooter Braun had purchased Big Machine Records, and with it, Taylor Swift's first six albums, there was a very strong reaction. Taylor Swift herself, as a matter of fact, spoke out about it. She posted a statement on Tumblr, which many people saw and talked about, too.

This public statement from Taylor Swift, you know, really got things going. It was described as a post heard 'round the world. Nobody, it seemed, was quite ready for what would become one of the biggest feuds in the history of music. The disagreement between Taylor Swift and the music mogul, Braun, began at that moment, and it was quite a public affair, in a way.

The Sale of the Masters - What Happened Next?

Then, as a matter of fact, things took another turn. On November 16, 2020, there was a big piece of news that really got everyone talking. Scooter Braun, you see, went ahead and sold the master rights for Taylor’s initial six albums. This particular deal, it was reported, fetched a rather significant amount, reaching $300 million, according to information shared by Variety.

This sale, basically, meant that the recordings, which had been under his company's ownership for a while, were now moving to a different group. The news broke in November 2020 that Braun's company had reportedly sold Swift's music to another group. Taylor Swift, naturally, responded to this sale of her music, too, as it was a major development in the ongoing situation.

The company that acquired these rights was Shamrock Capital, a private equity firm. So, on November 16, 2020, Ithaca Holdings and Scooter Braun sold Taylor Swift's masters to Shamrock Capital for that reported $300 million. It was, in some respects, a very important financial transaction that involved some of the most popular music of its time.

Did Scooter Braun React to Taylor Swift Regaining Her Music?

Interestingly, after some time had passed and Taylor Swift started to gain back control of her music catalog, Scooter Braun did speak out. This happened six years after their initial disagreement over her master recordings. He was asked about the situation, and his comments were shared.

Braun, who is 43 years old, told a publication, "I am happy for her." This comment, you know, came after a long period of public discussion and events surrounding the ownership of Taylor Swift's songs. It showed, perhaps, a shift in the public conversation about the whole situation, too, as her work to regain ownership continued.

Taylor's Journey - How Did Taylor Swift Get Her Music Back?

Taylor Swift's journey to regain her music has been a very public and determined one. She has been working toward this goal for a long time. The good news for her and her fans came on May 30, 2025, which is when she revealed a major step forward. She had, in fact, regained ownership of the master recordings for her first six studio albums.

This was a significant moment, as it meant that the recordings she created at the start of her career were now back in her hands. Her efforts to reclaim her music have been a big part of her recent years, and this announcement marked a major success in that process, too. It showed her dedication to owning her creative work, in a way.

What Was the Impact of Scooter Braun's Actions on Taylor's Music?

The actions taken by Scooter Braun, particularly his acquisition of her initial recordings, had a lasting impact on Taylor Swift's work. In fact, he is often described as the businessman responsible for Taylor Swift rerecording and releasing four of her early albums. These new versions, of course, are known as "Taylor's Versions."

This means that because of the situation, Taylor Swift chose to create new recordings of her older songs. This allowed her to own the new master recordings, even if she didn't own the original ones. So, in a way, his actions led directly to her creating new versions of her popular music, which fans have embraced, too.

A Timeline of the Saga: How Did Scooter Braun Get Taylor's Music and What Followed?

Let's put the pieces together to see how this whole story unfolded. The initial point of contention began in June 2019. It was announced by Big Machine that famed artist manager Scooter Braun had purchased the label for an estimated $330 million through his company, Ithaca Holdings. This acquisition, naturally, included the rights to Taylor Swift’s first six albums, which set off the initial disagreement.

Taylor Swift responded to this acquisition with a very public statement, which, in fact, sparked one of the biggest feuds in music history. Her feud with the music mogul, Braun, started in 2019 when his company, Ithaca Holdings, acquired her former label, giving him control of her initial recordings. This really got people talking, too, about artist rights.

Then, on November 16, 2020, there was another big development. Scooter Braun sold the master rights to Taylor’s first six albums. This deal was worth $300 million, according to Variety, and the buyer was a private equity firm called Shamrock Capital. News broke of Braun’s company reportedly selling Swift’s music to another group, and Taylor Swift, of course, responded to this sale publicly as well.

Fast forward to May 30, 2025. On this date, Taylor Swift revealed a major personal victory: she had regained ownership of the master recordings for her first six studio albums. This was a result of her ongoing efforts to take back control of her creative output. It was a moment many had been waiting for, you know, a very important step for her.

More recently, Scooter Braun has spoken about the situation. He reacted to Taylor Swift gaining control of her music catalog, which happened six years after the pair’s widely discussed feud over her masters. Braun, at 43 years old, told a publication, "I am happy for her." This comment, in fact, came after a long period of time and many changes in the ownership of her early works.

Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun's Feud: A Complete Timeline | Us Weekly
Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun's Feud: A Complete Timeline | Us Weekly
Taylor Swift & Scooter Braun Feud Timeline | ELLE | ELLE
Taylor Swift & Scooter Braun Feud Timeline | ELLE | ELLE
What Happened between Taylor Swift And Scooter Braun: The Inside Story
What Happened between Taylor Swift And Scooter Braun: The Inside Story

Detail Author:

  • Name : Prof. Aurore Berge IV
  • Username : block.kimberly
  • Email : art.stanton@reynolds.com
  • Birthdate : 1975-08-28
  • Address : 83710 Amiya Harbor South Katharina, WI 61259-9388
  • Phone : 601-314-5362
  • Company : Macejkovic, Schmeler and Howell
  • Job : Personal Home Care Aide
  • Bio : Sint ut aut corporis voluptatem. Quis aliquam sit magnam cupiditate. Sit nobis iusto sed animi omnis repellat distinctio. Nesciunt itaque placeat qui quo. Dolore qui amet minus commodi nam iusto.

Socials

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/corbinbaumbach
  • username : corbinbaumbach
  • bio : Recusandae nulla voluptatem porro et sit qui eius. Ipsa et molestias dolorem. Quia saepe sint hic reiciendis sunt ut.
  • followers : 214
  • following : 2531

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE