Taylor Swift is reportedly on her way to making the biggest move of her career: owning the masters of her first six albums.
It’s now the stuff of legend how Taylor Swift lost the opportunity to buy back her masters — and how brilliantly she navigated the fallout. Swift has harbored long-standing animosity toward Scooter Braun, the music mogul who bought her masters and later resold them to Shamrock Capital without offering her a chance to reclaim her own music. She publicly labeled him a bully and began rerecording her albums, tagging them with the now-iconic Taylor’s Version badge.
Critics have often praised these re-recordings as superior, pointing out that Swift has clearly grown as an artist and seems to genuinely enjoy revisiting her early work. But now, a Page Six exclusive could change everything. The outlet reports that Shamrock Capital is looking to sell Swift back her original albums — reportedly under the advice of Braun himself.
It’s hard to say why they’ve had this change of heart, because one might assume that even a fraction of revenue from Taylor Swift music would be more than enough to sustain any label’s bottom line. And while Swift has been gradually releasing her re-recorded albums, the demand for her originals has never entirely disappeared.
According to Page Six sources, both parties stand to benefit. Swift could end up paying as much as $1 billion to regain full control of her masters, while Shamrock Capital could finally rid itself of the years-long PR nightmare that’s followed the deal. Make no mistake — the Swifties do not play. And for Swift, this could mark the final chapter in her long fight for autonomy over her own art. Music consultant Clayton Durant said:
“If she could claw back and create a deal structure where she could get the rights to her original recordings, she exponentially increases the amount of money she makes.”
Owning her catalogue outright would give Swift the ability to control how her music is used, licensed, and distributed — essential for any artist of her stature. It’s also about legacy, power, and compensation. And if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that the four-time Grammy Album of the Year winner doesn’t play when it comes to business. She’s bar none the most successful artist of her generation, and ing on this opportunity would be unthinkable — if the are right. She’s famously protective of her image, as Justin Baldoni’s legal team can attest.
Following the massive success of her Eras Tour, Swift has been on a bit of a hiatus. A deal of this magnitude would be the perfect way to mark her return. Still, it’s unlikely she’ll make any public statements until everything is finalized. And if even the President of the United States can’t get her to speak, it’s safe to say this won’t either. We’ll all find out when she’s ready.
When Swift first announced her plan to re-record her albums, the music industry took notice. Artists like Ashanti and JoJo soon followed suit, reclaiming power in an industry that often leaves artists vulnerable early in their careers. Swift’s fight has set an important precedent: young artists are no longer powerless, and the contracts they sign at the start of their careers don’t have to define them forever.
Published: May 22, 2025 12:47 pm