WSJS Episode #125 - Who Are You? ft. Sarina Haggarty

Taylor Swift Game Changer

In 2019 Taylor Swift announced that per the clause in her Big Machine contract she was able to begin the re-recording process on her first 5 albums. Why would Taylor want to re-record all of her music? Taylor’s fight for her masters has long been public knowledge. The original recordings have been sold twice without her knowledge & she was never even given the opportunity to buy them back. Before Taylor signed her newest deal with Universal Music Group (and Republic Records) where she was permitted to own the masters to all future works. Now I wanted to point out the scummiest thing about Big Machine’s attempt to keep Taylor Swift on their label. Big Machine offered Taylor the opportunity to receive her original masters back. For every new album Taylor turned in she would receive one album back. Obviously this ludicrous deal made the decision for Taylor to move on to UMG.

Although Taylor is on track to own all of her music by essentially making all of her original recording obsolete, UMG have started to rework artist agreements. Past agreements allowed artists to re-record old music five years after their last delivered recording or two years after the end of their contract term. Taylor has set a new precedent for artists for the better & for the worst. Artists like Olivia Rodrigo were able to keep ownership of her masters but most new artists will not be afforded this opportunity. Most people do not have the celebrity before they sign a record contract, as much we like to hate on record labels, they are making an investment in talent. The risk grows that much bigger if they less outlets to make their money back. In saying all that, pay attention to what you are signing & really thing about what you are potentially giving away, and don’t give them a single sliver of your touring.