2025-05-30T16:34:00Z

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In a monumental turn of events for the music industry, Taylor Swift has successfully purchased back the rights to her first six studio albums. This acquisition marks the culmination of a prolonged struggle that began when her former record label sold the rights to her earlier works without her consent.

Swift has announced that she will not be re-recording her self-titled debut album or her sixth studio album, Reputation. This decision is bittersweet for her dedicated fanbase, who have stood firmly by her side throughout her journey. The singer previously shared her anguish over losing ownership of her master recordings, as well as the rights to her music videos and artwork, back in 2019. She attempted to buy these rights herself but found the terms set by her label to be unacceptable.

Since that troubling time, Swift has been on a mission to reclaim her artistic integrity. She has released re-recorded versions of four of the albums she lost—the critically acclaimed Fearless, Speak Now, Red, and 1989. Each of these re-recordings, branded as 'Taylor’s Versions', includes bonus tracks that were previously unheard, offering fans a fresh take on beloved classics.

The anticipation surrounding the potential re-releases of her debut and Reputation albums has been palpable, with rumors circulating endlessly among her passionate followers. Now, they can finally rest easy with the knowledge that these albums will not be getting re-recorded.

In a heartfelt letter shared on her official website, Swift expressed her overwhelming joy at reclaiming her work, stating, “I’ve been bursting into tears of joy at random intervals ever since I found out that this is really happening.” She further elaborated, “I really get to say these words: All of the music I’ve ever made… now belongs to me.” Swift took a moment to acknowledge her fans, thanking them for their unwavering support throughout her journey to regain ownership of her art. She noted, “I almost stopped thinking it could ever happen, after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away.”

Swift, who recently concluded the successful Eras Tour—a spectacular 149-show concert series that celebrated every chapter of her music career—credited the triumph of this tour and the success of her re-releases as pivotal factors that enabled her to purchase back her masters. Although Swift did not disclose the specific amount she paid to acquire her music rights, Billboard estimates the figure to be around $360 million.

In her letter, Swift emphasized her lifelong dream of owning her music, stating, “All I’ve ever wanted was the opportunity to work hard enough to be able to one day purchase my music outright.” She also expressed hope that her battle would serve as an inspiration for emerging artists, encouraging them to negotiate better contracts. “Every time a new artist tells me they negotiated to own their master recordings in their record contract because of this fight, I’m reminded of how important it was for all of this to happen.” Now, not only does Swift own her music, but she has also regained control over the accompanying music videos and artwork.