Scooter Braun Played No Role In Taylor Swift's Masters Deal
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A source close to the development of the deal said that it came through because of the hard work of Taylor's team and the people at the equity firm.
In a huge win, Taylor Swift has officially regained ownership of her music. On Friday, May 30, the elated pop icon shared the news with Swifties through a handwritten letter posted on her website. Now, she owns all of her past work, including songs, music videos, concert films and even unreleased tracks. This moment came nearly six years after her original music catalogue was sold to music manager Scooter Braun in 2019, who then sold it to private equity firm Shamrock Capital.
A source close to the development of this deal between Taylor and Shamrock Capital told People that Scooter Braun had no role in helping make this happen, even though some reports claimed it. The deal came through because of the hard work of Taylor's team and the people at the equity firm.
'Contrary to a previous false report, there was no outside party who 'encouraged' this sale. All rightful credit for this opportunity should go to the partners at Shamrock Capital and Taylor's Nashville-based management team only," said the insider. The source further added that Taylor now owns all of her music and 'this moment finally happened despite Scooter Braun, not because of him."
The deal was finalised for an undisclosed amount, though sources close to the development said that it was a fair, good-faith deal far below the billion-dollar figure that was claimed in some earlier reports. According to Billboard, the final price was likely closer to the $300 million Shamrock had paid in 2020 to purchase the rights from Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings.
In her letter addressed to her fans, the 35-year-old singer-songwriter wrote, 'I've been bursting into tears of joy at random intervals ever since I found out that this is happening. I get to say these words: All of the music I've ever made… now belongs… to me. And all my music videos. All the concert films. The album art and photography. The unreleased songs. The memories. The magic. The madness. Every single era. My entire life's work."
Thanking Swifties, Taylor said, 'Thanks to you and your goodwill, teamwork, and encouragement, the best things that have ever been mine… finally actually are."
Even though the popstar now owns the originals, she has no plans to stop releasing her 'Taylor's Version' recordings, which were launched in response to losing her masters in 2019. Two such versions are still pending: Reputation (Taylor's Version) and her debut self-titled album, and Taylor confirmed those are still under production.
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