Taylor Swift regains full control of her music catalog after years of battles—despite rumors, she didn’t pay $1B.
No, Taylor Swift did not pay $1 billion to buy back her masters.
According to a source who spoke with PEOPLE, the rumored billion-dollar figure is “highly inaccurate.” The exact amount Swift paid remains unclear.
What’s confirmed is that on Friday, May 30, Swift officially regained control of her music catalog — including all her masters, music videos, concert films, and even unreleased songs.
This marks a major win for the 14-time Grammy winner after a long and public battle that began in 2019, when music executive Scooter Braun acquired her previous label, Big Machine Records, along with the rights to her early work.
Back in 2018, Swift signed a new deal with Universal Music Group, ensuring ownership of her future recordings. After Braun’s purchase, she started re-recording her first six albums as “Taylor’s Versions” to reclaim artistic control.
In an emotional announcement posted on her website, Swift reflected on the years-long journey, saying:
“All of the music I’ve ever made… now belongs… to me.”
She described the process as painful and frustrating, but ultimately empowering, calling it the culmination of 20 years of setbacks and dreams.
She thanked fans and fellow artists, saying their support helped inspire wider industry change — especially in encouraging new artists to negotiate for ownership of their own masters.
Now, with full control over her life’s work, Swift says she feels “elated and amazed,” and is overwhelmed with gratitude.
Source PEOPLE
