Taylor Swift and the Power of Owning Your Masters: How Artists Are Taking Back Control

In an industry where ownership often falls into the hands of labels and corporations, Taylor Swift’s high-profile battle to reclaim her music masters has become a defining moment in modern pop culture—and a blueprint for artist empowerment.

The Road to Reclamation

Taylor Swift’s journey began in 2019 when her former label, Big Machine Records, sold her master recordings to a private equity firm without her consent. Masters, for context, are the original recordings of songs from which all copies and revenue—streaming, licensing, sales—are derived. Losing control of them can mean losing the power to decide how and where your music is used.

Rather than walk away, Swift made a bold move: she began re-recording her early albums, branding them as “Taylor’s Version.” The re-recordings gave her ownership over new masters that fans have embraced with open arms, often choosing them over the originals. So far, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Red (Taylor’s Version), Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) have all topped charts and broken streaming records—proving artistic autonomy can also be wildly profitable.

A Growing Movement

Swift isn’t alone in this pursuit. Other artists across genres have taken steps to buy back their masters or secure ownership rights from the outset, shifting the power dynamic in an industry historically skewed toward labels.

• Prince was one of the earliest and loudest voices in the conversation. After a very public feud with Warner Bros. in the ’90s, he changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol in protest and famously wrote “slave” on his face during performances. Eventually, he regained control of his catalog and advocated fiercely for artist rights until his death.
• Jay-Z made headlines when he acquired the masters to his entire catalog as part of his deal with Def Jam. He has since spoken about the importance of ownership, particularly for Black artists in a system that often exploits talent.
• Rihanna, through savvy business decisions and partnerships, has also gained significant control over her music and brand, which has allowed her to branch into entrepreneurship without being handcuffed to label restrictions.
• Anita Baker, the legendary soul singer, spent years fighting to regain ownership of her master recordings after her contracts expired. In 2021, Baker publicly celebrated winning back her masters, which allowed her music to return to streaming platforms—this time with her in control. Her journey highlighted how even long-established artists can struggle to reclaim their work, and her victory was seen as a significant moment for legacy musicians asserting their rights.
• JoJo famously re-recorded her first two albums after a legal dispute with her former label, which kept the original versions off streaming services for years. By re-recording them and releasing updated versions in 2018, she not only brought her early work back to fans but also regained ownership over that part of her catalog. Her situation mirrored Taylor Swift’s in many ways and earned her praise for taking back control of her music and narrative.

Why Owning Masters Matters

Owning your masters means you control where your music is used—whether it’s in a movie, a commercial, or on a streaming platform. It means you’re the one who profits from licensing deals and reissues, not a third party. Most importantly, it allows artists to preserve the integrity and legacy of their work on their own terms.

In Taylor Swift’s case, the success of her re-recorded albums has not only won her back financial control but has also made a powerful statement about reclaiming agency in an industry that often dismisses young or female artists.

The Future of Artist Ownership

Swift’s efforts have helped spark wider conversations in the music industry. New artists are now entering the business with more awareness of contract clauses and are increasingly prioritizing ownership—whether by starting independent labels, creating direct-to-consumer models, or negotiating better deals upfront.

Streaming and social media have shifted the power structure, too. With global fan bases at their fingertips, many musicians are no longer reliant on traditional label machinery to reach listeners.

Taylor Swift’s campaign to buy back her masters isn’t just a personal victory—it’s a seismic moment in the music industry. By taking control of her catalog, she’s inspired a generation of artists to think differently about their rights, their careers, and their value.

As the industry evolves, one thing is clear: the future belongs to the artists who own it.

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