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It’s a day of emotional whiplash for Swifties worldwide, as Taylor Swift delivered a double whammy of music news, one triumphantly joyful, the other tinged with heartbreak.
On Friday, the global superstar revealed that she has finally reclaimed ownership of the master recordings from her first six albums, following a years-long legal and emotional battle with music executive Scooter Braun. In a heartfelt statement, the 35-year-old singer confirmed: “All of the music I’ve ever made now belongs to me.”
For many fans, it’s the happy ending they’d been hoping for since 2019, when Braun controversially acquired Taylor’s former label, Big Machine Records, and with it, the masters to her early catalogue, Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation. Since then, Swift has embarked on an ambitious re-recording project, reclaiming her work one album at a time with her signature “Taylor’s Version” releases.
However, the long-anticipated re-release of Reputation (Taylor’s Version) has now been shelved, permanently.
In her announcement, Taylor explained that she had only made minimal progress on the re-recording, stating: “I haven’t even rerecorded a quarter of [the new Reputation]. The Reputation album was so specific to that time in my life, and I kept hitting a stopping point when I tried to remake it.”
Swift continued, expressing her overwhelming relief and gratitude at finally regaining control of her music: “I almost stopped thinking it could ever happen, after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away. But that’s all in the past now.”
Taylor has been after the ownership of her original albums since 2019. Credit: Instagram
For die-hard Swifties, the news that Reputation (Taylor’s Version) may never see the light of day hit hard. On Reddit, fan reactions ranged from devastated to resigned.
User Joshul wrote: “I’m happy for her, but I am heartbroken now realising we are likely not getting a Reputation Taylor’s Version.”
Fizzylights joked: “Taylor saying she’s barely even recorded Rep TV after Swifties have been freaking out about it for like a year and a half is funny as hell.”
Still, not everyone is upset. Some fans saw the silver lining in the situation, no need to rework an album many already view as perfect. As one user, IAmNobody85, put it: “I’m very happy because Reputation is my favorite album after 1989 and now I can listen to it without being afraid that the re-recordings will ruin it.”
Others praised Taylor for her resilience and the powerful message it sends about artistic ownership. “This whole thing was such a cultural moment, and a great lesson for younger artists about ownership,” noted StreetPackage160.
And it’s not all heartbreak, Taylor confirmed that Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version), her 2006 debut, has already been re-recorded and is ready for release “when the time is right.”
No official numbers have been disclosed regarding the deal to repurchase her masters, but sources including Page Six suggest the final figure could fall between a staggering $600 million and $1 billion.
The bad news? Reputation Taylor’s Version is cancelled. Credit: Getty Images for TAS
For now, fans can take solace in knowing that Taylor Swift is finally in full control of her legacy, even if Reputation (Taylor’s Version) is left behind in the vault.
