In case you haven’t been keeping up with what’s been happening with Taylor Swift‘s masters/sale of her former record label and the backstabbing moves done by Scott Borchett and Scooter Braun, you can catch up below.
Scooter Braun has made an “official statement” following Swift’s public pleading to be able to perform her back catalog and put out an upcoming Netflix documentary that includes her music. It’s ironic how he has chosen to speak out now because he is worried about the death threats his family has received, yet he didn’t seem to care about all the death threats Swift received on behalf of his artists, himself and his wife (who publicly blasted Swift on her instagram).
Where was Braun when his client, Kanye West was displaying a wax figure of her naked body in bed with him? When Kim Kardashian (West’s wife) was calling her a liar and a snake and thousands of people were sending threats Swift’s way. Did he care to step in then? How about when another one of his clients, Justin Bieber posted a picture with West and Braun and asked Swift “What’s Good?” Did he care about the backlash then?
So how come he only cares now that it effects him? He obviously doesn’t have Swift’s best interest at heart (despite claiming to). What’s more, he had the nerve to turn himself into a victim and Swift into a villain, that’s causing him and his family pain.
For a refresh (in case you didn’t see Swift’s original pleading and didn’t read the recap article above), Swift asked for her fans to tell Borchetta and Braun how they felt about them withholding access to her music. Now Braun says that people interpret things differently, which has seemingly caused people to turn to threats in telling them how they feel.
Braun also posted a screenshot of a DM he allegedly received that suggest someone was going to buy a gun and shoot them. It never spoke about Swift or her music. Is there a correlation? Maybe. If that person who sent the DM is coming after Braun because of this particular situation, they did nothing that Swift suggested, which was to tell them how they fell about them keeping her music from her. Not only did the message not mention Swift, it didn’t mention her music, nor did it mention their thoughts about the matter.
Swift does not normally air public grievances, she has only done so as a last resort so that others could see why things are happening the way they are happening. Why she isn’t able to perform her music, or release a documentary, etc. While she has shown emotion and stated that what they are doing is not fair, she has also shown her maturity, something both Braun and Borchetta have failed to do. Both men have put out statements to try to 1. clear their name, 2. turn themselves into a victim and 3. turn Swift into a villain.
Here is Braun’s statement:
Braun has also posted hearsay in his statement, which further discredits anything he says as sincere and exposes it for what it is; a smear campaign and to further fuel the fire for others to hate on Swift and make it seem like he is doing everything in his power to reach a resolution and she is the unwilling party.
If Braun was so interested in reaching a resolution, he’d let Swift buy back her masters. Name your price Braun, she’s waiting with her checkbook.
If it’s one thing Taylor Swift loves to do, it’s interact with her fans on social media. She’s a regular tumblr user and has gotten more wavy over the years, reblogging and adding GIFs.
Recently, a fan posted a text post on Tumblr with a very simple question. “How do I get a mat that says “I hope you like Taylor Swift.”
Soon the post caught Swift’s eye who then liked the post. See below
Swift liking the post was the first part of this amazing story! She not only liked the post, she went on to design said mat and released it for sale on her website’s store! Just in time for the holidays!
It looks like it sold out fast, maybe more will be on the way!
Either way, Swift is always looking out for her fans and they are always looking out for her! Like when she recently asked fans to let Scott Borchetta know how they felt about her not being able to perform her old catalog at the AMAs and then they went out and bought actual Billboards in his town so he wouldn’t not be able to see it. Iconic.
If it’s one thing former Big Machine Label President Scott Borchetta and newly acquired owner, Scooter Braun do well, it’s lie. While their statements and tactics fool some fans, they don’t hold up to those paying attention, (those that actually care about the truth and not believing the lies told just to continue the hate towards 10x GRAMMY winner and AMA Artist of the Decade, Taylor Swift).
Earlier this summer, Swift let the world know that her masters were being sold to one of the most manipulative men in the industry, Braun. She expressed hurt that her entire back catalog (previous first six albums) would be in the hands of the man responsible for bringing her such pain over the years, something Borchetta knew about.
Despite both men claiming that she was over exaggerating and was informed of the decision, she was left out of that information until right before the entire world found out. Borchetta claims he sent Swift a text message the night before, but Swift was in another country, and well, time zones. By the time she got to her phone, she had hundreds of notifications alerting her about the sale of her masters, before she even had the opportunity to read said text message. Regardless, letting someone know the night before the entire world finds out is hardly “advanced notice.”
Now even more details are being uncovered. Swift recently performed at an event in China where she was supposed to play at least 5 songs. She however, only got to perform 3 (all from her current album Lover, which Big Machine does not own). She was told that performing any of her older songs would count as re-recording (since the performance was taped and broadcast) her work before she was eligible (she will currently be allowed to release re-recordings next year). It makes sense now why fans were confused why her set list got cut short (no, she wasn’t trying to screw over fans, Big Machine was screwing her over).
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’paWdr8aLRGRDa3Lj5i0oYQ’,sig:’Wi1KTxpYSLtQSTe9az49HivTI0-qK52b77lABhqVpdY=’,w:’594px’,h:’396px’,items:’1181362457′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js
On Thursday, 11/14/19, Swift took to her social accounts, telling her peers and supporters that she “didn’t know what else to do.” She (no doubt) feels trapped and helpless as she had plans to perform a medley of her songs at the American Music Awards in two weeks, where she is being honored as Artist of the Decade. Since the show is taped and televised, she was informed by Big Machine that she would not be allowed to perform her old songs, as that would again count as re-recording her music.
Swift further revealed that she has an upcoming documentary special with Netflix (this was not how she wanted to announce it) but that Big Machine would not authorize its release since it contains recordings of her back catalog. In the heartbreaking post Swift informs readers of her ongoing battle.
Read her full statement below:
Guys, it’s been announced recently that the American Music Awards will be honoring me with the Artist of the Decade Award at this year’s ceremony. I’ve been planning to perform a medley of my hits throughout the decade on the show. Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun have now said that I’m not allowed to perform my old songs on television because they claim that would be re-recording my music before I’m allowed to next year.
Additionally—and this isn’t the way I had planned on telling you this news—Netflix has created a documentary about my life for the past few years. Scott and Scooter have declined the use of my older music or performance footage for this project even though there is no mention of either of them or Big Machine Records anywhere in the film.
Scott Borchetta told my team that they’ll allow me to use my music only if I do these things: If I agree to not re-record copycat versions of my songs next year (which is something I’m both legally allowed to do and looking forward to) and also told my team that I need to stop talking about him and Scooter Braun.
I feel very strongly that sharing what is happening to me could change the awareness level for other artists and potentially help them avoid a similar fate.
The message being sent to me is very clear. Basically, be a good little girl and shut up. Or you’ll be punished.
This is WRONG. Neither of these men had a hand in the writing of those songs. They did nothing to create the relationship I have with my fans. So this is where I’m asking for your help.
Please let Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun know how you feel about this.
Scooter also manages several artists who I really believe care about other artists and their work. Please ask them for help with this—I’m hoping that maybe they can talk some sense into the men who are exercising tyrannical control over someone who just wants to play the music she wrote. I’m especially asking for help from The Carlyle Group, who put up money for the sale of my music to these two men.
I just want to be able to perform MY OWN music. That’s it. I’ve tried to work this out privately through my team but have not been able to resolve anything. Right now my performance at the AMA’s, the Netflix documentary and any other recorded events I am planning to play until November of 2020 are a question mark. I love you guys and I thought you should know what’s been going on.
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’F43T-3M3QRJSaVs_nXylYw’,sig:’ivhfyIP7r1I7UxIVpVEnfQixtbfMRjqTqISBUVTqKmk=’,w:’594px’,h:’395px’,items:’1172217828′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js
Friday, 11/15/19, Big Machine denied Swift’s statement but also didn’t direct deny they were false. They never said they specifically wouldn’t let her perform her songs at the AMAs, they rather diverted the public by stating they never said she couldn’t perform her songs, as legally they cannot keep her from doing so. This could also be a factor into why Swift has not planned any major tour, as she would probably not be allowed to record the concerts and release them later (as she has been known to do). Swift released her Netflix special following the Reputation tour, prior to the sale of her back catalog. Now, Swift would be unable to video any of her performances until November, 2020. So although Swift can perform her songs live, there cannot be any recordings of them, which is why she technically would not be allowed to perform her back catalog at the AMAs.
So it seems that Big Machine are really the ones who are being “calculating” as they have called Swift. Ironically enough, Swift stated in her interview with CBS Sunday Morning that “when a man does something it’s strategic, when a woman does something, it’s calculated.
The statement from Swift’s rep is below:
The truth is, on October 28, 2019 at 5:17 p.m. the Vice President, Rights Management and Business Affairs from Big Machine Label Group sent Taylor Swift’s team the following:
“Please be advised that BMLG will not agree to issue licenses for existing recordings or waivers of its re-recording restrictions in connection with these two projects: The Netflix documentary and The Alibaba “Double Eleven” event.
To avoid an argument over rights, Taylor performed three songs off her new album Lover at the Double Eleven event as it was clear that Big Machine Label Group felt any televised performance of catalog songs violated her agreement.
In addition, yesterday Scott Borchetta, CEO and founder of Big Machine Label Group, flatly denied the request for both American Music Awards and Netflix.
Please notice in Big Machine’s statement, they never actually deny either claim Taylor said last night in her post.
Lastly, Big Machine is trying to deflect and make this about money by saying she owes them but, an independent, professional auditor has determined that Big Machine owes Taylor $7.9 million dollars of unpaid royalties over several years.
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’0nf3Q-N4TSJVKl-ZK_AcKQ’,sig:’_wI_Z4y8sDVMwu1K6SrpBScyTOOgDRit1qOqAAyDgD4=’,w:’594px’,h:’416px’,items:’1170403916′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js
Once again, Big Machine tried to play the victim and manipulate the public into feeling sorry for them by stating Swift is somehow hurting their 120 employees, another false allegation. They state Swift owes them money (which has not been proved), but even if she did, the company is not withholding payment to their employees pending Swift’s payments to them. Furthermore, Swift is no longer a member of their label, they manage tons of other artists, who are what, not earning the label any money? Please, their entire statement is just a manipulated tactic to make themselves seem like the victim, which oddly enough is what so many haters have accused Swift of pretending to be in the past.
See their full statement below:
As Taylor Swift’s partner for over a decade, we were shocked to see her tumblr statements yesterday based on false information. At no point did we say Taylor could not perform on the AMAs or block her Netflix special. In fact, we do not have the right to keep her from performing live anywhere. Since Taylor’s decision to leave Big Machine last fall, we have continued to honor all of her requests to license her catalog to third parties as she promotes her current record in which we do not financially participate.
The truth is, Taylor has admitted to contractually owing millions of dollars and multiple assets to our company, which is responsible for 120 hardworking employees who helped build her career. We have worked diligently to have a conversation about these matters with Taylor and her team to productively move forward. We started to see progress over the past two weeks and were optimistic as recently as yesterday that this may get resolved. However, despite our persistent efforts to find a private and mutually satisfactory solution, Taylor made a unilateral decision last night to enlist her fanbase in a calculated manner that greatly affects the safety of our employees and their families.
Taylor, the narrative you have created does not exist. All we ask is to have a direct and honest conversation. When that happens, you will see there is nothing but respect, kindness and support waiting for you on the other side. To date, not one of the invitations to speak with us and work through this has been accepted. Rumors fester in the absence of communication. Let’s not have that continue here. We share the collective goal of giving your fans the entertainment they both want and deserve.
Big Machine is obviously very scared about Swift re-recording her back catalog, which she will be eligible for in one year as it will significantly decrease her masters value, which they are currently profiting off of. Swift’s back catalog is the only reason Big Machine sold for $300 million and the reason they tried to manipulate her into agreeing to not re-record them if they gave her permission to perform her medley and release her documentary.
Apparently Big Machine has not learned that you cannot go up against Taylor Swift and win. They did not learn the first time around that she cannot be manipulated into giving them what they want in order for her to get what she wants. Swift is not only fighting for herself, but for the thousands of artists who struggle with these same issues. Many of which have been sharing similar stories. This is not a selfish fight.
Remember back to when Swift fought for artists to be paid royalties on streaming platforms, and that she would not add her catalog to Apple Music unless they agreed to pay artists for the first three months that subscribers don’t have to pay. She didn’t do those things because she is greedy and wants more money, she did that because she has a voice and she used it to change a system that was broken. If only others would follow suit.
An artist who owns their own masters has full freedom. So many times when a record deal falls apart, any songs that were written and recorded belong to that record label. Many artists, especially ones who have not made a name for themselves, never get their masters back.
Taylor Swift recently left her record deal with Big Machine, whom she has been with since she was fifteen. She writes about leaving behind her past; “I had to make the excruciating choice to leave behind my past. Music I wrote on my bedroom floor and videos I dreamed up and paid for from the money I earned playing in bars, then clubs, then arenas, then stadiums.”
Swift’s father owned 4% of Big Machine as he helped finance it when it started. His shares were sold in the deal. Since he didn’t own very many shares he did not have to be consulted for his shares to be sold.
She shared a heartbreaking post where she learned former Big Machine CEO Scott Borchetta sold the label to Scooter Braun. Braun is manager to names like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato (who have been struggling with mental health issues) and Kanye West (who publicly humiliated Swift on multiple occasions).
Before Swift shared her heartbreaking account of finding out Braun is now the owner of her masters and her past, I have been thinking about some of his clients. While Bieber, Lovato and Grande were all young when fame found them, so was Swift. The first three, however, have experienced extreme turmoil, but still seem grateful to Braun. While I have no first hand knowledge of the two, they seem to be working too much. Grande has been very open about not being able to perform as much and has stated when she performs it is mentally draining for her. It just seems there is this pressure on them to keep going. Sure, Bieber has taken a break from music a bit to focus on his mental health, but the way they have been living, doesn’t seem like they have a true support system in the industry.
To understand why Braun is the worst person to own Swift’s masters, read her post in full:
For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work. Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to Big Machine Records and ‘earn’ one album back at a time, one for every new one I turned in. I walked away because I knew once I signed that contract, Scott Borchetta would sell the label, thereby selling me and my future. I had to make the excruciating choice to leave behind my past. Music I wrote on my bedroom floor and videos I dreamed up and paid for from the money I earned playing in bars, then clubs, then arenas, then stadiums.
Some fun facts about today’s news: I learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world. All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I’ve received at his hands for years. Like when Kim Kardashian orchestrated an illegally recorded snippet of a phone call to be leaked and then Scooter got his two clients together to bully me online about it. (See photo)
(“This is Scooter Braun, bullying me on social media when I was at my lowest point,” Swift wrote on her screenshot. “He’s about to own all the music I’ve ever made.”)
Or when his client, Kanye West, organized a revenge porn music video which strips my body naked. Now Scooter has stripped me of my life’s work, that I wasn’t given an opportunity to buy. Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it.
This is my worst case scenario. This is what happens when you sign a deal at fifteen to someone for whom the term ‘loyalty’ is clearly just a contractual concept. And when that man says ‘Music has value’, he means its value is beholden to men who had no part in creating it. When I left my masters in Scott’s hands, I made peace with the fact that eventually he would sell them. Never in my worst nightmares did I imagine the buyer would be Scooter. Any time Scott Borchetta has heard the words ‘Scooter Braun’ escape my lips, it was when I was either crying or trying not to. He knew what he was doing; they both did. Controlling a woman who didn’t want to be associated with them. In perpetuity. That means forever. Thankfully, I am now signed to a label that believes I should own anything I create. Thankfully, I left my past in Scott’s hands and not my future. And hopefully, young artists or kids with musical dreams will read this and learn about how to better protect themselves in a negotiation. You deserve to own the art you make.
I will always be proud of my past work. But for a healthier option, Lover will be out August 23.
Sad and grossed out,
💔
Taylor
It is truly disheartening that Swift was never allowed to own her masters, without being manipulated into putting out more albums in order to do so. It is disheartening to know that Borchetta, someone we all looked up to with thanks for signing Swift, has now turned his back on her for a dollar sign. Why, if he was leaving the label did he not allow the artist who made Big Machine a machine in the first place, the chance to own her own masters? Why would he sell her past, knowing how badly she wanted them? It sounds like the worst divorce, in which the man is trying to manipulate the woman into staying and he will give her a little of what she wants, slowly over time.
If Borchetta wanted one more album in exchange for all of her masters, that would have been a little more reasonable. Swift was the only artist to last with Big Machine and turned them into a household name, a label that artists dreamed of being signed to. While Braun manages some of the other big names in the industry, looking at their track records, I am truly worried about the artists’ future who call Big Machine home.
Apparently Borchetta will stay on as President of Big Machine and a board member of Braun’s company.
Swift is not alone in this. Other artists have been sharing their support for Swift and how they feel about this whole ordeal. Halsey posted her thoughts about the situation on Twitter.
Alessia Cara shared a post on her Instagram Story sharing her thoughts on the deal.
Swift’s longtime best friend, Abigail Anderson, posted this on her Instagram Stories showing her support for Taylor. Swifties love that this friendship is still going strong after all these years.
Eleanor Bate, a writer at Buzzfeed shared a couple of photos on Twitter of images from Swift’s reputation Stadium Tour, where she paid homage to Loie Fuller, a dancer who fought for artists to own their work, every night.
a reminder that on every night of her reputation stadium tour, taylor swift dedicated a performance to dancer loie fuller, who fought for artists to own their work pic.twitter.com/7IjipTayah
Other artists have begun unfollowing Borchetta on social media including Swift’s good pal and fellow artist, Selena Gomez.
Lovato also liked Swift’s post on instagram.
Meanwhile, Bieber addressed the controversy online by trying to apologize, but really just wanted to further invalidate Swift’s feelings. He wanted to know what the point of her blog was where he claims “she knew” her fans would bully Braun. Hey Biebs…. how about she has every right to call out her bullies and hold them accountable for their malicious wrongdoings. Just because you love someone doesn’t mean they haven’t hurt others. For the record, I highly double you and Braun “love” Taylor as you claim. That’s going a bit for. You might not hold her ill will towards her but that doesn’t mean you love her. I mean he ended his post with the following: “I usually don’t rebuttal things like this but when you try and deface someone i loves character thats crossing a line.” So wait, if he loves Taylor then where was he when Kanye was sleeping naked in bed with a wax like figure of her and telling the world she owes him sex. Hmmm
Our hearts are breaking at the thought of Swift crying uncontrollably right now. At fifteen… wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now. Sending her all our love and we will definitely be buying Lover on August 23rd.
P.S.
Dear Scott Borchetta
Everything has changed and now we got bad blood. At fifteen, that fearless girl came to you from the outside with just teardrops and a guitar, trying to find her place in this world. Now with her hands tied you had to ruin that delicate girl’s spirit. You should’ve said no when Scooter Braun offered to buy Big Machine. You knew all too well what this would do to her innocent soul. Call it what you want but this is the end game. I hope you’re… ready for it, we’ve never known anyone cold as you.
To Taylor Swift
I love you unconditionally and am in absolute anguish over your pain and anger right now. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t have a right to publically say how you’ve been manipulated and bullied. #WeStandWithTaylor
October 24, 2006, a bright-eyed, curly-haired 16-year-old in boots and a sundress released her debut album, Taylor Swift.
Swift has been breaking records since her debut album! Her third single, “Our Song” made her the youngest person to single-handedly write and perform a number-one song on the Hot Country Songs chart!
Her sophomore album Fearless won four GRAMMYs and by her third album, she began to sell over 1 million copies of her albums in the first week of sales. She is the only artist to ever have three albums sell over 1 million the first week! She has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and she’s only 26 years old.
Swift is the youngest recipient of the Nashville Songwriters Association‘s Songwriter/Artist of the Year award and the youngest person to ever win a GRAMMY for Album of the Year.
Check out this video of Taylor Swift from 2006!
It’s hard to believe Swift has been putting out music for ten years, what a huge milestone. She’s accomplished more in a decade than most will be able to their entire careers, and still she’s just getting started. With hopes of her 6th studio album increasing with each passing day.
We talked to some superfans who reflect on what it’s been like having Swift in their life for the last 10 years.
Taylor has changed my life more than I could have imagined. Not only does her music perfectly describe my life at certain times, especially since we are the same age and have grown up together, but she has changed my outlook on women and friendships. Both her and I were betrayed by our best friends in school but she’s taught me that not all girls are like that and we should lift each other up instead of seeing each other as competition or sources of hate. Because of her I opened myself up to having female friendships again that are honest and based on being there for each other. I love you Taylor. – Bianca Szklaruk
Over the past decade, Taylor Swift has grown to be an integral part of my life. Not only has she been a role model to me and shown me how to live life, she has also given me more than I could have ever hoped for. Without Taylor and her music, I would never have met some of my best friends, friends that live all over the world. I know without Taylor’s influence I would have never met such wonderful people who are a big part of my life today. Taylor has taught me to live and love fearlessly, to be your true self and to not let other’s opinions of you change how you live and who you are. As Taylor Swift says herself, “If you’re lucky enough to be different, never change.” Taylor means more to me than I can explain in words, but just know that without Taylor and her positive influence over the past ten years, my life would look very different than what it does now. Taylor, I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for you and Swifties everywhere. – Amy Curzenski
I will always be thankful for Taylor Swift and her music. I started loving her as a single woman, continued when I got married, and still love her just as much now that I’m a mom. I’m excited for my daughter to grow up loving her just as much as I do. She’s a wonderful role model who has been able to identify and relate to so many people because she writes about real life experiences. She’s been like a best friend to so many because she allows herself to be vulnerable and she shares the hardest parts of her life with us, something not many friends can even do. When you relate to someone on a deeper level, the loyalty never goes away, that’s why she will always be the top selling artist, because her fans aren’t going anywhere. Thank you Taylor for loving your fans so much and getting invested in our lives in such a personal way. You have the most beautiful heart and I will always be proud to support your music, career and your ultimate happiness. – Jencita Vargas
Swift just played her only concert of 2016 and mentioned that it had been 10 years since she released her debut album! Way to give us all the feels.
Here’s to the next 10 years! Thank you Scott Borchetta for taking a chance on Taylor and giving her the opportunity to influence and change millions of lives. She continues to only change lives through her music, but by donating to countless causes and helping to rebuild communites after tragedies. She also gives of her time and visits countless hospitals and gives families the means to continue to support their loved ones by aiding with their medical bills. We love you Taylor. Thank you for giving so much of yourself to so many!
Variety Beat 