Taylor Swift owns all her masters again, but says Reputation (Taylor’s Version) may never be released
Taylor Swift has achieved a historic win by reclaiming the master rights to all six of her early albums. However, fans were left shocked as she revealed that the Taylor Swift Reputation Version may never be released, casting doubt on the much-anticipated re-recording of her 2017 album.
“All the music I’ve ever made now belongs to me,” Swift announced triumphantly on her website, clutching vinyl copies of her re-recorded records in a heartfelt photo. After years of legal wrangling, heartbreak, and bold business strategy, the 14-time Grammy winner has regained full control over her master recordings, originally lost in a deal she had no part in.
The saga began in 2019 when Big Machine, Swift’s former record label, sold her masters to controversial music mogul Scooter Braun. Furious and blindsided, Swift accused Braun of manipulative bullying, citing his links to Kanye West and claiming she was never offered a fair chance to buy back her work.
Determined to devalue the original recordings, Swift embarked on a project to re-record her first six albums. So far, she’s released four Taylor’s Version re-recordings: Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989. That left only Taylor Swift (Debut) and Reputation—but fans may now need to give up hope for the latter.
“Full transparency: I haven’t even re-recorded a quarter of it,” Swift confessed in a candid update on her website. With no plans confirmed for a Reputation (Taylor’s Version) release, millions of Swifties who had combed through tour outfits and lyric sheets for hints are left stunned.
The turning point came when Braun sold the rights to Swift’s music to Shamrock Holdings, a private equity firm, for a reported £222 million. Though it’s unclear how much Swift paid to reacquire the rights, analysts suggest her re-recording campaign likely slashed the catalogue’s market value, letting her buy it back at a fraction of Braun’s original price.
Swift didn’t hide her gratitude for Shamrock’s cooperation, writing: “This was a business deal to them, but I really felt like they saw it for what it was to me: My memories and my sweat and my handwriting and my decades of dreams.” In typical tongue-in-cheek fashion, she added: “My first tattoo might just be a huge shamrock in the middle of my forehead.”
Fans had long speculated about when Reputation (Taylor’s Version) might drop. The album, known for its darker tone and explosive hits like Look What You Made Me Do and …Ready For It?, marked a fierce reinvention for Swift in 2017 following intense public scrutiny. It had become a cult favourite—one fan was eager to see her reclaim.
Instead, Swift’s focus may now shift to future creative ventures, with The Eras Tour now wrapped and her most recent album, The Tortured Poets Department, still topping charts.
While fans are celebrating her regained ownership, many are calling it a “cruel summer” for those hoping for the full set of Taylor’s Versions.
One thing is certain: Swift has rewritten the rules of the music industry—and this final, unexpected twist proves she’s still in complete control of her narrative.
