Taylor Swift released a statement on her Tumblr on Sunday lambasting Scooter Braun for purchasing Big Machine Label Group, which owns the rights to all of her music.
Swift began by pointing out that she doesn’t own the records that she creates; they are owned by the record company that signed her. According to her Tumblr post, she was offered a chance to begin “earning” the rights to her records by continuing to produce music, but she declined the deal for fear that she would be trapped in another ownership struggle with another label.
Swift has long been involved in controversies surrounding the way that the music industry handles intellectual property rights, battling against both Spotify and Apple about monetization rights.
Braun, an entrepreneur, talent representative, and music executive, found himself on Swift’s bad side during a feud between Swift, Kanye West, and Kim Kardashian a few years ago. According to Swift, Braun encouraged his clients to digitally bully and harass Swift, resulting in an extended period of conflict.
Celebrities have flocked to support either Braun or Swift, with Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato expressing support for Braun and a variety of artists, including Halsey, Iggy Azalea, the HAIM sisters, and others supporting Swift.
Many folks also took to Twitter to express their opinions on the matter. Read on to find out what they had to say.
You deserve to own the art you make.
— Kylie (@swiftiekylie24) June 30, 2019
Taylor Swift
Fearless
Speak Now
Red
1989
Reputation
All in the hands of someone else. pic.twitter.com/ZIeFZ88sKi
Welcome to the music industry Taylor
— Kaya Jones (@KayaJones) July 1, 2019
take me out of the oven…i am so done. taylor has worked immensely hard on her music, she doesn’t deserve this. i’m just glad that her new label is giving her the respect she deserves. she is so strong to speak up about this wow
— opal (@opalpegasus) June 30, 2019
"@scooterbraun needs Taylor's money so he bought Big Machine Records"…that's a better headline 😑😑😑. @scooterbraun and @scottborchetta better take good care of Taylor's six albums.
— willow_xo (@SwiftieInLuv13) June 30, 2019
So Taylor Swift is making headlines in another controversy. Was her reaction to Braun’s purchasing of her life’s work an overreaction, or does she have a right to be upset? Sound off in the comments below!
