Next Chapter: Taylor signs with Universal Music Group

Consider the glass ceiling shattered into a million pieces.

Taylor Swift’s contract with Big Machine Records has ended. She now has signed a new deal. Her new label in the U. S. of A. is now Republic Records. To serve as her global music partner, she will now have Universal Music Group.

Taylor’s previous masters (her entire back catalog until now) remain with Big Machine Records. However, she has mentioned she will get to own all her masters from now onwards. That’s huge for her to get, but what’s more impressive is that as part of the deal, “any sale of their Spotify shares result in a distribution of money to their artists, non-recoupable”. Tell me again how Taylor is not in control of her own career so I can laugh out loud or that she is not looking out for her fellow artists. She is calling the shots. Here’s the full text via Instagram.

Over the years, Sir Lucian Grainge and Monte Lipman have been such incredible partners. It’s so thrilling to me that they, and the UMG team, will be my label family moving forward. It’s also incredibly exciting to know that I own all of my master recordings that I make from now on. It’s really important to me to see eye to eye with a label regarding the future of our industry. I feel so motivated by new opportunities created by the streaming world and the ever-changing landscape of our industry… I also feel strongly that streaming was founded on and continues to thrive based on the magic created by artists, writers, and producers.

There was one condition that meant more to me than any other deal point. As part of my new contract with Universal Music Group, I asked that any sale of their Spotify shares result in a distribution of money to their artists, non-recoupable. They have generously agreed to this, at what they believe will be much better terms and paid out previously by other major labels. I see this is a sign that we are headed toward positive change for creators – a goal I’m never going to stop trying to help achieve, in whatever ways I can. I’m so happy to have Sir Lucian Grainge as a partner in these efforts.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Scott Borchetta for believing in me as a 14-year-old and for guiding me through over a decade of work that I will always be so proud of. I’m extremely grateful to get to do what I love, especially with the people I’ve been fortunate enough to work with. The best thing I’ve been lucky enough to receive is the dedication, trust, and loyalty of the fans who have cared about the words and melodies I’ve written. My biggest goal moving forward is to make you proud. I’m so excited. I can’t wait to show you what I’m making next.

Taylor Swift via Instagram
November 19, 2018

She also gave her heartfelt thanks to Scott Borchetta. That has me thinking of a lot of things including that rare opportunity I had to meet T. S. back in the RED Tour’s final concert. So, indulge me for a moment.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Big Machine Records for their support over the years. Somehow they were friendly enough to know who the crazy guy in the suit was. Sorry to make this salute in a public post, but I have no way left to contact you. If you were part of the team back in the day and remember me, I just wanted to say thank you for everything.

As for what the future holds now… Did she hinted at new music? Well… Let’s finish the rep Tour first! Tokyo, you’re up next for what should be an emotional finale!

Coming up next in the Calendar:

• November 20: Tokyo Dome. Tokyo, Japan.
• November 21: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo. Japan.
• December 13: You will figure it out some day.

(Sources: Twitter, Instagram. Featured photo via Taylor Swift’s Instagram)