The feud between Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun over the ownership of Swift’s music is being dissected in a new season of the docuseries vs on Discovery+. Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood will explore the clash between the two, with one episode focusing on Swift’s claim that the sale of her music was done without her consent and she has been blocked from buying back her masters. The other episode will delve into Braun’s assertions that Swift refused to negotiate and incited a public feud. The series will also include insights from legal experts, journalists, and individuals close to both parties, examining music ownership, gender dynamics in the industry, and the power of fan influence.
In 2019, Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group for an estimated $330 million, which included the rights to Taylor Swift’s catalog at that time. Swift had previously claimed that she had been trying for years to own her work but was instead offered contracts that required her to “earn” the rights to her old music by turning in new albums. She learned about Braun acquiring her masters after the deal was done and felt that he had stripped her of her life’s work without giving her a chance to buy them. Scott Borchetta, the founder and CEO of Big Machine Label Group, disputed Swift’s claims in an open letter, stating that he had texted her the night before the deal went public.
Following the dispute, Taylor Swift has re-recorded her old music and released them as part of the Taylor’s Version series. Albums like Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989 were re-released, hyping up her fans for her career-spanning Eras Tour. Swift has become a certified billionaire and is yet to announce the release date for re-recordings of her self-titled debut album and Reputation. In October 2020, Ithaca Holdings sold the masters of Swift’s Big Machine Label Group albums to Shamrock Holdings for a reported $405 million.
The new vs docuseries will provide a detailed examination of the clash between Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun, shedding light on the intricacies of music ownership, the gender dynamics in the music industry, and the influence of fan involvement in such disputes. It will feature input from legal experts, journalists, and individuals close to both parties. The series will also explore the aftermath of the feud, including Taylor Swift’s re-recording of her old music and the commercial success of the Taylor’s Version series. The sale of Swift’s masters to Shamrock Holdings for $405 million in 2020 will also be discussed in the docuseries.
The dispute between Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun over the ownership of Swift’s music has been ongoing since Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group in 2019. Swift claimed that she was not given the opportunity to buy back her masters and felt that Braun had stripped her of her life’s work without consulting her. The clash between the two has led to legal battles, public feuds, and ultimately, Swift re-recording her old music for her fans. The vs docuseries will provide a deep dive into this feud, examining the different perspectives and shedding light on the larger issues of music ownership and the power dynamics in the industry.
