Scooter Braun’s company, Ithaca Holdings LLC, has sold Taylor Swift’s music rights for more than $ 300 million (€ 253 million). Braun, to Swift’s dismay, owned the rights to her first six albums. The rights have been bought by an as yet unknown investment fund, reports Variety.
This may end a protracted argument between the 39-year-old manager and the singer.
Braun, together with a partner, bought the record label Big Machine Records in June 2019, where Swift had been under contract. The singer blamed Braun shortly afterwards publicly Big Machine Records would have forbidden her to sing old songs live during performances.
The contract that Big Machine Records had with Swift stated that she would not be allowed to re-record the songs from her first albums until November 2020. This would also have included live performances, but according to Braun this was not true. However, the damage had already been done, and what followed was an argument that was fought out on social media.
Braun said last year that he wanted to talk to Swift to clear the air, but how that ended and whether the conversation took place is not known. Swift did announce last year that she plans to re-record her songs. She has been with Universal since 2018, after canceling the contract with Big Machine Records.
It is not known whether the recent sale of her rights resolved the feud between the two. The details of the sale have not been made public.
Also sold rights of other artists
Although Big Machine Records has sold the rights to Swift’s music, the record label remains in the hands of Braun and his associate. Artists such as Sheryl Crow, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts and Lady A are under contract there.
Braun is one of the most famous managers in the world. In addition to the aforementioned names, he also represents Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Psy and the Dutch DJ Martin Garrix.
– .
