NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) Taylor Swift has announced she has decided to no re-up with Big Machine Records and has signed a deal with another imprint of Universal Music Group, Republic Records.
The announcement comes a year after the release of her triple-Platinum-selling Reputation and a public battle for a signing deal, the first one since Swift began her career as a teenager with Big Machine. She announced her “new home” with a photo of Sir Lucien Grainge and Monte Lipman. The deal allows her to own her master recordings moving forward.
“I’m ecstatic to announce that my musical home will be Republic Records and Universal Music Group,” Swift wrote. “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’ll 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 using 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.
“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 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.”
Swift’s multi-album agreement was done under the condition that Universal’s sales of its Spotify shares would “result in a distribution to their artists, non-recouperable.”
“They have generously agreed to this, at what they believe will be much better terms than paid out previously by major labels. I see this as a sign that we are headed towards positive change for creators – a goal I’m never going to stop trying to help achieve.”
UMG will serve as her exclusive worldwide recorded music partner and Republic will serve as her label partner in the U.S.
Grainge, chairman and CEO of UMG said: “Few artists in history approach Taylor Swift’s combination of massive global hits and creative brilliance. She is so multi-talented, she can achieve anything. I have such enormous respect for Taylor, in particular for her use of her hard-earned influence to promote positive change. Because of her commitment to her fellow artists, not only did she want to partner with a company that understood her creative vision and had the resources and expertise to execute globally on her behalf, she also sought a partner whose approach to artists was aligned with hers. With these shared beliefs, there is so much we can accomplish together, and all of us at UMG are enormously proud to be embarking on the next chapter of her career alongside her.”
Lipman, founder and CEO, of Republic Records said, “Taylor has not only captured the imagination of an entire generation, but has also redefined the paradigm of the modern music industry. Her commitment to songwriting and performing has earned her the respect of her peers and millions of adoring fans around the world. I can only imagine what Taylor is capable of achieving in the years to come, both culturally and creatively. I’m beyond thrilled to create an alliance with Republic Records and the incomparable Taylor Swift.”
