Is Taylor telling the truth?

[Spartacus 4,485]

Report: Taylor Swift Suggests She Didn’t Try To Buy Masters

 

Topline: Taylor Swift appeared to admit she didn’t attempt to buy the master recordings of her music in a Vogue interview, after she said in June it “grossed” her out that mega-music manager Scooter Braun acquired them in a $300 million deal—and that she had begged for the chance to own her work.

 

“It was either investing in my past or my and other artists’ future, and I chose the future,” Swift told Vogue, referencing her new record deal with Universal Music Group.

 

The interview described how Swift’s “whole body slumps with a palpable heaviness” when discussing her masters.

 

Braun, whose clients include Kanye West and Justin Bieber, bought Big Label Machine Group in June; the masters of Swift’s first six albums were part of the deal.

 

Swift’s new record deal allows her to own all of her future work, but with her old work, Swift claimed Big Label Machine Group would only let her “earn” one master recording per every new album.

 

Swift previously alleged Braun bullied her through clients Justin Bieber and Kanye West, specifically through the musicians’ social media posts, and timed leaks of sensitive information.

What we don’t know: The renewal contract Big Label Machine Group actually presented to Swift. Scott Borchetta, the label’s president, posted a copy of an agreement he said would have given Swift her master recordings, had she signed it. In her viral June Tumblr post, Swift said she walked away because “Borchetta would sell the label, thereby selling me and my future.”

 

What to watch for: Any response from Braun, West, Bieber or Braun’s supporters (or detractors.)

 

Key background: Swift’s first recording contract was with Big Machine Label Group; she was signed at age 15. As her music reached mainstream popularity, Swift was embroiled in a series of tabloid-worthy incidents, notably with Kanye West, one of Braun’s clients.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2019/08/08/report-taylor-swift-suggests-she-didnt-try-to-buy-masters/#2db502955a05

 

Taylor’s tumblr post

For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work. Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to Big Machine Records and ‘earn’ one album back at a time, one for every new one I turned in. I walked away because I knew once I signed that contract, Scott Borchetta would sell the label, thereby selling me and my future.

 

I had to make the excruciating choice to leave behind my past. Music I wrote on my bedroom floor and videos I dreamed up and paid for from the money I earned playing in bars, then clubs, then arenas, then stadiums.

 

Some fun facts about today’s news: I learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world. All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I’ve received at his hands for years.

 

Like when Kim Kardashian orchestrated an illegally recorded snippet of a phone call to be leaked and then Scooter got his two clients together to bully me online about it. (See photo) Or when his client, Kanye West, organized a revenge **** music video which strips my body naked.

 

Now Scooter has stripped me of my life’s work, that I wasn’t given an opportunity to buy. Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it.

 

This is my worst case scenario. This is what happens when you sign a deal at fifteen to someone for whom the term ‘loyalty’ is clearly just a contractual concept. And when that man says ‘Music has value’, he means its value is beholden to men who had no part in creating it.

 

When I left my masters in Scott’s hands, I made peace with the fact that eventually he would sell them. Never in my worst nightmares did I imagine the buyer would be Scooter.

 

Any time Scott Borchetta has heard the words ‘Scooter Braun’ escape my lips, it was when I was either crying or trying not to. He knew what he was doing; they both did. Controlling a woman who didn’t want to be associated with them. In perpetuity. That means forever.

 

Thankfully, I am now signed to a label that believes I should own anything I create. Thankfully, I left my past in Scott’s hands and not my future. And hopefully, young artists or kids with musical dreams will read this and learn about how to better protect themselves in a negotiation. You deserve to own the art you make.

 

I will always be proud of my past work. But for a healthier option, Lover will be out August 23.

 

Sad and grossed out,
💔
Taylor

 

Taylor claims “I learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world.”

 

Scott claims “I truly doubt that she ‘woke up to the news when everyone else did’.”

 

Taylor claims “I had to make the excruciating choice to leave behind my past.”

 

Yet she also claims that “Owning my masters was very important to me, but I’ve since realized that there are things that mean even more to me in the bigger picture. I had a choice whether to bet on my past or to bet on the future and I think knowing me, you can guess which one I chose. I also saw a rare opportunity to effect positive change for a lot of other artists with the leverage I have right now.”

 

So owning her masters wasn’t more important than the “opportunity to effect positive change for a lot of other artists”?

 

Then she goes into her trademark pity party, cry me a river schtick talking about Kanye once again “Like when Kim Kardashian orchestrated an illegally recorded snippet of a phone call to be leaked and then Scooter got his two clients together to bully me online about it. (See photo) Or when his client, Kanye West, organized a revenge **** music video which strips my body naked. Now Scooter has stripped me of my life’s work, that I wasn’t given an opportunity to buy. Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it.”

 

Revenge ****?  Oh I thought she was offended by him calling her a “bitch”?

In her tumblr post she claims “Any time Scott Borchetta has heard the words ‘Scooter Braun’ escape my lips, it was when I was either crying or trying not to. He knew what he was doing; they both did. Controlling a woman who didn’t want to be associated with them. In perpetuity. That means forever.”

 

Yet in her text she says of Scott “I still view you as a partner and friend and I hope you feel the same. Sending you a hug and my most sincere gratitude.”

 

Scott: "As to her comments about ‘being in tears or close to it’ anytime my new partner Scooter Braun’s name was brought up, I certainly never experienced that."

 

Then closes her sob story by promoting her new album “I will always be proud of my past work. But for a healthier option, Lover will be out August 23.”

 

Could she BE more transparent! lol

 

Scott Borchetta’s full response

So, it’s time for some truth…

 

In regard to a post earlier today from Taylor, it’s time to set some things straight.

 

Taylor’s dad, Scott Swift, was a shareholder in Big Machine Records, LLC.  We first alerted all of the shareholders on Thursday, June 20th for an official shareholder’s call scheduled for Tuesday, June 25th.

 

On the 6/25 call the shareholders were made aware of the pending deal with Ithaca Holdings and had 3 days to go over all of the details of the proposed transaction.  We then had a final call on Friday, June 28th in which the transaction passed with a majority vote and 3 of the 5 shareholders voting ‘yes’ with 92% of the shareholder’s vote.
 
Out of courtesy, I personally texted Taylor at 9:06pm, Saturday, June 29th to inform her prior to the story breaking on the morning of Sunday, June 30th so she could hear it directly from me.

 

I guess it might somehow be possible that her dad Scott, 13 Management lawyer Jay Schaudies (who represented Scott Swift on the shareholder calls) or 13 Management executive and Big Machine LLC shareholder Frank Bell (who was on the shareholder calls) didn’t say anything to Taylor over the prior 5 days.  I guess it’s possible that she might not have seen my text.  But, I truly doubt that she “woke up to the news when everyone else did”.
 
I am attaching a few very important deal points in what was part of our official last offer to Taylor Swift to remain at Big Machine Records.  Her 13 Management team and attorney Don Passman went over this document in great detail and reported the terms to her in great detail. 

 

Taylor and I then talked through the deal together. 
 
As you will read, 100% of all Taylor Swift assets were to be transferred to her immediately upon signing the new agreement.  We were working together on a new type of deal for our new streaming world that was not necessarily tied to ‘albums’ but more of a length of time.
 
We are an independent record company.  We do not have tens of thousands of artists and recordings.  My offer to Taylor, for the size of our company, was extraordinary.  But it was also all I could offer as I am responsible for dozens of artists’ careers and over 120 executives and their families. 
 
Taylor and I remained on very good terms when she told me she wanted to speak with other record companies and see what was out there for her.  I never got in her way and wished her well.
 
The morning that the new Taylor/UMG announcement was going to be made, she texted me shortly before letting me know that the announcement was coming in a few minutes. 
 
As we both posted on our socials, we saluted each other and cheered each other on.
 
Taylor had every chance in the world to own not just her master recordings, but every video, photograph, everything associated to her career.  She chose to leave. 
 
As to her comments about ‘being in tears or close to it’ anytime my new partner Scooter Braun’s name was brought up, I certainly never experienced that.  Was I aware of some prior issues between Taylor and Justin Bieber?  Yes.  But there were also times where Taylor knew that I was close to Scooter and that Scooter was a very good source of information for upcoming album releases, tours, etc, and I’d reach out to him for information on our behalf.  Scooter was never anything but positive about Taylor.

 

He called me directly about Manchester to see if Taylor would participate (she declined).
He called me directly to see if Taylor wanted to participate in the Parkland March (she declined).

 

Scooter has always been and will continue to be a supporter and honest custodian for Taylor and her music.

 

This is the text Taylor sent to me on Monday, November 19th at 8:57am:
 
Scott,
I hope this finds you well. Since communication ran dry on our negotiations, I’ve done what I told you I would do and gone out exploring other options. Owning my masters was very important to me, but I’ve since realized that there are things that mean even more to me in the bigger picture. I had a choice whether to bet on my past or to bet on the future and I think knowing me, you can guess which one I chose. I also saw a rare opportunity to effect positive change for a lot of other artists with the leverage I have right now. I know you believe in the same things I do and I’d like to think you would be proud of what I’ve negotiated for in my deal. I wanted to tell you first that I’ll be signing with Lucian. I honestly truly cherish everything you and I have built together and I plan on saying so in my announcement of the new deal. What we accomplished together will be a lasting legacy and a case study on excellent partnerships, and may it continue. I still view you as a partner and friend and I hope you feel the same. Sending you a hug and my most sincere gratitude.

And SO much love,
Taylor

Here is the text I sent on the evening of June 29 at 9:05pm:
 
Dear Taylor,
 
Hope all is well and congratulations on the success of your first two singles from “Lover”! 
 
I can’t wait to hear the entire album…
 
I wanted to pass along to you the same courtesy that you passed along to me in regard to my future.
 
Tomorrow morning (Sunday, June 30th) at 10a central, the Wall Street Journal will announce that I am entering into a merger/acquisition with Scooter Braun and Ithaca Holdings.  This move will give us more pop culture super-power than ever before and I’m so excited about the future. 
 
I want you to know that I will continue to be the proud custodian of your previous works and will continue to keep you and your team abreast of all future plans for releases of you work.
 
Nothing but the best,
 
Scott

Taylor: “Now Scooter has stripped me of my life’s work, that I wasn’t given an opportunity to buy.”

 

Scott: “100% of all Taylor Swift assets were to be transferred to her immediately upon signing the new agreement.”

 

Originally she claimed she was offended by the Famous lyrics, then when Kim exposed her, she changed her story claiming that she was offended by him calling her a “bitch”.

 

Recently she claimed not to be familiar with how bundling works, yet she was selling Lover phone cases with free digital download of Lover on her site.  Miss Queen of Businesswomen doesn't know how or why bundling works?

 

I can’t with this girl!

[Spartacus 4,485]

Taylor's story: https://taylorswift.tumblr.com/post/185958366550/for-years-i-asked-pleaded-for-a-chance-to-own-my

 

Scott's response: https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/news/so-its-time-some-truth

[Spartacus 4,485]

Taylor claims “I learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world.”

 

Scott claims “I truly doubt that she ‘woke up to the news when everyone else did’.”

 

Taylor claims “I had to make the excruciating choice to leave behind my past.”

 

Yet she also claims that “Owning my masters was very important to me, but I’ve since realized that there are things that mean even more to me in the bigger picture. I had a choice whether to bet on my past or to bet on the future and I think knowing me, you can guess which one I chose. I also saw a rare opportunity to effect positive change for a lot of other artists with the leverage I have right now.”

 

So owning her masters wasn’t more important than the “opportunity to effect positive change for a lot of other artists”?

 

Then she goes into her trademark pity party, cry me a river schtick talking about Kanye once again “Like when Kim Kardashian orchestrated an illegally recorded snippet of a phone call to be leaked and then Scooter got his two clients together to bully me online about it. (See photo) Or when his client, Kanye West, organized a revenge **** music video which strips my body naked. Now Scooter has stripped me of my life’s work, that I wasn’t given an opportunity to buy. Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it.”

 

Revenge ****?  Oh I thought she was offended by him calling her a “bitch”?

In her tumblr post she claims “Any time Scott Borchetta has heard the words ‘Scooter Braun’ escape my lips, it was when I was either crying or trying not to. He knew what he was doing; they both did. Controlling a woman who didn’t want to be associated with them. In perpetuity. That means forever.”

 

Yet in her text she says of Scott “I still view you as a partner and friend and I hope you feel the same. Sending you a hug and my most sincere gratitude.”

 

Scott: "As to her comments about ‘being in tears or close to it’ anytime my new partner Scooter Braun’s name was brought up, I certainly never experienced that."

 

Then closes her sob story by promoting her new album “I will always be proud of my past work. But for a healthier option, Lover will be out August 23.”

 

Could she BE more transparent! lol

[Spartacus 4,485]

Taylor: “Now Scooter has stripped me of my life’s work, that I wasn’t given an opportunity to buy.”

 

Scott: “100% of all Taylor Swift assets were to be transferred to her immediately upon signing the new agreement.”

 

Originally she claimed she was offended by the Famous lyrics, then when Kim exposed her, she changed her story claiming that she was offended by him calling her a “bitch”.

 

Recently she claimed not to be familiar with how bundling works, yet she was selling Lover phone cases with free digital download of Lover on her site.  Miss Queen of Businesswomen doesn't know how or why bundling works?

 

I can’t with this girl!

[sampool 5,560]

Yes

[Andreu 37,216]

That story always seemed fishy to me , so I don't believe her 100%

[Blue Jeans 3,815]

She has a tendency to distort events that concern her to fit her agenda and to portray herself as a victim.

 

So no i don't think she's telling the truth.

[ice bear 1]

people can change opinion

people can not know things

people can lie consciously and be ok with it, if they want to harm their opponents, if regular people do it should i expect something else of a famous person just cause they sit on a milion dollar toilet? 

being a public figure brings the need to be more responsible with these subjects? it brings a lot more pressure too

taylor drama is not that different from any other pop star's drama

she can be a liar and a snake and we know it, reputation preceeds her, but what about those who are snakes and we don't know? i wouldn't bet my life on taylor, but i also wouldn't bet my life on gaga, or lana or anyone, i don't personaly know them for that

in the end of the day i'm here because she's talented, has a very well put together discography, and treats well her fans

[mauvais 0]

🕊️

[gagaxsebert 5,804]

Is Gaga even telling the truth? 

 

[monsterboy98 556]

of course she is lying. she's gets the perfect escape route here: she doesn't have to buy her music, and can rally international support to re-record her old music, rebuke the original masters and completely financially gain from her old music all over again. she planned this i believe. this is taylor "money-hungry" swift were are talking about here remember.

https://youtu.be/nDzhoofkRJI

watch from 5:25 - she is clearly lying, it's all over her body language. sorry it isn't embedding

her father was an investor in the label for gods sake.

[Versace 7,959]

Why do you guys insist on bringing this story up. Fine don't trust Taylor but if for a second you're gonna believe what money hungry corporate pigs have to say in the matter, then I feel sorry for you. The music industry has always been corrupt and the artist will obviously take the fall (we have seen this happen to many music legends). If this was a first time thing in the industry, i"ll tell you to look obsessively into it but you have to understand Taylor is among many who have been dealt poor deals. 

In conclusion was she offered a chance to get her masters back? Yes for the millionth time but in exchange for a new contract with the label and having to make 6 more albums with them. That's a horrible deal if you ask me. Whether she knew it would have been sold to Scooter or not, she dodged a bullet in both cases and I'm happy she did. 

[Ryusei 61,110]

Well she was offered them, by recording one new album for each old album which is ridiculous. She wanted to leave not stay another 13 years to get out of their contract so she decided not to do it. 

[LilyLark 10,104]

You don't have to like Taylor, or even think she handled the situation well, to realize she's telling the truth. The dude from Big Machine basically admitted that the only way he would let her buy her master's back was if she recorded an album for each album she wanted to buy—which is insane.

[Nightwing 518]

I don't think any of them is telling the whole truth, honestly.