Taylor Swift’s Catalog Win Is a Masterclass in Business
Emerging artists, long-established musicians and big bosses in the music industry can take away something from her victory.
Don’t bet against Taylor or her Swifties.
Photographer: Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Images EuropeTaylor Swift emerged triumphant after a yearslong battle over the rights to her earlier music on Friday. She now has complete control from the songs to packaging to distribution — and no corporate edicts to deal with. That would be enough cause for celebration, but reports say that she bought her catalog for more than $300 million. For a Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum international superstar worth $1.4 billion, that’s pretty much a steal.
This should not be viewed as just a massive financial and artistic win for her. Hopefully, it signals a paradigm shift for other musicians, especially younger ones, and inspires more of them to be business-savvy in an industry that has long banked on them not paying attention to the fine print of fame.