Taylor Swift’s catalogue 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
TAYLOR Swift emerged triumphant after a years-long battle over the rights to her earlier music on Friday (May 30). 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 catalogue for more than US$300 million. For a Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum international superstar worth US$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.
The deck is often stacked against artistes. Swift, despite all her success, was no different.
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