Taylor Swift Exits Big Machine For Universal Music Group

Just a month after becoming a free agent, Taylor Swift has announced a global deal with Universal Music Group and its Republic Records imprint. The superstar has been with indie label Big Machine since 2006, selling more than 32 million albums in the US alone.  As part of the new deal,  Swift will own her own masters going forward.

"It's really important to me to see eye to eye with a label regarding the future of our industry," Swift wrote. "I feel so motivated by new opportunities created by the streaming world and the ever changing landscape of our industry."

Big Machine has been distributed by UMG.

click right arrows above to read Swift's full statement

"I'm ecstatic to announce that my musical home will be Republic Records and Universal Music Group, " Swift said in an Instagram post announcing the deal. "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."

“Few artists in history approach Taylor Swift's combination of massive global hits and creative brilliance, wrote UMG head Griange in a statement. "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.”

“Taylor has not only captured the imagination of an entire generation, but has also redefined the paradigm of the modern music industry," said Monte Lipman, CEO of Republic Records. "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.”