Masterclass in music

How artistes are slowly reclaiming control of their music, fighting for one album at a time

- SUGANDHA MUKHERJEE

WHEN 14-TIME GRAMMY winner Taylor Swift started re-recording her first six albums in 2021, the move was seen as a creative journey to revisit and refresh her early work. But, beneath the new vocals and crisper production was a strategic business move that challenged the West's music industry tradition—the ownership of master recordings. This legal and commercial battle has long been a defining element of artiste-label relationship, and with Swift's bold move, it has shaken norms that were once considered unchangeable.

But, what are masters?

At the centre of the music business is the concept of 'master', which is the original recorded version of the song, or album in Swift's case. Whoever controls the masters, has the power to decide how and where the music is used, and ultimately who profits from it. Traditionally, record labels have signed fresh artists to contracts that effectively cede this control. In exchange, the record labels would smoothen their career launchpads, provide marketing muscle and upfront advances.