Music

Taylor Swift: Big Machine Records deny blocking star from performing her own songs



Taylor Swift’s former record label Big Machine has denied her claims that they have blocked her from performing her own songs.

Swift wrote in a Tumblr post yesterday (15 November) that Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta, co-owners of Big Machine, are attempting to block her from performing tracks from her back catalogue at this month’s American Music Awards, where Swift is collecting the Artist of the Decade award.

Swift also claimed that the pair were “exercising tyrannical control” over her, and preventing the use of old performance footage to be used in a forthcoming Netflix documentary about her life and career.

Big Machine has now denied Swift’s claims, writing in a statement that the star had published “false information” in her Tumblr post.

They wrote: “At no point did we say Taylor could not perform on the AMAs or block her Netflix special. In fact, we do not have the right to keep her from performing live anywhere. Since Taylor’s decision to leave Big Machine last fall, we have continued to honour all of her requests to licence her catalogue to third parties as she promotes her current record in which we do not financially participate.

“The truth is, Taylor has admitted to contractually owing millions of dollars and multiple assets to our company, which is responsible for 120 hardworking employees who helped build her career. We have worked diligently to have a conversation about these matters with Taylor and her team to productively move forward. We started to see progress over the past two weeks and were optimistic as recently as yesterday that this may get resolved. 

“However, despite our persistent efforts to find a private and mutually satisfactory solution, Taylor made a unilateral decision last night to enlist her fanbase in a calculated manner that greatly affects the safety of our employees and their families.

“Taylor, the narrative you have created does not exist. All we ask is to have a direct and honest conversation. When that happens, you will see there is nothing but respect, kindness and support waiting for you on the other side. To date, not one of the invitations to speak with us and work through this has been accepted. Rumours fester in the absence of communication. Let’s not have that continue here. We share the collective goal of giving your fans the entertainment they both want and deserve.”

Braun and Borchetta acquired Swift’s back catalogue in a deal worth a reported $300 million earlier this year, with Swift explaining she was “sad and grossed out” by the sale.

A number of stars have come out in support of Swift, including Halsey, Lily Allen and Tinashe. Selena Gomez wrote on Instagram that Swift’s allegations had made her “sick and extremely angry”.

“It’s greed, manipulation and power,” she wrote. “There is no heart or thought of anyone elses [sic]. No respect for the words my friend has written since she was a 14-year-old in her bedroom.”

A fan petition urging Braun and Borchetta to allow Swift to perform her old music has so far received 67,000 signatures.



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