Taylor Swift mobilised her legions of Swifties last night when she dropped a lengthy statement in view of her 85 million Twitter followers, claiming she’s being prevented from singing her past hits at a special performance at the AMAs 2019 in a couple of weeks’ time. But what does this mean for the performance? What songs will she play? And what’s been going on with Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta? Here’s everything you need to know.
Taylor Swift’s statement about Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta
Hours ago, Swift put out a call for help on Twitter, telling fans she had been planning to perform a medley of her hits at the AMAs on November 25, when she will will be presented with the award for Artist of the Decade.
However, she claimed her performance is in doubt, along with an upcoming Netflix documentary about her life, due to issues between her, Braun and Borchetta, who own the rights to her early albums.
Since then, Big Machine Records, who put out every one of her albums from her self-titled debut until 2017’s Reputation, have issued their own statement saying they were “shocked” by her statements, adding that they were “based on false information” and denying preventing her from performing on the AMAs or blocking her Neflix documentary.
On Twitter, Swift wrote: “I’ve been planning to perform a medley of my hits throughout the decade on the show. Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun have now said that I’m not allowed to perform my old songs on television because they claim that would be re-recording my music before I’m allowed to next year.
Taylor Swift: The singer released a bombshell statement about about Scooter Braun and the AMAs 2019 (Image: GETTY)
Taylor Swift: The singer claimed Big Machine and Scooter Braun were blocking her from playing old music (Image: GETTY)
“Additionally — and this isn’t the way I had planned on telling you this news — Netflix has created a documentary about my life for the past few years. Scott and Scooter have declined the use of my older music or performance footage for this project, even though there is no mention of either of them or Big Machine Records anywhere in the film,” she added.
“Scott Borchetta told my team that they’ll allow me to use my music only if I do these things: If I agree to not re-record copycat versions of my songs next year (which is something I’m both legally allowed to do and looking forward to) and also told my team that I need to stop talking about him and Scooter Braun.”
Swift went on to say: “The message being sent to me is very clear. Basically, be a good little girl and shut up. Or you’ll be punished.
“This is WRONG. Neither of these men had a hand in the writing of those songs. They did nothing to create the relationship I have with my fans.
“So this is where I’m asking for your help. Please let Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun know how you feel about this,” she begged fans.
Taylor Swift: Scooter Braun bought Big Machine, including Swift’s back catalogue, in 2017 (Image: GETTY)
“Scooter also manages several artists who I really believe care about other artists and their work. Please ask them for help with this — I’m hoping that maybe they can talk some sense into the men who are exercising tyrannical control over someone who just wants to play the music she wrote.
“I’m especially asking for help from The Carlyle Group, who put up money for the sale of my music to these two men. I just want to be able to perform MY OWN music. That’s it.
“I’ve tried to work this out privately through my team but have not been able to resolve anything,” the Lover singer claimed.
“Right now, my performance at the AMAs, the Netflix documentary and any other recorded events I am planning to play until November of 2020 are a question mark.”
In response, Big Machine said in a statement posted on their own website saying: “As Taylor Swift’s partner for over a decade, we were shocked to see her tumblr statements yesterday based on false information.
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“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 honor all of her requests to license her catalog 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,” Big Machine’s statement continued. “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,” they said. “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. Rumors 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.”
In response, Swift’s spokesperson told Express.co.uk Big Machine had refused to waive its re-recording restrictions for Swift’s back catalogue for either the Netflix documentary or her recent performance at Shanghai concert.
“The truth is, on October 28, 2019 at 5:17 p.m. the Vice President, Rights Management and Business Affairs from Big Machine Label Group sent Taylor Swift’s team the following,” Swift’s spokesperson said.
“‘Please be advised that BMLG will not agree to issue licenses for existing recordings or waivers of its re-recording restrictions in connection with these two projects: The Netflix documentary and The Alibaba ‘Double Eleven’ event.’
“To avoid an argument over rights, Taylor performed three songs off her new album Lover at the Double Eleven event as it was clear that Big Machine Label Group felt any televised performance of catalog songs violated her agreement,” they continued.
“In addition, yesterday Scott Borchetta, CEO and founder of Big Machine Label Group, flatly denied the request for both American Music Awards and Netflix. Please notice in Big Machine’s statement, they never actually deny either claim Taylor said last night in her post.
“Lastly, Big Machine is trying to deflect and make this about money by saying she owes them but, an independent, professional auditor has determined that Big Machine owes Taylor $7.9 million dollars of unpaid royalties over several years,” Swift’s spokesperson told Express.co.uk.
Express.co.uk has contacted representatives for Braun and Big Machine asking for comment.
What will happen with Taylor Swift’s AMAs 2019 performance?
As it stands, what Swift’s planned performance at the AMAs will look like is up in the air, the singer herself saying a “question mark” hovers over it and her future recorded performances up until November 2020.
It’s unclear whether or not fans will get to see a medley of Swift’s hits from the past 10 years.
Express.co.uk has contacted representatives for Swift asking for information regarding her planned AMAs show.
