Taylor Swift’s former record label Big Machine is facing backlash for repackaging the singer’s catalog.
It’s only been two weeks since Swift called out her former record label Big Machine for selling her back-catalog to Scooter Braun, whom she referred to as a “manipulative bully.” Now the label is re-releasing five of her old singles on a limited edition vinyl. The Independent reported that in celebration of the 13th anniversary of Swift’s self-titled debut album, Big Machine would release a number of the album’s singles, including “Tim McGraw” and “Teardrops on My Guitar,” on limited-edition sea glass vinyl this August.
“While it seems like a great idea, man feel it’s a slight towards Swift and are standing by the singer’s side by not purchasing the re-release “I won’t give you any of my money,” one fan declared on Facebook, adding: “Guess you have to stoop to this level to try and make money.” Another said, “You are the reason for the teardrops on my guitar. #IStandWithTaylor.”
Back on June 30, the songstress revealed on Tumblr that she was “sad and grossed out” that she was stripped of the opportunity to buy the master recordings of her back-catalog because Big Machine sold their label, which included Swift’s catalog, to music mogul Scooter Braun for a reported $300 million. In the post, Swift opened up about her tainted relationship with Braun. “For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work,” she wrote. “I had to make the excruciating choice to leave behind my past. Music I wrote on my bedroom floor and videos I dreamed up and paid for from the money I earned playing in bars, then clubs, then arenas, then stadiums.” Braun also manages artists like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande.
“Some fun facts about today’s news: I learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world,” she continued. “All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I’ve received at his hands for years.”
