Taylor Swift's Record Label: Current & Past Music Labels Explained
Taylor Swift is currently signed to Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group, after leaving her long-time label Big Machine Records in 2018. This move marked a significant shift in her career, giving her ownership of her master recordings for all new music created under Republic Records.
Swift's journey with record labels began in 2005 when she signed with Big Machine Records at just 15 years old. During her 13-year tenure with Big Machine, she released six studio albums: Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), and Reputation (2017).
The switch to Republic Records came with a groundbreaking deal that allowed Swift to own all her future master recordings. Her first release under Republic was the album "Lover" in 2019, followed by "folklore" and "evermore" in 2020, and "Midnights" in 2022.
Under Republic Records, Swift has also undertaken the project of re-recording her first six albums, dubbed "Taylor's Version," to regain control of her musical catalog. These re-recordings include:
Fearless (Taylor's Version) - Released in 2021 Red (Taylor's Version) - Released in 2021 Speak Now (Taylor's Version) - Released in 2023 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Released in 2023
The relationship between Swift and Republic Records has proven highly successful, with multiple record-breaking releases and achievements. Her contract with Republic Records demonstrates the evolution of artist-label relationships in the modern music industry, prioritizing artist ownership and creative control.
Currently, Swift continues to release new music and re-recorded versions of her earlier work through Republic Records, maintaining full ownership of these master recordings while building one of the most successful careers in music history.