In mid-2019, Kelly Clarkson sent a tweet that ignited a firestorm in the music industry. The message urged Taylor Swift to re-record her first six albums. This was amid Swift’s public feud over the sale of her masters to Scooter Braun’s company, Ithaca Holdings. That deal was valued at a reported $300 million. Clarkson’s advice not only went viral but became a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle for artist rights.
The Sale and the Swift Reaction
The saga began in June 2019. Big Machine Label Group, Swift’s former record label, was acquired by Braun. The deal included the masters for Swift’s music from her 2006 debut through 2017’s Reputation. Swift, who had moved to Republic Records in 2018, expressed deep dismay on Tumblr. She accused Braun and Big Machine founder Scott Borchetta of bullying. She emphasized how the deal stripped her of control over work she had created since age 14. This revelation ignited passionate debates across the music world.
Clarkson’s Country Music Inspiration
On July 13, 2019, Clarkson tweeted directly to Swift: “@taylorswift13 just a thought, U should go in & re-record all the songs that U don’t own the masters on exactly how U did them but put brand new art & some kind of incentive so fans will no longer buy the old versions. I’d buy all of the new versions just to prove a point.”
Clarkson later revealed the idea was not her own. It was inspired by advice from country music legend Reba McEntire. McEntire, Clarkson’s then-mother-in-law, had successfully re-recorded her own music in the 1980s to gain ownership after leaving her label. Clarkson cited this as a straightforward solution. She recalled McEntire telling her, “She wanted to own her masters, and I was like, ‘Well, if it’s that important to you, like, find a way.'”
Empathy and an Industry Response
In a September 2019 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Clarkson elaborated on her intent. She insisted she “wasn’t really trying to defend or offend anyone.” She explained that she understood Swift’s personal attachment to her music. She noted that Swift writes 100% of her material. “She’s been writing since she was a little girl, right? So it’s, like, kind of her diary,” Clarkson said.
The viral tweet prompted an immediate behind-the-scenes reaction. In a 2023 interview with Andy Cohen, Clarkson disclosed that Scooter Braun had contacted her manager shortly after the tweet. Braun reportedly took offense, viewing the suggestion as an attack on him.
Outcomes and Legacy
Years later, Clarkson reflected positively on the outcome. Swift’s subsequent re-recording project, using the designation “Taylor’s Version,” has dominated charts. This affirmed an artist’s ability to reclaim their work. The initial conversation sparked by Clarkson’s tweet evolved into a massive cultural and commercial success. It cemented the idea of artist empowerment in the modern music landscape.