Taylor Swift Feud Makes a Statement. For Better or Worse? [OPINION]

Alright Swifties, you might want to sit down for this one because it looks like your girl has gotten herself in a bit of a jam (no pun intended). Taylor Swift is no stranger to controversy or the spotlight that unravels with stardom, only this time, her name takes center stage in headlines regarding a music ownership dispute.

Swift’s ongoing feud with music executives Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta kickstarted in the summer when Borchetta, founder of her old label Big Machine Records decided to sell the label alongside Swift’s original recordings to Scooter Braun. The problem? Well, this exchange granted Braun ownership of ALL Swift’s records prior to the release of her 2019 album Lover. Now, the two men with ownership rights to her music refuse to allow Swift to play old songs at the upcoming American Music Awards (and everywhere else). However, her anticipated performance isn’t the only event with an uncertain future. Swift has announced a Netflix documentary in the working that would feature old performances but with the restrictions from her label manager, this becomes shaky territory.

Ever since being blocked from playing her own music, Swift has made it her mission to educate fans on the situation. By asking her loyal following to use their voice, she hopes to publicize the dangers of power and manipulation that come to exist within the music industry. This public plea has been confirmed in Swift’s recent tweet as the promising echo of #FreeTaylor and #IStandWithTaylor sets conversations in motion across social media platforms. In what appears to be a promising effort to bring Swift some clarity, celebrities have spoken out against Borchetta and Braun, reacting to the drama of this unfortunate predicament. Selena Gomez, Halsey, Sara Bareilles, and Ruby Rose to name a few, have voiced they stand in solidarity with Swift as she fights for the right to celebrate music with her fans. Is this very public, drama ridden conversation for the best? Believe it or not, yes, it is.

Swift has made it crystal clear that the relationship she has formed with her OWN music and supportive fan base is a part of a long journey Braun and Borchetta do not deserve credit for. Swift has recently ignited the dispute to further heights as she fights to change awareness levels for other artists. We can’t all take credit for singing skills that deserve to be heard outside of the shower and believe me, there’s nothing wrong with belting your heart out into a hairbrush microphone. But for those who do possess the skills to create magic in the music world, they deserve rights to their individual work. Swift isn’t only making a statement for herself; she wants to help other artists avoid experiencing similar fate because being told to keep quiet in order to avoid punishment is wrong on too many levels.

Okay Swifties, now you can stand because it’s time to applaud Swift for her unbreakable efforts to fight back. This isn’t about getting sympathy from a crowd, it’s about owning her music and gaining full control of the work she has put towards her last six albums.

It doesn’t matter how many curveballs are thrown her way in the midst of this ownership battle. Swift will be …ready for it.