Halsey defends Taylor Swift after label bars back catalog performance
Halsey posted to her Instagram story defending the statement Taylor Swift made regarding Scooter Braun not allowing the pop singer to perform her own music on the upcoming American Music Awards.
In June, Big Machine Label Group, originally owned by Scott Borchetta, revealed the news that Braun’s Ithaca Holdings agreed to acquire the label which included Swift’s entire catalog she released through BMLG. The back catalog Braun has now acquired from Swift includes her self-titled album, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989 and Reputation.
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Swift released a statement via Tumblr stating she learned about the news along with the rest of the world. However, a source told Billboard that Swift’s camp knew about the acquisition since when Big Machine had a shareholder meeting to discuss the deal.
Swift’s initial statement discusses the “manipulative bullying” she received at Braun’s hand for years, calling his acquisition of her masters her “worst case scenario.”
Following the news in June, Halsey spoke out on behalf of Swift, penning her own statement in support of her fellow artist.
? @taylorswift13 pic.twitter.com/1iI2tCr8my
— h (@halsey) June 30, 2019
In July, Panic At The Disco frontman Brendon Urie made his own statement regarding the “toxic industry” and the sales of Swift’s master tracks.
“It just broke my heart,” Urie. “I read Taylor’s statement and I was like ‘Sounds about right.’ You know? Toxic dudes doing toxic bullshit in this toxic industry,” Urie said.
Brendon Urie voices his support for Taylor Swift following Scooter Braun’s purchase of her master recordings:
“Toxic dudes doing toxic bullshit in this toxic industry.” pic.twitter.com/wLcw3VYgQu
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 1, 2019
Recently, Swift was named the AMA’s Artist of the Decade, but now the singer is stating she’ll be unable to perform a medley of her post popular tracks on television because of restrictions Borchetta and Braun have made.
“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,” Swift stated on Twitter.
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She also announced that Netflix would be releasing a documentary about her life but the two men have refused to let them use her older music and performance footage for the film. Borchetta said to let Swift use her own assets as long as she didn’t re-record her new versions of her old tracks next November.
“The message being sent to me is very clear. Basically, be a good little girl and shut up. Or you’ll be punished,” the pop singer continues. “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.”
The full statement is available below.
Don’t know what else to do pic.twitter.com/1uBrXwviTS
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) November 14, 2019
After posting a video of herself singing Swift’s “Mean,” Halsey made a statement of her own regarding the situation through a post on her Instagram story, backing up the singer once again.
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“Not only are we looking at an awful business move, but this is just mean. This is punishment. This is hoping to silence her from speaking about things by dangling them over her head.”
The alt-pop singer also posted a video of herself singing Swift’s “Mean” on her Instagram story.
halsey doing what taylor can’t. who else could we depend on more #IStandWithTaylor pic.twitter.com/6a9Be6Pta5
— ????? ??? ?? (@sagittariusnake) November 15, 2019
? | @halsey via her IG Story #IStandWithTaylor
“This is hoping to silence her from speaking about things by dangling this over her head.” pic.twitter.com/9LDcVNRDFo
— Taylor Swift Updates (@TSUpdatesNYBU) November 15, 2019
In response to alt-rock singer Vérité’s tweet about Swift and independent artists.
“Everyone wants a different career and a different path,” Halsey says. “But insinuating she should have known or done better to reach her magnitude is negligent.”
Hey man. Good for you. But you don’t become Taylor Swift that way. It takes an army. Everyone wants a different career and a different path, 100% But insinuating she should have known or done better to reach her magnitude is negligent. https://t.co/2viXU8NRGu
— h (@halsey) November 15, 2019
Halsey continued to back up her statement saying she knows what it’s like from both sides as an independent artist and being signed to a label.
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Ps. My first radio play, charting records, and extended play were all seen independent as well before I found a home at my label. I know both sides of this very well. https://t.co/EKeG2G6Q2A
— h (@halsey) November 15, 2019
She goes on to say that labels should be trustworthy entities and artists shouldn’t have to fear the people who are supposed to be on their side.
artist trust labels. It’s supposed to be a healthy symbiosis. You have holidays with these people. dinners. deaths. Watch babies be born. They watch your lowest lows and highest highs. Sometimes things are unspoken. Legal doesn’t mean moral or ethical.
— h (@halsey) November 15, 2019
You shouldn’t have to live in fear of protecting yourself from the people who are supposed to be on your side. And most young, wide eyed artists, don’t have the foresight to think they will need to. And it’s sad they would ever need to..
— h (@halsey) November 15, 2019
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In response to Halsey’s initial tweet, Vérité has made a statement defending herself saying she understood how her post could have been taken the wrong way and that she is on Swift’s side.
i wasn’t coming for her, i just made a blunt comment about a sad fact of the music industry without full sensitivity for the situation, which i clarified
also nothing but love & respect for taylor and what’s she’s built.
we do need education& empowerment of young artists.
xx https://t.co/0uoq1GY28r— VÉRITÉ *new skin OUT NOW!* (@Verite) November 15, 2019
for sure. at a glance my comment seems harsh & on twitter i sometimes forget people don’t have context.
i am with taylor and i am for people knowing about the realities of the music industry vs the idealized world we wish it was. https://t.co/PzEnW9HKYT
— VÉRITÉ *new skin OUT NOW!* (@Verite) November 15, 2019
What are your thoughts on Taylor Swift not being allowed to use her music? Let us know in the comments below!
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