Swift says AMAs performance in jeopardy
Artist adds her Netflix documentary also involved
LOS ANGELES — Taylor Swift said Thursday she may not perform at the American Music Awards and might have to put other projects, including a Netflix documentary, on hold because the men who own her old recordings won’t allow her to play her songs.
“Right now, my performance at the AMAs, the Netflix documentary and any other recorded events I am planning … until November 2020 are a question mark,” Swift said on Twitter and Instagram.
Swift said she had intended to play a medley of her hits when she’s named Artist of the Decade at the American Music Awards on Nov. 24, but the men who own the music, Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta, are calling the television performance an illegal re-recording.
“I just want to be able to perform MY OWN music. That’s it,” Swift said. “I’ve tried to work out this out privately … but have not been able to resolve anything.”
The 29-year-old singer-songwriter has spoken out loudly against her old master recordings falling into the hands of music manager Braun, who bought them by acquiring Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group in June. Swift has used the sale and its aftermath to publicly advocate for artists’ rights and to further a feud with the two men.
Swift said in the posts that Borchetta has told her he will allow the projects to go forward if she drops plans to record copycat versions of her older songs next year, which Swift says she plans — and has the legal right — to do, and if she stops her public trashing of the two men.
“The message being sent to me is very clear,” Swift said. “Basically, be a good little girl and shut up. Or you’ll be punished.”
Messages sent to representatives for Braun, Borchetta and the AMAs were not immediately returned.
Swift called on her fans to put pressure on Braun and Borchetta to allow her performance and other projects to go forward.
Social media ignited with “#IStandWithTaylor” and “#FreeTaylor” trending worldwide on Twitter.