Taylor Swift Isn’t the Only Artist Who Battled for Their Music Masters

Taylor Swift's reclaiming of her music masters has reignited conversations in the music industry about the many artists who have had to battle for the rights to their own music.

Over the years, many musicians have faced challenges to reclaim their masters, with a number of artists, including JoJo and Paul McCartney, getting into high-profile disputes with record labels, corporations and investors, all in the name of reclaiming—and in some cases, freeing—their art.

READ MORE: How Much Did Taylor Swift Pay to Own Her Masters?

Though Swift, a billionaire and arguably the most famous pop star on the planet, now owns her work, there are still many artists trapped in unfavorable recording contracts or publishing limbo.

Below, take a look at four other famous musicians who battled to regain control of their music over the years.

Prince Felt Like a 'Slave' to His Recording Contract

Prince famously engaged in a legal battle with Warner Bros. Records over the rights to his music masters. During the course of the dispute, Prince went as far as to change his name to a symbol in protest and even wrote "slave" on a royalty check he received.

The late pop icon eventually gained control of his masters in 2014, just two years before his death.

Paul McCartney Battled to Get The Beatles' Music Back From Michael Jackson

After Michael Jackson purchased the publishing rights to the majority of The Beatles' catalogue for $47 million in 1985, member Paul McCartney spent decades trying to regain control of the British band's music.

In 2017, the rock and pop icon came to an agreement with Sony which allowed McCartney to reclaim some of the rights to his music with The Beatles.

JoJo Was Trapped in Record Label Limbo

"Too Little, Too Late" singer JoJo was unable to release music for years due to a contract dispute with her former label, Blackground Records, which previously owned her early masters.

Due to the dispute, JoJo re-recorded her first two albums released under the label in an attempt to regain control over her music.

Kanye West Always Wanted to Own His Masters

Kanye West has always been outspoken about his desire to own his music masters.

In 2020, West publicly posted his contract with Universal Music Group to social media. In his post he demanded ownership of his recordings. West reportedly later negotiated a deal to gain more control of his masters.