Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department, was released on April 19 as a double album, including a surprise companion called The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. This release featured a total of 31 new songs, including the four bonus tracks that were previously exclusive to CD variants of the record. Additionally, Swift has rekindled her relationship with TikTok, allowing some of her songs to be featured on the app once again. This move showcases Swift’s ability to stand up to major music distributors like Universal Music Group, who had previously removed songs from TikTok due to licensing disputes.
Universal Music Group began removing songs from TikTok on February 1, one day after their licensing contract with the app expired. This led to popular tracks from artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and others being unavailable on TikTok. The dispute arose from issues surrounding fair compensation for artists and songwriters, as well as concerns about the effects of AI and online safety. While TikTok argued that they had reached agreements with other labels, UMG stood firm in their decision to remove songs from the platform until these issues were addressed.
Despite the ongoing dispute, Swift’s songs have begun to reappear on TikTok, including popular tracks like Cruel Summer, You Belong With Me, and Lover. This suggests that Swift, who owns the rights to many of her recordings, was able to work out a separate arrangement with TikTok to have her music featured on the platform again. Swift is currently on tour with her Eras Tour, which will continue throughout 2024 with dates across Europe and Canada. This tour comes after the release of The Tortured Poets Department, showcasing Swift’s continued success and relevance in the music industry.
In taking her tracks back to TikTok, Taylor Swift has demonstrated her ability to navigate complex licensing disputes and advocate for fair compensation for artists. By working out a separate arrangement with TikTok, Swift has shown her power as an artist with ownership rights over her music. This move not only benefits Swift, but also sets a precedent for other artists to assert their rights and negotiate with major music distributors. Overall, Taylor Swift’s music continues to resonate with fans and industry professionals alike, making her a force to be reckoned with in the music world.
