Taylor Swift thanks her fans after accepting award for ‘Folklore’ film

“I absolutely adore you and that really made my heart skip a beat,” said Swift in response before starting her acceptance speech.

“Making this film really was a new experience for me in a lot of ways. It was in the middle of the pandemic when this was the first time most of the people who worked on it had left our houses, so I want to first of all say thank you so much to our medical team, our COVID team who tested everyone and made sure we were in a safe space to create music again, it was a really heartening experience.”

📽️| #TaylorSwift acceptance speech after winning the Grand Award for Special or Variety for "folklore: the long pond studio sessions" at #TheGracies pic.twitter.com/4p5OgKOmX7

— The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) October 6, 2021

She then went on to thank “Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff, John Low and Laura Sisk, the core team of people who made the ‘Folklore‘ and ‘Evermore‘ albums. I’ll never forget our experience together. Filming the Folklore Long Pond Sessions was a way to commemorate that and I’ll always be so thankful for it.”

“But mostly the fans; thank you for caring about all of this,” she finished. “Thank you for being the reason why we could come together in this way, you made the album into what it is and you continue to blow me away all the time.”

Folklore: The Long Pond Sessions was released in November 2020 on Disney+ and saw Swift performing tracks from ‘Folklore’ as well as telling stories about the album.

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Taylor Swift’s new ‘Wildest Dreams’ on course to beat original in UK charts

‘Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version)’ will become the singer-songwriter’s 37th Top 40 single in the UK if it remains in the chart until this Friday (September 24).

Earlier this year, ‘Love Story (Taylor’s Version)’ and the previously unreleased ‘Mr Perfectly Fine (Taylor’s Version)’ peaked at Number 12 and Number 30 respectively. Both tracks appear on ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’, which was the first album to be re-recorded by Swift.

The singer is due to release the new version of her fourth record, ‘Red’ (2012), on November 19. It will contain “all 30 songs that were meant to go” on the original album, as well as collaborations with Phoebe Bridgers, Ed Sheeran and more.

A preview snippet of ‘Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version)’ was shared back in April as part of a trailer for DreamWorks’ film Spirit Untamed.

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Dionne Warwick says she wants to get in the studio with Taylor Swift

She then adding Swift to her list of superstar collaborations, saying: “I’ll be speaking to them about how they feel about going into the studio with me.”

Dionne Warwick. CREDIT: Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Of her Chance The Rapper collaboration, believed to be called ‘Nothing’s Impossible’, Warwick divulged: “[We] recorded a duet and it’s lovely. It probably won’t be out until the first of the year, [we’re] getting it ready now.”

Last year, Warwick roasted both Chance and The Weeknd on Twitter. “Hi, @chancetherapper,” she wrote in one tweet. “If you are very obviously a rapper why did you put it in your stage name? I cannot stop thinking about this.”

“I will be whatever you wanna call me Ms. Warwick,” Chance said. “God bless you.”

Of The Weeknd, she said: “The Weeknd is next. Why? It’s not even spelled correctly?” The star replied: “I just got roasted by Dionne Warwick and I feel honoured! You just made my day.”

In an interview after Warwick’s viral moment, Chance said: “She shouted me out on Twitter, and I freaked out for a while, and I hit her back, and then she started contacting me in real life.”

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Taylor Swift joins TikTok, posts clip rapping to Dave’s ‘Screwface Capital’

In the video, Swift raps along to Dave’s ‘Screwface Capital’ – the 2019 track which hears the UK rapper namedrop the ‘Folklore’ pop star – as she switches between outfits.

“I made a link with the Russians/ Six-figure discussions, dinners in public/ My linen all tailored/ My outstanding payments swift like Taylor/ And boy I owe ‘dem men a beatin’,” Swift raps along to as the dates for the ‘Red’ vinyl appear on screen. The track is taken from Dave’s Mercury Prize-winning album, ‘Psychodrama’.

You can watch the video below:

@taylorswift

Lots going on at the moment: Red (my version) vinyl is up for presale on my site and oh I’m on tiktok now let the games begin 😺 #SwiftTok

♬ original sound – Taylor Swift

The re-recording of ‘Red’ will arrive on November 19, and it will “be the first time you hear all 30 songs that were meant to go” on the original 2012 album.

“Musically and lyrically, Red resembled a heartbroken person,” Swift said of the album back in June when she announced the new version. “It was all over the place, a fractured mosaic of feelings that somehow all fit together in the end. Happy, free, confused, lonely, devastated, euphoric, wild, and tortured by memories past.

“I went into the studio and experimented with different sounds and collaborators. And I’m not sure if it was pouring my thoughts into this album, hearing thousands of your voices sing the lyrics back to me in passionate solidarity, or if it was simply time, but something was healed along the way.”

She added: “Sometimes you need to talk it over (over and over and over) for it to ever really be….over. Like your friend who calls you in the middle of the night going on and on about their ex, I just couldn’t stop writing. This will be the first time you hear all 30 songs that were meant to go on Red. And hey, one of them is even 10 minutes long.”

Earlier this month, Swift confirmed that Phoebe Bridgers and Ed Sheeran, among others, will appear on the new version of ‘Red’.

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Taylor Swift rarity ‘Ronan’ will feature on ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’

“I’ve recently completed the re-recording of my 4th album, ‘Red’,” Swift wrote. “It’s really exceeded my expectations in so many ways, and one of those ways is that I thought it would be appropriate to add ‘Ronan’ to this album. ‘Red’ was an album of heartbreak and healing, of rage and rawness, of tragedy and trauma, and of the loss of an imagined future alongside someone.

Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images.

“I wrote Ronan while I was making ‘Red’ and discovered your story as you so honestly and devastatingly told it. My genuine hope is that you’ll agree with me that this song should be included on this album. As my co-writer and the rightful owner of this story in its entirety, your opinion and approval of this idea really matters to me, and I’ll honor your wishes here.”

Thompson confirmed she had given the pop star permission to include ‘Ronan’ on ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’. “I tried my best to articulate how much this meant to me through my tears, but there are not enough words in the English language that will ever be able to appropriately convey my feelings about this,” she wrote, directing her words to her late son.

“Taylor has anchored you to this world so you will never be lost, and now she has ensured you will forever be safe in a new, permanent home. She is once again going to give a voice to the often voiceless, the bereaved parents of the world. ‘Red (Taylor’s version)’ will be out November 19th and on that album, there will be you.”

Thompson also thanked Swift for “never forgetting Ronan” and for “breaking rules and breaking free”. “You are a constant source of inspiration to me in so many areas of my life, and there is nobody in the world I would rather have Ronan with than you,” she added.

Meanwhile, it was recently confirmed that Swift will not submit ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’ for Grammys consideration. She will instead focus on her second album of 2020, ‘evermore’, in the relevant categories.

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Jack Antonoff praises Taylor Swift for “changing music industry first-hand”

Credit: Matt Salacuse for NME

Pushed on the aforementioned questions asked by Swift, Antonoff replied: “‘Why is this OK?’ ‘Why is it OK to treat an artist like this?’ ‘Why is it OK to exercise ownership over things that someone makes from their heart and soul? Why?’

“And the answer is always the same: because that’s how it’s been. And that’s why it’s amazing if someone like her comes along and says, ‘Well, hold on: why?’”

Meanwhile, Antonoff’s side project Bleachers recently teamed up with Lana Del Rey on collaborative track ‘Secret Life’.

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Taylor Swift celebrates ‘Folklore’ anniversary with orchestral version of ‘The Lakes’

“It’s been one year since we escaped the real world together and imagined ourselves someplace simpler,” Swift wrote on Instagram, sharing a pair of black and white pictures of her at the beach.
“With tall tall trees and salt air. Where you’re allowed to wear lace nightgowns that make you look like a Victorian ghost every day & no one will side eye you cause no one is around. It’s just you and your imaginary cabin and the stories you make up to pass the time. To say thank you for all you have done to make this album what it was, I wanted to give you the original version of The Lakes.”
She concluded: “Happy 1 year anniversary to Rebekah, Betty, Inez, James, Augustine, and the lives we all created around them. Happy Anniversary, folklore.”

You can listen to the orchestral version of ‘The Lakes’ below:

Swift has also unveiled a ‘Folklore’ anniversary merch collection available for just 72 hours.
The collection includes: a “lost in the memory” hoodie; a “beautiful things” keepsake box; an “I would die for you in secret” hoodie; a “tied me to you” bracelet; a “dreamt of you all summer” long sleeve top; a “picture me in the weeds” t-shirt; an “auroras and sad prose” notebook, and more.

The merch line is available to purchase until July 26 at 3pm EST – you can get it here.

Meanwhile, Swift will not be submitting the re-recording of her 2008 album ‘Fearless’ for Grammys consideration, her label has confirmed.

According to Billboard, Swift will not be submitting ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’, and will instead focus on nominating ‘Evermore’ for all eligible categories. The singer will also be doing the same for the Country Music Association Awards.

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Senator Marsha Blackburn says Taylor Swift would be “first victim” of socialism

“When I’m talking to my friends who are musicians and entertainers, I say, ‘If we have a socialistic government – if we have Marxism – you are going to be the first ones who will be cut off because the state would have to approve your music,” she said.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn continues her running feud with Taylor Swift, warning her that if we have a “socialistic govt,” the state would have to “approve her music,” and won’t “allow women to dress, or sing, to be on stage, or entertain.” pic.twitter.com/HGXziiai8K

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) July 8, 2021

“Taylor Swift came after me in my 2018 campaign,” she continued. “But Taylor Swift would be the first victim of that because when you look at Marxist, socialistic societies, they do not allow women to dress or sing or be onstage or to entertain or the type of music she would have. They don’t allow protection of private intellectual property rights.”

Swift has not yet responded to Blackburn’s comments at the time of writing.

In 2018, the pop star broke years of political silence to back two Democrat candidates in the US midterm elections that were taking place that year, speaking out against Blackburn in the process. “As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn,” she said.

“Her voting record in Congress appals and terrifies me…She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values.”

Meanwhile, Swift has been given a writing credit on Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Deja Vu’ alongside Jack Antonoff and St. Vincent. The teen singer had previously acknowledged the track took inspiration from Swift’s ‘Cruel Summer’.

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Taylor Swift and Adele collaboration rumours sparked by song registration

See some of the tweets regarding the rumoured collaboration below.

🚨🎶 A song called “Broken Hearts” has been registered via @sesac, written by Adele and Taylor Swift! It is rumored to be on the RED #TaylorsVersion album 👀 pic.twitter.com/G9Q363KzVx

— Taylor Swift Updates (@SwiftNYC) July 2, 2021

Taylor Swift and Adele have co-written a song 'Broken Hearts' that may be one of the Vault tracks on RED (Taylor's Version)

OMG AN ICONIC COLLAB IF THIS LEGIT PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEN ON NOV 19th.
#RedTaylorsVersion @taylorswift13 @Adele pic.twitter.com/I5G7m9d8GC

— BurningRED🧣 (@TaylorluvsJessa) July 2, 2021

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pop Faction (@popfaction)

Swift has been prolific in the past year, releasing two new albums (‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’) on top of her re-recording project and, most recently, collaborating with The National‘s Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver‘s Justin Vernon on the Big Red Machine record.

Yesterday (June 2), Dessner shared a new Swift-featuring single ‘Renegade’, the third preview of the band’s upcoming second album ‘How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?’.

READ MORE: Everything we know so far about Adele’s new album

Adele fans, meanwhile, are still waiting for her fourth album – and her first since 2015’s hugely successful ’25’.

In May, the ‘Someone Like You’ singer offered a progress update during her opening monologue while presenting Saturday Night Live, explaining why she was appearing as the host and not musical guest.

“My album’s not finished, and I’m also too scared to be both,” she told the audience. “I’d rather put on some wigs …have a glass of wine or six and just see what happens.”

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Big Red Machine are teasing something, and fans think Taylor Swift is involved

Fans were quick to spot that the teaser features handwriting that they believe to be Swift’s, fuelling rumours that she’s involved with the new material.

Notably, Vernon shared a snippet of what appeared to be a Big Red Machine track with Swift during an Instagram Live session in April.

“That’s the awesome Taylor one. I think this should be the single,” Vernon can be heard saying in the clip. He and Dessner both worked with Swift on her acclaimed 2020 albums ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’.

Dessner announced last year that Big Red Machine were working on a follow-up to their self-titled debut album, and that Swift had been providing feedback on their new material. Later, he also said that he expects to collaborate with her further in the future.

“Inevitably, I think we will continue to be in each other’s artistic and personal lives. I don’t know exactly what the next form that will take, but certainly, it will continue,” he said.

In March, meanwhile, Dessner paid tribute to Swift after ‘Folklore’ won Album Of The Year at the Grammys, crediting her with “restoring my faith in music”.

Taylor Swift announces ‘Red’ for next re-recorded album

“Sometimes you need to talk it over (over and over and over) for it to ever really be….over. Like your friend who calls you in the middle of the night going on and on about their ex, I just couldn’t stop writing. This will be the first time you hear all 30 songs that were meant to go on Red. And hey, one of them is even 10 minutes long.”

The next album that I’ll be releasing is my version of Red, which will be out on November 19. This will be the first time you hear all 30 songs that were meant to go on Red. And hey, one of them is even ten minutes long🧣 https://t.co/FOBLS5aHpS pic.twitter.com/6zWa64Owgp

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 18, 2021

Swift is remaking all her albums up to 2017’s ‘Reputation’ after the rights to the records were sold by her former record label without her permission.

In April the singer-songwriter shared the re-recorded version of her second album, 2008’s ‘Fearless’ – titled ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version’) – as well as a previously unheard collaboration with Maren Morris called ‘You All Over Me’.

Addressing the process of laying down ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Swift said that she “tried to create a ‘same but better’ version” of the album.

She told People in April: “In terms of production, I really wanted to stay very loyal to the initial melodies that I had thought of for these songs.

“And so we really did go in and try to create a ‘the same but better’ version. We kept all the same parts that I initially dreamed up for these songs. But if there was any way that we could improve upon the sonic quality, we did.”

Taylor Swift performs live in 2019. CREDIT: Dc/Media Punch/Alamy Live News

The pop star once again teamed up with her collaborators Jack Antonoff and The National’s Aaron Dessner – who both worked on last year’s ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’ – for the project, while also bringing in the musicians involved in the original ‘Fearless’ as well as her touring band.

“But yeah, I did go in line by line and listen to every single vocal and think, you know, what are my inflections here,” Swift continued. “If I can improve upon it, I did. But I really did want this to be very true to what I initially thought of and what I had initially written. But better. Obviously.”

It’s not known what order Swift will continue to re-record and re-release her albums in.

Meanwhile, Swift was honoured last week with the National Music Publishers Association’s Songwriter Icon Award.

As reported by Variety, in her speech, Swift thanked her publisher Universal, fans and songwriters, saying the practice of writing songs remains “magical and mystical” to her.

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Lorde and Taylor Swift songwriter Joel Little sells back catalogue to Hipgnosis

Little added that he feels “incredibly grateful” for his career to date and that it is “really nice to know that these songs will be so well taken care of by Merck and his team of passionate music people”.

Lorde. CREDIT: Burak Cingi/Redferns.

The investment company has made waves in recent months after purchasing the catalogues of artists including Lindsey Buckingham and Blondie, as well as Jimmy Iovine’s worldwide producer royalties and half of Neil Young’s songs in a deal thought to be worth an estimated $150 million (£110 million).

Shakira also sold all 145 of her songs, including ‘Hips Don’t Lie’, ‘She Wolf’ and ‘Whenever, Wherever’, all part of the deal.

Hipgnosis are known for turning royalties into a steady income stream – with the firm making money every time one of its songs is played on the radio or featured in a film/TV show.

Earlier this year, Mercuriadis said that cultural importance is key when it comes to the artists whose back catalogues they have acquired.

Speaking to MusicWeek, Mercuriadis explained how he set about purchasing the back catalogues after securing a staggering $1bn in investments.

“So, with over £1bn invested, we only own 57,000 songs. But 10,000 of them are Top 10 songs, almost 3,000 of them are No.1 songs. So it’s a very small catalogue, relative to Universal, Warner or Sony. But the ratio of success within that catalogue is very high, there are very few songs that are not successes.

“For me, the criteria is not just predictable and reliable income, but it’s cultural importance as well. Everything that I buy is proven, it’s successful, but it’s also culturally important.”

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Taylor Swift breaks new record with biggest one-week vinyl album sales with ‘Evermore’

As the tracking week is not over until Thursday (June 3), the star is expected to increase her sales – and record – even further in the coming days.

Taylor Swift. CREDIT: Beth Garrabrand

Before White, Pearl Jam held the title with their 1994 album ‘Vitalogy’, which shifted 34,000 copies in one week. It was the first album to chart in the Billboard 200 through vinyl sales alone since CDs began to dominate the music market.

Since ‘Evermore’ was released digitally, it has since been issued on CD, cassette and vinyl. The latter version was only just released due to vinyl taking the longest time to produce. The album was Swift’s second surprise release of 2020 following ‘Folklore’.

In 2021, the musician has not been quieter so far. In April, she released the first of her re-recorded albums, sharing ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’. It topped the Billboard 200 upon its release – and would have still gotten to Number One had it not sold a single physical copy, thanks to some impressive streaming numbers.

The 26 tracks on the record garnered just short of 143 million plays on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, which, when broken down, is equivalent to 109,000 streaming equivalent album units.

Meanwhile, Swift has been teasing yet more re-recorded music with previews of a new version of ‘1989’’s ‘Wildest Dreams’.

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Olivia Rodrigo’s new album ‘Sour’ has a Taylor Swift co-writing credit

Credit: Stefan Kohli.

Other speculation, per Variety, was that Rodrigo had sampled a new version already put down by Swift for her planned re-recording of ‘Reputation’. However, neither is the case; Rodrigo only borrowed melodic elements of ‘New Year’s Day’, of which Swift and Antonoff own the full publishing rights and granted permission to Rodrigo

Additionally, Swift fans noted that there’s a nod to Swift in Rodrigo’s song title, since as 1 + 3 = 13 – which is Swift’s lucky number.

In last week’s NME Big Read cover feature, Rodrigo spoke of her desire that people take her seriously as a songwriter.

“With ‘Drivers License’ [her hit, Swift-approved debut single], there were a lot of people who were like, ‘Yo, I’ve never heard of this girl before but I really like this song’, which to me was the dream – to get a brand new introduction to people just as a songwriter,” she said.

“I consider myself a songwriter first and I’m really happy that people are starting to recognise me as such.”

Elsewhere in NME‘s conversation, too, she insisted that it’s important to her to be “taken seriously as a songwriter”.

‘Sour’ is released today (May 20) in the US at 12am ET/9pm PT, and 5am BST tomorrow (May 21) in the UK.

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BRITs 2021: Taylor Swift pays tribute to NHS and “incredible new artists”

“I am so indebted to and grateful to my British fans,” Swift said. “I love you so much for everything you’ve done for me. We’ve had so many amazing memories in the last 15 years – from playing Shepherd’s Bush Empire to playing The O2 Arena to playing Wembley Stadium.

"No, we love you" @taylorswift13 #BRITs ❤️🧡 pic.twitter.com/3FVXrCsf8f

— MastercardUK (@MastercardUK) May 11, 2021

“And hey, because of you, last year I even almost played Glastonbury. We all know what happened next…”

Swift then reflected on releasing ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’ last year, describing the process of making her two surprise albums as “unique, cathartic and extraordinary” while thanking those who contributed to the projects.

Later, the singer addressed the “incredible new artists” watching on in the crowd and at home. “I need you to hear me when I say that there is no career path that comes free of negativity,” she said.

“If you’re being met with resistance, that probably means that you’re doing something new. If you’re experiencing turbulence or pressure, that probably means you’re rising.

“And there might be times when you put your whole heart and soul into something, and it is met with cynicism or skepticism – you cannot let that crush you; you have to let it fuel you.”

Check back at NME.COM for all the latest news and interviews from the BRIT Awards 2021.

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Taylor Swift on creating “the same but better” version of ‘Fearless’

During a recent conversation with People, Swift explained of recreating ‘Fearless’ (2008): “In terms of production, I really wanted to stay very loyal to the initial melodies that I had thought of for these songs.

Swift once again teamed up with her collaborators Jack Antonoff and The National’s Aaron Dessner – who both worked on last year’s ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’ – for the project, while also bringing in the musicians involved in the original ‘Fearless’ as well as her touring band.

In a four-star review of ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’, NME wrote: “Swift never cringes away from her younger self. Instead, she revisits the songs with kindness and affection, celebrating the success of her teenage releases.”

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Taylor Swift recruits her “two kids” Olivia Rodrigo and Conan Gray to share new ‘Fearless’ snippets

The 15-second clip is soundtracked by Swift’s new version of the single, the third to be lifted from her second studio record ‘Fearless’ (2008). You can watch the video below.

You ok? NO cause I sent my two kids @Olivia_Rodrigo and @conangray my new version of You Belong With Me and THEY ARE SO CUTE IT PHYSICALLY HURTS ME
((Album out at midnight!)) pic.twitter.com/yDJusP8TAs

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) April 8, 2021

conan and olivia rodrigo teasing an unreleased clip of “white horse (taylor’s version)from @taylorswift13’s new fearless album! (4/8) pic.twitter.com/7Icmf6um74

— conan gray updates (@conanupdating) April 8, 2021

.@GMA EXCLUSIVE: @taylorswift13 shares a clip from her new album's title track #FearlessTaylorsVersion along with a message for all you fans!https://t.co/8jmpk5lalq pic.twitter.com/bO5oVActs3

— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 8, 2021

“You ok? NO cause I sent my two kids Olivia Rodrigo and Conan Gray my new version of ‘You Belong With Me’ and THEY ARE SO CUTE IT PHYSICALLY HURTS ME ((Album out at midnight!)),” Swift wrote.

Posting a Reel on Instagram, Rodrigo also gave a glimpse of ‘White Horse (Taylor’s version)’ over a tongue-in-cheek visual of herself and Gray in cowboy hats. Elsewhere, Swift shared a portion of the re-recorded ‘Fearless’ title track during an appearance on today’s Good Morning America.

Last month, Olivia Rodrigo revealed that Taylor Swift sent her a ring matching the one she wore around the time of her album ‘Red’ (2012), along with numerous other gifts. The ‘Drivers License’ singer hailed Swift “the kindest individual in the whole world” following the gesture.

‘Fearless’ (Taylor’s Version)’ is set for release tomorrow (April 9), with Swift posting the record’s tracklisting last week after setting a cryptic puzzle for fans.

Taylor Swift shares cryptic new video hinting at a new collaboration: “Happy decoding!”

“The vault door is about to be as unhinged as you’ll think I am after you watch this video,” she captioned the post. “Level: Expert. Happy decoding!”

The vault door is about to be as unhinged as you’ll think I am after you watch this video.

Level: Expert

Happy decoding! pic.twitter.com/xBXBXGVcdb

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) April 2, 2021

The star recently shared a previously unheard collaboration with Maren Morris called ‘You All Over Me’, which will serve as one of the bonus tracks on the upcoming ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’. Some of the letters in the clip spell out Morris’ name and the song title.

Other words unscramble to Keith Urban’s name, suggesting that he could feature on the next ‘From The Vault’ release. Some of the remaining letters also spell out the words “baby”, “were”, “happy” and “when”.

Swift has already released two tracks in her re-recordings project – the single ‘Love Story’ and the collaboration with Morris. ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’ will be released on April 9.

Meanwhile, a new preview of Swift’s ‘Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version)’ was shared yesterday (April 1) in the latest trailer for the forthcoming animated movie Spirit Untamed.

A first snippet of the ‘1989’ track was released last month when a first-look was given at the DreamWorks film.

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Taylor Swift shares preview of ‘Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version)’

Swift shared footage from the trailer on her Instagram Story earlier today (March 12), captioning it: “Thank you #SpiritUntamed for using ‘Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version)’ in your new trailer!!”

Watch a fan-captured recording of Swift’s Instagram Story below.

‘Wildest Dreams’ will be the second re-recorded song Swift has released this year. Last month, she shared a new version of her 2008 single ‘Love Story’, marking the beginning of her project to re-record her back catalogue.

The musician has re-entered the studio to create new versions of her old songs after music manager Scooter Braun and his media holding company, Ithaca Holdings LLC, acquired Swift’s old label, Big Machine Label Group, back in June 2019. The story hit the headlines again back in November after Swift confirmed that the ownership of her back catalogue had changed hands again for the second time within two years.

Swift confirmed earlier this year that she had finished re-recording her album ‘Fearless’ and that it would be “with you soon”. The new version will come with six “never before released songs from the vault”.

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BTS, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion and more confirmed to perform at Grammys 2021

BTS, Swift, Eilish, and Megan will be joined by the likes of Bad Bunny, Black Pumas, Cardi B, Brandi Carlile, DaBaby, Doja Cat, and Haim in performing at the 63rd Grammys. Mickey Guyton, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Lil Baby, Dua Lipa, Chris Martin, John Mayer, Maren Morris, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch and Harry Styles will also appear.

It's going to be dynamite!

Watch BTS (@BTS_twt) bring the fire and set the night alight at the #GRAMMYs. You don't want miss their performance March 14th at 8pm ET/5pm PT on @CBS: https://t.co/FSYA126ROz #ARMY pic.twitter.com/YNzbFlVBzq

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) March 7, 2021

The Recording Academy has also confirmed that the ceremony will also pay tribute to independent venues, which have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. People who work at those venues, including bartenders and box office managers, will present some of the categories on the night.

The nominations for the Grammys 2021 were announced last year. Dua Lipa has the most nominations with five nods, including Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Album Of The Year.

Big news for #Swifties!@taylorswift13 will be performing at the #GRAMMYs. Watch her performance March 14th at 8pm ET/5pm PT on @CBS: https://t.co/FSYA126ROz pic.twitter.com/cbOzqtyw4H

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) March 7, 2021

Swift is in the running for four awards, while Eilish and Beyoncé are both up for three categories.

The Grammys 2021 was originally scheduled to be held at the end of January, but was postponed at the start of the year due to the surge in coronavirus cases in LA.

The ceremony is traditionally held at the Staples Center. Interim Recording Academy chief Harvey Mason Jr. said earlier this year the 2021 ceremony would instead be held “in and around Downtown Los Angeles”.

Meanwhile, BTS have also been added to the lineup for Music On A Mission, a virtual concert and fundraiser by the Grammys’ MusiCares Foundation. The event will take place this Friday (March 12) and will also feature performances from Haim, H.E.R., Jhene Aiko and John Legend.

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Christian Lee Hutson covers Taylor Swift, ABBA and more on new EP

“We put out Volume 4 of The Version Suicides in August for Bandcamp Day and people seemed to like it so we’re putting out Volume 1 on Friday” (January 15).

Last year, I started recording quiet demo versions of songs I like on my phone just to send to friends.

We put out Volume 4 of The Version Suicides in August for Bandcamp Day and people seemed to like it so we’re putting out Volume 1 on Friday pic.twitter.com/fv6UcfdWuF

— Christian Lee Hutson (@chrisleehutson) January 13, 2021

Listen to Volume 1 of ‘The Version Suicides’, which sees Hutson cover Swift’s ‘Betty’, ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen’ and Vanessa Carlton’s ‘A Thousand Miles’, below.

<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://a-z-l-y-r-i-c-s.musicmir.net/goto/https://christianleehutson.bandcamp.com/album/the-version-suicides-vol-1" >The Version Suicides, Vol. 1 by Christian Lee Hutson</a>

The new EP follows Hutson’s debut album ‘Beginners’, which came out last June and was produced by his frequent collaborator Phoebe Bridgers, who also starred in Hutson’s video for ‘Get The Old Band Back Together’ alongside her Better Oblivion Community Center bandmate Conor Oberst.

“I went with ‘Beginners’ as the title because that’s where I feel like I am in my life,” Hutson said of his debut album, “like I’m still just learning and trying to figure out how to navigate the world”.

Taylor Swift’s ‘Betty’, covered on Hutson’s new EP, features on her first 2020 lockdown album ‘Folklore’, which NME called “an extraordinary indie-folk makeover” upon its release last August.

It was followed in December by another record called ‘Evermore’, which saw Swift working once again with The National‘s Aaron Dessner and regular collaborator Jack Antonoff.

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Taylor Swift says her diaristic songwriting style was “unsustainable” for her future

“It felt too hot of a microscope. On my bad days, I would feel like I was loading a canon of clickbait, when that’s not what I want for my life.

“I think that when I put out ‘Folklore’, I felt like if I can do this thing where I get to create characters in this mythological American town or wherever I imagine them, and I can reflect my own emotions onto what I think they might be feeling and I can create stories and characters and arcs, I don’t have to have it feel like when I put out an album I’m just giving tabloids ammunition and stuff.”

She continued to explain that this new style of writing made her feel that she would be able to “maintain a place of good mental health and emotional health and all that”. “I saw a lane for my future and that was a real breakthrough moment of excitement and happiness,” she said.

Swift also described releasing ‘Evermore’ as giving her a “feeling of quiet conclusion and this weird serenity of we did what we set out to do”. Watch the preview above ahead of the full interview on December 15.

Earlier today (December 13), the musician marked her 31st birthday by sharing a remix of ‘Evermore’ track ‘Willow’. Dubbed the “dancing witch” version, the reworking was produced by Elvira Anderfjärd.

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Ryan Reynolds uses Taylor Swift re-recording to soundtrack dating app advert

Premiering the commercial, Reynolds tweeted the video with the caption “A match made in hell is still a @match. Latest work from @MaximumEffort #2020LoveStory”.

Watch the Match video here:

A match made in hell is still a @match. Latest work from @MaximumEffort #2020LoveStory pic.twitter.com/kGL02PIqin

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 2, 2020

The advert sees Satan and 2020 meet on Match.com, and live out a romance in a range of unlikely scenarios. “So where are you from?” 2020 asks Satan, who replies “Hell.” 2020 then says: “Me too.”

The couple are seen stealing toilet paper and posing for a romantic photo in front of a burning dumpster. Later in the video, they sit in front of a sunset while Satan says of this year, “I just don’t want this year to end.” 2020 then replies: “Who would.”

Last week, Taylor Swift released Folklore: The Long Pond Sessions on Disney+. The concert film-documentary hybrid saw Swift and her collaborators, namely Jack Antonoff and The National‘s Aaron Dessner, perform the record in full for the first time.

In a four-star review of the film, NME said the movie “focuses on gifting fans a rare glimpse behind the scenes” and added that “self-isolation with Swift is a perfect (if unexpected) early Christmas present.”

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Taylor Swift confirms the identity of ‘Folklore’ song co-writer William Bowery

Speaking about the true identity of Bowery, Swift said:“There’s been a lot of discussion about William Bowery and his identity because it’s not a real person.

Taylor Swift CREDIT: Beth Garrabrant/PressShe added: “So, William Bowery is Joe, as we know.”

Swift went on to reveal that the pair wrote ‘better’ together after she heard him singing the chorus to the song during lockdown. She explained: “It was a step that we would never have taken because why would we have ever written a song together?

“So this was the first time we had a conversation where I came in and I was like, ‘Hey, this could be really weird, and we could hate this, so because we’re in quarantine and there’s nothing else going on, could we just try to see what it’s like if we write this song together?’”

Swift also revealed that Alwyn wrote the first verse and piano accompaniment on ‘Exile’.

Taylor Swift has now also shared a new ‘Folklore’ live album on streaming services, in line with her new Disney+documentary.

Reviewing the singer’s quarantine album, NME wrote: ‘Folklore’ feels fresh, forward-thinking and, most of all, honest. The glossy production she’s lent on for the past half-decade is cast aside for simpler, softer melodies and wistful instrumentation.

“It’s the sound of an artist who’s bored of calculated releases and wanted to try something different. Swift disappeared into the metaphorical woods while writing ‘Folklore’, and she’s emerged stronger than ever.”

In other news, ‘Folklore’ has been nominated for a number of 2021 Grammy awards. The singer has been nominated for Album of the Year for the album she created in lockdown. Among three other nods are Best Pop Solo Performance for ‘Cardigan‘, which is also up for Song of the Year.

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Grammys nominations 2021: Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Billie Eilish lead the way

Taylor Swift, meanwhile, has been nominated for Album of the Year for the album she created in lockdown, ‘Folklore‘. Among three other nods are Best Pop Solo Performance for ‘Cardigan‘, which is also up for Song of the Year.

Dua Lipa CREDIT: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for dcp

There are multiple nominations too for Billie Eilish’s ‘Everything I Wanted’ (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance) and Beyoncé’s ‘Black Parade‘ (Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best R&B Performance).

Post Malone and Justin Bieber have also seen their work recognised, including an Album of the Year nod for ‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’ (Post Malone) and Best Pop Solo Performance nod for ‘Yummy’ (Justin Bieber).

And in the Best New Artist category are: Megan Thee Stallion, Phoebe Bridgers, Ingrid Andress, Chika, Noah Cyrus, D Smoke, Doja Cat and Kaytranada.

See the list of nominations below (complete list here):

Record of the Year

‘Black Parade’ – Beyoncé
‘Colours’ – Black Puma
‘Rockstar’ – DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch
‘Say So’ – Doja Cat
‘Everything I Wanted’ – Billie Eilish
‘Don’t Start now’ – Dua Lipa
‘Circles’ – Post Malone
‘Savage’ – Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé

Album of the Year

‘CHILOMBO’ – Jhené Aiko
‘Black Pumas’ (deluxe edition) – Black Pumas
‘Everyday Life’ – Coldplay
‘Djesse Vol.3’ – Jacob Collier
‘Women In Music Part III’ – Haim
‘Future Nostalgia’ – Dua Lipa
‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’ – Post Malone
‘Folklore’ – Taylor Swift

Best New Artist

Ingrid Andress
Phoebe Bridgers
Chika
Noah Cyrus
D Smoke
Doja Cat
Kaytranada
Megan Thee Stallion

Song of the Year

‘Black Parade’ – Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk & Rickie “Caso” Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)

‘The Box’ – Samuel Gloade & Rodrick Moore, songwriters (Roddy Ricch)

‘Cardigan’ – Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)

‘Circles’ – Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Kaan Gunesberk, Austin Post & Billy Walsh, songwriters (Post Malone)

‘Dont Start Now’ – Caroline Ailin, Ian Kirkpatrick, Dua Lipa & Emily Warren, songwriters (Dua Lipa)

‘Everything I Wanted’ – Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)

‘I Can’t Breathe’ – Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)

‘If The World Was Ending’ – Julia Michaels & JP Saxe, songwriters (JP Saxe Featuring Julia Michaels)

Best Pop Solo Performance

‘Yummy’ – Justin Bieber
‘Say So’ – Doja Cat
‘Everything I Wanted’ – Billie Eilish
‘Don’t Start Now’ – Dua Lipa
‘Watermelon Sugar’ – Harry Styles
‘Cardigan’ – Taylor Swift

Best Pop Vocal Album

‘Changes’ – Justin Bieber
‘Chromatica’ – Lady Gaga
‘Future Nostalgia’ – Dua Lipa
Fine Line’ – Harry Styles
‘Folklore’ – Taylor Swift

Best Dance Recording

‘On My Mind’ – Diplo & SIDEPIECE
‘My High’ – Disclosure feat. Aminé, and Slowthai
‘The Difference’ – Flume feat. Toro y Moi
‘Both Of Us’ – Jayda G
‘10%’ – Kaytranada feat. Kali Uchis

Best Rock Album

‘A Hero’s Death’ – Fontaines D.C.
‘KIWANUKA’ – Michael Kiwanuka
‘Daylight’ – Grace Potter
‘Sound & Fury’ – Sturgill Simpson
‘The New Abnormal’ – The Strokes

Best Rock Performance

‘Shameika’ – Fiona Apple
‘Not’ – Big Thief
‘Kyoto’ – Phoebe Bridgers
‘The Steps’ – HAIM
‘Stay High’ – Brittany Howard
‘Daylight’ – Grace Potter

Best R&B Performance

‘Lightning & Thunder’ – Jhené Aiko feat. John Legend
‘Black Parade’ – Beyoncé
‘All I Need’ – Jacob Collier Featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign
‘Goat Head’ – Brittany Howard
‘See Me’ – Emily King

Best R&B Album

‘Happy 2 Be Here’ – Ant Clemons
‘Take Time’ – Giveon
‘To Feel Love/D’ – Luke James
‘Bigger Love’ – John Legend
‘All Rise’ – Gregory Porter

Best Rap Album

‘Black Habits’ – D Smoke
‘Alfredo’ – Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
‘A Written Testimony’ – Jay Electronica
‘King’s Disease’ – Nas
‘The Allegory Royce’ — Da 5’9″

Best Country Album

‘Lady Like’ – Ingrid Andress
‘Your Life Is a Record’ – Brandy Clark
‘Wildcard’ – Miranda Lambert
‘Nightfall’ – Little Big Town
‘Never Will’ – Ashley McBryde

Best Jazz Vocal Album

‘Ona’ – Thana Alexa
‘Secrets Are the Best Stories’ – Kurt Elling Featuring Danilo Pérez
‘Modern Ancestors’ – Carmen Lundy
‘Holy Room: Live at Alte Oper – Somi With Frankfurt Radio Big Band
‘What’s the Hurry’ – Kenny Washington

Best Folk Album

‘Bonny Light Horseman’ – Bonny Light Horseman
Thanks for the Dance’ – Leonard Cohen
‘Song for Our Daughter’ – Laura Marling
‘Saturn Return’ – The Secret Sisters
‘All the Good Times’ – Gillian Welch & David Rawlings

Best Latin Pop or Urban Album
‘YHLQMDLG’ – Bad Bunny
‘Por Primera Vez’ – Camilo
‘Mesa Para Dos’ – Kany García
‘Pausa’ – Ricky Martin
‘3:33’ – Debi Nova

Best Metal Performance

‘Bum-Rush’ – Body Count
‘Underneath’ – Code Orange
‘The In-Between’ – In This Moment
‘Bloodmoney’ – Poppy
‘Executioner’s Tax (Swing Of The Axe) – Live’ – Power Trip

Best Music Film

Beastie Boys Story – Beastie Boys — Spike Jonze, video director; Amanda Adelson, Jason Baum & Spike Jonze, video producers

Black Is King — Beyoncé

We Are Freestyle Love Supreme — Freestyle Love Supreme — Andrew Fried, Video Director; Andrew Fried, Jill Furman, Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sarina Roma, Jenny Steingart & Jon Steingart, video producers

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound Of My Voice — Linda Ronstadt — Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman, video directors; Michele Farinola & James Keach, video producers

That Little Ol’ Band From Texas — ZZ Top — Sam Dunn, video director; Scot McFadyen, video producer

This is a developing story – check back for further updates

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Taylor Swift talks to Paul McCartney about her songwriting pseudonym for Rihanna and Calvin Harris

Taylor Swift CREDIT: Dave Hogan/ABA/Getty Images

McCartney added to the discussion: “Yeah, it also proves you can do something without the fame tag. I did something for Peter and Gordon; my girlfriend’s brother and his mate were in a band called Peter and Gordon. And I used to write under the name Bernard Webb.”

Swift’s co-write on Harris’ single was revealed a few months after its release in April 2016. She reportedly first used the pseudonym, Nils Sjöberg, for that song in order to keep the attention on the music and not on her relationship with Harris, whom she dated for 15 months between 2015 and 2016.

Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift were set to headline Glastonbury 2020 alongside Kendrick Lamar. Credit: Getty Images.

Elsewhere in the interview, McCartney revealed that he wanted to invite Swift on stage with him at Glastonbury 2020 to play ‘Shake It Off’ together.

The pair were set to headline the Pyramid Stage at this year’s festival before it was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The duo also talked about their two quarantine albums. In July, Swift surprise-released new album ‘Folklore’, which she made largely with The National‘s Aaron Dessner during lockdown.

McCartney, meanwhile, recently announced new solo album ‘McCartney III’, ending the 40-year wait for the completion of his trilogy of self-titled albums.

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Taylor Swift shares new message encouraging fans to vote: “Tomorrow is your last chance to make your voice heard”

“But allow me to be the 1 millionth person to remind you that tomorrow is your last chance to make your voice heard and to make your vote count. So if you haven’t voted yet, please do. Stay safe, take care of yourselves, wear a mask, happy voting.”

https://t.co/BrTBvXb08b pic.twitter.com/nXKdykG7eG

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) November 2, 2020

The clip ended on an illustration of Biden and his Vice Presidential running mate Kamala Harris. Watch it above now.

The new message follows the pop star allowing her music to be used in a political advert for the first time last week (October 30). Her song ‘Only The Young’, which featured in her 2020 documentary Miss Americana, soundtracked the commercial from Eric Swalwell, which urged people to vote for the Democratic Party.

Swift officially endorsed Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris last month. She posted a photo on Twitter of her holding a plate of Biden-Harris 2020 cookies and shared a new interview with V Magazine in which she spoke about her reasons for supporting the pair.

“The change we need most is to elect a president who recognises that people of colour deserve to feel safe and represented, that women deserve the right to choose what happens to their bodies, and that the LGBTQIA+ community deserves to be acknowledged and included,” she said in the interview.

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Taylor Swift lets her music be used in political advert for first time

“Up there’s the finish line,” Swalwell wrote underneath the video on YouTube. “Our future is worth our fight. Thank you, Taylor Swift, for voicing what #OnlyTheYoung can do. Let’s run!” Watch the video below now.

‘Only The Young’ featured in Swift’s 2020 documentary Miss Americana and addresses gun violence and US school shootings in the lyrics.

Swift officially endorsed Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris earlier this month. She posted a photo on Twitter of her holding a plate of Biden-Harris 2020 cookies and shared a new interview with V Magazine in which she spoke about her reasons for supporting the pair.

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Watch Yungblud mash up Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne songs for BBC Live Lounge

Yungblud’s appearance was part of the month long annual celebration which ends tomorrow (September 30).

Speaking of his involvement in the series, Yungblud said: “Playing the Live Lounge was always a massive dream of mine – I used to have the CDs as a kid. To do it last year was so insane, but this time I have eight months of repressed energy and a whole lot of fire to get out. So bring your petrol!”

He also announced earlier today (September 29) a new podcast that will air on BBC Sounds.

The Yungblud Podcast will cover “everything young people go through, the fun stuff and the hard stuff”, according to a press release.

“From tough choices as you become an adult, to important conversations with friends and family. First loves, first heartbreaks, first gigs, first times…”

Yungblud (Picture: Getty)

Applicants who are selected to feature on the podcast will have a conversation with Yungblud recorded via phone and/or video call, and fans can submit their stories here until Thursday (October 1).

An introductory episode to The Yungblud Podcast will be available on BBC Sounds today (September 29) before the series itself begins in October.

Yesterday (September 28) Yungblud also announced his ‘Weird Time of Life’ virtual tour in support of his upcoming new album ‘Weird!’.

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Taylor Swift sends 40 signed copies of ‘Folklore’ to Edinburgh record store

Assai owner Keith Ingram said he only was offered the sleeves by Swift’s record company on Wednesday (September 16), with the delivery arriving the following day.

“The last 24 hours have just been bonkers,” he told the BBC. “We’ve had Twitter messages from people all over the world saying they wish they were able to visit the shop and warm wishes about being able to get a signed CD.”

Not sure why his shop received the CDs, Ingram said: “We don’t know if we’re the first UK record shop because we begin with an ‘A’.”

The CDs were made available to personal callers only and could not be reserved online or over the phone.

“They went on sale yesterday about two o’clock and it just went crazy,” Ingram said, explaining that he split the signed CDs between his two shops.

Last month, Swift surprised a number of independent record stores in the US by shipping them signed CD copies of ‘Folklore’.

Released last month, ‘Folklore’ features collaborations with Bon Iver and The National‘s Aaron Dessner. It became the first album in four years to top the Billboard 200 for six weeks in a row.

Meanwhile, Kanye West has said he will “personally” help Taylor Swift get her master recordings back as he continued to discuss rights issues in the music industry on Twitter.

The rapper began the conversation around record deals and artists’ rights earlier this week (September 15) when he shared his own contracts with Sony and Universal.

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