It’s a big year for Taylor Swift once again as the 34-year-old singer has claimed the top spot on the 2024 Billboard Power 100 list. The list, which ranks the most influential figures in the music industry, was revealed on January 31st. Typically, the list is dominated by music industry executives, but Swift’s achievement as the top-ranking musician is only the second time this has happened. (The first time was in 2014 when Beyoncé and Jay-Z claimed the top spot.)
Swift, upon hearing the news of her ranking, shared some words of wisdom for others in the music industry looking to make an impact.
“The advice I’d offer to fellow executives is that the most innovative ideas often break away from industry norms,” shared Swift with Billboard. “Some of the biggest turning points in my career involved trusting my instincts and pushing forward despite initial doubts.”
Swift began penning songs about romance and heartbreak in the early 2000s, catching the attention of industry professionals who saw her potential. Since her debut album in 2006, she has become a prominent figure in the music industry, captivating audiences worldwide.
The singer emphasized the importance of taking calculated risks in her career, highlighting the significance of stepping outside of one’s comfort zone.
“When people tell me something hasn’t been done successfully before, it just fuels my determination,” she explained. “Sometimes you have to trust your instincts and take a risk. My re-recordings are a prime example of this, and I’m thankful to my team and fans for joining me on this journey because it truly changed my life.” Taylor Swift may not be celebrating her birthday until December 13, but she has already made a significant impact on the pop culture scene this year. With numerous Grammy wins under her belt, Swift’s career reached new heights with the launch of her highly anticipated Eras Tour and its accompanying concert film, both of which shattered records across the industry.
After holding onto her masters for a little over a year, Braun decided to sell the rights to Swift’s music to Shamrock Holdings for a whopping sum of over $300 million in 2020. Swift was taken aback as the sale happened without her knowledge. In response, Swift announced her plans to re-record her first six albums – Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation.
The first of these re-recordings titled Fearless (Taylor’s Version) was released in April 2021. In addition to revamped versions of the original tracks, Swift also treated fans to “From the Vault” songs – tracks she had penned at the time but hadn’t released previously. Since then, she has unveiled three more re-releases – Red (Taylor’s Version) in November 2021, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) in July 2023, and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) in October 2023 – all of which have enjoyed tremendous success on the charts.
What is your preferred rerecorded Taylor Swift song?
During her announcement as the TIME Person of the Year in December 2023, Swift gave insight into her long-lasting success.
“My reaction to any situation, whether positive or negative, is to continue creating. Keep producing art,” she mentioned. “I’ve also come to realize there’s no use in actively trying to overcome your adversaries. The negativity will always remove itself in the end.”
In 2019, Scooter Braun, a music manager, purchased the label Big Machine Records, which was previously owned by Taylor Swift. This acquisition also included the rights to Swift’s music. Braun and Swift have a longstanding connection that goes back to 2016.
