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Taylor Swift accuses Scooter Braun of ‘shameless greed in the time of coronavirus’ over live album

‘This release is not approved by me,’ singer told her fans

Clémence Michallon
Friday 24 April 2020 08:10 BST
Taylor Swift joins One World: Together at Home as last performer of the night

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Taylor Swift says her former record label is releasing a live album of her performances without her authorisation.

The singer made the announcement on her Instagram Story on Thursday, saying her fans had alerted her to the situation.

“I want to thank my fans for making me aware that my former record label is putting out an ‘album’ of live performances of mine tonight,” she wrote.

“This recording is from a 2008 radio show performance I did when I was 18. Big Machine has listed the date as a 2017 release but they’re actually releasing it tonight at midnight.”

She added: “I’m always honest with you guys about this stuff so I just wanted to tell you that this release is not approved by me.”

Swift went on to mention music executive Scooter Braun, with whom she’s had a long-standing feud.

The singer has also experienced a very public falling out with Big Machine, her original record label.

“In my opinion... Just another case of shameless greed in the time of coronavirus,” she added. “So tasteless, but very transparent.”

Screenshots posted by fans on social media suggest that an album titled “Taylor Swift Live From Clear Channel Stripped 2008” had become visible to some online, with 2017 as the apparent release date.

The Independent has contacted Braun’s team and Big Machine for comment.

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