Taylor Swift has been granted a high-profile exemption in the long-running contract battle between TikTok and Universal Music Group. On Thursday, just a week before the release of Swift’s latest album, some of her songs resurfaced as TikTok took off. tortured poets department. It’s unclear what arrangements have been made for her official musical return, or how long it will remain on the social media platform.
Swift fan and TikTok creator Madeline Macrae heard the news Thursday morning and immediately started searching TikTok and Google to make sure it wasn’t a prank. “I’m really excited to get that catalog back and not have to rely on an accelerated version or an edited version,” she said. “I could use her real music.” Songs like “Cruel Summer,” “Cardigan” and “Style (Taylor’s Version)” are now available to content creators on the platform, first reported type.
In addition to being excited about using the Swift song in the new video, Macrae also thanked the pop star’s music for potentially being unmuted in her past videos on TikTok. “I went back and forth on deleting them or keeping them because they seemed kind of stupidly silent,” she said. When UMG’s music was initially pulled from TikTok’s music library in January, many creators were surprised to find that their past video archives containing certain songs went silent overnight.
does this mean tortured poets department Can albums be used in videos on TikTok? Although not sure yet, McRae is hopeful: “I think this move also shows the power of Taylor Swift.” Billie Eilish, another major UMG artist, will soon will promote her upcoming album May’s Hit me hard, hit me softlybut fans of Eilish will have to wait and see if her music will also return before TikTok goes offline.
Most UMG artists have been absent from TikTok for nearly 10 weeks, which has significantly changed the user experience on the social media platform and opened the door for non-UMG artists such as Beyoncé to take advantage of TikTok’s algorithm to become popular.
It remains a mystery when the long-running contract dispute between TikTok and UMG will be resolved. As one of the world’s largest record labels, UMG’s removal of songs from TikTok has impacted the careers of many established artists and rising stars. Several artists expressed frustration with the move, often citing disrupted marketing plans or a reduced audience reach. A spokesman for Universal Music Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Regardless of what ultimately happens between the two companies, Swifties on TikTok are grateful to have her music back as they prepare to host listening parties to celebrate the new album. “I already know the plans for Friday night,” McCray said. “Stay with friends, drink some wine, and listen to this album.” Sounds like a real social media night.