Taylor Swift’s One Move Is Now Helping Artists Make MoneyEvolve EditorsFri, May 1, 2026 at 4:11 AM UTC

0

Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

Taylor Swift’s 2018 record contract with UMG is now benefiting artists by helping them make money. On April 29, Universal Music Group (UMG) reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2026. As per that revelation, UMG is selling half its Spotify stake and sharing proceeds with artists. This is because Swift signed a 2018 deal with UMG that included a clause requiring artists to also benefit financially when recording companies make major financial decisions.

Taylor Swift’s 2018 contract is now helping artist make money

Taylor Swift’s 2018 contract with UMG is now helping artists make money. According to Reuters, UMG’s Spotify stake totals about 3.151 billion U.S. dollars. Sir Lucian Grainge, UMG’s Chairman and CEO, shared, “Central to that mission is fostering an environment that protects artists and songwriters, champions human creativity, and embraces innovation at a pivotal moment for our industry.”

Matt Ellis, CFO of UMG, revealed in a statement, “In addition, the important steps we are announcing today to increase our share buyback authorization and monetize a portion of our equity stake in Spotify will lead to enhanced shareholder value while maintaining the flexibility the Company requires to drive further success.”

The company’s decision to share proceeds with its artists aligns well with a particular “condition”. The same condition was included in Swift‘s 2018 deal with UMG. The “Opalite” singer wrote on Instagram at the time, “As part of my new contract with Universal Music Group, I asked that any sale of their Spotify shares result in a distribution of money to their artists, non-recoupable.”

Continuing further, she penned, “They have generously agreed to this, at what they believe will be much better terms than paid out previously by other major labels.”

Advertisement

Furthermore, she stated, “I see this as a sign that we are headed towards positive change for creators — a goal I’m never going to stop trying to help achieve, in whatever ways I can” (via PEOPLE).

The “Lover” crooner has revolutionized the music industry in a big way. Swift has advocated for the compensation of artists by streaming services. She had previously removed her music from Spotify for a period. This is because she believed the platform’s model was adversely affecting album sales.

Not only that, in 2015, Swift successfully convinced Apple Music to pay artists during its three-month free trial period.

Originally reported by Anwaya Mane on Mandatory.

The post Taylor Swift’s One Move Is Now Helping Artists Make Money appeared first on Reality Tea.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”