A pioneer in the music industry, she challenged nearly universal business standards that had been begrudgingly accepted by decades of artists. She transitioned from country queen to pop star, a genre crossover and musical evolution that cemented her status as a global icon.She became the self-appointed protector of her work, re-recording her catalog when the rights to her first six albums were sold against her will.
“Her ability to turn creativity into influence and influence into economic power is a story worth telling, and one that goes well beyond music. I’m pleased to be able to showcase this story through this series and share the insights of so many who’ve seen, experienced or studied the Taylor Swift effect and its vast impact up close.”
Through the lens of Swift’s 2020 music video for her song “The Man” – in which she decried the sexism and double standards of the business world by portraying her chauvinistic alter ego Tyler Swift -- experts discuss how she vocally and visually resonated with a fanbase that identified with her professional struggles.
The video represented one of Swift’s most public stances against the inequalities of male-dominated industries – perfectly complementing the song’s lyric, “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can, wondering if I can get there quicker if I was a man.”