Scooter Braun Retires From Artist Management After 23 Years
Scooter Braun, known for guiding the careers of major artists like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and J Balvin, has announced his retirement.
Braun reflected on his career in a statement, “I have been blessed to have had a ‘Forrest Gump’-like Life while witnessing and taking part in the journeys of some of the most extraordinarily talented people the world has ever seen. I’m constantly pinching myself and asking ‘how did I get here?’ And after 23 years, this chapter as a music manager has come to an end.”
Braun started his management career at 19, managing an artist named Cato in Atlanta, GA. Over the years, he became a prevalent name in the industry, working with many artists. However, his most notable client was Taylor Swift, with whom he had a highly publicized dispute over music rights. In 2019, Swift accused Braun of “incessant, manipulative bullying” and expressed her distress over his acquisition of her master recordings. This led Swift to re-record her early albums and release them as “Taylor’s Version,” gaining sole control of her music.
Swift describes the ordeal in a 2019 Tumblr post: “All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I’ve received at his hands for years… Now, Scooter has stripped me of my life’s work that I wasn’t given an opportunity to buy. Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it. This is my worst-case scenario.”
During this period, Braun sold Swift’s master rights to Shamrock Holdings for over $300 million, further straining their professional relationship. The fallout from this controversy saw Braun lose several high-profile clients, including Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, and Ariana Grande.
Braun later shared his thoughts when he enacts Swift’s worst-case scenario: “I regret, and it makes me sad that Taylor had that reaction to the deal.” He also refutes the claims of harassment and manipulation on his part as stated by the Tortured Poets Department artist, “I’m firmly against anyone ever being bullied. I always try to lead with appreciation and understanding. The one thing I’m proudest of in that moment was that my artists and team stood by me. They know my character and my truth. That meant a lot to me,” he emphasized.
Braun has decided to focus on his role as CEO of HYBE America, an entertainment lifestyle platform company based on music. “In this next chapter I have been honored to join as a board member of HYBE and serve as the CEO of HYBE America. My brilliant partner these past three years, Chairman Bang, has a vision I truly believe in,” Braun shared. He emphasized his shift in priorities, stating, “But even beyond that, he has become a true friend who understands where I must be in my Life these days. And that is a father first, a CEO second, and a manager no more.”
Over the past two years, Braun has gradually transitioned away from artist management. This shift was solidified last summer when one of his biggest clients pursued a new direction. Braun saw it as a sign, “Life doesn’t hand you YOUR plan; it hands you GOD’s plan. And God has been pushing me in this direction for some time.”
Numerous highlights have marked Braun’s journey. He has seen Andrew Watt win the Grammy for Producer of the Year, Tori Kelly win Grammys and star in films, and J Balvin break boundaries. He also saw the rise of artists like Carly Rae Jepsen, PSY, Quavo, Kanye West, YG, and Laroi. Reflecting on these experiences, Braun stated, “There will never be a day where I don’t take great pride and honor in what we accomplished together.”
In closing, Braun shared a piece of wisdom from Berry Gordy, “Young man, it never ends the way you wanted, but it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.” Embracing this sentiment, Braun expressed his gratitude for the journey and his excitement for the future.
