The name Scooter Braum has enough weightage to unite the biggest names in the music industry. He was able to rope in industry giants like included Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, the Black Eyed Peas, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Mac Miller, Marcus Mumford, Niall Horan, Little Mix, Katy Perry, Take That, Imogen Heap, Pharrell Williams, Robbie Williams, and Liam Gallagher to perform at the “One Love Manchester” charity concert in 2017.
Braun is known to have goldsmith’s eyes, which he can discover before a star is born. With his influential networks and global reach, he ensures that all the artists under his management reach their fullest potential and beyond.
However, his Übermensch complex of acquiring anything he wants seems to have irked many of his industry peers.
But there’s no denying he is the most influential name in the music industry with global reach. The majority of artists who could penetrate international markets are signed under Braun’s management. The point is, he’s a Scooter with the power of Harley-Davidson (pun intended).
However, it seems like this year is not much in favor of Braun.
Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and J.Balvin are rumored to have left Scooter Braun’s agency. Although most cited an “amicable” split, sources are stating contrasting reports on why the artists left Scooter Braun.
Here is a rundown of the events so far.
Why Are People Quitting Scooter Braun?
The 42-year-old manager previously founded his agency Schoolboy Records and holding company, Ithaca Ventures. His name rose to prominence when he signed with stars like Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber.
Braun did not waste a second in expanding his empire by acquiring other high-net-worth companies. One of which was Big Machine Record Group in 2018. But this deal proved to have tarnished Braun’s reputation following an intense war with the Swifties.
By acquiring the record company, Braun also purchased the masters of Taylor Swift’s six albums– Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation from her former manager Scott Borchetta. She exposed this management for “incessant, manipulative bullying.”
Soon her entire fandom charged Braun on social media accusing him of shady business, while Taylor Swift started re-recording her six albums and released them under her own name.
Taylor’s statement on Braun’s unfair dealings–
“For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work. Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to Big Machine Records and ‘earn’ one album back at a time, one for every new one I turned in.”
“I walked away because I knew once I signed that contract, Scott Borchetta would sell the label, thereby selling me and my future. I had to make the excruciating choice to leave behind my past. Music I wrote on my bedroom floor and videos I dreamed up and paid for from the money I earned playing in bars, then clubs, then arenas, then stadiums. Some fun facts about today’s news: I learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world. All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I’ve received at his hands for years.”
“This is my worst case scenario. This is what happens when you sign a deal at fifteen to someone for whom the term ‘loyalty’ is clearly just a contractual concept. And when that man says ‘Music has value’, he means its value is beholden to men who had no part in creating it. When I left my masters in Scott’s hands, I made peace with the fact that eventually he would sell them. Never in my worst nightmares did I imagine the buyer would be Scooter. Any time Scott Borchetta has heard the words’ Scooter Braun’ escape my lips, it was when I was either crying or trying not to. He knew what he was doing; they both did. Controlling a woman who didn’t want to be associated with them. In perpetuity. That means forever.”
Even after severe backlash, he managed to sell that catalog to Shamrock Holdings for some $300 million. He then sold his Ithaca Holdings for $1.05 Billion to the South Korean Agency HYBE, which manages the biggest band in the world, BTS. Before going further, here’s a quick sassy clip of our leader RM shading his “labelmate” –
Cut to the present, Braun’s most prized artists are leaving the company. Although the reasons are not confirmed yet, one of the sources told Variety–
“All of Scooter Braun’s clients are under contract and negotiations have been going on for several months as Scooter steps into his larger role as HYBE America CEO.”
“People are spreading rumors based on what they know, but they are off. Scooter’s team at SB Projects are still handling both Justin and Ariana as they work through what this new structure looks like.”
However, other sources also suggested that Braun’s management is falling apart due to certain insider secrets and redevelopments. And also reported that he has been stepping down from most of his responsibilities and instead leaning towards managing his CEO position with HYBE America.
Is Ariana Grande Leaving Scooter Braun? Why Is Ariana Grande Leaving Scooter Braun?
Ariana Grande signed with the SB Projects in 2013. She then released her debut album Yours Truly, which became an instant hit. On August 21, Puck Reporter Matthew Beloni first reported that Ariana had discontinued her contract with Scooter Braun.
Ariana had previously defended Braun during the Swift backlash. However, both have not yet released their official statement regarding Ariana’s departure from the agency.
Did Justin Bieber Leave Scooter Braun?
Justin Bieber was the first to come to Braun’s support after Taylor’s accusation. He also shared a cryptic post, shading the “Shake It Off” singer. He later apologized to the singer in an Instagram post–
Braun first signed Justin Bieber when he popped off with his first hit single, “Baby.”
But in the latest developments to the reports, Justin reportedly sold his catalog to Hipgnosis Song Management for $200 million in January 2023. This raised speculations over the rising tension between Braun and Bieber. However, Bieber’s reps have denied that he was dropping Scooter.
A source revealed that he still has projects in the pipeline under Braun’s management. The Sources further revealed that–
“Justin and Scooter are still working together. Justin is not taking meetings to look for new management. The two recently worked on something together.”
Why Are People Leaving Scooter Braun Explained
DEMI LOVATO
Another hit singer, Demi Lovato, signed with Scooter Braun in 2019. They also came to Braun’s defense amid the Swifty War. They wrote in an Instagram Post–
“I have dealt with bad people in the industry and Scooter is not one of them. He’s a good man. Personally, I’m grateful he came into my life when he did. Please stop ‘dragging’ people or bullying them. There’s enough hate in this world as it is.”
However, it was recently reported that Demi would be seeking new management after four years with SB projects.
Sources stated the decision was “mutual and amicable,” per Variety. The “Stone Cold” singer announced that she would be re-recording her old songs in a new rock-inspired genre for a project titled “Revamped.”
J.BALVIN
The hitmaker rapper J.Balvin signed with SB Projects in 2019. Braun praised the rapper, saying–
“He is not only an incredible talent, but his work ethic and creativity are what has allowed him to be one of the top global acts in any language. He loves his culture and his energy is contagious. We are excited for this new adventure together.”
In the latest update, J.Balvin’s reps revealed that J.Balvin had left the management in May 2023 without divulging much details on this sudden split.
IDINA MENDEL
The iconic “Let It Go” singer has also reportedly left Braun’s company.
Here are the artists/models who are still under Braun’s management–
Ashley Graham, Ava Max, Asher Roth, Babyjake, The Blacked Eyed Peas, Calista Clark, Carly Rae Jepsen, Dan + Shay, David Guetta, Eden, Gunner Gehl, Hilary Duff, Jenna Raine, Justin Bieber, Kaliii, Kelly Rowland, The Kid LAROI, The Knocks, Lil Dicky, Ozuna, Paul Pogba, PSY, Push Baby, Quavo, Social House, The Spencer Lee Band, Steve Angello, The Scarlett Opera, Tori Kelly, The Wanted, Watt, and YG.
What are your thoughts on Braun’s downfall? Do you think there is a more serious reason that the management is hiding? Or is Braun considering focusing on HYBE full-time?
Let us know in the comments section below.
