Music mogul Scooter Braun has made a significant announcement, revealing his retirement from talent management after an illustrious 23-year career in the industry. The 42-year-old entrepreneur shared that he is stepping back to prioritize his role as a father and focus on his position as the chief executive of entertainment company HYBE America.
Last year, reports surfaced indicating that some of Braun’s high-profile clients, including Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, were parting ways with him. In a detailed statement exceeding 1,400 words posted on his Instagram account, Braun emphasized that he now identifies as ‘a father first, a CEO second, and a manager no more’.
Braun, originally from New York, is renowned as one of the most successful music managers globally. His breakthrough moment arrived in 2008 when he discovered a 12-year-old Justin Bieber showcasing his talents on YouTube. Braun’s strategic move led him to track down the young talent through his school, eventually signing him to a record label he co-founded with R&B sensation Usher.
Throughout his career, Braun has represented a diverse array of artists, including Demi Lovato, David Guetta, Black Eyed Peas, Ava Max, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Quavo. The decision to step away from music management stemmed from a pivotal moment when ‘one of my biggest clients and friends’ expressed a desire to explore new horizons, prompting Braun to reevaluate his priorities.
Despite dedicating countless hours to his work ’24 hours a day, seven days a week’ throughout his adult life, Braun acknowledged that the time had come for a change. Reflecting on his personal life and the growth of his children, he emphasized that his family now takes precedence over professional pursuits, leading him to a new chapter.
Braun’s career has not been devoid of controversy, notably marked by his public feud with Taylor Swift. The conflict arose in 2019 when Braun’s investment group, Ithaca Holdings, acquired Swift’s former record label Big Machine for a substantial sum. This acquisition granted Braun control over the master recordings of Swift’s initial six albums, triggering a series of events that saw Swift reclaim ownership of her music and re-record her earlier works.
The departure of Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato from Braun’s management roster adds another layer of complexity to his legacy in the music industry. Swift’s vocal opposition to the handling of her music rights further underscores the intricate dynamics at play within the realm of talent management and artist representation.
