Scooter Braun, the renowned music manager who has been at the center of a high-profile feud with Taylor Swift, has announced his retirement from talent management after 23 years. The 42-year-old executive shared the news in a heartfelt Instagram post, reflecting on his career and his decision to step back.
In his post, Braun expressed gratitude for his journey, likening it to a “Forrest Gump”-like experience. He acknowledged the extraordinary talent he has worked with over the years, including Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. “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,” he wrote.
Last summer, reports surfaced that many of Braun’s high-profile clients were parting ways with him. Puck News reported that Bieber and Braun, who had worked together for the singer’s entire career, “haven’t talked in months.” Billboard and People also reported that Grande was splitting with Braun. Despite these reports, a source in the music industry told USA TODAY that the rumors were “off,” insisting that Braun was simply stepping into his larger role as CEO of HYBE America.
HYBE America is the U.S. division of the South Korean entertainment company known for managing BTS. Braun became the sole CEO of HYBE America last year. In his statement, Braun said his decision to retire from management stemmed from a desire to spend more time with his children. “I need to be a father first, a CEO second, and a manager no more,” he wrote.
He also mentioned that his new chapter “became a reality” last summer when “one of my biggest clients and friends told me that they wanted to spread their wings and go in a new direction.” Although he did not name the client, it was a significant moment for him.
Braun’s retirement comes five years after his infamous feud with Taylor Swift. In 2019, Swift objected to Braun gaining ownership of the master recordings for her first six albums upon acquiring her old record label, Big Machine Records. She accused Braun of “incessant, manipulative bullying” and announced she would re-record these albums to own the masters. Swift has two albums left to re-release before completing this project: “Reputation” and “Taylor Swift.”
In 2022, Braun told MSNBC that Swift had “every right” to re-record her albums but criticized her for “weaponizing a fanbase” against him, calling it “very dangerous.” Braun later sold Swift’s masters to the private equity firm Shamrock Capital Content Fund. A documentary about the masters dispute, titled “Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood,” is set to premiere on Max this month.
In his Instagram post, Braun gave shout-outs to many artists he has worked with, including Bieber and Grande, whom he said he will “continue to root for.” He reflected on his long career and the sacrifices he made, stating that it was time to step into a new role. “As my children got older, and my personal life took some hits, I came to the realization that my kids were three superstars I wasn’t willing to lose,” he wrote. “The sacrifices I was once willing to make I could no longer justify.”
Braun’s decision to retire marks the end of an era in the music industry. His career began with managing a young Justin Bieber, whom he discovered on YouTube. Over the years, he has managed some of the biggest names in music, including Demi Lovato, David Guetta, and Carly Rae Jepsen. Despite the controversies, Braun’s impact on the music industry is undeniable.
As he steps back from management, Braun will focus on his role as CEO of HYBE America and spend more time with his family. He shares two sons and one daughter with his ex-wife, Yael Cohen. Braun and Cohen finalized their divorce in 2022.
In his statement, Braun also reflected on the loss of a major client last summer, which caused him to reconsider his future. He did not mention any names but may have been referring to Ariana Grande. “One of my biggest clients and friends told me that they wanted to spread their wings and go in a new direction. We had been through so much together over the last decade, but instead of being hurt, I saw it as a sign,” he wrote. “You see, life doesn’t hand you YOUR plan, it hands you GOD’s plan.”
Braun concluded his post by expressing his love and support for the artists he has worked with over the years. “As we develop a different working relationship, I will always be in their corner to consult and support them, whether it be directly or from afar,” he wrote.
With his retirement, Braun leaves behind a legacy of managing some of the biggest names in music. His journey has been marked by both triumphs and controversies, but his impact on the industry is undeniable. As he steps into his new role, the music world will be watching to see what comes next for Scooter Braun.
