Music mogul Scooter Braun has announced his retirement from talent management after a successful 23-year career.
The 42-year-old entrepreneur shared that he is stepping back to prioritize his role as a father and as the chief executive of entertainment company HYBE America.
Last year, there were reports that some of Braun’s high-profile clients, such as Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, were ending their professional relationships with him. In a lengthy statement posted on his Instagram account, Braun expressed that he is putting fatherhood first, followed by his CEO duties, and is stepping away from his role as a manager.
Hailing from New York, Braun rose to fame as one of the world’s most prominent music managers. His breakthrough moment came in 2008 when he discovered a 12-year-old Justin Bieber singing on YouTube. He embarked on a journey to sign Bieber to a record label he co-founded with R&B star Usher, which kickstarted the young artist’s stellar career.
Aside from Bieber, Braun’s client roster includes well-known names such as Demi Lovato, David Guetta, Black Eyed Peas, Ava Max, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Quavo. The decision to transition away from music management came after a significant client expressed their desire to explore new opportunities, although Braun did not disclose the identity of this client.
While reflecting on his career, Braun admitted to working tirelessly around the clock for many years. However, as his children grew older and he faced personal challenges, he realized the importance of prioritizing his family over professional pursuits. This realization led him to embrace a new chapter in his life.
Notably, Braun was embroiled in a public feud with Taylor Swift in 2019 after acquiring her former record label, Big Machine, for $300 million through his investment group Ithaca Holdings. This acquisition resulted in Braun gaining control of Swift’s first six albums’ master recordings. In retaliation, Swift began re-recording her old music to regain ownership and devalue the originals.
As Scooter Braun bids farewell to his illustrious career in talent management, he leaves behind a legacy of discovering and nurturing some of the biggest names in the music industry.
