After a total of 23 years in management, Scooter Braun has decided that it is time to call it quits.
On June 17, the music mogul, who is 42 years old and has been instrumental in guiding the careers of popular artists such as Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and Dan + Shay, made the announcement that he would be retiring from management. However, he disclosed that he would continue to serve as the CEO of the entertainment business HYBE America.
Braun announced the announcement in a long message on Instagram, starting with a recollection of his first experience managing an artist, Cato, for the first time in Atlanta when he was 19 years old. “Along the way I have had so many experiences I could never have dreamt of,” he said in his journal.
“I have been very fortunate to have lived a life similar to that of Forrest Gump, while simultaneously being able to see and participate in the adventures of some of the most phenomenally creative individuals the world has ever seen. When I look at myself, I can’t help but pinch myself and wonder, “How did I get here?” In addition, Braun said that after 23 years of working as a music manager, this chapter has finally come to an end.
“It’s an odd sensation because I really feared answering the question, ‘Who would I be without them?’ I believe that I have desired this for quite some time, but I was actually terrified to answer it. During the time that I began, I was really just 19 years old. “Therefore, throughout the entirety of my adult life, I was an artist manager who was available around the clock, seven days a week,” he went on to emphasize. And for twenty years, I really enjoyed it. All I had ever known was that.”
“But 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,” wrote the father of three, who has boys Levi and Jagger as well as daughter Hart with his ex-wife Yael Cohen. “I was not willing to lose my children.” In July of 2021, Braun filed a petition for divorce from Cohen, and the divorce was formalized in September of in 2022.
It is no longer possible for me to rationalize the sacrifices that I was previously ready to make. According to Braun, who has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of HYBE America for the last three years, together with his business partner Bang Si-Hyuk, who is the chairman of the worldwide firm, “it was time to step into a new role.” [He] has a vision that I have complete faith in. Nevertheless, in addition to that, he has developed into a genuine buddy who is aware of the circumstances in which I must be living at the moment. This individual is a parent first, a chief executive officer second, and a manager third.
During the summer of 2023, Braun said that “one of my biggest clients and friends told me that they wanted to spread their wings and go in a new direction.” Braun noted that he had been considering leaving management for “the past two years,” but the concept started to seem more real to him at that time.
“We had been through so much together over the past decade, but instead of being hurt I saw it as a sign,” he said further.
Braun continued saying, “You see, life does not hand you YOUR plan; rather, it hands you GOD’s plan.” This was part of his statement that he was retiring. And for quite some time, God has been urging me to go in this particular route.
“I have nothing but love for those I have worked with over the years, and 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 stated to reporters. Every single one of the clients that I have had the honor of working with has contributed to the transformation of my life, and I am aware that many of them are only starting to realize the success that they deserve. I am going to show my support for each and every one of them.
Braun provided an explanation for his decision to leave the management industry after he had reflected on his time spent working with artists such as Andrew Watt, Lil Dicky, Tori Kelly, J Balvin, Lovato, Zac Brown Band, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Steve Angello, Carly Rae Jepsen, PSY, Quavo, Kanye West, YG, The Kid LAROI, Dan+ Shay, Asher Roth, and Usher.
Towards the end of the year 2023, Grande and Bieber achieved unprecedented levels of success, which prompted Braun to contemplate his working relationship with both artists from the very beginning of their careers and his experience of seeing them “change the world and make history” ever since.
“There has been a lot said about what is happening in our company… and in my career,” said the CEO, who came under fire in 2019 for becoming the owner of Taylor Swift’s music catalog after his company Ithaca Holdings acquired her former label, Big Machine Label Group, for $300 million from Scott Borchetta, who worked with Swift from 2006 until she left Big Machine for Universal Music Group in 2018. Borchetta bought Big Machine Label Group from Ithaca Holdings.
Furthermore, Braun made headlines after becoming the sole CEO of HYBE America in the previous year. This occurred around the same time that it was reported that numerous of his clients had decided to stop working with him or collaborate with him.
When we were successful, I would display a grin, and when we were attacked, I would always make an effort to pursue the better path. However, over the course of the last three years, I have come to the realization that choosing the high road has resulted in uncertainty and ambiguity over who we are. He said this while mentioning that his colleagues Allison Kaye and Jennifer McDaniels would now be responsible for management responsibilities.
Braun will “serve as a national board member of Make A Wish and help individuals and communities through our family’s Braun Foundation,” he explained. This is in addition to his work at HYBE, which includes acts such as NewJeans, TXT, LE SSERAFIM, Seventeen, ILLIT, The Scarlet Opera, and Ava Max. Additionally, Braun will be working with Big Machine Label Group and WeVerse.
So, sure, it has been twenty-three years since you last heard from me. In addition, the ending of this chapter is now complete. On the other hand, the legendary Berry Gordy once told me, “Young man, it never ends the way you wanted, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.” That sage advice has been shown to be entirely accurate,” Braun said.
I had no idea how this chapter would come to a close; in fact, I had no idea that it would even take place. On the other hand, it did. I will treasure each and every one of those moments. He continued by saying, “I made my plan, but it came to my attention that I prefer God’s plan more.” “Cheers!”
