Scooter Braun, who had unofficially quit managing the likes of Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande two years ago, has now made the decision official.

Scooter Braun , who had unofficially stepped back from managing such top artists as Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande at least two years ago, finally made it official on Monday: He is stepping back from being a manager to focus on being CEO of HYBE America, the company to which he sold his own Ithaca Holdings company in 2021, and to focus on his family. He made the announcement via a nearly 1,400-word statement that follows in full below.

By Jem Aswad

Jun 17, 2024 07:56 AM

Starting by introducing Justin Bieber in the late 2000s, and then going on in the late 2000s with Ariana Grande and many other artists, Braun quickly became one of the most acclaimed and hard-charging managers in the world of music. At the age of 40, Braun and his SB Projects company had achieved some the David Geffen-sized goals which included bringing several artists to fame and the organization of “One Love Manchester” -the biggest concert for charity that featured Grande, Bieber, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Mac Miller, Miley Cyrus and many more, following the 2017 terrorist attack at the Ariana Grande concert that claimed the lives of 22 people were killed within only two weeks.

However, his reputation was ruined by the controversial purchase in 2018 rights to Taylor Swift’s initial six albums as part of the acquisition of Big Machine Record Group, which she claimed was unprofessional in the best way possible and was followed by several months of threats from Braun and a few of his customers and associates at the time, such as Bieber as well as Kanye West. Despite her outspoken criticism of him — as well as her fans’ relentless attacks on social media, Braun was able to sell the catalogue in the hands of Shamrock Holdings for some $300 million, netting a handsome profit. He then sold Ithaca Holdings to HYBE for an astonishing $1.05 billion.

Soon after there was a rumor that some of Braun’s customers were dissatisfied and came out in the summer of last year after reports suggested that Bieber and Grande have parted ways with him. Despite initially denials by SB the announcement was confirmed later on the year, as were remarks made off the record that Braun had stepped away from management.

In his long and floral declaration, Braun speaks fondly of his clients throughout the years, including his first client Asher Roth, along with Bieber, Grande, Carly Rae Jepsen Psy, Lil Dicky, Tori Kelly, Demi Lovato, J Balvin, Quavo, Zac Brown, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Steve Angello, producer Andrew Watt, YG, Kid Laroi, Dan + Shay and long-time business partner Usher and says that he’s left his management firm in the good care of Alison Kaye and Jenn McDaniel.

Find the complete statement here:

23 years. 23 years. That’s how long I’ve been a manager of music. Twenty-three years ago, a 19-year-old kid began managing an artist called Cato at Atlanta, GA and my journey began. Over the years I’ve experienced many things I would never have thought of. I’m fortunate to live an “Forrest Gump”-like life, while watching and being a part of the adventures of some of the most gifted people that on the planet. I’m always pinching my self and wondering “how did I get here?”

After 23 years, this chapter as a manager of music is now over.

It’s a weird feeling since I’ve thought about this for quite a while but was nervous to answer “who would I be without them?” I was just 19 years old young when I began. For the rest of my adult life, I played the position that of an manager for artists who was on call 24/7 and 7 days a week. For 20 years, I enjoyed it. It was the only thing I had ever known. As my children grew older while my private Iife also took some beatings, I came to the realization that they were the three stars I was not willing to let go of. The sacrifices I used to be willing to make, I could no more justifiably. It was the right time to assume the new role.

In this new chapter, I am delighted to be a board member for Hybe and also serve as the chief executive officer for Hybe America. My wonderful partner of the last three years Chairman Bang [Si-Hyuk] has a vision that I believe in. Beyond that, he’s become a genuine friend who is aware of what I need to be doing at this moment in my life. That’s an absolute father first and CEO next, and no longer a manager.

In the last two years I’ve been working towards this direction however it wasn’t until the summer of last year that this new chapter came to real. One of my most cherished clients and colleagues informed me that they would like to expand their wings and take a different direction. We’d experienced so many things in the past decade however instead of being grieved, I considered it a signal. It’s true that life doesn’t give you a plan, but rather God’s plan. In fact, God has been directing me towards this direction for a while. I am awestruck for the people I’ve had the privilege of working with throughout my career and as we begin to build relationships that are different I will remain there to advise and help them whether in person or via a distance. Every client I’ve been privileged to work with has transformed my life and I’m sure some of them are only getting the recognition they deserve. I’ll be cheering for each and every one of them.

I’ve seen my best friend Andrew Watt win the Grammy for the Producer of the Year. I’ve laughed and cried as Lil Dicky transformed into DAVE. I have seen this angel of person Tori Kelly win Grammys and appear in movies. I’ve watched J Balvin live out his ambitions of breaking boundaries and Demi exhibit the kind of grace and kindness that only a few megastars can offer. I’ve been touched by how Zac Brown Band raised our flag and played the songs. I was elated when I first saw Animals featuring Martin Garrix, and learned about a whole new world through David Guetta and Steve Angello. I’ve danced to the tune of Cry Me Maybe by Carly RaeJepsen Call Me Maybe and smiled from ear to ear when PSY delivered our Gangnam Style. I’ve watched Quavo become an entrepreneur and serve in Kanye’s “gateway drug to business” when we enjoyed a decade of success. It was a joy to be at one point able to call him my friend. I’ve marched with YG and traveled across Australia along with Laroi to watch the home town boy rock the arena. I’ve seen Dan and Shay change from being local Nashville writers to sold-out headliner as well as award-winning performers. The list of performers continues to grow for over 23 years. Many stories to tell that will take me a long time to mention. From the first few years of my relationship together with Asher Roth to watching my partner and brother Usher take over in the Super Bowl this year, it’s really overwhelming.

It was Christmas Day when Ariana and Justin were the most popular male and female members of Spotify Billions club that I looked at them with a smile at the considered “what a ride.” Justin and Ariana were both teenagers when I first started working with them. Justin was a 13 year old teenager who was busking in Canada and Ariana was a young actress on Nickelodeon. The chance to see them both rise to become the icons who they’re today is going to be among my highest accomplishments. When we begin to change our working relations now I will be a fan with the same fervor that I had at the time first day of their beginnings. I will always remember the pranks and the water park shows performed by Justin and Ari, as well as that first moment when Ari started an arena tour as well as her exuberance on the of the stage. I will always remember how they each stepped up to help other people and I was able to watch them both change the world and change history. There is never a time in which I don’t take immense joy and gratitude for the work we have done together. This is the same to many times I’ve been privileged to have the privilege of being described as “manager”.

There’s been a lot written about the current situation within our organization… and also in my own career. When we were successful, I was pleased, and when we faced challenges, I attempted to always follow the highest path. However, over the past three years I’ve started to realize that taking this path has caused confusion and ambiguity about the person we really are. I might have resigned my management position, and my business relationships with clients is likely to change and evolve, but this doesn’t mean that the company itself is going to leave. We are both Allison Kaye and Jennifer McDaniels are more than able to lead and when we bring in new resources, the possibilities for their leadership are limitless. These two formidable women are now stepping into the role I am sure will develop into the most formidable female-led management company in the history of our industry. Although my name might be on the list throughout the years but the reality is that there’s nobody like Allison Kaye, and few are able to match the poise and grace as Jen McDaniels.

Hybe is a company that Hybe can’t stop growing and we will expand. With the introduction to QC for Hybe America and our existing business with Big Machine, we will continue to add outstanding executives and artists to our roster. The WeVerse platform and expanding gaming unit is something that the entire industry can be proud of and become part of. Being able to A&R and Executive produce Jung Kook’s solo work Jung Kook last summer, and to work with the other BTS members BTS in breaking world records, was an absolute honour. With the addition of new acts like NewJeans, TXT, LE SSERAFIM, Seventeen, ILLIT, The Scarlet Opera, Ava Max, and many other exciting new ventures and artists The prospects are bright. I’m honored to serve as the board of directors, Chairman Bang along with Jiwon Park as we grow HYBE from the multi-billion-dollar publicly traded business it is today, to the multi-faceted entertainment company it’s going to be. With Hybe running strong, I am eager to continue to invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs, and serving as a board member for the national office for Make A Wish and help people and communities with our Braun family’s Braun Foundation. Between that and working with my children, I’m never worried about being too busy 🙂

It’s been 23 years since the last time. Yes this chapter is coming close to a conclusion. But the legendary Berry Gordy once told me “young man, it never ends the way you wanted, but it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.” The wisdom of this quote has proved to be right. I was never able to see the way this story would end and I had no idea it was taking place. However, it happened. and I’ll treasure every moment. I had a plan… But it’s turned out I prefer God’s plan more. Cheers!