INSIDE THE SCOOTER SCANDAL

THE MUSIC MOGUL HAS WORKED WITH MANY STARS, BUT HE’S CONTROVERSIAL AND THE DRAMA IS NOT LETTING UP

- Gracie Boyle

Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Kanye West’s music may appeal to vastly different audiences, but they do share one thing in common: their management.

Best known for being the man behind “Bieber Fever”, music executive Scooter Braun has been linked to some of the music industry’s most high-profile artists.

He made headlines in 2019 following his highly publicised dispute with Taylor Swift, with Braun reportedly not allowing Swift to perform music from her first six studio albums following his acquisition of her masters.

Recently, Braun has also re-entered the spotlight following reports that Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato and Justin Bieber would be cutting ties with his management firm. As rumours continue to circulate surrounding his connection to his A-list clients, WHO takes a closer look at Scooter Braun and his relationship with some of music’s biggest stars.

WHO IS SCOOTER BRAUN?

Scott “Scooter” Braun is a 42-year-old American music executive and entrepreneur. He first entered the music industry in 2002, when he joined So So Def Recordings as a 19-year-old. When he was 20, director Jermaine Dupri appointed him as the executive director of marketing. Braun became well-known for his opulent after-parties, including Britney Spears’ 2004 Onyx Hotel Tour.

Following his success at So So Def, Braun launched his own marketing agency. His first industry discovery came in 2008 when the music executive stumbled across a video of a then-12-year-old Justin Bieber on YouTube.

Braun signed Bieber to RBMG Records in 2008, with the Canadian pop singer releasing his debut EP My World in 2009. Since signing Bieber, Braun has gone on to manage the musical careers of stars including Carly Rae Jepsen, Kanye West, David Guetta, Ariana Grande and Black Eyed Peas.