- author, Lucy Clark-Billings
- stock, BBC News
Musician Scooter Braun has announced his retirement from talent management after 23 years.
The entrepreneur, 42, has stepped back to focus on his role as a father, as well as chief executive of entertainment company HYBE America.
Last year, several of Brown’s high-profile clients, including Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, were reported to be parting ways with the manager.
Almost 1,400-word report Brown posted on his Instagram account that he is now “a father first, CEO second, and no manager.”
Born in New York, Brown is one of the world’s most successful music executives.
In 2008, he got his big break when he saw 12-year-old Justin Bieber singing on YouTube.
He tracked the youngster through his school, asked crew members to put him in touch with Bieber’s mother, and signed him to the record label he formed with R&B star Usher.
Brown’s other clients include Demi Lovato, David Guetta, Black Eyed Peas, Ava Max, Carly Rae Jepson and Quavo.
“I decided to step away from music management after one of my biggest clients and friends told me they wanted to spread their wings and go in a new direction,” said Brown.
He did not say who the customer was.
Despite working “24 hours, seven days a week” for her “entire adult life,” Brown said it was “time to step into a new role.”
“As my kids have gotten older and my personal life has had some success, I’ve realized that my kids are three superstars that I’m not willing to lose,” she said.
“I can’t justify the sacrifices I was once willing to make.”
Brown is best known for his feud with Taylor Swift, which began in 2019 when he bought her former record label Big Machine for $300m (£227m) through his investment group Ithaca Holdings.
He gained control of the master recordings of Swift’s first six albums.
In response, Swift blocked requests to use her music in TV shows and movies — cutting off a major source of income for Brown’s investment group.
He then began re-recording his old material, reclaiming the rights to the albums and devaluing the originals.
