Music mogul Scooter Braun, known for guiding the careers of stars like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, announced his retirement from management on June 17 to focus on family. He also revealed that he will continue as the CEO of the entertainment company HYBE America.
Braun shared the news in a lengthy Instagram statement, starting with a memory of his first experience managing an artist, Cato, in Atlanta at 19.
‘Along the way I have had so many experiences I could never have dreamt of,’ he wrote.
‘I have been blessed to have had a 'Forrest Gump'-like life while witnessing and taking part in the journeys of some of the most extraordinarily talented people the world has ever seen. I'm constantly pinching myself and asking 'how did I get here?' And after 23 years this chapter as a music manager has come to an end,’ said Braun.
‘It's a strange feeling because I think I have wanted this for a while, but I was truly afraid to answer the question 'who would I be without them?' I was really just 19 years old when I started. So for my entire adult life I played the role of an artist manager on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And for 20 years I loved it. It's all I had known,’ he continued.
‘But as my children got older, and my personal life took some hits, I came to the realization that my kids were 3 superstars I wasn't willing to lose,’ wrote the father of three, who shares sons Levi and Jagger as well as daughter Hart with ex-wife Yael Cohen. (Braun filed for divorce from Cohen in July 2021, and it was finalized in September 2022.)
‘The sacrifices I was once willing to make I could no longer justify. It was time to step into a new role,’ wrote Braun, who has been the CEO of HYBE America for three years alongside his professional partner Bang Si-Hyuk, the chairman of the international company. ‘[He] has a vision I truly believe in. But even beyond that, he has become a true friend who understands where I must be in my life these days. And that is a father first, a CEO second, and a manager no more,’ he added.
Braun explained that he has been contemplating stepping away from management for ‘the past two years,’ but the idea became more tangible in the summer of 2023 when ‘one of my biggest clients and friends told me that they wanted to spread their wings and go in a new direction.’
‘We had been through so much together over the past decade, but instead of feeling hurt, I saw it as a sign,’ he added.
In his retirement announcement, Braun continued, ‘You see, life doesn't hand you YOUR plan, it hands you GOD's plan. And God has been pushing my in this direction for some time.’
‘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 said.
‘Every client I have had the privilege of working with has changed my life, and I know many of them are just beginning to see the success they deserve. I will cheer for every single one of them,’ he added.
Braun speaks fondly of his clients over the years, including his first client Asher Roth, along with Justin Bieber, Ariana 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, The Kid Laroi, Dan + Shay, and longtime business partner Usher. He states that he has left the management company in good hands with Alison Kaye and Jenn McDaniel.
‘There has been a lot said about what is happening in our company… and in my career. When we had success I smiled, and when we were attacked I tried to always take the high road. But for the last 3 years I have begun to feel that taking the high road has created confusion and ambiguity as to who we are. I may have left my role in management, and my business relationship with many clients will alter and change, but this does not mean we as a company are leaving. Both Allison Kaye and Jennifer McDaniels are more than capable to lead and as we combine new resources the opportunities with their leadership are endless. These two incredibly powerful women will now step into a role that I know will grow into the most impressive women-led management business our industry has even seen. While my name may have been on the door all these years, the truth is there is no one as brilliant as Allison Kaye, and few who can manage with the grace and poise of Jen McDaniels,’ his statement read.
‘We at Hybe will continue to grow. With the addition of QC to Hybe America and our existing business at Big Machine, we will continue to add amazing execs and artists to the roster. Our WeVerse platform and growing gaming unit is something the whole industry can celebrate and join. Getting the opportunity to A&R and Executive Produce the solo career of Jung Kook last summer, and work with the other members of BTS as we break worldwide records, has been an absolute honor. With new acts like NewJeans, TXT, LE SSERAFIM, Seventeen, ILLIT, The Scarlet Opera, Ava Max, and many other new artists and ventures, the future is bright. I’m honored to join Chairman Bang and Jiwon Park as we grow HYBE from the multi-billion dollar publicly traded company it is today to the worldwide multifaceted entertainment platform it is destined to be. With Hybe going strong I am also looking forward to continuing to invest in a new generation of entrepreneurs and serve as a national board member of Make A Wish and help individuals and communities through our family’s Braun Foundation. Between all of this and coaching my kids I’m not worried about being busy :),’ he concluded.
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