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What did Scooter Braun say about Taylor Swift?

MUSIC executive Scooter Braun and pop legend Taylor Swift have been at odds over album ownership for years.

Braun broke his silence regarding their feud, saying he wishes Swift “nothing but the best.”

Scooter Braun broke his silence on the Taylor Swift music ownership saga
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Scooter Braun broke his silence on the Taylor Swift music ownership saga

What did Scooter Braun say about Taylor Swift?

Scooter Braun, 40, dished to about his longstanding feud with Taylor Swift regarding ownership of her music.

The manager, who is responsible for the careers of Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, told the publication that he was “sad” about Swift’s reaction, saying: “I regret and it makes me sad that Taylor had that reaction to the deal…

“All of what happened has been very confusing and not based on anything factual. I don’t know what story she was told. 

“I asked for her to sit down with me several times, but she refused. I offered to sell her the catalog back and went under NDA, but her team refused. 

Braun says he asked Swift to 'sit down' with him several times to discuss the sale of her albums, alleging that 'she refused'
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Braun says he asked Swift to 'sit down' with him several times to discuss the sale of her albums, alleging that 'she refused'Credit: Getty

“It all seems very unfortunate. Open communication is important and can lead to understanding. 

He continued: “She and I only met briefly three or four times in the past, and all our interactions were really friendly and kind. I find her to be an incredibly talented artist and wish her nothing but the best.”

However, Swift released a statement back on November 16, 2020, regarding the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) Braun allegedly wanted her to sign, saying: “He would never even quote my team a price,” and that she was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement that would “silence [her] forever.”

Yet, Braun’s team dismissed Swift’s claim to Variety and said that “negotiations had started in earnest.”

When did Scooter Braun and Taylor Swift begin feuding?

Swift’s dispute with Braun started in 2019 when her former label, Big Machine, sold her masters to him without telling her.

Last October, Braun took it upon himself to sell Swift’s masters, videos, and artworks to an equity firm called Shamrock Holdings for $300 million in a deal that meant he would still profit from them.

BRIT Awards 2021 - Taylor Swift wins the Global Icon award

She was offered the chance to partner with the firm but refused because of Braun’s involvement.

Braun will continue to profit from the original recordings of her music as the owner of her masters.

Taylor Swift has been re-recording every single one of her past albums to gain ownership of them
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Taylor Swift has been re-recording every single one of her past albums to gain ownership of themCredit: PA:Press Association

However, if she re-records all her versions, he will not earn money from them. 

In a statement she released on February 11, 2021, she briefly spoke about the ownership saga, : “I've spoken a lot about why I'm remaking my first six albums, but the way I've chosen to do this will hopefully help illuminate where I'm coming from.

"Artists should own their own work for so many reasons, but the most screamingly obvious one is that the artist is the only one who really *knows* that body of work.”

Swift had branded Braun as an "incessant, manipulative bully” in the past over the feud. 

Braun addressed the insult and told Variety he is “firmly against anyone ever being bullied.”

“I always try to lead with appreciation and understanding,” he added. 

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“The one thing I’m proudest of in that moment was that my artists and team stood by me. They know my character and my truth. That meant a lot to me. In the long run, I’m happy for my life’s work to be the legacy I leave behind.”

On June 17, 2024, Braun announced via his Instagram that he was retiring from music management to focus on being the CEO of his new company, HYBE America.

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