Scooter Braun Retires From Artist Management: 'This Chapter Has Come To An End'

Scooter Braun has announced his retirement from artist management after a 23-year run that saw him manage the careers of acts ranging from Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato and J Balvin, among others.

“I've been blessed to live a life like 'Forrest Gump' while watching and participating in the journeys of some of the most talented people the world has ever seen,” Braun said in a statement issued Monday (June 17). ). “I keep pinching myself and asking 'how did I get here?' And after 23 years, that chapter as an indispensable manager has come to an end.”

Braun sold Ithaca Holdings, the parent company of SB Projects, to South Korean entertainment group HYBE in 2021. Braun will continue his work as CEO of HYBE America.

Read his full statement:

23 years old. That's how long I've been a music director. 23 years ago a 19 year old kid started managing an artist named Cato in Atlanta, GA and my journey began. Along the way I had so many experiences that I could never have dreamed of. I have been blessed to live a life like 'Forrest Gump' while watching and participating in the journeys of some of the most extraordinarily talented people the world has ever seen. I keep pinching myself and asking “how did I get here?” And after 23 years, that chapter as an indispensable manager has come to an end.”

It's a weird feeling because I think I've wanted this for a long time, but I was really afraid to answer the question “who would I be without them?” I was actually only 19 years old when I started. So for my entire adult life I played the role of an artist manager on call 24/7. And for 20 years I loved it. It's all I knew. But as my children grew up and my personal life achieved some success, I realized that my children were 3 superstars that I was not willing to lose. The sacrifices I was once willing to make I could no longer justify. It was time to step into a new role.

In this next chapter, I was honored to join Hybe's board of directors and serve as CEO of Hybe America. My brilliant partner for the past 3 years, President Bang, has a vision that I truly believe in. But even beyond that he has become a true friend who understands where I need to be in my life these days. And this is a father first, a CEO second and no longer a manager.

I've been heading towards this destination for the past 2 years, but it wasn't until last summer that this new chapter became a reality. One of my biggest clients and friends told me 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 being hurt, I saw it as a sign. You see, life doesn't give you YOUR plan, it gives you GOD's plan. And God has been pushing me in this direction for quite some time. I have nothing but love for those I have worked with over the years, and as we develop a diverse working relationship, I will always be in their corner to advise and support them either directly or from afar. Every client I've had the privilege of working with has changed my life and I know many of them are just starting to see the success they deserve. I'll be cheering for every single one of them.

I arrived to see my friend Andrew Watt
win the Grammy for producer of the year. I have
laughed and cried as Lil Dicky truly did
DAVE. I have seen an angel of a man
Tori Kelly wins Grammys and stars in movies. I have
they saw J Balvin fulfill his dreams of being broken
boundaries and Demi shows kindness and grace
that few megastars have. I am moved as
The Zac Brown Band raised our flag and delivered
hits. I was blown away the first time I heard Animals
with Martin Garrix and learned a new world with
David Guetta and Steve Angello. I have danced
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen and smiling ear
listen as PSY brought us Gangnam Style. I have
I watched Quavo become an entrepreneur and
served as Kanye's “drug gateway to the business.”
as we had amazing years of success when it was me
once I was able to call him my friend. I have marched
with YG and flew to Australia with Laroi to see
hometown boy rocks an arena. I have seen Dan

We go from local Nashville writers to sold out
headliners and award winners. The list of artists
has been going on and on for over 23 years. So many stories
he would take me forever in the name. Of these first
years with Asher Roth watching my partner and
Brother Usher dominates the Super Bowl this year,
it's really overwhelming.

But it was last Christmas when Ariana
and Justin became the oldest male and female
in the history of the Spotify Billions club that I
he just smiled and thought “what a ride”. Justin
and Ariana were both young teenagers when
I started with them. Justin is a 13 year old boy
busking in Canada and Ariana a young actress
on Nickelodeon. To see them both ascend
be the legends they are today will be forever
one of my greatest accolades. As we change ours
working relations now, I will continue to root
for them with the same passion that I did
each from their humble beginnings. i remember it
pranks and the water park show with justin, and
the first time Arie opened an arena tour and she
side scene excitement. I remember like both
I stepped up for others and became their witness
everyone changes the world and writes history. There
there will never be a day that I don't feel very proud
and honor to what we accomplished together.
The same can be said for so many I had
pleasure of being once called “manager”.

Much has been said about what it is
that is happening in our company… and in my career.
When we were successful, I smiled, and when we
they were attacked I tried to always take the high
road. But in the last 3 years I have started
to feel that taking the high road created
confusion and ambiguity about who we are. I
I may have given up my role in management, and
My business relationship with many clients will
we change and change, but that doesn't mean we
as a company they are leaving. Both Alison Kaye
and Jennifer McDaniels are more than capable
to lead and as we combine new resources the
the opportunities with their leadership are endless. These two incredibly powerful women are going to do it now
step into a role that I know will evolve more
impressive business run by women
the industry has seen us yet. While my name can
it's been at the door all these years, the truth
there is no one as brilliant as Alison Kay, and
few who can pull it off with grace and poise
by Jen McDaniels.

We at Hybe will continue to grow. With the
adding QC to Hybe America and our existing
business at Big Machine, we will continue
add amazing executives and artists to the roster.
The WeVerse platform and our growing games unit
it's something the entire industry can celebrate
and participate. Getting the opportunity to A&R and
Executive Produce Jung Kook's solo career
last summer and work with the other members
of BTS as we break world records, it was
absolute value. 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 am honored
Join Chairman Bang and Jiwon Park as we grow
HYBE from the multi-billion dollar publicly traded
company is today in the global multifaceted
entertainment platform meant to be.

With Hybe going strong, I'm also looking
to continue investing in a new generation
of entrepreneurs and functions as a national council
member of Make A Wish and help people
and communities through our family's Braun
Foundation. Among all this and coaching
guys i'm not worried about being busy 🙂

So yes, it's been 23 years. And yes, this chapter
reached its end. But the great Berry Gordy
he once told me “young lady, it never ends
as you wanted, but it doesn't mean he didn't
happen.” This wisdom has been proven correct.
I never saw how this chapter would end, hell, me
I didn't even see it happen. But it happened. And I will do
appreciate every moment of it. I made my plan…
but it turns out I like God's plan better. Cheers!