In a recent candid interview at the Bloomberg Screentime event in Los Angeles, former music manager Scooter Braun finally addressed his long-standing feud with Taylor Swift, which has been a subject of heated discussion since 2019. The 43-year-old shared his perspective on the ongoing conflict over Swift’s master recordings, stating that it’s time for everyone to “move on.”
Origins of the Feud
The rift between Braun and Swift began in 2019 when Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group, a music label owned by Scott Borchetta. Along with the acquisition came the master rights to Swift’s first six albums. Swift, who had been with Big Machine since the beginning of her career, claimed that the sale was conducted without her consultation. She further alleged that Braun placed restrictions on her ability to perform her own hits live.
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These actions led to a highly publicized fallout between the two. Swift denounced the deal, and the feud spilled into public view, with fans and celebrities alike taking sides. Swift eventually re-recorded her early albums, a move that empowered her to take control of her music and assert her rights as an artist.
Braun’s Perspective on the Documentary
While Braun had largely remained silent about the feud in recent years, the release of the two-part documentary series Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood prompted him to speak out. Initially hesitant to watch the documentary, Braun admitted during the event that he eventually decided to view it after encouragement from his parents.
“I wasn’t going to watch it because I just thought it was going to be, like, another hit piece,” Braun said. “But my dad called me and my mom, and they were like, ‘We just watched it. We think you should watch it.’ So I did.”
According to Braun, while the documentary revisited old ground, it failed to present the entire truth. “A lot of things were misrepresented,” he added, without delving into specific details.
Time to Move On
During his remarks, Braun made it clear that he wants to put the feud behind him. “It’s five years later. I think it’s time to move on,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of direct communication in resolving conflicts. “I think doing it out on social media and in front of the whole world is not the place,” Braun noted. “When people actually take the time to stand in front of each other and have a conversation, they usually find out the monster’s not real. And that has not happened.”
While Braun did not address Swift directly, his comments suggested a desire for closure. He highlighted the need for people to communicate privately rather than airing grievances publicly, perhaps alluding to how their feud had unfolded in the media.
Praise for Taylor Swift
Interestingly, despite their contentious history, Braun offered high praise for Swift when asked about the artists he admires. He mentioned that if he were to build a company around any artist, Swift would be his top choice.
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“She’s relentless,” Braun said. “Artists like Taylor are the ones you should always bet on.” His acknowledgment of Swift’s talent and hard work seemed to reflect a respect for her career, despite their differences.