In a surprising turn of events, it has been reported by multiple sources that pop sensations Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato have chosen to part ways with high-profile music manager Scooter Braun. According to Billboard and confirmed by Entertainment Weekly, both Lovato, aged 31, and Grande, aged 30, have decided to sever their professional ties with the music mogul. While the exact reasons behind this significant split remain veiled, it marks a notable shift in the music industry landscape.
Grande initially joined forces with Braun’s entertainment conglomerate SB Projects back in 2013. This collaboration coincided with the release of her debut album “Yours Truly.” However, the precise timeline of Grande’s departure from Braun’s management remains ambiguous.
Similarly, Lovato, who joined Braun and SB Projects in 2019, has also reportedly cut her business ties with him. Billboard disclosed that Lovato’s separation from Braun occurred in July. Although Lovato hasn’t yet announced new management, reports suggest that discussions with potential representatives are already underway. Notably, sources indicate that the parting of ways between Lovato and Braun has been amicable.
As of now, neither Lovato nor Grande has issued any public statements regarding the matter. Meanwhile, Braun appeared to respond to the reports with a touch of humor on social media, tweeting, “Breaking news… I’m no longer managing myself.”
Grande and Lovato are not the only artists to have recently departed from Braun’s roster. In a shift that caught many by surprise, Colombian reggaeton sensation J Balvin left SB Projects to join the entertainment agency Roc Nation in May.
Amidst these changes, rumors had also circulated about Justin Bieber’s potential separation from Braun, the man who propelled him to stardom. However, these rumors were swiftly debunked. A representative for Bieber clarified that the claims of a falling out between the two are “not true.”
While some artists have moved on, SB Projects still continues to represent a range of prominent figures, including pop sensation Carly Rae Jepsen, Quavo from the rap ensemble Migos, electronic music titan David Guetta, and the iconic Black Eyed Peas.
Scooter Braun, recognized as a significant player in contemporary music management, has encountered his fair share of controversies. Notably, his well-publicized feud with Taylor Swift captured headlines. In 2019, Braun’s investment group acquired Big Machine Records, Swift’s former label, which held the rights to her first six albums. This acquisition placed Swift’s master recordings under Braun’s ownership.
In response, Swift embarked on a journey to reclaim creative control. She revealed in 2020 that she intended to re-record her early albums, as Braun declined her offer to purchase her masters. Swift’s re-recorded releases, including “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” and “Red (Taylor’s Version),” not only delighted her dedicated fanbase but also impacted the value of Braun’s original master recordings.
Scooter Braun’s influence expanded when he sold Ithaca Holdings to the South Korean entertainment giant Hybe in 2021. The conglomerate, known for managing global sensations like BTS, absorbed Braun’s company, with him assuming the role of sole CEO for Hybe America.
As the music industry continues to evolve, these recent shifts in management highlight the dynamic nature of artist-manager relationships and the profound impact they can have on an artist’s career trajectory.
Source: GlobalNews
