Scott Samuel “Scooter” Braun stands as one of the most polarizing and financially successful figures in the modern music industry. Best known for discovering Justin Bieber on YouTube and building an empire through talent management, media acquisitions, and venture investments, Braun transformed how artist managers operate in the digital era.
| Quick Fact Sheet | Details |
| Full Name | Scott Samuel Braun |
| Date of Birth | June 18, 1981 |
| Age | 45 years old |
| Place of Birth | New York City, New York |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$500 Million – $1 Billion |
| Key Ventures | SB Projects, Ithaca Holdings, HYBE America |
| Notable Clients Managed | Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Kanye West, Dan + Shay |
Early Life and Background
Scooter Braun was born on June 18, 1981, in New York City to Conservative Jewish parents, Ervin and Susan Braun. His father was a dentist and his mother a orthodontist. His family relocated to Greenwich, Connecticut, where Braun attended Greenwich High School.
During his high school years, Braun excelled in sports, serving as class president and playing varsity basketball. Braun later attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. While studying in Atlanta, he began organizing and promoting parties for college students, which caught the attention of local hip-hop executives. His success in party promotion led Jermaine Dupri to hire him as the head of marketing for So So Def Recordings at just 19 years old, prompting Braun to drop out of Emory to pursue his music career full-time.
Career Trajectory: From Party Promoter to Entertainment Mogul
[2002] Heads Marketing at So So Def
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[2007] Launches SB Projects & Discovers Justin Bieber
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[2019] Acquires Big Machine Label Group ($330M)
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[2021] Sells Ithaca Holdings to HYBE ($1.05B)
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[2024] Retires from Artist Management
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[2025-2026] Transitions Out of HYBE & Focuses on Investments
1. The Discovery of Justin Bieber and SB Projects
In 2007, Braun established his own entertainment and marketing company, SB Projects. That same year, while searching for talent online, he accidentally clicked on a YouTube video of a 12-year-old Canadian kid named Justin Bieber singing Ne-Yo’s “So Sick.” Recognizing Bieber’s raw talent and market potential, Braun tracked down Bieber’s mother, Pattie Mallette, and convinced her to bring Justin to Atlanta.
Braun partnered with Usher to sign Bieber to a joint venture, Raymond Braun Media Group (RBMG), in partnership with Island Def Jam. Bieber’s breakout global success established Braun as a master strategist skilled at using social media to cultivate obsessive fanbases.
2. Expanding the Roster
Following Bieber’s global rise, Braun expanded SB Projects into a powerhouse talent management firm. Over two decades, his client roster featured major global artists, including:
- Ariana Grande
- Demi Lovato
- Kanye West
- J Balvin
- Dan + Shay
- Tori Kelly
- The Kid LAROI
3. Ithaca Holdings and the $1 Billion Sale to HYBE
In 2019, Braun established Ithaca Holdings, an umbrella organization consolidating his music, tech, and film ventures. Ithaca made headlines in 2019 by purchasing Big Machine Label Group for an estimated $330 million, securing the rights to the master recordings of Taylor Swift’s first six studio albums.
In April 2021, South Korean entertainment juggernaut HYBE—the company behind K-pop sensation BTS—acquired 100% of Ithaca Holdings for over $1.05 billion. As part of the acquisition, Braun received millions in shares, joined HYBE’s board of directors, and assumed the role of CEO of HYBE America.
4. Retirement from Artist Management and HYBE Transition
After 23 years in talent management, Braun announced his formal retirement from artist management in June 2024. He cited a desire to step back from the 24/7 demands of managing high-profile celebrities to focus on his children, personal investments, and strategic corporate responsibilities.
During his tenure at HYBE America, Braun orchestrated major deals, including the $300 million acquisition of hip-hop powerhouse Quality Control Music. He stepped down as CEO of HYBE America in mid-2025 and subsequently concluded his board tenure, shifting into a broader strategic and advisory role to pursue independent business and tech investments.
High-Profile Disputes and Controversies
The Taylor Swift Masters Dispute
The defining controversy of Braun’s career occurred following Ithaca Holdings’ acquisition of Big Machine Records in June 2019. The deal included the master rights to Taylor Swift’s music catalog from 2006 to 2017.
Swift publicly criticized the sale, calling it her “worst-case scenario” and accusing Braun of “ceaseless, manipulative bullying.” The controversy spurred Swift to systematically re-record her entire early catalog—released as “Taylor’s Version”—a move that redefined music copyright and artist ownership across the industry. Braun sold the original masters to private equity firm Shamrock Holdings in late 2020 for a reported $300 million.
Management Exodus and Client Splits
In mid-to-late 2023, reports surfaced that several high-profile clients—including Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and Idina Menzel—were ending their management relationships with SB Projects. While rumors of conflict circulated, Braun maintained that the departures were part of a planned transition as he prepared to step away from day-to-day talent management.
Personal Life, Marriage, and Philanthropy
Family and Relationships
- Marriage to Yael Cohen: Braun married Yael Cohen, founder of the health organization Fuck Cancer, in July 2014. The couple had three children together: Jagger Joseph, Levi Magnus, and Hart Violet.
- Divorce: Braun and Cohen filed for divorce in July 2021, finalizing the settlement in September 2022. Braun frequently cites his family as his main priority, noting that co-parenting his children was a major factor in retiring from full-time manager duties.
Net Worth and Venture Investments
With an estimated net worth between $500 million and $1 billion, Braun’s wealth spans media assets, high-end real estate, and early-stage venture capital. His early investments included stakes in:
- Uber
- Spotify
- Dropbox
- Scale AI and OpenAI
Philanthropy
Through the Braun Family Foundation, Braun supports multiple charitable causes, including Pencils of Promise (founded by his brother, Adam Braun), Make-A-Wish Foundation, and various organizations focused on youth education, social justice, and cancer research.
