We’ve heard how Taylor Swift was disappointed when Scooter Braun and his company became the new owners of her music. We’ve heard how Kelly Clarkson believes Swift should re-record and then release all of her music through her own name. And now, finally, Scooter Braun has spoken about the debacle.
Since the
release of the news, Braun has been inundated with criticism and hate, so it’s
important we report his side of the story too. On the Wide Open podcast
from Tony Gonzalez, Braun never actually named Swift directly but it was clear
that the ‘drama’ he spoke about was in regard to the stories that came out
earlier this year.
If you haven’t seen this story already, Braun became the new owner of Big Machine, a record label that owned Swift’s master recordings. In a transaction that contained around $300 million, it went through his company, Ithaca Holdings, and it sparked an outcry about the man himself. Swift was upset that he now owned all the original copies and even accused Braun of bullying.
‘Not
Based on Any Truth’
First and
foremost, Braun denied the claims that came his way and noted how they were
‘not based on any truth’. What’s more, he noted his frustration that people ‘don’t
have all the information’. In the interview, Braun actually came across very
well and received praise for his calm nature. He stated that he was happy to
have a conversation with anyone who was willing to listen; however, people
often take sides on social media without all the facts. After making up their
mind, they refuse to believe anything else other than their existing views.
When speaking
about his actions in general, he said ‘I don’t do anything with malicious
intent. I try to do things above board. I try to do the right thing.’ When
asked about the future and how this story will progress, he noted how ‘as long
as the people that I love and respect are my compass, that’s the direction I am
going to go.’
Swift
– ‘This Was Utterly Shocking’
Not so long
ago, Swift joined Rolling Stone for an interview and noted how she
was annoyed that it was Braun who actually signed the deal and took over the
label. After working together for 15 years, the sale of the label meant that
Scott Borchetta would no longer work with Swift.
With this, she
said that even though they had creative differences, ‘I…thought he looked at me
as the daughter he never had’. Therefore, the deal with Braun ‘was a
redefinition of betrayal for me.’
For Braun, his
reputation may have taken a hit in the industry in recent months, but he still
works with huge names including Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and
Tori Kelly. For Swift, it seems she will re-record old songs and release them again. We’re sure
her avid fans will buy them, but will Braun accept this method of side-stepping
the original masters?
