Scooter Braun Responds to Taylor Swift’s Emotional Remarks on Masters Dispute
Beverly Hills, August 19, 2025 – Music mogul Scooter Braun has addressed Taylor Swift’s recent comments about their long-standing dispute over the ownership of her master recordings, opting for a measured and conciliatory tone. Swift, speaking on the New Heights podcast with Travis Kelce and his brother Jason on August 14, 2025, became emotional while recounting her battle to reclaim her first six albums’ masters, describing them as her “handwritten diary entries” and detailing the moment she learned she had regained ownership. Braun, approached by TMZ in Beverly Hills on Monday, kept his response brief: “I wish everybody the best,” before heading to his car, avoiding further escalation of the years-long saga.
The Roots of the Feud
The conflict began in June 2019 when Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group, Swift’s former label, for $330 million, gaining control of the masters for her albums Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), and Reputation (2017). Swift publicly condemned the deal on Tumblr, calling it her “worst case scenario” and accusing Braun of “incessant, manipulative bullying.” She claimed she was not given a fair opportunity to purchase her masters, learning of the sale only when it was announced publicly.
Braun, in subsequent interviews, expressed regret over the fallout, telling NPR in 2022 that he assumed Swift would be open to working together post-acquisition. He claimed negotiations to sell the masters back to her were underway but stalled due to disagreements, including Swift’s allegation that Braun’s team required her to sign an NDA preventing negative comments about him. In 2020, Braun sold the masters to Shamrock Holdings for over $300 million, a move Swift criticized, noting that Braun would continue to profit from her work for years.
Swift’s Victory and Emotional Reflection
Swift’s response was to re-record her albums, releasing Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Red (Taylor’s Version), Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) between 2021 and 2023. These efforts allowed her to own the new masters and diminish the value of the originals. On May 30, 2025, Swift announced she had successfully purchased her masters from Shamrock Holdings, a milestone she celebrated as her “greatest dream come true.” During the New Heights podcast, she recounted collapsing in joy in Kansas City after her mother delivered the news post-Super Bowl, emphasizing the personal significance of reclaiming her life’s work.
Braun’s Response and Public Sentiment
Braun’s succinct comment to TMZ reflects his recent approach of avoiding confrontation, a stance he reiterated at a Bloomberg Screentime event in October 2024, where he said, “It’s five years later. I think, everyone, it’s time to move on.” He has also addressed the backlash, including death threats from some of Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, which he described as “dangerous” in a 2022 NPR interview. Braun, who retired from music management in 2024 after parting ways with clients like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, maintains that “everyone in the end won,” citing the financial success of the masters’ sale and Swift’s re-recording triumph.
Public reaction on X shows polarized views. Some users praise Swift’s resilience, with one stating, “Taylor took back her power, and that’s iconic.” Others defend Braun, arguing he made a legitimate business move, with a post reading, “Scooter did what was legal. Swift weaponized her fanbase to vilify him.” The 2024 docuseries Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun: Bad Blood reignited debate, though Swift’s team emphasized she has “completely moved on” from the saga.
Broader Implications
Swift’s victory has sparked industry-wide discussions about artists’ rights, inspiring newer musicians to negotiate master ownership in contracts. The dispute, one of the most high-profile in music history, underscores the power dynamics between artists and executives. As Swift prepares for her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl, set for release on October 3, 2025, her focus remains on creative control, while Braun’s response signals a desire to close this chapter.
The legal and cultural fallout from this feud continues to resonate, with Swift’s re-recordings proving a masterclass in reclaiming artistic legacy. For now, Braun’s brief statement suggests an end to public sparring, but the saga’s impact on the music industry endures.
Sources: TMZ, Halla Back, Wikipedia, Billboard, TODAY, SoapCentral, ELLE, Variety, Us Weekly