"This is Scooter Braun, bullying me on social media when I was at my lowest point. He's about to own all the music I've ever made."
In an emotional Tumblr post, Taylor Swift expressed her dismay over Scooter Braun's acquisition of Big Machine Label Group on Sunday, saying that she is "sad and grossed out" by the development.
According to Billboard, Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings agreed to acquire Big Machine Label Group in a deal that could top $300 million. The Big Machine label roster includes several country stars including Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, and Reba McEntire. Braun currently manages Justin Bieber and has served artists like Ariana Grande and Zac Brown Band.
Taylor Swift left the Big Machine label for Universal Music Group in November of 2018. Despite the move, Big Machine retained Swift's catalog, from her first self-titled album through her most recent album release "Reputation". That catalog now belongs to Scooter Braun.
"This is my worst case scenario," Swift said. "This is what happens when you sign a deal at fifteen to someone for whom the term 'loyalty' is clearly just a contractual concept."
According to the post, Swift found out about the deal when it was announced.
"All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I've received at his hands for years," she said, mentioning instances with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West where Braun was involved.
Swift ended the Tumblr post with a message of encouragement: "And hopefully, young artists or kids with musical dreams will read this and learn about how to better protect themselves in a negotiation. You deserve to own the art you make."
See the full Tumblr post below:
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