When news broke that Scooter — who manages the likes of Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande — acquired Big Machine Records and, along with it, Taylor’s entire back catalog of music, she took to Tumblr and accused the music manager of “incessant, manipulative bullying.” The “Look What You Made Me Do” songstress claimed that she was completely blindsided by the news and explained that she was “sad and grossed out” by the idea of Scooter owning her music due to their messy past.
“Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun have now said that I’m not allowed to perform my old songs on television because they claim that would be rerecording my music before I’m allowed to next year,” the singer wrote at the time.
Nearly a year later, new details emerged in November 2020 when Taylor claimed she attempted to buy back her masters after he sold them to a private equity company, reportedly behind her back.
She and I only met briefly three or four times in the past, and all our interactions were really friendly and kind.
Taylor signed a record deal with Big Machine Records at age 15 and released six albums with the label.
“Thanks to Scott Borchetta for believing in me as a 14-year-old and for guiding me through over a decade of work that I will always be so proud of,” she wrote at the time.
News broke on June 30, 2019, that Scooter had bought her old record label for a reported $300 million.
Instead, I was given an opportunity to sign back up to Big Machine Records and ‘earn’ one album back at a time, one for every new one I turned in,” she wrote in the lengthy Tumblr statement.
“Some fun facts about today’s news: I learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world.
Along with her Tumblr statement, Taylor also shared an alleged screenshot of a photo of Scooter’s client Justin shared via Instagram in 2016.
In the Tumblr post, she continued, “When Kim Kardashian orchestrated an illegally recorded snippet of a phone call to be leaked and then Scooter got his two clients together to bully me online about it.
“I have to be honest, though, it was my caption and post that I screenshotted of Scooter and Kanye that said, ‘Taylor Swift what up.’ He didn’t have anything to do with it and it wasn’t even a part of the conversation.
I’m sure Scooter and I would love to talk to you and resolve any conflict, pain or any feelings that need to be addressed.
“Out of courtesy, I personally texted Taylor … to inform her prior to the story breaking … so she could hear it directly from me,” he wrote, adding that the record label did offer Taylor a chance to own her music if she stayed with them.
We were worked together on a new type of deal for our new streaming world that was not necessarily tied to ‘albums’ but more of a length of time,” Scott explained.
“Girl, who are you to talk about bullying? The world has watched you collect and drop friends like wilted flowers.
“Regardless of what has been said the truth is you don’t make big bets unless you are a believer and always have been,” he wrote on Twitter.
“It’s something I’m very excited about doing because my contract says that starting November 2020 — so next year — I can record albums one through five all over again,” she said on Good Morning America.
In a second lengthy social media statement, Taylor accused Scott and Scooter of not allowing her to perform any of her old songs at the 2019 American Music Awards.
“When that happens, you will see there is nothing but respect, kindness and support waiting for you on the other side.
On November 18, 2019, Big Machine Records claimed in a statement that it had reached an agreement with Dick Clark Productions — the production company behind the AMAs — that would allow Taylor to perform her old songs at the American Music Awards.
“I just think we live in a time of toxic division, and of people thinking that social media is the appropriate place to air out on each other and not have conversations.
“Hey guys — I want to thank my fans for making me aware that my former record label is putting out an ‘album’ of live performances of mine tonight,” she wrote at the time.
“So, I would have to sign a document that would silence me before I could even have a chance to bid on my own work,” she explained.
The singer addressed reports that an investment fund bought her music, but when Taylor realized that if she worked with them she would be supporting Scooter, she backed out.
“I have plenty of surprises in store.
“Okay so while my new re-records are NOT done, my friend asked me if he could use a snippet of one for a LOLsome commercial he wrote so … here’s a sneak peek of ‘Love Story!’ Working hard to get the music to you soon!” she wrote on Twitter in December 2020 alongside a commercial, which features the song.
“The thing that struck me the worst is the word ‘bully.’ I’m firmly against anyone ever being bullied,” he explained.