Scooter Braun, painted as the villain of the piece by Taylor Swift in her ongoing complaints about the ownership of her masters, has spoken out.
Braun, manager of the likes of Justin Bieber, J Balvin and Ariana Grande, has just posted a lengthy open letter on social media, directly addressed to Swift.
In it, he reveals that, following the release of Swift’s own open letter last week concerning her performance on the American Music Awards, “there have been numerous death threats” directed at Braun’s family.
Swift claimed in that letter that Big Machine and Braun – whose Ithaca Holdings acquired the music company for $300m earlier this year – were blocking her from performing her old hits at the AMAs on Sunday (November 24) due to a legal re-recording restriction.
That led to confusion in some quarters, as Braun and Big Machine only own the recorded master of these songs, rather than the publishing rights. However, some have observed that, should the AMAs subsequently distribute the live recording of Swift’s performance on digital platforms, it could be argued that a new master had been made commercially available.
According to Big Machine, this situation has since been resolved, with Swift clear to perform her back catalog on the show.
In his new letter, Braun says: “As the world now knows you can and should perform any song you would like at the AMAs. I have never and would never say otherwise. You do not need anyone’s permission to do so legally but I am stating it here clearly and publicly so there is no more debate or confusion.”
He also calls on Swift and her team “to come together [with Braun] and try to find a resolution”.
You can read his letter in full below.
Since your public statement last week there have been numerous death threats directed at my family. This morning I spoke out publicly for the first time saying I wouldn’t participate in a social media war. However I came home tonight to find my wife had received a phone call threatening the safety of our children as well as other threats seen above. I won’t go in to the details of this past week. I have been at a loss. Thinking of my wife and children, my team and their families, I have gone through a range of emotions on how to deal with this. I write this now only after a deep breathe and much reflection. I am certain there is no situation ever worth jeopardizing anyone’s safety.
“My attempts and calls to have an open discussion with you over the last 6 months have all been rejected.”
I assume this was not your intention but it is important that you understand that your words carry a tremendous amount of weight and that your message can be interpreted by some in different ways. While disappointed that you have remained silent after being notified by your attorney 4 days ago of these ongoing threats, I’m still hopeful we can fix this.
We are living in a time of pointless violence and as a husband and father I am concerned.
This is a world filled with toxic division where people express their opinions over social media instead of having conversations in person. I want no part in that. To be frank I was shocked and disheartened to hear that my presence in the Big Machine deal caused you so much pain as the handful of times we have actually met I have always remembered them to be pleasant and respectful. Knowing what I know now all I have wanted to do is rectify the situation. I’m open to ALL possibilities. My attempts and calls to have an open discussion with you over the last 6 months have all been rejected. While some on your team and many of our mutual friends have tried to get you to the table, all have had no luck. It almost feels as if you have no interest in ever resolving the conflict. At this point with safety becoming a concern I have no choice other than to publicly ask for us to come together and try to find a resolution. I have tried repeatedly through your representatives to achieve a solution but unfortunately here we are. This game of telephone isn’t working.
“no artist should ever feel cornered or bullied. I have spent my entire career in service of creatives and artists, never the other way around.”
While I am frustrated with your accusations and respectfully disagree with many of your statements, it is important that I am clear – no artist should ever feel cornered or bullied. I have spent my entire career in service of creatives and artists, never the other way around.
As the world now knows you can and should perform any song you would like at the AMAs. I have never and would never say otherwise. You do not need anyone’s permission to do so legally but I am stating it here clearly and publicly so there is no more debate or confusion.
Moving forward I would like to find a resolution. I will make myself available whenever works for you. Many have told me that a meeting will never happen as this is not about truth or resolution but instead a narrative for you. I am hopeful that is not the case. I’m right here, ready to speak directly and respectfully. But if you would prefer to make large public statements while refusing to work towards resolving things amicably then I just pray that nobody gets seriously hurt in the process. I continue to wish you the best and hope we can resolve this.Music Business Worldwide
