Scott Samuel "Scooter" Braun (born June 18, 1981) is a towering figure in the modern music industry, known as the mastermind behind the careers of some of the world's biggest pop stars. His journey from a college dropout to a multi-billion dollar entertainment mogul is defined by a keen eye for talent and a controversial, high-stakes business acumen. Braun first made his mark in the late 2000s when he discovered a teenage Justin Bieber on YouTube, signing the Canadian singer and guiding him to unprecedented global stardom. This success laid the foundation for his management company, SB Projects, which would go on to represent a diverse roster of A-list talent, including Ariana Grande, Kanye West, Demi Lovato, J Balvin, and Dan + Shay. Braun's influence extended beyond management; he founded Schoolboy Records and later established RBMG Records with Usher, all while building a formidable business empire.

Born in New York City and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, Braun developed an early passion for music and entrepreneurship. He briefly attended Emory University, where he organized parties and promoted events, before dropping out at age 20 to work in the music industry. His early career involved marketing for So So Def Recordings and organizing concerts for artists like Ludacris. The pivotal moment came in 2008 when, after seeing a video of Justin Bieber singing on YouTube, Braun tracked down the young singer and convinced his mother to allow him to manage the then-unknown talent. This discovery not only launched Bieber's career but also established Braun as a visionary talent scout.

Braun's business portfolio expanded dramatically over the next decade. In 2012, he signed Ariana Grande to his management agency, helping her transition from a Nickelodeon star to a global pop phenomenon. He also co-founded the investment firm TQ Ventures and Mythos Studios, and in 2019, his company Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Records, the label that owned the master recordings of Taylor Swift's early albums. This acquisition sparked a highly publicized and bitter dispute with Swift, who claimed she had not been given the opportunity to buy her own masters. The feud became one of the most talked-about stories in the music business, with Swift accusing Braun of "incessant, manipulative bullying." The conflict was eventually resolved in 2025 when Taylor Swift regained control of her catalog. Despite the controversy, Braun's influence in the industry remained undeniable.

Beyond music, Braun ventured into film and television, serving as an executive producer for the critically acclaimed comedy series Dave, which became the most-watched comedy show for FX in its first season. His business interests also included a stake in the esports organization 100 Thieves. In 2021, Braun sold his entire music and management empire, including SB Projects and Ithaca Holdings, to Hybe Corporation for an estimated $1.05 billion, making him a key figure in the Korean entertainment giant's global expansion. After more than two decades at the forefront of the industry, Braun announced his retirement from artist management in 2024, choosing to focus on his family and other business ventures. A Grammy Award nominee and a polarizing yet undeniably influential force, Scooter Braun leaves behind a legacy as one of the most consequential power brokers in modern popular music.