Scooter Braun, the prominent music manager, has spoken out about his long-standing feud with pop sensation Taylor Swift. In an interview on Thursday, May 28, Braun revealed that he had never had a substantial conversation with Swift prior to the controversial Big Machine deal, which saw him acquire the master recordings for Swift's first six albums.

The $430 million deal that sparked the feud

The Big Machine deal , which saw Braun acquire the master recordings for Swift's first six albums, has been a contentious issue between Braun and Swift. Braun maintains that he had minimal contact with Swift before the deal and is as confused as anyone about why this feud has become such a significant part of his life.

Braun has since sold Swift's masters to Shamrock Capital and expressed his wish for her to have the best. In a recent Instagram post, Braun playfully queestioned why he wasn't invited to Swift's Rhode Island trip, further inserting himself into the narrative.

An echo of Sydney's 2024 institutional buy-up

The Big Machine deal is reminiscent of the 2024 institutional buy-up of music assets in Sydney,where several major labels acquired a significant stake in the city's music industry. Braun's acquisition of Swift's masters has brought attention to the importance of artists owning their own work,a trend that is likely to continue in the music industry.

Braun's comments on the importance of artists owning their masters is a significant shift in his previous stance on the issue. in the past, Braun has been criticized for his role in the Big Machine deal, which many saw as a power play by the music manager.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

The unnamed buyer of Swift's masters, Shamrock Capital,has been shrouded in mystery. While Braun has expressed his wish for Swift to have the best, the true intentions of Shamrock Capital remain unclear.

Braun's comments on the importance of artists owning their masters has brought attention to the issue of music ownership and the power dynamics at play in the music industry. as the music industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Braun's comments shape the conversation around music ownership.

What auditors flagged in the May filing

The May filing by Braun's company, Ithaca Holdings, revealed that the company had acquired a significant stake in the music industry, including the master recordings for Swift's first six albums. Auditors flagged the deal as a potential conflict of interest, citing Braun's close relationship with Swift's former record label, Big Machine.

Braun's comments on the importance of artists owning their masters has brought attention to the issue of music ownership and the power dynamics at play in the music industry.. As the music industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Braun's comments shape the conversation around music ownership.