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Universal Music Group

Justin Bieber has turned to Instagram to defend his veteran manager, Scooter Braun, after Taylor Swift posted a scathing indictment criticising him for "manipulative bullying".

Braun recently acquired Big Machine Records, which holds the rights to Swift's first six multi-platinum albums. In response, the singer wrote an emotional Tumblr message explaining that this is the worst possible outcome.

She also referenced an Instagram image by Bieber featuring Braun and Kanye West, captioned; "Taylor, what up." Swift took the image as a message of intimidation, with Braun's two artists mocking her.

The photo came after Kim Kardashian posted a recording of Taylor allegedly consenting to Kanye using her name for his music video and in the song Famous.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The manager has been employed by Ariana Grande (but was fired and subsequently rehired later…), Kanye West, Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato.

Bieber began his own post of a years-old photo of the pair by apologising for the earlier image, writing

“Hey Taylor. First of all i would like to apologise for posting that hurtful Instagram post, at the time i thought it was funny but looking back it was distasteful and insensitive.

“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 in all actuality he was the person who told me not to joke like that.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The Love Yourself singer continued;

“Scooter has had your back since the days you graciously let me open up for you! As the years have passed we haven’t crossed paths and gotten to communicate our differences, hurts or frustrations.

"So for you to take it to social media and get people to hate on Scooter isn’t fair. What were you trying to accomplish by posting that blog? Seems to me like it was to get sympathy. You also knew that in posting that your fans would go and bully Scooter."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Bieber also claims that he tried to open direct lines of communication, after criticising Swift for 'defacing' Braun's character.

“Anyway, One thing I know is both scooter and I love you. I feel like the only way to resolve conflict is through communication. So banter back and forth online i don't believe solves anything,” he continued.

“I’m sure Scooter and I would love to talk to you and resolve any conflict, pain or or any feelings that need to be addressed. Neither scooter or I have anything negative to say about you we truly want the best for you," he added.

"I usually don’t rebuttal things like this but when you try and deface someone I love's character that's crossing a line."

Image: YouTube

Braun’s wife, Yael Cohen Braun, also came to his defence online, writing to her Instagram followers; “I have never been one for the public airing of laundry, but when you attack my husband… here we go.”

Yael Braun disputes Taylor's depiction of the conflict, emphasising that Swift was given fair notice of the deal between Scooter's Ithaca Holdings and Big Machine records;

“Interesting that the man you’re so ‘grossed out’ by believed in you more than you believe in yourself,” she wrote. “And girl, who are you to talk about bullying? The world has watched you collect and drop friends like wilted flowers. MY husband is anything but a bully.”

Many have defended Braun online, with supporters like Demi Lovato and Bieber's attorney Aaron Rosenberg speaking out against Taylor.

Image: Instagram/@ddlovato

Demi Lovato wrote; 

“Y‘all can come after me all you want but I’m always gonna stay loyal to my team. I value loyalty more than most people in this world and if my name is gonna be brought into conversations I’m gonna stand up for myself and the ones on my team."

Taylor is clearly devastated that Scooter has acquired the rights to her first six albums and life's work after he seemingly abetted Kim Kardashian and Kanye West drama, saying;

"Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it."

The drama is piping hot…Who do you believe; Team Scooter (Biebs, Kanye, Demi etc) or Team Taylor?

Feature image: Instagram/@taylornation

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Pop superstar Taylor Swift has officially signed a new record deal with Universal Music, which marks her first signing with a major label.

Before this, all of her music has been released on independent country label, Big Machine. She signed with the small recording company, which is an imprint of giant UMG, when she was only 14-years-old, and her deal has now expired.

At the age of 28, she will now release her music globally through Universal Music Group.

The news came after she uploaded a photo to Instagram of herself posing with Universal executives Lucian Grange and Monte Lipman.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

My new home

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One year one from the release of her triple-platinum album Reputation, Swift underwent talks with every major record group, and requested more financial and creative freedom from a potential new deal.

This is massive news for Taylor, as she will now own all of the music which she records, resulting in the singer earning more money through sales and album streams.

Universal have also agreed to repay their artists with any money made from Spotify streams.

This is not the first time Taylor has campaigned for streaming service rights for artists; in 2015 she played a large role in persuading Apple Music to change how they pay artists.

The singer wrote a now-iconic open letter to Apple requesting that artists, producers, and creatives are fairly paid for their work: 

"I say to Apple with all due respect, it’s not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this."

Swift has now utterly changed the streaming game, with Universal now accepting her terms in the newly arranged deal.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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"As part of my new contract with Universal Music Group, I asked that any sale of their Spotify shares result in a distribution of money to their artists," she wrote on Instagram.

"They have generously agreed to this, at what they believe will be much better terms than paid out previously by other major labels."

"I see this as a sign that we are headed towards positive change for creators – a goal I'm never going to stop trying to help achieve."

"I want to express my heartfelt 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."

"The best thing I've been lucky enough to receive is the dedication, trust and loyalty of the fans who have cared about the words and melodies I've written. My biggest goal moving forward is to make you proud."

Chairman and CEO of UMG Lucien Grainge spoke out to praise Swift for her work:

"Few artists in history approach Taylor Swift's combination of massive global hits and creative brilliance. She is so multi-talented, she can achieve anything. I have such enormous respect for Taylor, in particular for her use of her hard-earned influence to promote positive change.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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"Because of her commitment to her fellow artists, not only did she want to partner with a company that understood her creative vision and had the resources and expertise to execute globally on her behalf, she also sought a partner whose approach to artists was aligned with hers."

Lipman, founder and CEO of Republic Records, added: "Taylor has not only captured the imagination of an entire generation, but has also redefined the paradigm of the modern music industry."

Swift's latest album Reputation received unprecedented critical acclaim before becoming the biggest-selling album of 2017, selling around 1.3 MILLION albums in just one week.

Congrats Taylor, keep fighting for fair pay and artists' creative rights. You do you, queen.

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