Los Angeles, CA – July 12, 2025 — Pop superstar Justin Bieber has officially parted ways with longtime manager Scooter Braun and regained ownership of his master recordings, marking a significant turning point in the artist’s career and reigniting discussions about music rights in the streaming age.
According to multiple industry sources, Bieber completed a quiet but high-stakes negotiation earlier this year to acquire the rights to his previously released music catalog. The deal includes albums ranging from My World 2.0 (2010) to Justice (2021). The terms of the agreement were not publicly disclosed, but insiders say the acquisition was valued in the high eight-figure range.
“This is a watershed moment not just for Bieber, but for the industry as a whole,” said music attorney Dina LaPolt, who has represented numerous artists in ownership disputes. “Justin is one of the defining pop acts of the past 15 years. The fact that he now controls his masters sends a clear message to young artists: it’s possible to take back what’s yours.”
Bieber, 30, had been managed by Braun’s SB Projects since he was 13, after being discovered on YouTube. Braun’s company also controlled or held stakes in Bieber’s master recordings through its previous relationship with Ithaca Holdings. In 2021, Braun sold Ithaca Holdings to HYBE, a South Korean entertainment conglomerate, for a reported $1 billion.
In recent years, several top artists, including Taylor Swift and Shakira, have fought to regain ownership of their recordings. Swift in particular has re-recorded much of her catalog in response to Braun’s purchase of her former label, Big Machine, which owned her early masters.
“Bieber’s decision reflects the shifting balance of power between artists and management,” said Jeff Rabhan, former chair of the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU. “Artists now have the leverage, especially if they’ve built direct relationships with their fans through social media and streaming.”
Bieber’s contract with SB Projects expired in late 2023 and was not renewed, according to people familiar with the matter. Since then, he has quietly assembled a new management and advisory team. No official comment has been issued by Bieber or Braun, though a spokesperson for SB Projects confirmed the end of their professional relationship.
“From a business standpoint, artists controlling their masters is like owning the deed to their house,” said music business analyst Vickie Nauman. “They can license it, remaster it, or sell it on their own terms. It’s not just symbolic—it’s lucrative.”
Bieber is expected to release new music later this year, possibly under a joint venture or self-distributed model. Industry observers say his next move will be closely watched, particularly by legacy artists reconsidering their own contracts.
“Justin’s career has entered a new chapter,” LaPolt added. “He’s no longer just a performer—he’s a proprietor of his own legacy.”
