This archive report was first published on 3 July 2019.
July 3, 2019: Music manager Scooter Braun's $300 million purchase of Taylor Swift's master recordings has raised eyebrows in the music industry.
Braun, who represents high-profile artists like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Demi Lovato, acquired the rights to Swift's recordings through his company Ithaca Holdings from her first label, Big Machine Label Group, and owner Scott Borchetta.
The deal was backed by the Carlyle Group, an investment firm that previously worked with the Saudi Arabian Bin Laden family. However, the firm broke ties with the family in October 2001, following the September 11, 2001 attacks linked to Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda organization.
According to The New York Times, an executive for the Carlyle Group stated in 2001 that the decision to liquidate their position was made due to the attention it was causing, rather than any wrongdoing by the Bin Laden family.
Michael Moore's 2004 film Fahrenheit 9/11 highlighted the Carlyle Group's connection to the Bin Laden family, noting that Bin Laden's brother was in New York City at a business conference on the morning of the 9/11 attacks.
Swift, 29, has expressed her discontent with the deal, calling Braun 'manipulative' and 'bullying' in a Tumblr blog post. She also accused him of being behind her 2016 feud with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.
Swift's musical legacy is now in the hands of Braun, who she believes tried to dismantle it. The singer has received public support from notable names like Halsey, Iggy Azalea, and Cara Delevingne.
