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Scooter Braun praises ‘Swag’ as Justin Bieber’s truest album yet


Justin Bieber's performance.
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Singer Justin Bieber at an event.

Scooter Braun hails ‘Swag’ as Bieber’s most authentic yet

Former manager Scooter Braun called Justin Bieber’s surprise album Swag “beautiful, raw, and truly him.” He praised the effort and said, “This is without a doubt the most authentically Justin Bieber album to date,” adding that Bieber’s soul poured into every vocal run.

Braun emphasized his pride despite not being involved in the project. He singled out “Daisies” as his favorite.

closeup of a businessman hand shake investor between two colleagues

Braun’s praise follows multimillion-dollar settlement

Scooter bundled his praise with context: he and Bieber recently finalized a multi‑million dollar repayment after Bieber exited the Justice tour. Braun covered debts via his company and said he admires Bieber’s independence.

Their public thaw reflects what Braun called “growth and maturity” in their long relationship. His support offered validation as Bieber made his first moves post‑settlement.

Hailey Bieber

Hailey Bieber appears to throw shade at Braun’s praise

Shortly after Braun’s post, Hailey Bieber took to Instagram with a playful selfie synced to Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed.” Many interpreted it as a subtle jab at Braun’s effusive praise.

The exchange added a personal twist to what began as a professional statement, highlighting lingering tension alongside the broader narrative of reconciliation.

silhouettes of people at door

Public reconciled, Bieber and Braun on friendlier terms

Industry insiders say the debt settlement marked a turning point. Sources report ongoing respect between Bieber and Braun, now “publicly reconciled” after years of high-profile financial drama.

Braun conceded during his praise post that while he wasn’t involved in Swag, he’s “incredibly proud and impressed.” The tone suggests both closure and an authentic reconnection.

Rear view of two friends walking on the seaside.

Braun recalls their long history together

Scooter Braun spoke fondly of the nearly 20-year journey with Bieber, from discovery on YouTube to global superstardom. He described Swag as the culmination of that shared story, noting its emotional maturity and polished rawness.

Braun emphasized the evolution they’ve witnessed. His emotional take wasn’t just professional admiration; it was a nod to a sonnet being written in real time, with Bieber pushing creative boundaries and Braun watching with pride.

Vertical shot of a young boy walking.

Financial peace undergirds creative freedom

The praise for Swag came shortly after Bieber settled a multi‑million‑dollar debt with Scooter’s Hybe company. That financial closure seems to have freed JB creatively and publicly.

Without the weight of debt, Bieber released Swag independently via Def Jam on July 11. Braun applauded that step, calling it “intentional” and highlighting the significance of an artist reclaiming his narrative.

A female hand holding a cellphone with the starting page of Instagram.

Hailey Bieber’s pointed Instagram reply

Not everyone cheered loudest. Shortly after Braun’s Instagram Story, Hailey Bieber posted a playful “Obsessed” video, many read it as a light-hearted but pointed reaction to Braun’s enthusiastic support.

Her understated response added a personal layer to the conversation. It suggested there’s more complexity behind the scenes—even reconciliation comes with unspoken emotions.

cup of coffee in mans hands

Bieber and Braun move forward on respectful terms

Despite past tensions, insiders say the tone between Bieber and Braun is now respectful. Sources reported mutual acknowledgment of individual growth and creative milestones.

Braun’s public nod to Swag hinted at reconciliation; he declared pride in Bieber’s “most authentic” work, even though he had no role in it. The tone was supportive, not promotional, signaling a mature camaraderie built from shared history.

A cropped shot of a singer holding a microphone.

The track that hit Braun hardest

Scooter Braun revealed that the song “Daisies” moved him most. He described it as “gut-wrenching and poetic,” noting that it captured Bieber’s pain and peace in equal parts.

Though he wasn’t involved in the project, Braun said, “You can hear his heart in every note.” His connection to that track helped validate the album’s emotional weight and hinted at how deep their bond.

Excited young adults share and react to content on social media.

Fans praise Bieber’s artistic independence

Many fans took Braun’s praise as a symbolic passing of the torch. On social media, listeners applauded Bieber for releasing Swag without Braun’s direct involvement, calling it a defining moment in his career.

The response online was overwhelmingly positive. For longtime Beliebers, this album felt like a fresh chapter where Justin finally had full control, without compromise or commercial polish dulling the message.

Close up of hands clapping.

Industry reacts with cautious optimism

Music insiders note that while Braun’s praise was generous, some execs saw it as a strategic move to stay on good terms with Bieber. Still, the tone was far from performative.

Most agree that Braun genuinely respects Swag as a piece of work. The industry’s response reflects a rare moment when a former manager publicly steps back and cheers from the sidelines.

Musical track sheet

Swag’s themes reflect growth and heartbreak

From tracks like “Daisies” to “October Forever,” Swag explores emotional depth, relationships, mental health, faith, and letting go. It’s a world away from the sugary pop of Bieber’s earlier records.

Scooter Braun acknowledged that difference. He said the album showcases “everything he’s lived through, survived, and finally owned.” That endorsement hits differently when it comes from someone who watched Bieber grow up in real time.

Close up of recording equipment at the recording studio.

Braun praises Bieber’s courage to be vulnerable

Scooter Braun didn’t just applaud the sound of Swag; he admired its emotional risks. “It takes courage to be that honest on a record,” he noted, emphasizing how rare that level of openness is in mainstream pop.

That comment resonated with fans who have followed Bieber through fame, burnout, and healing. For Braun, it wasn’t about sales, it was about soul.

Hailey stood by him through the process

While Braun highlighted the music, others pointed to the support behind the scenes. A source close to the Biebers said Hailey “stood by Justin’s side” through the making of Swag, offering stability and encouragement.

Her presence reportedly helped Bieber stay focused and emotionally grounded. It’s a reminder that while Swag is a solo record, the journey behind it was deeply shared.

New chapter written on book in vintage background

A new chapter for Bieber and Braun

With the album out and tensions seemingly eased, Bieber and Braun now exist in separate but respectful lanes. They may never work together again, but there’s mutual admiration and hard-earned maturity between them.

Braun’s public praise marked a kind of symbolic closure. It wasn’t about rebuilding business ties; it was about honoring the artist and the man he helped raise in the spotlight.

And while one music story closes with grace, another breaks through history, Morgan Wallen just matched a chart record once held only by Kendrick Lamar, and country fans are taking notice.

Studio vocal microphone.

Swag isn’t just an album, it’s a statement

Braun’s praise for Swag helped underscore what many already felt: this wasn’t just another release, it was Justin Bieber claiming full creative control.

The music, the message, and even the drama surrounding it all reflect one truth: Swag is Bieber’s most personal work to date. And in Scooter Braun’s words, “It’s the realest version of Justin we’ve ever seen.”

And while Bieber bares his soul through sound, Sabrina Carpenter is making a bold statement of her own, unveiling a daring alternate cover for Man’s Best Friend that she jokingly says is “approved by God.”

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