Scooter Braun heaped praise on Justin Bieber’s new “Swag” album after he reached a multimillion-dollar financial agreement with the pop star — calling it “the most authentically Justin Bieber album to date.”
“It’s beautiful, raw, and truly him. And that matters,” Bieber’s former manager gushed via Instagram Stories Saturday.
Noting that he had the “privilege of witnessing” the singer’s “growth” for nearly two decades, Braun then wrote that “there comes a time when an artist fully steps into their own — and that’s what he’s done here.”
“He poured his soul into this project, and you can feel it in every single run,” Bieber’s former mentor continued.
The record exec added, “I’ve played no role in this one, but as someone who’s always believed in him, I’m incredibly proud and impressed and genuinely enjoying the music.”
Braun singled out “Daisies” as his favorite track on the album — which was released Friday — and urged his followers to “stream Swag and support an authentic voice.”
The effusive praise comes after Bieber and Braun settled a weighty financial dispute earlier this week.
Bieber previously accepted a $40 million advance from tour-backing company AEG. However, after he cancelled on his 2022 “Justice” tour at the last minute, the company requested the pop star pay back the money that had already been loaned to him. Braun reportedly took care of the debt through his Hybe company, and the singer reportedly agreed to pay him back. People reported that prior to the agreement this week, Bieber only made one payment to Braun and still owed him $26 million.
“He stepped in to help him,” the source told us at the time.
In addition to the $26 million debt, Bieber also owed Braun another $5.5 million in unpaid commissions from when they worked together, sources told TMZ Thursday.
With his financial affairs in order, Bieber immediately dropped his seventh studio album, “Swag,” via Def Jam Recordings on Friday.
Some of the tracks on the long-awaited album seemingly confirm trouble in his marriage to Hailey Bieber, with whom he shares infant son Jack Blues.
In Braun’s favorite “Daisies,” the pop phenomenon reflects on “throwin’ petals like, ‘Do you love me or not?’”
“Head is spinnin’, and it don’t know when to stop / You said ‘Forever,’ babe, did you mean it or not? / And if it ain’t right, babe, you know I respect it / But if you need time, just take your time,” Justin sings. “Honey, I get it, I get it, I get it.”
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