Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood

Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood is a two-part documentary about the feud between Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun which premiered on June 21, 2024. It was released on Max in the U.S., and Discovery+ in the United Kingdom. The two-part docuseries delves into the high-profile feud between Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun that began when Braun purchased the rights to Swift's first six albums for $300 million in 2019.

The docuseries provides an in-depth look at both sides of the controversy, highlighting issues of music ownership, gender dynamics in the industry, and the influence of fan communities.

Taylor's version
The first episodes explores Swift's perspective that the sale was conducted without her consultation and that she has since been blocked from buying back her masters. It focuses on Taylor Swift’s perspective. It starts by recounting her rise to fame through red carpet appearances and social media posts. Key events highlighted include Kanye West interrupting her at the 2009 VMAs, her feud with Justin Bieber, and her battles with sexism in the music industry. The episode also covers Swift’s reaction to Braun purchasing her masters, the impact of Kim Kardashian’s Snapchat video, and Swift’s re-recording of her albums.

Scooter's version
Scooter Braun’s perspective is presented in Episode 2. It highlights that while Braun legally purchased Taylor Swift’s masters, Swift weaponized her fanbase against him, leading to significant online harassment. Legal experts suggest that Swift was aware of the deal, had opportunities to buy her masters and that her consent wasn’t required for the sale of her masters. Additionally, Braun faced intense public scrutiny, which some participants believe contributed to his personal issues, including his divorce. The documentary attempts to provide a balanced view, showcasing both sides of the conflict.

It is revealed that Taylor Swift’s father, Scott Swift, was a shareholder in Big Machine Records during the sale to Scooter Braun’s company. However, he abstained from voting on the sale to avoid any conflict of interest. The episode also discusses how Taylor felt betrayed by the sale, despite her father’s position, and underscores the personal and professional complexities involved in the dispute.