Kanye West splits from Justin Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun in order to “leave the traditional music business”

Rapper makes changes as he gears up to new album release

Kanye West has split from his manager Scooter Braun, best known as the mentor of Justin Bieber.

Just last month, West announced that he was parting ways with his long-term manager Izvor “Izzy” Zivkovic. Croatian-born Zivkovic had managed Kanye since 2010 and co-managed the rapper with Braun from April 2016.

According to Billboard, Braun will now no longer manage Kanye either, but “the two men’s companies will continue to work together” in other aspects.

Sources told the publication that West’s decision was informed by his desire to “leave the traditional music business”. Kanye is also said to want to bring his “whole operation in-house” and had invited Braun and his team to work for him full time, but Braun declined due to conflicted business commitments.

image: https://ksassets.timeincuk.net/wp/uploads/sites/55/2018/04/Scooter-Braun-Kanye-West.jpg

Scooter Braun and Kanye West in 2005

Having discovered Bieber when the singer was 12 years-old, Braun is often credited with the former child star’s career revival. As well as Bieber, Braun also manages Ariana Grande and Martin Garrix.

Despite West’s desire to leave the traditional music business, sources have told Billboard that he is still signed to Def Jam and Sony/ATV.

TMZ claims to have been told that West “seems a little erratic” at the moment and that he had given Braun “an ultimatum”.

The report says that Kanye is “still on good terms with Braun” and that he has spoken of his desire to be “bigger than Apple”.

West recently announced the release dates for five albums since returning to Twitter. He has told fans to expect records from himself, Nas, Pusha T, Teyana Taylor, and his collaboration with Kid Cudi before the end of June.

Kanye’s new album will be the follow-up to 2016’s ‘The Life Of Pablo’. Here’s everything we know about the release so far.

It was claimed earlier this week by US radio host Ebro Darden that Kanye had admitted that he “loves” Donald Trump and used to be “addicted to opioids”.

Kanye has also hinted that he will run for President in 2024.