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In the world of music, a lot of only see the performers that end up becoming mega famous, but there are a lot of people behind the scenes that make the wheel spin. Agents and record producers are a big part of that, and that includes Scooter Braun. Since the early 2000s, Braun has had his hand in helping to increase the popularity of a lot of musical acts, and these days is among the most influential people in all of music and has ventured out into other businesses, as well.

Braun was born in New York City on June 18, 1981, with his parents being Hungarian immigrants that didn’t work in the entertainment industry. Braun himself was even more involved in athletics while growing up, making his way to college where he excelled in marketing and basketball. Braun met famous record producer Jermaine Dupri while he was in Atlanta, and left college to pursue marketing in music on a full-time basis.

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The first big job that Braun took was with Dupri’s So So Def  label, and Braun had organized parties for some of the biggest names in music. Braun had worked with the likes of Ludacris, Britney Spears and many more along the way. Then, there was a certain up and coming singer that Braun attached himself to, putting both of them in the spotlight when Braun said things weren’t going well for him at the time.

“When I first struck out on my own, I was 24, and I had saved enough money to last me for 13 months,” Braun said. “I had Justin (Bieber) and his mom living illegally...in a townhouse under my name. I was paying all their bills, and I had Asher Roth and his friends living in a dump around the corner.” Braun added that “Everyone in Atlanta thought I was killing it, and had no idea that I had risked it all...I got lucky. You work really, really hard, and some people break through early in life and some late in life, but when isn’t up to you. What is up to you is when you quit. So if you just keep trying, eventually it will turn your way.”

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After discovering Justin Bieber singing songs on YouTube, Braun knew that there was a lot of talent there. Braun would end up signing Bieber as his client, landing the singer a record deal with Def Jam while also partnering with music superstar Usher to get the ball rolling. Braun had already been rather successful at that point, but the success that Bieber enjoyed almost overnight was great for Braun’s career as an agent.

To show his appreciation for what Bieber had done for him, Braun wanted to get him something special on his 18th birthday. With that, Braun gifted him a Fisker Karma electric car that was worth $100,000. Braun did this during “The Ellen Show”, saying “You work really, really hard and I always yell at you, don’t get anything flashy, we’re not about that. Be humble, be humble. I kind of broke my own rule.”

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Braun added that “So we wanted to make sure you were being environmentally friendly and we wanted to make sure, since you love cars, that when you’re on the road you are always looking environmentally friendly. We decided to get you a car that we knew would make you stand out.” By the end of the year, though, Bieber had regifted it to singer Sean Kingston. “When you’re best friends with one of the biggest artists in the world you get all different types of gifts and this is one of them,” Kingston said.

On top of his work with Bieber, Braun has also managed the likes of Ariana Grande and has gotten into producing films and television shows. His home life has become busy, as well, as Braun has had three children with his wife Yael Cohen. The two have done a lot of charity work together, which includes March for Our Lives and F*** Cancer.

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“I love working with the people I work with,” Braun said. “I’m blessed to be a part of these people’s stories. But their story is not just going to define mine.” With that, there have been some people that have suggested that Braun gets into politics. However, he says he’s happy with what he’s doing now. “I think I still have unfinished business on the business side of my life,” Braun said. “If I were to go into a public office position, I would want to remove myself completely from the business world.”