In a turn of events, murder charges against Chaka Zulu, renowned music executive and Ludacris’ longtime manager, have been officially dropped. The Fulton County prosecutors concluded that Zulu acted in self-defense during an incident in June of 2022, where he shot a 23-year-old male in Atlanta, who tragically later passed away. The Atlanta Police Department initially made an arrest based on probable cause, as is standard in such cases. However, the District Attorney’s office conducted a thorough investigation to determine the viability of proving the charges beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The result: an exoneration for Zulu, who is now involved in a pre-indictment diversion program.
Zulu surrendered on September 13 on charges including murder, aggravated assault, simple battery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Remarkably, he was released on the same day after posting a $200,000 bond. The narrative takes a dramatic twist as Zulu’s attorney, Gabe Banks, asserted that his client had acted in self-defense. Banks strategically released surveillance footage from the scene of the incident. This depicted Zulu being physically assaulted by a group of men before resorting to the use of his firearm.
Moreover, in a recent statement, shared on social media, Banks reiterated Zulu’s commitment to a fair process. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “Mr. Chaka Zulu, a beloved son of Atlanta, is pleased with the outcome of the thorough investigation conducted by District Attorney Fani Willis and her team of lawyers and investigators. From the beginning of this case, Mr. Zulu was committed to a fair process. He fully believes that after a thoughtful examination of all the facts and evidence related to this matter, District Attorney Willis reached an appropriate and just decision.”
Banks acknowledged the gravity of the situation, recognizing the loss of life under extraordinary circumstances. Despite this, he emphasized that it is now time for Zulu to move forward. And focus on supporting and nurturing his family. In an statement emailed to Channel 2′s Michael Seiden exclusively, Jeff DiSantis, a spokesman for Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis, elaborated on the decision. “Our investigation of the facts and analysis of applicable law indicates that this is an appropriate resolution of this case. Based on the standard of proof required. Because the defendant is now involved in a pre-indictment diversion program, we will not comment further about the matter at this time.” Moreover, Zulu’s legal team has requested privacy during this time as well. All inquiries will be redirected to the office of Gabe Banks, Esq. Stay tuned to HNHH for more stories.
Establishing himself as a giant in the music industry, Scooter Braun is an executive and talent manager. During his meteoric rise to the top, Scooter has managed the careers of top artists like Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and more.
Just as he’s known for his business acumen and eye for talent, he’s also known for controversy, including his dispute with Taylor Swift over her masters. Over the past few years, many of his artists have dropped him, putting his career in a precarious place. Many are wondering if the empire he spent years build is at risk of toppling.
Early Life Of Scooter Braun
Scooter Braun and Kanye West (Photo by Ben Rose/WireImage)
Scooter Braun was born Scott Samuel Braun on June 18, 1981 in New York City. While attending Emory University in Atlanta, Scooter threw lavish parties that attracted high-profile guests. Eventually, he caught the eye of Jermaine Dupri, founder of So So Def, who asked Scooter to join the marketing team of the label. Scooter agreed and dropped out of college. By 19, Scooter Braun officially got his entrance into the industry. Shortly after, he would become head of marketing at the label.
US businessman Scooter Braun (L) and Canadian singer Justin Bieber arrive for YouTube Originals’ “Justin Bieber: Seasons” premiere at the Regency Bruin Theatre in Los Angeles on January 27, 2020. (Photo by LISA O’CONNOR / AFP) (Photo by LISA O’CONNOR/AFP via Getty Images)
In 2007, Scooter discovered a young Justin Bieber’s cover videos on YouTube. Knowing that Justin would be a hit, Scooter helped sign him to Usher’s Raymond Braun Media Group (RBMG) in a joint label venture with Island Def Jam in 2008. In quick succession, Scooter Braun became Justin’s road manager, where he helped steer Justin’s career into superstardom.
PHOENIX, AZ – FEBRUARY 03: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Scooter Braun (L) and Ariana Grande walk backstage during the “Dangerous Woman” Tour Opener at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 3, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)
During this same period, Scooter started SB Projects, a multi-faceted entertainment company involved in film and TV projects. But, not wanting to be a one-hit wonder, Scooter picked up the pace scouting new talent. He told The New Yorker, “I decided, I’m not just gonna break one new act, I’m going to break two more.”
Scooter then signed Carly Rae Jepsen to his SchoolBoy Records and began managing the British boy band, The Wanted. By 2012, all three of his acts reached the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other artists saw what Scooter was doing and wanted in. In 2013, Scooter signed Ariana Grande to his label, and by 2016, Scooter was her main manager.
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 13: Yael Cohen Braun (L) and Scooter Braun attend FCancer’s 1st Annual Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala at Warner Bros. Studios on October 13, 2018 in Burbank, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Although he was busy expanding his empire, Scooter still found time for love. He started dating Canadian health activist Yael Cohen in 2013. The two tied the knot the following year and went on to have two sons and a daughter.
As his family grew, Scooter continued to hustle. His SB Projects brokered world-class deals, including Justin Bieber’s Calvin Klein endorsement. Scooter was also responsible for Kanye West’s blockbuster partnership with Adidas. Through all of this, he added Quavo, J Balvin, and Demi Lovato to the roster of artists he represented. Everything seemed to be looking up for Scooter Braun.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 21: Scooter Braun speaks onstage during the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce 2019 State of The Entertainment Industry Conference held at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on November 21, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/Getty Images)
In 2019, Scooter’s company, Ithaca Holdings, purchased Taylor Swift’s former label, Big Machine Label Group. As a result, Scooter Braun owned the masters of Taylor Swift’s first six albums. Despite Taylor wanting her rights back and calling him a “bully,” Scooter wouldn’t budge. As a result, the public mostly sided with Taylor and believed Scooter was dodging Taylor and being shady.
However, Scooter Braun let it be known that he was trying to reach out to Taylor. He said he had attempted to contact her and her lawyers for six months, but she refused to talk. Taylor dug in and said Scooter was trying to force her to sign a non-disclosure that would forever silence her. She claimed Scooter was so unfair that he wouldn’t even quote her team a price to buy back her masters.
Tired of being dragged, in 2020, Scooter sold Taylor’s masters for $300 million to a private equity firm called, Shamrock. Scooter told Variety that he was upset over the whole feud with Taylor and continued to stress that he left the door open for communication. He added, “The thing that struck me the worst is the word ‘bully.’ I’m firmly against anyone ever being bullied. I always try to lead with appreciation and understanding.”
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 07: Founder of SB Projects Scooter Braun speaks during a keynote at CES 2016 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world’s largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 9 and features 3,600 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The South Korean company HYBE acquired Ithaca Holdings in 2021 in a deal valued at more than $1 billion. Two years later, as the CEO of HYBE America, Scooter led the charge in purchasing one of Atlanta’s top labels, Quality Control, in a $320 million deal.
A few months after HYBE’s acquisition of Ithaca Holdings, Scooter and his wife separated, with him filing for divorce in July 2021. As his home life was falling apart, Scooter Braun’s musical empire began to break.
Word began to spread around the industry that Scooter Braun was a bit grimy, especially to protect his cash cow, Justin Bieber. Rapper Lil Twist who was once good friends with Justin told Business Insider that Scooter would spread negative stories about him to protect Justin’s reputation. He claimed he was used as a scapegoat and even took a marijuana possession charge for Biebs. Other sources said Scooter would routinely do anything to cover for Justin’s bad behavior, specifically his drug use.
By 2023, Demi Lovato had left Scooter Braun and Ariana Grande was reportedly looking to make her exit. Idina Menzel who had worked with Scooter since 2019 also parted ways. Despite the mass exodus, Scooter joked on X, “Breaking news… I’m no longer managing myself.”
While Scooter may have been all laughs, things got serious when rumors surfaced that Justin Bieber was leaving Scooter. News spread that Scooter and Justin hadn’t spoken in months. There was also word that Justin was so unhappy that he was looking for new management. However, those reports got squashed as quickly as they started. Hours later, Entertainment Tonight reported, “Justin and Scooter are still working together. Justin is not taking meetings to look for new management.”
With so much turmoil surrounding him, Variety is reporting that Scooter will step away from day-to-day artist management and focus more on his HYBE America CEO duties. One source said, “He’s imploding. It’s a different world since the pandemic. You just can’t be an asshole like that anymore.” Only time will tell how Scooter Braun comes out of all of this.
The headlines surrounding Scooter Braun’s name over the past few days have been nothing short of confusing. It was initially reported that he and longtime client Justin Bieber will be parting ways, leaving many music lovers shocked. However, shortly after that gossip hit the internet, sources confirmed that the pair plan to resume working together in the future. While that provided a sigh of relief to some, Variety dropped a report on Tuesday (August 22) with sources claiming that Braun will be walking away from the world of artist management.
Aside from the Bieber rumour, Demi Lovato has also amicably parted ways with SB Projects, and word has it that Ariana Grande is looking elsewhere too. This would mark the second time that she and Braun have gone their separate ways, though sources close to the industry exec are strenuously denying that update. It’s become increasingly hard to get any straight answers regarding the situation, though Variety‘s insiders are saying that Scooter will be focusing more on his role as the CEO of HYBE America, and less on the day-to-day management of artists.
“People are spreading rumours based on what they know, but they are off. Scooter’s team at SB Projects are still handling both Justin and Ariana as they work through what this new structure looks like,” one person told the outlet. However, there are still some insisting that this is the end of an era for Braun. “He’s imploding,” another source stated. “It’s a different world since the pandemic. You just can’t be an asshole like that anymore.”
While word of Scooter Braun’s alleged implosion continues to circulate through the headlines, it’s worth noting that it was only a few months ago that he struck up a $300M deal with Quality Control heads Coach K, and P. At the time, the executive seemed confident in the future of HYBE, as well as his other endeavours. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
