Scooter Braun Calls Justin Bieber's New Album ‘Beautiful' — And Hailey Bieber Seemingly Reacts
'Been having a beautiful start to the weekend and getting a lot of texts about how I feel about Justin's new album,' Braun, 44, wrote in a lengthy Instagram Story statement shared on Saturday, July 12. 'This is, without a doubt, the most authentically Justin Bieber album to date."
He added, 'It's beautiful, raw and truly him. And that matters.'
Bieber, 31, dropped Swag — his first album since 2021's Justice — on Friday, July 11. The collection of 21 songs includes 'Daisies,' which Braun used in his social media upload.
There's 'No Bad Blood' Between Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun: It Was 'Time to Move On'
'This is more of a personal project that Justin has been wanting to put out, almost like a mixtape,' a source exclusively told Us Weekly of the record. 'His label is planning a more traditional pop album for early next year.'
Braun, meanwhile, is credited with first discovering Bieber via YouTube before going on to sign him as a client. The duo officially parted ways in 2023.
'I've had the privilege of witnessing [Justin's] growth for almost two decades. Along every journey, there comes a time when an artist fully steps into their own — and that's what he's done here,' Braun added on Saturday. 'He poured his soul into this project, and you can feel it in every single run.'
Braun also praised Bieber's surprise release strategy.
'The way he chose to release it is just as intentional as the music itself,' he wrote. I'm happy to see him do it his way. I have played no roll [sic] in the one, but as someone who's always believed in him, I'm incredibly proud and impressed and genuinely enjoying this music.'
Justin Bieber Releases Surprise 7th Album 'Swag'
Braun continued, 'Justin has a special tone that I have witnessed for almost two decades. It's the best in the world, and because of that special tone, I have to say 'Daisies' is probably my favorite [song] on the album.'
Braun concluded his message by asking his followers to stream Swag and 'support an authentic voice.'
While Justin has not publicly responded to Braun's message of support, his wife, Hailey Bieber, seemingly had something to say. Around the same time that Braun posted his statement, Hailey, 28, uploaded a side-eye selfie captioned with Mariah Carey's 'Obsessed.'
While it's not overtly known if Hailey's mention was a pointed dig at Braun, Us previously confirmed that she helped Justin go in a different direction with his managerial team.
A second source told Us in August 2023 that Hailey "led the charge that led Justin to leave [Scooter] for another manager.'
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Travel + Leisure
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- Travel + Leisure
12 Crisp, Comfy White T-shirts That'll Work Overtime in Your Travel Wardrobe—From $8
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Even if the name Comfort Colors doesn't ring a bell for you, chances are, you've encountered at least one Comfort Colors T-shirt at some point in your lifetime. This brand skyrocketed in popularity back in the '90s and early '00s for creating high-quality T-shirts that are constructed from 100-percent ring-spun cotton that's unbelievably soft but incredibly durable. Nearly 20,000 Amazon shoppers have deemed this classic crew-neck T-shirt worthy of a perfect five-star rating. 'This will be your new favorite T-shirt,' wrote one reviewer, noting their approval of the softness, sizing, and quality. 'I will be purchasing more—you won't find a better garment at this price point!' This Quince men's tee is made with an organic cotton jersey fabric that's midweight, making it an easy layering piece for all four seasons. Pre-washed to reduce shrinkage and provide a softer feel, this plain crewneck T-shirt has an elevated appeal that 'will turn heads,' according to one five-star reviewer. 'I cannot say enough about the quality and value of this Slub Tee. This is what the 'high-enders' wear on their summer holidays in the Caribbean.' Old Navy is unparalleled when it comes to creating classic, wear-everywhere closet staples, and this white T-shirt is no exception. Made with 100 percent cotton, this T-shirt has a comfortable crew neck, relaxed fit, and below-waist hem that can be tucked into trousers or worn over shorts. Lightweight, versatile, and on sale for $8, this tee is the 'best basic,' according to reviewers. We were thrilled to see that this cute, comfy J. Crew essential tee was on sale—and for 63 percent off, no less. This elevated cotton basic has short cap sleeves and a slim cut that's 'fitted enough to be flattering but not clingy at all,' according to one five-star reviewer. Pair it with statement jewelry and a satin skirt for a date night-approved ensemble, or throw it on over your go-to denim cutoffs: This tee will look great no matter the occasion. 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This beloved retro gaming computer is making a comeback—and it'll cost you $299
Tech nostalgia runs strong among Gen Z. The retro movement has made long-outdated devices desirable once more. When it comes to personal computer nostalgia, you'd be hard-pressed to find a PC more fondly remembered than the Commodore 64. Now, the machine that served as the starter computer for many old-school gamers is making a comeback of sorts. Commodore Corp., which is no longer run by the team behind the original device, has begun taking preorders for the Commodore 64 Ultimate, a $299 device that its makers claim is compatible with over 10,000 retro games, cartridges, and peripherals. The new C64s are expected to begin shipping as early as October, though that date could slip. Also, the listed price doesn't account for tariffs. A 'tariff tax' ($15 to $25 in the U.S.) is added at checkout—and the builders warn that amount could change if tariffs do. While there have been Commodore 64 emulators in the past, this marks the first official product from the company in more than 30 years. There are three models to choose from, all with the same internal components. If you were expecting a vastly outdated machine, however, you're in for a surprise. The Commodore 64 Ultimate will include 128 megabytes of RAM and 16 megabytes of flash memory. It connects to modern monitors via HDMI in high-definition 1080p resolution and features three USB-A ports and one USB-C port. Beyond the computer itself, the power source, and HDMI cable, your $299 also gets you a spiral-bound user guide, a 64-gigabyte USB drive featuring over 50 licensed games, a quick-start guide, and stickers. Aesthetically, the Commodore 64 Ultimate is available in the original beige or in premium variants: the Starlight Edition, with a clear case and LED lights ($249), or the Founder's Edition, which includes 24-karat gold-plated badges, satin gold keys, and a translucent amber case ($499). Just 6,400 units of the Founder's Edition will be produced, according to the company. The preorder setup resembles a Kickstarter campaign, though it doesn't use that platform. Commodore says all preorders come with a money-back guarantee, but it chose to skip the service's fees. Buyers should be aware that accounts are charged at the time of preorder. Who owns Commodore? Ownership of the Commodore brand adds some complexity. Earlier this year, Christian 'Peri Fractic' Simpson—a YouTuber focused on retro tech—announced he was in the process of acquiring the company and claimed to be the 'acting CEO of Commodore.' In a YouTube video posted at the end of June, he said he purchased the company for 'a low seven-figure sum' and has recruited several former Commodore employees to help relaunch the brand. In the video, Simpson states he signed 'a share purchase agreement' with the previous owners of Commodore Corp., but is still seeking angel investors to help close the total sales amount. That uncertainty may give some potential buyers pause, and understandably so. The official site addresses the concern, noting: 'We have a contract with the previous IP owner that ensures that regardless of the final acquisition outcome, these machines can be manufactured as promised.' The product will come with a one-year limited warranty, and Commodore says most parts are already in production, including the updated motherboard, the case, and the keycaps that recreate the blocky keys that early users remember. The original Commodore 64 debuted in 1982. It was one of the world's best-selling computers at the time, with graphics and sound that pushed the limits of 8-bit technology. With games like M.U.L.E., Wizard, and The Last Ninja, it quickly became a gamer favorite. In addition to the games on the USB drive, backers will also receive a 'new sequel' to the C64 original, called Jupiter Lander: Ascension. The super-early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, July 25, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
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