Taylor Swift’s Launchpad Label Gets a Reboot as Scott Borchetta Exits HYBE

Scott Borchetta is stepping away from HYBE America and reclaiming the Big Machine Records name, marking a major shift for the label that helped launch Taylor Swift’s career.

Per Rolling Stone, Borchetta, who founded Big Machine in 2005 and oversaw its rise as one of Nashville’s most influential independent labels, confirmed on Thursday that he will exit his role under the HYBE umbrella to independently revive the Big Machine Records name.

HYBE America, which acquired Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) through its purchase of Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in 2021, will retain ownership of the wider label group’s assets. That includes the distribution infrastructure, Big Machine Music publishing and the ongoing rosters of several country artists.

Under the new arrangement, HYBE’s Nashville operations will be re‑branded and staff put in place to lead the company forward. HYBE America’s chairman and CEO Isaac Lee praised Borchetta’s contribution to the business, saying his “sharp eye for talent” had helped shape the industry.

Borchetta, who has led the label for more than two decades, said he was “incredibly appreciative” of his time with HYBE and looked forward to charting a new path for Big Machine Records as an independent venture.

“Chairman Bang often talks of his fondness for entrepreneurs and he, Isaac, and the HYBE leadership team have extended that belief with this incredible showing of support by allowing me to continue to build upon my vision of the Big Machine Records brand. For that, I am forever grateful and wish them nothing but continued and incredible global success," he said in a statement.

Originally launched with Taylor Swift as its first signee, Big Machine became synonymous with major country and crossover acts. Though Borchetta sold the company in stages — first to Ithaca in 2019 and later into HYBE’s global fold — the brand has remained a cornerstone of Nashville’s music business.

HYBE has indicated further leadership announcements for the newly named label will be made in the coming days.