The Manager's Playbook

The Manager's Playbook
  • 4.9 (16)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hosted by Mauricio Ruiz, a music industry executive of 15 years, The Manager's Playbook is your essential podcast for insights into the music industry. Whether you're an artist, aspiring manager, music industry professional, or just passionate about the behind-the-scenes of the music business, this podcast is for you. Mauricio brings you in-depth interviews with top artist managers, entertainment lawyers, and other industry execs. Each episode is packed with valuable tips, real-world experiences, and expert advice to help you navigate the complexities of the music business.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Manager’s Playbook 066: Bryan Johnson - Spotify Royalties, Independent Artists, AI Music & The Future of Streaming

    In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Bryan Johnson, Spotify’s Head of Artist and Industry Partnerships, International, for a rare inside look at how Spotify is shaping the modern music business. Bryan breaks down Spotify’s 2025 Loud & Clear report, including the $11B paid to rights holders, the growth of independent artists, the rise of the artist middle class, and why more artists are building real careers through streaming than ever before. They also get into the questions artists and managers actually care about:Who really gets paid?How do Spotify royalties work?Do playlists still matter?Is algorithmic discovery more important than editorial?What does AI mean for artists, songwriters, and rights holders? This conversation covers streaming royalties, Spotify for Artists, Fresh Finds, global music discovery, AI music, artificial streaming, ticketing, merch, catalog value, and why artist control matters more than ever. For artists, managers, songwriters, and aspiring music executives, this episode is a clear look at where the music economy is headed and what it takes to actually benefit from it. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/ Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET Topics Covered 00:00 Streaming Opens Doors02:04 Spotify Then vs Now06:45 Piracy to Streaming08:06 Global Languages Breaking Through11:43 Loud & Clear Report14:34 Who Actually Gets Paid18:22 Stream Share vs Per-Stream Rate23:08 Catalog Sales and Valuation33:44 Fresh Finds Breakouts43:32 The Artist Middle Class49:13 AI Music, Spam, and Spotify Policies55:48 Derivatives and Artist Opt-In01:09:11 Spotify’s Responsibility to Artists01:19:22 Getting Dropped by a Label01:26:43 The Future Music Economy01:27:44 Editorial vs Algorithmic Discovery01:31:32 How Spotify Pitching Works01:43:34 Superfans and Final Thoughts Listen to more episodes of The Manager’s Playbook for conversations on artist management, music business strategy, streaming, labels, publishing, marketing, and the future of the music industry.

    1h 45m

  2. 3D AGO ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Chris Anokute on How the Next Superstars Will Be Built

    What does the future of artist development actually look like in a democratized music business? In this clip, Chris Anokute breaks down why younger artists, managers, and executives are building their own systems, skipping old gatekeepers, and using new tools to break artists faster than previous generations. He also explains why superstar careers are still possible, why artist development now requires more patience and a longer view, and how the next wave will come from blending old-school taste and development with modern marketing, audience acquisition, and AI-assisted strategy. This clip is for artists, managers, A&Rs, and music executives thinking about artist development, independent music strategy, AI in music, fan growth, audience building, and the future of the music business. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1V06xjz5nGBJO77fYwdH14?si=K1M5F0F9QwK4xxbD-1K-6Q Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

    12 min

  3. 4D AGO ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Chris Anokute on How Disrespect Costs Record Labels Great Artists

    What makes an artist worth backing before the data shows up? In this clip, Chris Anokute breaks down why real artist development starts with belief, desire, point of view, and trust; not just streams, looks, or momentum. He also reflects on the Jessie Reyez story, what major labels often miss because of red tape, why disrespect can cost companies great artists, and how timing, leverage, and real relationships shape careers in the music business. This clip is for artists, managers, A&Rs, and music executives thinking about artist development, record labels, management, leverage, mentorship, and how great talent gets recognized before the rest of the industry catches up. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1V06xjz5nGBJO77fYwdH14?si=K1M5F0F9QwK4xxbD-1K-6Q Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

    24 min

  4. 5D AGO ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Chris Anokute on Why Artists Can’t Ignore AI Music Anymore

    AI is already changing the music business, and artists can’t afford to ignore it. In this clip, Chris Anokute breaks down why AI is not a passing trend, how the industry may respond the same way it did with streaming, and why artists need to start paying closer attention to rights, royalties, and how their work could be used in the future. He also gets into why producers are quietly using tools like Suno, how artists can think about AI as a tool instead of a replacement, and why today’s real battle is not just music creation, it’s attention. This clip is for artists, managers, producers, and music executives trying to understand AI music, artist rights, royalties, record labels, IP, audience behavior, and the future of the music business. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1V06xjz5nGBJO77fYwdH14?si=K1M5F0F9QwK4xxbD-1K-6Q Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

    13 min

  5. 6D AGO ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Chris Anokute on Why Artists Don’t Need Record Labels But Still Want Them

    Why do artists still sign record deals if they don’t actually need them? In this clip, Chris Anokute breaks down the real value of record labels, why there’s no such thing as a universally “good” or “bad” deal, and what artists need to understand about rights, leverage, and ownership in today’s music business. He also explains why recouping even a small investment is harder than most people think, what it really costs to build momentum from zero, and how artists can start creating leverage through repertoire, content, strategy, and consistency. This clip is for independent artists, managers, music executives, and anyone trying to understand record deals, artist development, A&R, leverage, and the real economics of building in music today. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1V06xjz5nGBJO77fYwdH14?si=K1M5F0F9QwK4xxbD-1K-6Q Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

    13 min

  6. MAY 3

    The Manager’s Playbook 065: Chris Anokute - AI Music, Artist Development, Record Deals, A&R & The Future of the Music Business

    In the part II of this Manager’s Playbook convo, Mauricio Ruiz sits back down with former EPIC Records executive Chris Anokute to talk about what AI means for artists, how Suno is already being used in music, and why the future of the music business will belong to people who know how to adapt. Chris breaks down the truth about record deals, why no deal is simply “good” or “bad,” and how artists can build leverage from zero through repertoire, content, strategy, and consistency. He also shares his thoughts on AI ethics, intellectual property, artist development, independent label operations, and what it takes to build the next superstar in a democratized music industry. This episode covers AI music, artist development, music business strategy, record deals, independent artists, A&R, audience growth, music marketing, and the future of the music industry. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/ Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

    1h 52m

  7. MAY 2 ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Khris Riddick-Tynes on What Every Producer Must Know About the Music Business

    What does every producer need to know about the music business beyond making great records? In this clip, Khris Riddick-Tynes gets into the side of the game a lot of creatives learn too late, publishing structures, deal terms, mentorship, discipline, and why studying the greats still matters. He also breaks down how an old MDRC publishing deal became difficult once the business shifted to streaming, how supportive mentors helped him navigate it, and why producers need to understand more than just the studio if they want real longevity. If you care about music publishing, producer development, mentorship, songwriting, and learning how the music business actually works, this one’s for you. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wOQH0FOauCNaI3L8RANXx?si=TBK2clMnRkOmvZt0tvrCPg Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

    14 min

  8. MAY 1 ·  BONUS

    Inside the Playbook: Khris Riddick-Tynes on Why “Folded” Worked

    Why did Kehlani’s “Folded” work the way it did? I n this clip, Khris Riddick-Tynes breaks down how the record came together, why it needed more emotional nuance than a standard breakup song, and how trusting the feeling of a record can lead to something bigger. He also gets into how to motivate artists without forcing them, why substance matters more than technique, how he knew “Folded” was special, and what it takes to keep a slow-burn record moving through smart rollout, remixes, challenges, and staying close to what the audience is responding to. If you care about Kehlani, songwriting, artist development, hit records, music production, and the long game behind songs that last, this one’s for you. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/ Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wOQH0FOauCNaI3L8RANXx?si=TBK2clMnRkOmvZt0tvrCPg Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

    19 min
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4.9
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Hosted by Mauricio Ruiz, a music industry executive of 15 years, The Manager's Playbook is your essential podcast for insights into the music industry. Whether you're an artist, aspiring manager, music industry professional, or just passionate about the behind-the-scenes of the music business, this podcast is for you. Mauricio brings you in-depth interviews with top artist managers, entertainment lawyers, and other industry execs. Each episode is packed with valuable tips, real-world experiences, and expert advice to help you navigate the complexities of the music business.

Information

  • Creator
    The Manager's Playbook
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    284
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Manager's Playbook
  • Show Website
    The Manager's Playbook

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