Billboard On The Record

SickBird Productions
  • 4.7 (18)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Take a step inside the music business every week with unfiltered conversations with the executives, artists and innovators shaping the industry, brought to you by Billboard's very own senior correspondent, Kristin Robinson. From billion-dollar catalog acquisitions to the next wave of music tech to the marketing moves driving headlines, "On the Record" cuts through the noise to uncover how boardroom decisions shape the music fans stream, buy, and experience live. Clear, sharp and accessible, this is the podcast that explains not just what’s happening in music — but why it matters. "On the Record" is a Billboard original podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.

  1. 2d ago

    How Sampling Changed the Music Industry w/ Questlove

    Sampling has shaped some of the most influential music of the last 50 years — and Questlove has been there for much of its evolution. The musician and music historian joins Billboard’s Kristin Robinson on Billboard On The Record for a conversation about his Earth, Wind & Fire documentary — Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World) — the history of sampling and his work as a music historian. From the lawsuit against Biz Markie, which made sampling more difficult and expensive, to AI-generated crate digging and the surge of catalog sales, Questlove shares his insight into sampling’s evolution and how it changed the music business. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord, TikTok @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Sep 23

    How to Become The Music Industry's Most Sought After Collaborator w/ Aaron Dessner

    From Taylor Swift to Noah Kahan and Gracie Abrams, Aaron Dessner is one of the industry’s most sought-after collaborators. The musician, producer and record label owner has built a career across many different corners of the music industry, from his work with The National to producing and writing with some of today’s biggest artists to launching a studio, record label and a number of music festivals. Dessner joins Billboard’s Kristin Robinson on this week’s episode of Billboard On The Record to talk through his music industry journey, the art of collaboration, and how his experimentation with founding record labels and music festivals fed his artistic drive.  Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord, TikTok @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.   Kristin’s episode glam is sponsored by Booka, the new and easiest way to book LA’s most sought-after beauty and wellness professionals—all vetted, curated, and bookable in one place. For a limited time, use code BILLBOARD30 at checkout for $30 off your first booking when you go to Booka.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Sep 16

    How Nostalgia Took Over the Music Industry w/ Rob Jonas

    Nostalgia is shaping what listeners stream. On this week’s episode of Billboard On The Record, Luminate CEO Rob Jonas sits down with Billboard’s Kristin Robinson to unpack the data behind the resurgence of catalog music and what it says about the way people discover and engage with their favorite songs today. From the rise of ’90s and 2000s hits to the growing influence of film and television placements, Jonas explains how streaming has transformed the music business into a data-driven industry where catalog listening continues to climb and algorithms are shaping the way artists and songs break through. Jonas also talks about the challenges facing new music in a world where 150,000 songs are uploaded to streaming platforms every day, the resurgence of CDs and the ways in which superfans are adapting to a rapidly changing music landscape. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord, TikTok @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.   Kristin’s episode glam is sponsored by Booka, the new and easiest way to book LA’s most sought-after beauty and wellness professionals—all vetted, curated, and bookable in one place. For a limited time, use code BILLBOARD30 at checkout for $30 off your first booking when you go to Booka.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Sep 10

    How a Music Director Shapes the Biggest Live TV Moments w/ Ray Chew

    Behind television’s biggest live moments is a music director meticulously planning every detail from start to finish, and for many of today’s biggest live broadcasts, that man is Ray Chew. As he enters his 17th season as music director of “Dancing with the Stars,” Chew sits down with host Kristin Robinson for a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into bringing the show’s weekly live performances to life. From collaborating with choreographers and his 14-person band to navigating the last-minute changes that come with live television, Chew shares what it truly takes to make the show a success. Chew also shares stories from some of his other career highlights, including Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, “Saturday Night Live” and conducting a 64-piece orchestra for “A Night of Inspiration” at Carnegie Hall, while reflecting on the musical inspirations and experiences that have shaped his decades-long career as a music director. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord, TikTok @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Sep 9

    How Suno Built Its Latest AI Models w/ Mikey Shulman

    Breaking news in the AI music world: Suno CEO and co-founder Mikey Shulman sits down with Billboard’s Kristin Robinson for the launch of Suno’s new V6 models, which he says were made “in partnership with the industry” for the first time. Though Suno is actively being sued by a number of music companies, like Universal, Sony, SOCAN, Koda and more, for copyright infringement, the AI music company has also announced three partnerships in the music biz — Warner Music Group, Believe and BMG — and V6 marks the first time Suno is sharing its revenue with industry partners. Shulman also shares that, later on, he believes these partnerships are laying the groundwork for future Suno products that let fans remix, sample and interact with artists’ music that choose to participate.   Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord, TikTok @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Sep 2

    How to Survive Virality w/ Rebecca Black

    Is there a bad way for songs to go viral? Fifteen years after the release of “Friday,” singer-songwriter Rebecca Black sits down with Billboard’s Kristin Robinson to explore whether artists can go viral before they’re able to capitalize on it — a question Black knows better than almost anyone after becoming an internet phenomenon at just 13 years old. With today’s TikTok algorithms creating more opportunities for virality, Black and Robinson discuss how the internet has evolved from a more unified “monoculture” to a hyper-personalized algorithmic experience. Black walks listeners through the aftermath of her viral moment, how she reclaimed “Friday” as her own and how she built an independent career beyond the song that first made her famous. Plus, Black discusses her new album, Age of the Exhibitionist, and what she’s learned about navigating the music industry over the past 15 years. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord, TikTok @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jul 1

    How the Music Business Is Looking Halfway Through 2026 w/ Dan Rys, Elizabeth Dilts Marshall & Bill Donahue

    We’re halfway through 2026, and the music industry has already had its fair share of headline-making moments. From Spotify's AI remix plans and Drake's surprise three-album drop to company mergers and antitrust battles, Billboard's business editorial team breaks down the biggest stories shaping the industry so far this year. They also revisit the predictions they made at the start of 2026 in an earlier episode of Billboard On The Record, revealing which have already come true, which surprised them and what they expect to happen next. Host Kristin Robinson is joined by Billboard executive editor of business Dan Rys, senior finance correspondent Elizabeth Dilts Marshall and senior legal correspondent Bill Donahue to unpack what these developments mean for artists, executives and the future of the music business. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord, TikTok @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jun 24

    How Today’s Top Singers Are Trained w/ Eric Vetro

    From coaching superstars like Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes and ROSÉ to training actors like Timothée Chalamet, Angelina Jolie and Austin Butler, Eric Vetro has become one of the most in-demand vocal coaches in the entertainment industry. Vetro sits down on this week’s episode of Billboard On The Record for a look inside his process of keeping today’s biggest stars performance-ready and helping actors transform into music legends for film. He breaks down what makes a great singer, how artists can protect their voices throughout their careers and how his coaching sessions help shape some of the industry's most memorable performances. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord, TikTok @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See All (42)

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Take a step inside the music business every week with unfiltered conversations with the executives, artists and innovators shaping the industry, brought to you by Billboard's very own senior correspondent, Kristin Robinson. From billion-dollar catalog acquisitions to the next wave of music tech to the marketing moves driving headlines, "On the Record" cuts through the noise to uncover how boardroom decisions shape the music fans stream, buy, and experience live. Clear, sharp and accessible, this is the podcast that explains not just what’s happening in music — but why it matters. "On the Record" is a Billboard original podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.

Information

  • Creator
    SickBird Productions
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit

You Might Also Like