Trapital
Trapital is where technology meets culture. Hear breakdowns on the most important trends in tech, media, and entertainment. Trapital founder Dan Runcie and various guests break down the moves that shape the rest of society. Learn more
Mon, April 07, 2025
Streaming Growth Slowed Down. What’s Next?
It’s Data Week at Trapital! In 2024, music streaming revenue growth slowed down, but not for everyone! MIDiA Research’s Mark Mulligan joins me to break down the compaby’s annual report and the latest trends. How will the rise of the global south shape the industry? Which sectors of the “indie” market are actually growing? Will expanded rights be the next big thing? 03:18 MIDiA Research’s Recorded Music Report 08:57 Expanded Rights and Fandom 13:06 Independent Music Growth 18:05 Non-Major Labels and Market Share 22:09 Future of Music Publishing MIDiA Research 2024 Global Recorded Music Revenue Report This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Thu, April 03, 2025
Apple Music Turns 10: Is It a Success?
Is Apple Music shaping the future of streaming, or is it just playing catch-up? In this episode, we discuss the past ten years of Apple Music, its role in music streaming, and whether it’s more important to the music business than it is to Apple overall. Join me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research as we break down the moves that led to this point, the exclusives, its stalled growth in recent years, and how it fits into Apple’s broader ecosystem. 00:15 Drake Announcing Apple Music at WWDC in 2015 04:30 Apple Music's Market Position 11:11 The Apple Ecosystem 18:53 Apple Music's Editorial and Curatorial Efforts This episode is presented by Trolley , the payout platform built for the music industry, helping artists, labels, and platforms seamlessly manage and distribute royalties worldwide.
Mon, March 31, 2025
Reddit: How To Monetize a Marketer’s Goldmine
The most influential conversations about your industry might be from an anonymous commenters who is validated by hundreds of upvotes on popular subreddit thread. Join me and Dr. Marcus Collins, the award-winning marketer, author, and friend of the pod, as we discuss the significant cultural influence of Reddit, its evolution as a community of subcultures, and how the business has evolved. 02:08 Reddit as a Market Research Tool 04:54 The Power of Community and Moderation 15:29 Will Monetization Match its Cultural Influence? 19:41 If We Ran Reddit This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Tue, March 25, 2025
Do True Moguls Still Exist?
In today’s entertainment landscape, with more platforms and formats than ever, do true moguls still exist? If we’re being honest, they may have more power today than ever before. From Lew Wasserman’s Hollywood dominance, to Ted Turner’s cable news empire, to today’s tech titans, we explore how these power players shaped the industry, and who might be next in line. Join me and Web Barr, Founder and CEO of Hi Barr Media. Web recently launched Media Moguls , where he dives deep into Ted Turner’s journey. 02:38 Ted Turner’s Rise 05:45 The Classic Definition of Media Mogul 11:16 Two Types of Moguls Today 18:46 The Future of Media Moguls This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
Mon, March 17, 2025
WhatsApp is a Cultural Force. Will it Make More Money?
What if the most important social network in the world isn’t a social network at all? In this episode, we explore how WhatsApp—often overlooked in the U.S.—has become a lifeline for families, businesses, artists, and economies worldwide. Join me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research as we break down whether WhatsApp is the closest thing to a true “everything app,” how it differs from iMessage and texting, and why Meta has struggled to monetize it despite its massive reach. 04:33 WhatsApp's Global Growth Strategy 17:07 WhatsApp's Advertising and Privacy Dilemma 21:34 WhatsApp's role in Meta l 24:22 Instagram DMs vs WhatsApp 29:38 WhatsApp's US Growth Prospects This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
Tue, March 11, 2025
Can New Superstars Ever Surpass Current Superstars (Revisited!)
It’s the perfect time to revisit one of our more popular episodes. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are still at the top of the music industry despite the newer artists that do well on streaming and TikTok. That said, can today’s new class of stars ever match that same level of superstardom? . In this episode, I’m joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research to explore how artists like Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Bad Bunny are navigating the ever-changing music landscape. What does it take to break through the noise, and is music stardom evolving into something completely different? Let’s get into it 02:00 Streaming's Impact on Music Industry 07:06 The impact of streaming and TikTok 11:09 Olivia Rodrigo's Streaming vs Sales 15:03 Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, SZA 23:23 Morgan Wallen, Bad Bunny 30:28 "Music Industry Aspirations and Realities" 33:39 Emerging Artists: Success Through Unique Roots Trapital Summit tickets are on sale! Super early bird discount until April 30. Register here. This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out TechCrunch’s flagship podcast, Equity . Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
Tue, February 25, 2025
Who is ‘Spotify Music Pro’ Really For?
According to Bloomberg, Spotify is exploring a new premium tier, Music Pro, which will include several new features and perks. But given what we know about music streaming, consumers, and record labels, who is this product really for? Will it work? Listen to me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano break down all aspects of the industry’s goal to get consumers to pay more for music streaming. 05:15 Breaking Down Music Pro 07:52 Challenges in Music Streaming 15:56 How Concert Presale Tickets Work 20:33 Consumer Behavior with Music Streaming 28:31 Alternatives to Music Pro This episode is presented by beatBread. Check out their Deal Comparison Tool at beatBread.com/compare Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
Mon, February 17, 2025
Meta’s Media Strategy: An On-Again, Off-Again Relationship
Every few years, Meta makes a big push with a media-related product, but few of then have lasted long. Instant Articles, Facebook Watch, Instagram Live, podcasts, music videos and more. Why don’t these initiatives stick? Is this similar with most social media platforms that try new things? How will this evolve in the future? Join me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano as we discuss Meta, its suite of apps, and why these initiatives come and go. 04:32 Entertainment vs. Social Platforms 12:29 Meta’s Opportunity Cost 17:01 Instagram, WhatsApp, and acquisitions 23:21 The Future of Facebook 25:38 Social Media Trends 30:13 Open vs Closed Social Platforms This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
Mon, February 10, 2025
The Biggest Surprises in Streaming
The most streamed song on Spotify from the 1980s is not from Queen, Michael Jackson, Prince, or Madonna. The most streamed Spotify song from the 2000s is not from Eminem, Usher, Beyonce, or Kanye West. The streaming data is full of unique takeaways about what people really listen to. Join me and Zack O'Malley Greenburg as we delve deep into Spotify and YouTube data, unraveling the surprises and the complex layers of music consumption. 04:10 Queen vs. Michael Jackson 07:23 The Rise of 'Mr. Brightside' 24:33 Does “Not Like Us” Have Global Reach? 28:46 TikTok's Influence on Radio 31:45 Music Catalogs and Value This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
Mon, February 03, 2025
Disney’s Pop Star Pipeline
When it comes to music, Disney is a generational hitmaker. From Miley Cyrus to Hilary Duff, Disney has consistently produced some of the biggest names in music over the past few decades. We break down what worked well, what hasn’t, and how it has evolved with artists like Olivia Rodrigo. Join me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano as we dive in Disney’s enduring influence in the music industry. 02:00 The Pop Star Pipeline 05:16 The Eras of Disney’s Pop Stars 09:04 Why Nickelodeon Doesn’t Have a Pipeline 17:33 Disney's Impact on Artist Careers 34:32 Can Other Companies Do The Same This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
Mon, January 27, 2025
What’s Next for TikTok?
Join me and Billboard’s Kristin Robinson as we break down everything from the political context up to creator reactions to TikTok’s Shutdown. 9:11 Stalled Antitrust Efforts 14:12 How Creators Reacted to the Ban 16:05 TikTok's Role for Creators 25:12 Predictions on TikTok Ownership This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
Tue, January 21, 2025
How the Podcast Mega Deals Evolved
In the podcasting world, audio quality used to be king. Today, however, video elements have become increasingly essential. As platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts continue to shift their strategies, the landscape of audio content is changing faster than ever. Join me and Ashley Carman of Bloomberg News as we break down everything about the podcast business, the current state of podcast deals, and paid podcasting and subscription models. 08:48 Video's Impact on Podcasting 12:44 Spotify's Video Push 21:45 Paid Podcasts 25:08 Audiobooks 34:37 YouTube TV App This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
Mon, January 13, 2025
How YouTube Became Every Company’s Competition
YouTube turns 20 this year, and it’s influence continues to grow. In music, video, podcasts, advertising, entertainment, attention, and more. It’s in a unique role, where plenty of companies compete with YouTube, but few compete with it on all levels. But what does the future look like? Despite its edge, what are the challenges ahead? Listen to me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano to break it all down. 08:45 Video Podcasting Trends 11:56 YouTube Premium 20:52 Paying for Ad-Free Experience 29:42 Competitors and Challenges This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
Mon, January 06, 2025
Spotify’s Road to $100B and Profitability
Spotify went from a $14 billion market cap in 2022 to crossing $100 billion toward the end of 2024. A lot has changed in two years, but there’s more to the story than just the past 24 months. Join me and Sleepwell Capital, an investor, to break down Spotify’s journey to profitability. Hope you enjoy! 04:59 Spotify vs Big Tech DSPs 10:16 Spotify's growth signifies change in music distribution. 14:26 Netflix comparisons 21:44 YouTube vs Spotify 28:19 Is Spotify's PE ratio too high? 32:31 Major label’s challenging 2024 This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Don't forget to follow Sleepwell Capital on X and Substack for more insights. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!
Tue, December 24, 2024
Winners and Losers of 2024: Part 2
Here’s Part 2 of the winners and losers of 2024 in streaming, artist, and record label with Zack O’ Malley Greenburg. We talked about the shifting terrain of the music industry, down to the decline of festival headliners and the emergence of “Peak Superstar”. Hope you enjoy! 02:00 Live music - winners and losers 08:22 M&A - winners and losers 24:38 Comeback players of the year 28:13 Honorable mentions
Tue, December 24, 2024
Winners and Losers of 2024: Part 1
Here are our winners and losers of 2024 in streaming, artist, and record label. Part 2 coming in a few days. Hear me and Zack O’ Malley Greenburg break it all down! 00:00 Streaming - winners and losers 15:23 Artist - winners and losers 26:00 Record Label - winners and losers Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week!
Thu, December 19, 2024
What Superfans Really Want with SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton - Trapital Summit
Here’s my fireside chat with Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud, from our Trapital Summit. We talked about the company’s sale process, how it became profitable, SoundCloud as a platform for tastemakers, and more. Hope you enjoy! 06:25 Connecting music creators and fans 07:48 How SoundCloud became profitable 13:30 Adding value for superfans 20:24 Helping smaller artists monetize and engage fans 25:26 The latest on the sale process 29:42 AI and artist autonomy will alter music
Mon, December 16, 2024
The State of Hip-Hop with Def Jam CEO Tunji Balogun - Trapital Summit
Here’s my fireside chat with Tunji Balogun, Chairman and CEO of Def Jam, and our Trapital Summit. We talked about the evolving landscape of Universal Music Group, fluidity of music genres, the state of hip-hop, and the role of artist development. Hope you enjoy! 04:31 Def Jam's evolution 11:32 Hip-hop’s current state and influence across genres 20:29 Artist development 28:11 Afrobeats' global rise. This episode was brought to you by music creation platform Splice.
Thu, December 12, 2024
The Future of Music Creation with Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava - Trapital Summit
At our Trapital Summit, we had a fireside chat on the overlooked areas of music with Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano. They discussed why it matters to invest in the new generation of talent, the tension between creators and rightsholders, and AI’s influence in music creation. Hope you enjoy! 08:22 Exploring differences between recorded music and creator tools. 08:56 Focus on creative vision, subscription model success. 12:34 Creating tools for human-centered artistic expression. 16:31 AI enhances music accessibility while preserving creativity. 20:23 Striving for better tools, UI in post-AI. 21:48 Music's influence grows beyond TikTok expectations. 25:34 Focus on nurturing young creators and fans. 26:36 Conversations between creators and rights holders challenging. This episode was brought to you by Hangout. All your music in one place. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Mon, December 09, 2024
Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode with Believe’s Denis Ladegaillerie - Trapital Summit
At our Trapital Summit, we had to talk about Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode. We were joined by the founder and CEO of Believe, Denis Ladegaillerie. Believe is global music company that owns TuneCore and had its IPO in 2021. But in 2024, a consortium led by Ladegaillerie tried to take the company private, while fending of a takeover attempt from Warner Music Group. We talked about that experience, Believe’s plans to 2025, and more. Note: This conversation was recorded on October 3, 2024, before Universal Music Group’s claims for copyright infringement from Believe. The topic was not discussed in our conversation. This episode was brought to you by Amy Allen , who is shaping today’s music one hit at a time. For your awards consideration. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Mon, December 09, 2024
Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode with Believe’s Denis Ladegaillerie - Trapital Summit
At our Trapital Summit, we had to talk about Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode. We were joined by the founder and CEO of Believe, Denis Ladegaillerie. Believe is global music company that owns TuneCore and had its IPO in 2021. But in 2024, a consortium led by Ladegaillerie tried to take the company private, while fending of a takeover attempt from Warner Music Group. We talked about that experience, Believe’s plans to 2025, and more. Note: This conversation was recorded on October 3, 2024, before Universal Music Group’s claims for copyright infringement from Believe. The topic was not discussed in our conversation. This episode was brought to you by Amy Allen , who is shaping today’s music one hit at a time. For your awards consideration. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Fri, December 06, 2024
Unpacking The Value of Music
The global value of music copyright is now $45.5 billion. In this episode, we'll explore the global music market with friend of the pod, Spotify’s former chief economist, Will Page. We examine how glocalization is transforming the industry from Colombia to Brazil, Mexico, and beyond. We'll also discuss the difference between value and volume, streaming revenue, the need for better measurement of emerging markets, and more.** Stay tuned as we unravel the complexities and opportunities of the music world's evolution. Let’s dive in! 04:13 Vinyl’s growth and impact 07:02 The North-South divide 12:36 The State of Streaming 15:36 Non-American artists 17:17 Colombian music - import and exports 25:20 Brazilian market dynamics 26:58 Looking beyond market share This episode was brought to you by Too Lost , the all-in-one technology solution for musicians and record labels. Learn more here. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Wed, December 04, 2024
What is Drake's Goal?
Aubrey Graham has taken two legal actions against Universal Music Group, Spotify, iHeartMedia, after the success of "Not Like Us." Are Drake's claims of inflated streams and defamation of character valid? Even if they are, what is Drake's end game with all of this? Listen to me and Brian "Z" Zisook, Audiomack co-founder, break it all down. This episode is brought to you by elgato, my go-to for podcasting .
Wed, November 27, 2024
What's Next After Streaming? Troy Carter - Trapital Summit
Here's my fireside chat with Venice Music CEO and co-founder, Troy Carter, live from the summit. We talked about the shift to independence, the need to sell more than just an audio experience, why it's a sellers market for music distributors, and the next revenue driver for music will be after streaming. We'll be sharing more conversations from the summit over the next few weeks! This episode is brought to you by Hangout , the new social music platform. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Thu, November 21, 2024
Will TikTok Become Too Big to Ban?
TikTok has had quite the 2024, especially in music. The year started with a very public dispute with UMG. But TikTok also saw the rise of SoundOn, the end of TikTok Music, lingering threats of a US ban, the force of TikTok Shop, and more. Join me and MIDiA’s Tati Cirisano as we break it all down. Sponsors: HubSpot: download your free AI playbook here. Chartmetric: check out our Stat of the Week!
Mon, November 18, 2024
AI and Music - Trapital Summit
Here’s another great fireside chat from our Trapital Summit. Listen to Warner Music Group’s chief digital officer Carletta Higginson and MIDiA Research’s Tatiana Cirisano discuss AI’s impact on music, and the ongoing tug-of-war for startup founders asking for permission vs forgivenes. Higginson has seen it from all sides of the table; as an attorney, at YouTube, and now at a major label and rights holder. Enjoy!This episode was brought to you by Too Lost , the all-in-one technology solution for musicians and record labels. Learn more here.
Thu, November 14, 2024
Inside the NFL and Roc Nation Partnership
The NFL and Roc Nation just renewed their five-year partnership to lead the Super Bowl Halftime Show production and its Inspire Change Initiative. Let’s dive into what led to the initial deal in 2019, how it’s gone, Jay Z’s involvement, the twists, turns, and whole lot more. Join me and Zack O’Malley Greenburg as we break it all down.Sponsors: CD Baby: https://cdbaby.com/ Splice: https://splice.com/ Chartmetric: https://www.trapital.com/chartmetric
Fri, November 08, 2024
The Future of Music Rights with Sherrese Clarke Soares - Trapital Summit
Here's my fireside chat with the Founder and CEO of HarbourView Equity Partners, Sherrese Clarke Soares, live from the Trapital Summit. We talked about the future of music rights, future-proofing assets, media companies, sports, and more. We'll be sharing more of our conversations from the summit on this feed, so stay tuned for that! This episode is brought to you by elgato , my go-to for podcasting tools. Learn more here . Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Fri, November 01, 2024
Why The Grammys Moved to Disney
Big news! The Recordings Academy announced that in 2027, the show will move to Disney and be broadcasted on ABC, Disney+, and Hulu in a new deal worth over $500 million. This is a huge loss for CBS, the home to music's biggest night since the early 1970s. In this episode we break down the reasons for the move, along with upcoming storylines from the 2025 Grammys in February. I'm joined by LA Times pop music critic, Mikael Wood! This episode was brought to you by elgato, my go-to for podcasting tools. Learn more here. This episode was brought to you by FUGA, a Downtown-owned company empowering independent music. Learn more here. Make sure you check out our Chartmetric Stat of the Week!
Wed, October 30, 2024
The Grammys
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Thu, October 24, 2024
Ghazi on EMPIRE's Rise in Music - Trapital Summit
Here's my fireside chat with the Founder and CEO of EMPIRE, Ghazi, live from the Trapital Summit. We talked about the success behind his label's hit record, Shaboozey "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," the rise of indie music, and why he will never sell his company. We'll be sharing more of our conversations from the summit on this feed, so stay tuned for that! This episode is brought to you by music creation platform Splice, the world’s best sample library. Learn more here. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Mon, September 23, 2024
Clive Davis: The Business Behind The Golden Ears
Please take our annual listener survey here! There's arguably no executive more synonymous with the music business than Clive Davis. His influence still shapes the industry today. From his creative and business balance, to the outlook for newer genres, and the salacious scandals. In today's episode, we break it all down with Zack O'Malley Greenburg, who interviewed Davis years ago for his 2012 autobiography. Hope you enjoy! Sponsors: TIDAL: This episode is brought to you by TIDAL, who are building the hub for artists to manage and grow their careers. Learn more here. Listen for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week
Fri, September 20, 2024
It's Time to Hear From You
Can you fill out Trapital's short 5-min annual survey ? We want to learn more about you and get your feedback to help make Trapital even better. Trapital has evolved quite a bit. Our newsletter and podcast continue to get great feedback. Our reports and events have become a cornerstone of what we offer to the community. Your survey responses will help shape the topics we cover, events we plan, and the sponsors and partners we include that will be most relevant to you and your businesses. Can you spend 5 minutes and fill out our survey ? It's quick, short, and to the point. Even if you've filled out our surveys in previous years, we still want to hear from you. Thanks in advance! We'll be back next week with a new episode. Here's the survey: https://trapital.typeform.com/to/q6mDOFEt
Mon, September 16, 2024
Where Does Drake Go From Here?
It's crisis management time for Drake. He's in rare territory right now as his reputation has taken a hit. What should his next moves be? What's realistic and what's not? How did we get to this point in the first place? I'm joined by journalist and author, Sowmya Krishnamurthy. We break down Drake's career and what's ahead for Aubrey Graham. Enjoy! Thank you to our sponsors: Songtrust - Start your music publishing journey today Chartmetric - Providing our Stat of the Week! Check out Sowmya's book, Fashion Killa : How Hip-Hop Revolutionized High Fashion
Mon, September 09, 2024
Trapital Summit: October 3 in Los Angeles
A few big updates on our Trapital Summit in LA on October 3! Tickets are available here . Use promo code RUNCIE for a discount. You'll hear from Issa Rae , (writer, producer, actress), Denis Ladegaillerie , (Founder and CEO, Believe ), Kakul Srivastava (CEO, Splice ), Tunji Balogun (Chairman and CEO, Def Jam ), Sherrese Clarke Soares (Founder and CEO, HarbourView Equity Partners ), Eliah Seton (CEO, SoundCloud ), and Troy Carter (Co-Founder and CEO, Venice Music ), Larry Jackson , (Co-Founder and CEO, gamma.), Carletta Higginson , (EVP Chief Digital Officer, Warner Music Group), and Tatiana Cirisano , (Senior Analyst and Consultant, MIDiA). Thanks again to the companies who supported our summit to help make it possible. Our platinum partner is Splice , gold partners are Tidal and Warner Music Group , silver partners are SoundCloud and Too Lost , and our bronze partner is Luminate . We still have some tickets available. You can get them here using promo code RUNCIE for a 10% discount!
Tue, September 03, 2024
The Oprah Effect
Were you "silent" or "silenced"? We explore Oprah career, from her rise in broadcast, impactful television show, lucrative syndication deals, and how it helped her become a billionaire. We breakdown each of her business ventures, including her book club, magazine, OWN, and various partnerships with Weight Watchers and Apple TV+. I'm joined by Zack O'Malley Greenburg, Listen wherever you get podcasts! Episode sponsors: -State Farm - the coverage for your small business needs: https://shorturl.at/Euwjl -Chartmetric - providing our stat of the week! https://trapital.co/chartmetric/ Make sure you check out our Trapital Summit. Tickets are still available! https://trapital.co/summit/2024
Mon, August 26, 2024
What Music's Next Growth Phase Will Look Like
Whenever Will Page joins the show, we always go deep in a number of big topics: has music reached "peak oil"? the case for completion in royalty fairness growing impact of glocalization (winners and loser) Carole King and breadth, not depth, or catalogs Will is the author of Pivot, the former chief economist at Spotify, and a consultant for several companies in music. Hope you enjoy! Episode sponsors: -State Farm - the coverage for your small business needs: https://shorturl.at/Euwjl -Chartmetric - providing our stat of the week! https://trapital.co/chartmetric/ Make sure you check out our Trapital Summit. Tickets are still available !
Mon, August 19, 2024
Inside the Sphere and the Future of Entertainment
Let's take a trip inside Sphere in Las Vegas. This is a story about James Dolan's wild idea coming to life. We discuss U2's expensive yet lucrative residency, the 'Postcard from Earth' that prints money, and the endless advertising opportunities, and more. We break down the business, strategy, and challenges for the entertainment venue. I'm joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research to break it all down. Listen wherever you get podcasts! Episode sponsors: -Downtown Artist & Label Services - reach your fans wherever they are - https://trapital.co/downtown -State Farm - the coverage for your small business needs: https://shorturl.at/Euwjl -Chartmetric - providing our stat of the week! https://trapital.co/chartmetric/
Mon, August 12, 2024
Why The Live Nation-DOJ Lawsuit Missed The Mark
In May, the U.S. Justice Department sued Live Nation - Ticketmaster for "monopolizing markets across the live concert industry," and called for the two companies to be broken up. But the DOJ's lawsuit may be focused on the wrong solution to the problem it wants to solve. In this episode, NYU Steinhardt professor Larry Miller and I break down the case, our issues with the lawsuit, and the best way to improve the concert business for consumers. Learn more about the Trapital Summit here . Join us Oct 3 in LA! This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out our Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Mon, August 05, 2024
StubHub: The Complicated World of Reselling Tickets
StubHub has IPO plans this year, so it was the perfect time to breakdown the complicated, controversial, and crazy story of this ticket resale marketplace. We discuss its 25-year history, M&A, impact on the live concert business, and ways to improve the secondary ticketing experience for fans. I'm joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. Hope you enjoy! Learn more about the Trapital Summit here . Join us Oct 3 in LA! This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out our Chartmetric Stat of the Week . Learn more about Alts music investor trip to Nashville!
Mon, July 29, 2024
50 Cent: From Trolling to Triumph
There are very few people in entertainment who move quite like 50 Cent. He's a true One of One, and the focus for today's episode. We break down his origins in music. From Jam Master Jay to Trackmasters, from "How to Rob" to his mixtape run, the highs of Get Rich or Die Tryin', the brand deals, influence, drama, and where he is today. The man turned trolling into a full time profession. I'm joined by Zack O'Malley Greenburg, friend of the pod, who interviewed 50 during his time at Forbes. Hope you enjoy! Learn more about the Trapital Summit here . Join us Oct 3 in LA! This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out our Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Mon, July 08, 2024
Who Wins When There's More Music Than Ever?
A handful of artists are having their moment. Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Coco Jones, Victoria Monet, the list goes on. Will these artists be as big as Beyonce? Who knows, but they broke through an industry that becomes harder and harder to break through. But how does this change the strategy for the major labels? How are the companies outside of the label system handlling things differently. What do the economics of a true non-superstar model look like? To break it all down, I'm joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. We first visited this topic in 2022 , but so much has changed since then. Hope you enjoy! This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out Chartmetric Stat of the Week .
Fri, June 28, 2024
Quincy Jones: One of Ones
We're introducing a new series in Trapital called One of Ones! We'll break down some of the most important moguls and executives in music, media, and entertainment. Our first one is on Quincy Jones. We discuss how his upbringing shapes his strategy in business, his leadership style compared to Motown founder Berry Gordy, Michael Jackson, two truths and a lie, and more. This episode is presented by State Farm , the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out Chartmetric Stat of the Week.
Fri, June 21, 2024
Arena Tours: The Art and Science Behind Sold Out Shows
We've all seen the headlines: another well-known artist struggles to sell tickets to their arena shows. But there are plenty of artists selling out those same venues. So what's really going on? I'm joined by CAA agent Akin Aliu to break it all down. We discuss the post-pandemic touring landscape and the role of each stakeholder: artists, managers, agents, promoters, venues, and more. They each have different incentives that shape the economics, and the product that hits the streets. This episode is presented by State Farm : the coverage for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.
Fri, June 14, 2024
Why Now Is The Best Time to Be An Artist
Depending on who you ask, it's either the best or worst time to be an artist. There's plenty of evidence on both sides. Today, we're breaking down all of that and more. I'm joined by beatBread's Peter Sinclair. We covered it all: why it's the best time to be an artist but why it's harder to be an omnipresent superstar the role and perception of Spotify, YouTube, and DSPs making it in music today vs. the CD era the impact of a great producer and a guest verse why it's harder than ever to be the bigger This was a jam packed episode. Hope you enjoy! This episode is presented by State Farm . Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric stat of the episode!
Fri, June 07, 2024
A24 Wants to Evolve, But Can it Maintain its Brand?
Let's dive deep into the world of A24, the film studio known for its distinctive approach to storytelling. We explore A24’s journey from a savvy film distributor to a powerhouse production studio with hits like "Moonlight" and "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once." But A24 faces some headwinds: big investments with higher expectations, a string of underperforming releases, and pressure to expand to bigger budget IP. How can the brand known for its mystique be able to maintain its unique positioning? I'm joined by friend of the pod, Dr. Marcus Collins, to break it all down. Make sure you listen for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week !
Fri, May 31, 2024
Why Top Artists Stick with Major Labels
The biggest stars in the world, like Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake, have all the leverage to go independent, but they continue to work with the major labels. A big reason why is that they sign licensing deals. These deals have shifted over time, and become much more artists friendly, especially for the superstars in the streaming era. We break down the different types of deals, how they’ve shifted over time, and unique case studies like Brent Faiyaz, Kanye West, and more. I’m joined by Brian “Z” Zisook from Audiomack, who is a wealth of knowledge on this topic. This episode is brought to you by EVEN . Buy the art from the artist. Learn more at https://get.even.biz/trapital This episode is also brought to you by SymphonyOS , the marketing platform for today’s creative businesses. Learn more at https://symphony.to/trapital Make sure you listen for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week !
Fri, May 24, 2024
The Generative AI Music Sweepstakes
The market is booming for generative music. Suno raised $125M and Udio has raised over $10M. The tools are impressive, but they raise some important questions: What data are these products trained on? Are startups in music incentivized to ask for permission? Is this what 'IG for music' looks like? Are these products or features? I'm joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. Hope you enjoy listening. Make sure you listen to our Chartmetric stat of the episode !
Fri, May 17, 2024
Why NPR Tiny Desk Is Still a Phenomenon
NPR Tiny Desk is 15 years old and arguably stronger than ever. It helped Usher perform at the Super Bowl. It helped Tank and the Bangas break through to a Grammy nomination. And it elevated the perception of artists like T-Pain and Mac Miller. But how does Tiny Desk maintain its influence? Any company can host a stripped-down acoustic series for artists to perform in their office. But even if they did, it wouldn't hit the same. In this episode, we break down the dynamics that make Tiny Desk work, the tradeoffs that the show balances, how it maintains its status over time, and what the future may hold. Listen to me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research break it all down. Make sure you listen to our Chartmetric stat of the episode .
Fri, May 10, 2024
Why Penske Bought All The Media Companies
The list of brands that Penske Media Corporation owns or has invested in is long: Billboard, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Rolling Stone, Music Business Worldwide, Deadline, and dozens more. What's Penske's long game? Are these companies better off? Where would these companies be without Penske? Which companies are most likely next? To break it all down, I'm joined by Bill Werde, former Billboard editorial director, author of Full Rate No Cap , and the Director of Bandier Program of Recording and Entertainment and Syracuse’s Newhouse School. This episode is brought to you by 4se New York , where sports and entertainment come alive. Make sure you check out our Chartmetric stat of the episode.
Fri, May 03, 2024
How Hip-Hop Beef Evolved in the Streaming Era
While Drake and Kendrick Lamar trade diss tracks back and forth, we decided to dig into the engine that makes it all possible. How has rap beef evolved in the streaming era and social media? Do the stakes still matter? Who makes money from these beef? How does this impact hip-hop's "decline"? I'm joined by BrandMan Sean, our friend of the pod who had a lot to say about this. Listen here or wherever you get podcasts! Make sure you listen to our Chartmetric stat of the week.
Fri, April 26, 2024
Inside KKR's Investments in Music
Private equity firm KKR has been fascinating to watch in the music rights landscape. Just when you thought they were out, they get pulled back in! In this episode, we break down the past few years of KKR's deals with Chord Music, Kobalt, HarbourView Equity Partners. Why did they sell Chord Music? Why did they partner with HarbourView? What does it say about the broader music rights investing landscape. Listen to me and Anna Nicolaou from the Financial Times break it all down. 00:00 KKR's $500M debt deal with Harborview 07:24 How rising interest rates affect the valuation of music 14:50 KKR vs other players in the industry 22:15 The role of UMG in the music rights landscape 30:25 Predictions on the current bidding wars This episode was brought to you by 4se New York , the sports and entertainment event on May 21-22. Learn more here . Make sure you listen for our Chartmetric stat of the week. Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, April 19, 2024
What Taylor Swift's Return to TikTok Means for Universal Music Group
On April 11, Taylor Swift’s songs reappeared on TikTok despite the platform's ongoing dispute with her record label, Universal Music Group. This move was made in advance of the release of Taylor’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department. On this episode of Trapital, Tatiana Cirisano and I discuss why Swift and UMG don’t see eye-to-eye, competing incentives, who’s in charge at UMG, and more. 00:00 Why we’re not surprised Taylor Swift made this move 07:52 Why Swift and UMG have competing incentives 13:37 What it means for UMG and TikTok moving forward 24:27 Who’s the most powerful person in the music industry? This episode is brought to you by EVEN , where you buy the art from the artist. Learn more at https://get.even.biz/trapital Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, April 12, 2024
What's Next for Diddy's Businesses?
We've had plenty of conversations on Trapital about Diddy's business success, so we have to keep that same energy when outlook changes. On this episode, Zack O'Malley Greenburg and I talk about our initial reactions to the allegations surrounding Sean Combs, and we talk about the present state and future of the biggest businesses in his portfolio. Make sure you listen for our Chartmetric stat of the episode
Fri, April 05, 2024
Do Music Festivals Have a Superstar Problem?
Despite the all-time record highs for the live music industry, music festivals haven't quite had the same post-pandemic recovery. Several well-known festivals have closed up shop, and others have had slower than usual demand (even Coachella!) To break it all down, I'm joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. Hope you enjoy! Make sure you check out our Chartmetric stat of the episode!
Fri, March 29, 2024
Do Major Record Labels Still Have Brand Identity?
Back in the day, each record label had a distinct consumer identity. In the 90s, you knew what to expect from an Interscope album. Def Jam, Jive, Uptown, Cash Money. They all had their own vibe, their own identity, their own brand. So... what the hell happened? In the episode, we talk about how music's landscape shifted, and took the consumer brands with it. Strong brands still exist today among today's music companies, but they operate more like B2B brands than B2C brands. I'm joined by Justin Hunte, music journalist, startup advisor, and former Editor-in-Chief of HipHopDX, and we break it all down. 04:20 Def Jam's fight for legitimacy and innovation. 06:59 Federal Communications Act - media consolidation impact 12:08 Media success relies on standing on giants' shoulders. 16:36 Hybe's Weverse maximizes label and artist reach. 18:21 Maximizing super fans to boost revenue. Consolidation. 23:07 Shift in entertainment from pandemic to 2024. 25:41 Changing music industry, companies adapting to trends. 28:37 Brand identity crucial; industry accolades have limits. 31:31 Share, rate, and spread the word. Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, March 22, 2024
UMG vs TikTok, Kids’ Music, and Beyonce - Verizon (Trapital mailbag episode)
It's time to dig into the mailbag again. I asked Trapital listeners to send me their most burning questions about the music industry. But this time we’re doing things a bit differently: you’ll be hearing the questions directly from our listeners. We dug into the TikTok vs. UMGc dispute, children’s entertainment media, and the Beyoncé - Verizon relationship leading to album ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter.” 00:00 UMG vs TikTok 15:17 Kids’ music 19:55 Beyoncé, Verizon, and Cowboy Carter Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, March 15, 2024
What’s Next For Concert Films?
2023 was a big year for concert films. Taylor Swift's “Eras Tour” film became the highest grossing concert film of all time with nearly $270M in worldwide box office gross. Beyonce’s Renaissance film grossed over $44M. Was this just a Beyonce and Taylor thing, or will this continue? In this episode, I’m joined by Jimmy Stone, Founder of Alderbrook Companies, to dive deep into the rise of concert films, the economics behind them, the highest grossing concert films of all time, and so much more. At the end of our conversation, we also included an audio segment of the guest essay that Jimmy wrote for Trapital: “What Is Driving The Rise Of Concert Films?” 00:00 Why are concert films becoming so popular? 06:50 Transmedia storytelling in music 12:48 The economics of concert films 21:11 Which artist could make a successful concert film in 2024? 31:22 Jimmy’s essay: What Is Driving The Rise Of Concert Films? Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, March 08, 2024
Why We’re Still Early on AI Music
There’s been a lot of discussion (and concern) about the impact of generative AI on music and whether the industry is on the verge of another Napster moment. But according to Jessica Powell, CEO of AudioShake, it’s going to take a lot more than a text prompt to kill music as we know it. On today’s episode, Jessica and I did a dive deep into the rise of generative music, its actual opportunities, and what it means for the industry moving forward. At the end of our conversation, we also included an audio version of the essay that Jessica wrote for Trapital: “Is Generative Music Really the Next Napster?” 00:00 Will AI music have a Napster moment? 08:07 The rise of generative music 12:14 Main challenges and opportunities 20:26 Audio essay: “Is Generative Music Really the Next Napster?” Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.
Fri, March 01, 2024
The Oscars: Hit Songs, All the Drama, and Tons of Money
This episode is about Hollywood's biggest night, the Academy Awards. I’m joined by friend of the pod Zack O'Malley Greenburg to dive deep into the Oscars, how it compares to the Grammys, its relationship with music, the money spent on campaigns, the dramas, the major controversies, and some wild theories. 00:00 The money behind the Oscars 06:30 Why the Grammys gets worse ratings than the Oscars 22:05 What happened to big movie soundtracks? 31:36 Controversies over the years 40:02 Biggest snubs of all time 44:39 How to improve the show Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.
Fri, February 23, 2024
Virgil Abloh: Off-White, Luxury, and Open-Source Fashion
The late Virgil Abloh’s legacy lives on. From luxury rap to high fashion, his influence changed an entire industry, and several other adjacent ones. In this episode of Trapital, I’m joined by friend of the pod Zack O'Malley Greenburg. We broke down Virgil’s early years that shaped his future, his relationship with Kanye West, brands like Pyrex Vision, Off-White, his 3% rule, his open-sourced approach to business, his highs, lows, and so much more. 00:00 How Virgil entered the fashion world 07:44 Virgil’s influence on hip-hop and ‘luxury rap’ 15:57 Open-source fashion 23:23 The Virgil-Kanye West relationship 27:20 Legacy and controversies Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, February 16, 2024
Yeezy: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The rise and fall of the Yeezy brand is a Hollywood screenplay in the making. But this is less like the movie AIR , and more like The Wolf of Wall Street. To break it all down, I'm joined by Zack O'Malley Greenburg, who covered the Yeezy business through his reporting at Forbes. Together, we explore Kanye West's partnerships with Nike, Adidas, and Gap and the highs and lows along the way. Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! 00:00 Kanye West enters the fashion world 08:52 You don’t have the answer, Sway. 24:56 Yeezy becomes a billion dollar brand 30:28 The downfall 37:04 Yeezy’s independent future Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, February 09, 2024
The Rise of Las Vegas Concert Residencies
From gamblers paradise to entertainment mecca, on this episode of Trapital, we take a trip to Las Vegas and how its coveted residencies have evolved over time, the economics of how they work, and predictions for the future. I’m joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. We explore the Las Vegas’ origin with mob ties, the ground-breaking 2003 Celine Dion residency, and the changing demographic of Vegas attendees. Want to leave us a question for our upcoming mailbag episode? Leave us a voicemail at memo.fm/trapital This episode is brought to you by DICE. Want to learn more about how you and your artists can reach a packed room of your superfans? Learn more at dice.fm/partners Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! 2:30 Las Vegas evolution in music 14:26 Celine Dion's 2003 residency 21:50 The millennial demand 29:59 Weekends with Adele 41:42 The Sphere 48:04 The Future of Residencies Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, February 02, 2024
SoundCloud and the Future of Superfans
We hear a lot about superfans and how important they are for an artist, but we rarely see any data to quantify how valuable they actually are. In this episode, I'm joined by Will Page, author of Pivot and former chief economist at Spotify, to break down his most recent report, Soundcloud Rockonomics. We discuss the company’s Fan Powered Royalties, the user centric model, how artists like Lil Uzi Vert can measure their fans, and the impact on the industry. Today’s episode is brought to you by Bandzoogle . Build a stunning website today. Start your free 30-day trial and use promo code ‘ trapital ’ to get 15% off your first year. Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the episode! 00:00 SoundCloud’s fan-powered royalties 12:17 Lil Uzi Vert’s superfans 20:17 Helping artists nurture superfans 25:14 Streaming fraud 29:09 What the industry can learn from this model Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, January 26, 2024
The Business Behind The Grammys
This episode is about music's biggest night. But we’re not interested in who should win. This is about the business behind the show and everything surrounding it. We break down how the show makes money for CBS and the Recording Academy despite the viewership decline, the massive For Your Consideration business, the campaigning required to win an award, and major controversies over the years. I'm joined by Zack O'Malley Greenburg, friend of the pod, who covered The Grammys several times while at Forbes. This episode is brought to you by DICE. Want to learn more about how you and your artists can reach a packed room of your superfans? Learn more at dice.fm/partners Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! 00:31 Why The Grammys were started 08:04 The Grammys cultural impact over time. 16:50 How The Grammy elevated the perception of musicians 32:03 How The Recording Academy Works 52:15 Changes we would make to The Grammys Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, January 19, 2024
How Insurance Ads Became the Industry Standard
It's been over 10 years since State Farm's first Chris Paul - Cliff Paul ad. It's been over 20 years since GEICO first introduced the gecko. These ads from insurance companies have been the biggest ad campaigns and their impact continues to grow. I'm joined by Dr. Marcus Collins, who helped develop the Chris Paul - Cliff Paul campaign during his time at Translation. We talked about why there are so many insurance ads, how Chris Paul - Cliff Paul happened, and how its legacy lives on. This episode is brought to you by Primary Wave, the home for legends. Learn more about how Primary Wave continues to legacy of the biggest artists from yesterday and today at primarywave.com Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, January 12, 2024
Why Radio Still Matters
Radio is the music format with nine lives. Despite all of the new evolutions in AI, streaming, and short-form video, radio continues to live on; and will do so for several more years. In this episode, I’m joined by a friend of the pod, Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. We dive into radio’s impact in music over the years, current cutbacks and layoffs, and what the future of radio looks like in today’s era. Today’s episode is brought to you by Bandzoogle. Build a stunning website today. Start your free 30-day trial and use promo code ‘trapital’ to get 15% off your first year. Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! 09:100 The underestimation of radio’s impact. 15:20 Debates for royalty payments 22:20 How streaming flipped radio's role in promotion 37:15 The Breakfast Club's success 48:14 What streaming can learn from radio Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, December 22, 2023
Can New Superstars Ever Surpass Current Superstars?
Music has several big new stars with tons of talent, but will they ever have a year as big as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé in 2023. Both women have been commercially successful for decades and continue to dominate the charts even to this day. They came up in a different time, which works to their advantage. But what does this mean for the streaming and TikTok era artists who want to break through all the noise? Can they ever reach the same level of stardom? In this episode, I’m joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research to discuss what it takes, the impact of streaming and TikTok, and whether artists like Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny and others will ever reach the level of superstardom of artists like Beyoncé, Drake, Adele or T Swift. 04:16 Breaking through in a saturated industry 08:32 Monoculture 09:36 The impact of streaming and TikTok 14:30 Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Burna Boy, Post Malone 33:44 Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, SZA 58:29 Morgan Wallen, Bad Bunny 01:11:23 The monetization of streaming by genre This episode is brought to you by Steed , the tax strategy firm built for our industry. Trapital listeners can skip the 1,600 person waitlist and schedule your free tax consultation today. Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, December 15, 2023
Why Celebrity Fast Food Meals Took Off
It’s been 3.5 years since McDonald’s Travis Scott meal, and we still see new celebrity fast food meals all the time. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Marcus Collins, author of “For the Culture,” as we explore how fast food chains like McDonald's bounced back to its partnerships with influential artists and musicians. Marcus and I discuss McDonald’s history in celebrity fast food partnerships, how other fast food chains have had their own meals, what works what doesn’t, and where things are headed. 03:20 Why McDonald’s partnered with artists. 07:19 McDonald's and the McJordan. 16:39 The impact of social media on celebrity fast food meals. 27:53 The Travis Scott meal. 44:47 How fast food chains partnered with artists. Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, December 08, 2023
Adidas: Sneakers, Hip-Hop and Culture
Adidas has one of the most insane backstories of any major apparel company. From its ties to the Nazi party, and its turbulent relationship with Kanye West, to its partnerships with Hip-Hop, and its influence in soccer, we cover it all. We also talk about the brands rise, its strongest years, Beyoncé, Ivy Park, and why celestial star power isn't always enough. In this episode I’m joined by friend of the pod Zack O’Malley Greenburg as we break it all down. We examine Adidas’ story history, strategic moves, missteps and more. 03:40 Adidas’ history with the Nazi party. 20:04 Adidas' turbulent 1990s and missed opportunities. 34:12 Adidas’ Yeezy deal with Kanye West. 41:07 The Yeezy anti-semitism controversy. 47:19 Brands need to reconsider celebrity partnerships strategy. 58:20 Why Beyoncé and Ivy Park didn’t work. Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . This episode was brought to you by Audiense . Take your marketing strategy to the next level. Trapital listeners can start a free trial of Audiense. Learn more here . This episode was brought to you by Bevel . Get 20% off everything sitewide until 12/22! Visit getbevel.com .
Fri, December 01, 2023
YouTube’s Impact on Music
It’s hard to imagine what music would be like today without YouTube. The platform has done more to lower the entry barriers to music creation and distribution than any other platform. From the early days when acts like Soulja Boy harnessed the raw power of YouTube to drive their careers, to modern narratives like NBA YoungBoy mastering Creator culture, in this episode we delve into how YouTube's become an essential player in the music industry. In this episode, I’m joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research to discuss the origins of YouTube entering the space, the rocky relationships with music rights holders, the importance of UGC (User Generated Content), and so much more. [00:01:23] YouTube Enters The Music Industry [00:08:37] Google Acquires YouTube, DMCA [00:21:12] The Monetization-Exposure Trade Off [00:28:36] YouTube’s “Value Gap” [00:44:48] Improving Relationships With The Music Industry [00:49:49] Content ID [00:56:44] YouTube and AI This episode is brought to you by Downtown Music, the world leader in music services with over 2 million clients. Visit Downtown today to learn more . Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, November 17, 2023
Why Music is a $40+ Billion Industry
How much money does the music industry really make on an annual basis? The answer is not as straightforward as you think. Most of the outlets that publish figures only report on one side of the business. But since 2014, former Spotify chief economist and author Will Page has made it his job to answer this question in his annual report on global music copyright. This year the global value is at $41.5 billion. In this episode, I’m joined by Will and friend of the show, Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. We dive deep into the key findings of the report, the growth of publishing, vinyl sales, why “back catalog” is a dated term, AI’s disruption, and a whole lot more. [00:04:06] The need for data transparency [00:30:51] The rise of vinyl [00:46:43] How music relates to gaming [00:54:42] Streaming price increases This episode is brought to you by DICE. Want to learn more about how you and your artists can reach a packed room of your superfans? Learn more at dice.fm/partners Want to write a guest post while I’m on paternity leave in 2024? Here’s the form to fill out Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, November 10, 2023
Reebok: Sneakers, Hip-Hop, and Missed Opportunities
It wasn’t that long ago that Reebok was head-to-head with the biggest athletic apparel companies in the world. In 1989, Reebok sales had exceeded Nike. In 2001, Reebok’s two biggest stars, MVPs Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson, faced off in the NBA Finals. In 2003, two of hip-hop’s biggest stars, 50 Cent and Jay Z, had their own Reebok sneakers. But less then a decade later, the brand was a… struggling CrossFit brand under the Adidas umbrella. What happened? In this week’s episode of Trapital, Zack O’Malley Greenburg and I take a trip down memory lane. We examine Reebok’s rise, challenges faced, big partnerships, failed acquisitions, and missed opportunities. [00:03:35] Reebok vs. Nike [00;15;34] Allen Iverson and hip-hop [00;19;59] Jay Z’s S. Dots, 50 Cent’s G-Unit sneakers [00;34;39] Adidas acquires Reebok [00;51;03] ABG acquires Reebok [01;02;11] AI and Shaq now Reebok execs This episode is brought to you by Bevel. Beat the holiday rush and get 20% off the device of your choice. Offer ends Sun Nov 19. Get your device today. Want to write a guest post while I’m on paternity leave in 2024? Here’s the form to fill out Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Mon, October 30, 2023
The Trapital Report 2023
The Trapital Report 2023 is here! In this episode we break down a few big takeaways from the report on streaming, live music, the state of hip-hop, and the most valuable songs in the world. I’m joined by David Boyle from Audience Strategies, who first reached out to me about working on this report and we’ve been working together ever since. We have two report versions. You can download the free preview of the report here . We also have a premium version of the report available with insights on engaging superfans, emerging technology, country music’s moment, the impact of TikTok and short-form video, generational preferences, and more. You can buy the premium report here . [00:04:36] Hip hop outshines electronic music. [00:05:51] Hip Hop's growth was tapering off. [00:16:21] Headlines without context can impact decisions. [00:23:32] Fans want identity, self-expression, and memories. [00:33:11] Leaning in to generative AI. [00:35:24] How best to split the pie [00:42:55] Different worlds for artists on different tours. [00:46:00] Historical bias and price influence hip hop tours. [00:51:19] YouTube active users prefer pop audience. Thanks again to the report’s presenting sponsor, DICE , and our presenting sponsors, Downtown Music and Audiense for making this report possible. Thanks to Luminate and Pollstar for sharing your data with us, and thanks again to Simon Jacobs and David Boyle from Audience Strategies. Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, October 20, 2023
Apple’s Impact on Music: From iPods to AirPods
Apple has been the most influential company in music in the 21st century, and music was the major driver behind Apple’s comeback. Join us for a deep dive on where Apple was before its music journey, the impact of iTunes, Steve Jobs, iPod, U2, iPhone, Apple Music, Drake, Taylor Swift, Frank Ocean, and a whole lot more. I’m joined by friend of the pod, Zack O’Malley Greenburg. We discuss how music helped Apple exceed the value of the entire music industry. We also discuss the company’s strategy with software, hardware, and how it all worked together. Hope you enjoy it. [00:03:55] Steve Jobs returns to Apple [00:10:13] iTunes, iPod, iTunes Music Store [00:34:48] How U2 got their own iPod [00:44:20] Why Jobs was against subscription-based music streaming [00:51:27] Apple buys Beats Electronics [00:56:48] How U2’s album got on every iPhone [01:07:54] Apple Music launch [01:14:04] What would Jobs say about Apple’s current music strategy? [01:21:54] Apple Music’s old exclusives strategy Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, October 13, 2023
Trapital Report coming soon!
No new episode this week. We’re working hard on this year’s Trapital Report, which is out at the end of October! Make sure you’re signed up for our email newsletter to get the report once it’s live. Next week we’re back with another deep dive episode. Listen to this brief episode for a few hints! Talk to you next week.
Thu, October 05, 2023
Pandora: a 3-1 Lead in Music Streaming
This episode is all about Pandora Music. In the post-iPhone era, Pandora was the early favorite in music streaming. We break down its decade-long journey to get there, its rise in popularity, IPO, SiriusXM, and how and why it got beat by other competitors. I’m joined by friend of the show, Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. Here’s what we discussed: [00:05:50] The Music Genome Project [00:09:37] Rejected by 300 VCs [00:14:44] Pandora’s legal battles [00:18:22] Pandora vs Spotify [00:40:50] The SiriusXM era [00:54:15] Changing culture Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, September 29, 2023
Stanford GSB: The Future of Music - 2023 Black Leadership Conference
In May 2023, I gave a talk at the Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business - Black Leadership Conference. I explored the future of music, industry trends, and its impact on Black artists. Hip-hop culture sets the trends that society follows. I explore all that and more. [00:06:18] Beyond the vanity metrics [00:08:06] Whitney Houston estate [00:13:16] The OutKast Edge [00:19:51] Q&A: Leveling up at each stage of growth Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, September 22, 2023
Def Jam Recordings: A 40-Year Legacy
You can't tell the story about hip-hop without telling the story of Def Jam. We break down the business behind of one of the most iconic record labels of all time. Join me, Dan Runcie, and friend of the pod, Zack Greenburg, as we discuss the triumphs and challenges that shape Def Jam and its legacy. [00:04:44] Def Jam influence on modern hip hop [00:08:59] How Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin met [00:18:18] Simmons and Rubin part ways [00:26:23] Lyor Cohen takes over, Polygram deal [00:34:24] Def Comedy Jam and Def Poetry Jam [00:42:59] Late 90s run: DMX, Jay Z, and the UMG sale [00:52:11] Def Jam Vendetta [00:58:27] Jay Z becomes CEO [01:12:09] LA Reid, Def Jam in the 2010s [01:21:54] Most effective Def Jam CEO? [01:28:31] Dark horse move? [01:38:05] Missed opportunities Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, September 15, 2023
Investing in Music, Songs of the Summer, Pop Star Decline, and Creator Trends
This is a solo episode! I break down four important topics: Saudi Arabia investing in music The “Song of the Summer” is no more Pop star decline: winners, losers, and trends Spotify’s podcast strategy and the creator economy [00:04:22] Saudi investors exploring entertainment and tech, except music. [00:07:50] Music festivals present opportunity for strategic investment. [00:08:47] Investment activity in acquiring back catalog. [00:13:12] Songs of summer: fragmented, subjective, lost meaning. [00:16:52] Song anticipates spring/summer, dominates airwaves, summer-themed video. [00:20:51] Pop star decline: articles highlight big changes. [00:24:22] Limited inventory shifted to infinite digital options. [00:28:20] Music industry shifts in less than a decade. [00:32:12] Valuable data for advertisers and podcasters. [00:36:05] ConvertKit founder rejects Spotify acquisition attempt; insights on equity sharing for bootstrap businesses. Podcasters' success rate low but valuable. Creator economy companies seek capital for growth. [00:38:27] Unicorn-like success stories, underestimated expectations. [00:41:27] Personalized services to artists, potentially disrupting the traditional role of major record labels. Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, September 08, 2023
The Music Industry: A Tale of Two Cities
In today's episode, I’m joined by Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice. We discuss the untapped potential of the music production market, how music shapes our lives, and the need for more accessibility in music. We also discuss the potential of AI in creative tools, Splice’s future, and more: [00:04:56] Music’s overlooked and underserved market [00:06:43] A tale of two cities [00:12:29] The digital music producer market [00:21:26] The right balance with AI [00:29:56] Leading with empathy [00:33:12] Hard decisions made at Splice [00:41:05] Splice and the billion-dollar exit [00:46:39] How Nike inspires Splice This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, September 01, 2023
Napster's Impact on Music and Culture
Napster. The name alone brings back memories of the wild, wild west of the dot-com bubble. We'll take you back to the late 90s and early 2000s. Sean Parker and Shawn Fanning’s creation was a game-changer. But was its influence bigger than its actual impact? Who won and lost the most from Napster? Could the situation have been handled differently? We break down all that and more I’m joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. Here’s everything we covered this episode: [00:002:13] Napster's rise [00:8:25] CD boom, internet growth, Sean and Shawn [00:13:43] Internet culture in the late 90s [00:18:21] Napster's early growth in users. [00:25:07] Artists picked sides on the Napster debate [00:36:55] Legal and business model challenges. [00:42:13] When Napster shut its doors [00:48:32] Asking for permission vs forgiveness [01:00:10] Limewire, BearShare, and KaZaa [01:08:16] Life after Napster for Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker [01:14:41] Where Napster is today This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Fri, August 25, 2023
MTV: Music Videos, Reality TV, and Ridiculousness
I Want My MTV! We broke down one of the most influential companies in music: MTV. I’m joined by friend of the pod, Zack Greenburg, who wrote a book about one of MTV’s biggest star’s ever, Michael Jackson. We discuss the highs, lows, challenges, controversies MTV faced. From its business model over the years, shift to reality TV, VMAs, TRL, Yo MTV Raps, impact on culture, and its missed opportunities. [00:08:43] MTV business model, rise of cable TV, untapped teenage market [00:15:50] The impact of Michael Jackson and “I Want My MTV” [00:25:22] How MTV sparked one-hit wonders [00:30:01] Yo MTV Raps! [00:38:59] Movies, VMAs, and more [00:53:55] Reality TV vs music videos: what fans really want? [01:00:47] MTV animated shows, spring break, Super Bowl, Rock the Vote [01:05:58] Music industry peak, TRL, and big budget music videos [01:12:17] Why Ridiculousness is now on MTV all the time [01:20:44] MTV’s missed chances over the years [01:37:26] Who won and lost the most from MTV? This episode is sponsored by DICE . Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Tue, August 15, 2023
Unpacking the Economics of Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is on track for the first $1B+ tour ever, but that’s old news.. In this episode, we look beyond the public drama surrounding her masters and unpack the questions that have been overlooked. How valuable are the original recordings compared to Taylor’s Version? How will that change once '1989' is re-released? How much money will Ithaca Holdings, Shamrock Capital, Big Machine Label Group, and Taylor herself make in the end? Can anyone else in the music industry pull this off?? Join me and Tim Ingham, founder of Music Business Worldwide, as we unravel the complexities and explore the various stakeholders involved, offering insights and analysis from industry experts. 02:48 Taylor Swift’s record sales and tour results 10:47 Taylor’s NDA with Scooter Braun and 13 Management 17:18 Scooter Braun buys Taylor’s Masters 23:47 The Value of Taylor’s catalogue overtime 28:02 Shamrock Capital ownership of Taylor’s original versions 29:18 Taylor Swift's re-recordings 41:31 Tim’s experience writing deep dive articles on Taylor This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo .
Tue, August 08, 2023
Hip-Hop's 50 Greatest Moguls
August 11, 2023 is the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. What started out mostly as a spoken word artform has become a worldwide juggernaut. Thanks to the moguls who pushed the genre forward, hip-hop went from 0 to 100. In this episode, we rank the 50 greatest moguls in hip-hop’s history. We reached out to industry experts — from artists to execs to media personalities — to help us compile the list. Friend of the pod, Zack O’Malley Greenburg, joins me to count them down from No. 50 to No. 1 0:39 How do we define “mogul” 7:06 Honorable mentions 09:10 The “Don’t overlook their influence” group (ranks 50-41) 16:19 The “Playing chess not checkers” group (ranks 40-31) 23:38 The “Our impact runs deep” group (ranks 30-21) 33:47 No. 20 35:37 No. 19 37:56 No. 18 41:32 No. 17 44:27 No. 16 47:21 No. 15 51:22 No. 14 55:55 No. 13 59:09 No. 12 1:00:46 No. 11 1:02:16 No. 10 1:04:39 No. 9 1:06:44 No. 8 1:10:20 No. 7 1:14:06 No. 6 1:15:37 No. 5 1:17:11 No. 4 1:20:53 No. 3 1:29:06 No. 2 1:30:34 No. 1 1:33:22 Who got snubbed? 1:35:42 What trends stick out from the list? 1:41:21 Who would you pick to run your empire? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Zack Greenburg: ownership. Was just such an important thing for Nipsey. Such an important thing for Berner. And, you know, interviewing the two of them, I would say, their mindset around ownership was the closest I've ever seen to Jay Z. [00:00:13] Dan Runcie Intro Audio: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from the executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:39] Dan Runcie Guest Intro: This episode is a celebration to hip hop's 50th anniversary. This is a countdown on the 50 greatest moguls ever in hip hop. I'm joined by Zack O'Malley Greenburg, friend of the pod, and we both reached out to. A bunch of label heads, executives, people in hip hop t
Fri, July 28, 2023
The State of the Middle-Class Artist
Episode title: The State of the Middle-Class Artist The “middle class musician” is a popular talking point in the industry. Several platforms have been built to serve this group. But what exactly is a middle-class musician? How can they get ahead when the major companies are incentivized to support the superstars? How does the 1000 True Fans theory apple here? And which companies do a great job of serving them today? I talked to Tati Cirisano of MIDiA Research to break it all down. Here’s everything we covered this episode: 0:44 How much money does a middle-class musician take home? 9:05 How the 1,000 True Fans theory works in the steaming era 16:06 Why platforms struggling to serve middle class 18:33 What fans actually want from artist-specific subscriptions 21:23 How touring is for the middle class artists 23:21 Artists catalogs generating $20k+ from Spotify 26:25 Good data vs bad data 28:49 MIDiA’s Bandsintown return to live study 34:39 Why Pandora struggled to serve the middle class 36:18 Is serving middle-class musicians a viable business model? 48:13 Will middle-class musicians have it easier in 20 years? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Tati Cirisano, @tatianacirisano This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Tati Cirisano: If an artist is trying to sell them something for 300 just so that they make 50 or whatever it is that translates to the fan as them having to spend so much money just to prove that they're a fan of the artist. So we don't want to. harvest people's fandom, we want to cultivate it. And the current industry makes it hard to fulfill that promise. [00:00:17] Dan Runcie Audio Intro: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from the executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:44] Dan Runcie Guest Intro: Today's episode is about the state of the middle class artists. It's a very different w
Thu, July 20, 2023
What’s Next for Travis Scott?
Travis Scott is in album mode. Utopia will be his first album since 2018, but a lot has changed since then. The industry isn’t as hip-hop dominant, hypebeast culture has shifted, and Travis is still navigating things after the 2021 Astroworld Festival tragedy. How will all this influence Utopia? I broke it all down with friend of the pod, Denisha Kuhlor. Here’s what we covered: 0:43 How hip-hop has changed since Astroworld 8:23 Travis sold a lifestyle to success 9:29 Why Travis attracted category-leading brand sponsors 13:51 Lasting effect of Astroworld Festival tragedy 19:11 How will the “Ragers” respond to Utopia? 24:12 Over/under on Utopia’s first-week sales 30:01 Pyramid performance in Egypt 31:09 Did Travis miss out on building out a major independent brand? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Denisha Kuhlor, @denishakuhlor This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Denisha Kuhlor: When we look at the caliber of the brands that he was able to pull, I think that was the difference between him being a 10 or 20 million a year artist that we were who we would be praising his work ethic versus this $100 million artist that were like, wow. [00:00:17] Dan Runcie Intro Audio: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from the executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:43] Dan Runcie: All right, we're going to get deep into the world of Utopia. Travis Scott is upon the release of his fourth album, and this one has been long anticipated for several years now. But a lot's changed since the last time that Travis Scott released his album, Astroworld, which came out summer 2018. But there's been two big things that have happened. One, the pandemic. And then two, the tragedy of the Astroworld concert, and we have seen the heights of Travis Scott in that era, thinking specifically about the Fornite series that he had, we've also seen the lows of it as well, especially given the aftermath of the people that died and all
Thu, July 13, 2023
Motown Records: The Hit Factory That Changed Music Forever
Few record labels have left their stamp on the industry quite like Motown. This assembly line churned out hit song after hit song in the ‘60s and early ‘70s. With a who’s-who roster — Marin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder, among others — The Hitsville U.S.A. sign Gordy put on Motown’s front door became warranted. This episode is the story of Motown Records — it’s formula for success, what led to its decline, and where it stands today under Universal. I’m joined by friend of the pod, Zack O’Malley Greenburg. Here’s what we covered in this episode: 0:38 Berry Gordy’s origin story 8:08 Motown museum in Detroit 9:20 Cultivating a culture of creativity 13:05 Shifting the sound of Black music 20:12 Motown’s knack for discovering talent 34:29 The beginning of the decline 36:12 80’s decade of transition 39:48 Post-Gordy struggles 45:51 Motown’s uncertainty today 53:59 Best signing? 55:16 Best business move? 568:45 Dark horse move? 1:01:58 Biggest missed opportunity? 1:07:13 Motown big-screen picture 1:09:22 Berry Gordy won big 1:10:41 Who lost the most? 1:14:56 Zack’s Jay Z index Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Zack Greenburg: Berry Gordy created with Motown and sort of the Motown genre, which I think really like more than any label has become synonymous beyond just sort of like the name of label itself, you say Motown music, and a testament to the sound that he created, [00:00:13] Dan Runcie Audio Intro: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from the executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:38] Dan Runcie Guest Intro: Today's episode is a deep dive into the one and only legendary Motown records. At its peak, Motown was the most successful black business in the country. It peaked at 30 million dollars of revenue in 1968 and Barry Gordy and his team assembled a sound. a unique genre of music that produced hit aft
Thu, July 06, 2023
The Real Story Behind Hip-Hop's "Decline"
The media commentary on hip-hop’s decline is stronger than ever. Especially since it took six months for a rap album to top the Billboard 200 in 2023, and no rap song has topped the Hot 100 yet.. Is hip-hop slipping? Or is there more to this story? is slipping or others are merely catching up? To break it all down, I’m joined by The Wall Street Journal’s Neil Shah, who has written about this extensively. 0:40 Our take on hip-hop’s “decline” 4:51 Upcoming albums that may top the charts 8:48 How Billboard charts work 17:40 Hip-hop over indexed when streaming took off 18:30 Was hip-hop held back in the past? 20:26 Implications of chart performance 22:55 Gaming the system with album bundles 32:49 Are album equivalent units the best way to measure success? 35:13 Hip Hop’s market share in 5 years 45:16 Music recycling IP vs. developing new one Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Neil Shah, @NeilShahWSJ This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Neil Shah: While it looks like hip hop is suffering a little bit right now, or in this cooling period, maybe it's tentacles have stretched out So much, it's influences so total that it's actually become the bedrock of a lot of pop music. [00:00:12] Dan Runcie Intro Audio: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from the executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:40] Dan Runcie Guest Intro: This episode is about the state of hip hop, which has been quite the topic over the past year. So it was right around this time in 2022, when we started to see articles and stories and reports pop up about hip hop's decline in market share. This is specifically looking at the US listening consumption over time for hip hop artists that were producing tracks. And after a record number of years of growth in hip hop is eventually becoming the most listened to genre of music in the 2010s. We started to see that growth slow down relative to other genres. And there's a number of reasons for this,
Thu, June 29, 2023
30 years of Bad Boy Entertainment (with Zack Greenburg)
We can’t tell the story of hip-hop without mentioning Diddy and the record label he started. Bad Boy took off in 1993 after Puff was fired from Uptown Records. He brought TheNotorious B.I.G. with him from Uptown Record, and signed a 50-50 deal with Clive Davis’s Arista Records, and it was off to the races. Bad Boy survived the tragic fallout of the East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry, and reached even bigger heights after Biggie’s death. Puff began to rise as a solo artist, but did the rest of the artists suffer as a result? Friend of the pod, Zack O’Malley Greenburg, joins me on this episode to cover 30 years of Bad Boy Entertainment. Here’s what we hit on: 0:35 Sean Combs come-up story 5:16 Diddy breaks in with Uptown Records 8:22 Starting Bad Boy Records 14:11 What sets Diddy apart 21:04 How Diddy controlled the narrative 23:58 Bad Boy’s formula for success 29:00 East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry 30:39 Bad Boy’s historic 1997-98 run 45:42 Bad Boy curse? 48:44 Diddy’s reputation compared to Cash Money 54:50 Best signing? 55:19 Best business move? 57:19 Best dark horse move? 1:00:19 Missed opportunity? 1:08:52 Possibility of biopic? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Zack Greenburg: Diddy's ability to sort of walk the line and step back, you know, I think that's what ultimately kept Bad Boy in the position that, you know, that stayed and kept him in the position that he continued to be in. [00:00:09] Dan Runcie Outro Audio: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from the executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:35] Dan Runcie Guest Intro: Today's episode is another case study style breakdown, and this time we chose to dive deep on the one, the only Bad Boy Entertainment when it comes to branding and when it comes to marketing. I don't know if there's another record label that has as identifiable as a sound of vibe as bad Boy, you knew what that vibe w
Fri, June 23, 2023
Why Music Streaming Can’t Agree on a Payout Model (with Lucas Shaw)
Music streaming’s payout model is under a microscope. The industry’s stakeholders — the labels, DSPs, artists, and rights holders — all want more of the pie, but no one can agree on how. Should we stick with the pro-rata model that pools all streams together? Or move to the user-centric model that some DSPs have tested out? Should longer songs count more than a 30-second audio track? What if that artist you choose to start your music session with gets paid more than an algorithmic play? How can we stop the fraud? Would all these problems get solved if prices increased?. These questions are all up for debate. As growth slows down, everyone wants more of the pie. To discuss, I’m joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to break it all down. Here’s everything we discussed: [0:42] How this debate started [6:59] Proposed multiplier model [10:43] Pro-rata vs. fan-centric models [13:54] Factoring streaming duration without fraud [17:38] Will big players budge? [19:22] Monetizing fandom [27:21] What if Spotify raises its prices? [29:48] 2024 predictions [32:11] Bloomberg’s Screentime conference Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Lucas Shaw, @Lucas_Shaw This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Lucas Shaw: The artist are one constituency, and the record labels or another, the artist could say, well, we might be happier if the record labels gave us a bigger share. And so, the best way, again, to keep all of those constituencies happy is to just grow the pie instead of reallocating and trying to sort of tilt it towards the big player. [00:00:29] Dan Runcie Intro Audio: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from the executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:55] Dan Runcie Guest Intro: Today's episode is all about streaming. It's the platform that saved the music industry, and lately it's been the platform that has sparked countless debates on how best to compensate rights holders, the artists, and the underlying companies that provide these services. This has been a polar
Thu, June 15, 2023
Do Music Videos Still Matter? (with Tati Cirisano)
What’s the role of a music video today? In the 1980s, music videos flipped the industry thanks to MTV. Videos helped artists like Michael Jackson and Madonna become cultural icons. Record labels spent millions on music videos to promote their CD sales. Everyone was winning. Music videos don’t hold the same power today in the streaming era. The budgets are smaller, but they still get made. To break it all down, I was joined by MIDiA Research analyst Tati Cirisano. Here’s what we covered: 0:52 What is the role of a music video today? 2:15 MTV’s role in music videos 7:46 Comparisons to TikTok 11:27 Music video budgets peaked in mid-90s 14:30 Napster changed everything 17:27 Music videos as career launchpads 18:50 YouTube revitalizes music videos 25:44 Range of video budgets 31:04 Big dollars going to documentaries and short films 32:53 Rise of lyric videos 41:42Does YouTube have a music video formula? 44:09Measuring ROI of music videos in 2023 Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Tati Cirisano, @tatianacirisano This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Tati Cirisano: There's an argument to be made that MTV like almost invented the music video or almost like made music videos a thing because having that audience there and having that like cultural impact is what led to bigger budgets for music videos so I almost feel like MTV gets credit for like kind of inventing the music video. [00:00:19] Dan Runcie Intro: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:47] Dan Runcie Guest Intro: This episode is all about music videos and what their value prop is in the industry today. Back in the MTV era, the role of a music video was clear. This was your four minute opportunity to sell the hell out of your artist and for your label to promote its artist. Yet fans bought into the lifestyle, the identity, the persona of th
Thu, June 08, 2023
How Ice Spice Blew Up (with Denisha Kuhlor)
Even by today’s standards, Ice Spice’s meteoric rise is something else. She first hit it big in August 2022 with the viral release of “Munch.” Since then, Ice Spice has the most top 5 hits on the Billboard 100 in 2023 and guest appeared on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. How did we get here? Her aura, her music, her cinnamon-colored curls, and more have helped her stand out in an oversaturated industry. To explain how Ice Spice’s star was born and where it could go next, I brought on friend of the pod, Denisha Kuhlor. Here’s what we covered: [2:07] The People’s Princess [4:11] Ice Spice’s success by the numbers [6:23] “Always shipping” has kept Ice Spice’s momentum [7:26] Performing on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour [09:49] What makes Ice Spice unique? [13:24] Artists’ relatability factor [20:27] Cultivating the Munchkins fanbase [24:00] What is a music global superstar in 2023? [31:39] Sexist dialogue around female rappers [35:56] How female rappers stand out [42:03] Ice Spice’s intentions Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Denisha Kuhlor, @denishakuhlor This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Denisha Kuhlor: What is interesting about, Ice Spice is they feel like everyone's learning in real time, and they feel like they get to be a part of it. So in some ways, I do think that her fan base is interesting because it's like they're co-creating a bit, in a way that hasn't that other artists, maybe they've wanted to, but like the true actual product and creation to a product process hasn't been as interactive as, hasn't been as interactive as before. There's no wall the way with other artists. There's Really no wall. It feels like the conversations or the quote tweets that she's having on Twitter really feel like conversations amongst friends from how they crack jokes to the colloquialisms that are there. [00:00:45] Dan Runcie Audio Intro: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:
Fri, June 02, 2023
The Rise and Fall of Roc-A-Fella Records (with Zack O'Malley Greenburg)
This is the breakdown on Roc-A-Fella Records. Founded in 1995 by the trio of Shawn “Jay Z” Carter (the talent), Damon “Dame” Dash (the promoter), and Kareem “Biggs” Burke (the silent partner), it became one of hip-hop’s most iconic labels. The label took time to develop. Jay’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt, is now seen as a certified classic, but took time to get that recognition. It wasn’t until 1997 when Def Jam acquired a 50 percent stake in the label and The Roc went to that next level. Roc-A-Fella then created Rocawear, Roc Films, and went on an unprecedented arena tour across the country — rare for rappers at the time. Other artists like Cam’Ron, Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, and Freeway joined the squad.. Despite the success, the founders grew apart, which led to its infamous split. To break it all down, I was joined by my friend and Jay Z biographer, Zack O’Malley Greenburg. Here’s what we covered: 1:20 Roc-A-Fella origin story 7:21 Reasonable Doubt 09:43 Friendly rivalry with Bad Boy Records 12:43 50-50 deal with Def Jam 15:59 How Roc-A-Fella’s deal compared to others 18:59 The Hard Knock Life Tour’s impact 28:32 Expanding the brand beyond Jay Z 30:32 Why Dame and Jay’s split was inevitable 38:59 Artists taking sides 44:21 Best Roc-a-Fella signing? 45:22 Best business move? 48:27 Dark Horse move? 53:02 Missed opportunity? 59:07 Will Dame and Jay ever make up? 1:00:45 Who won the most from Roc-a-Fella? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog This episode is brought to you by Norby , your digital marketing Swiss army knife. Get started for free with a free 2-week trial (no credit card needed) AND get 50% off for 3 months after that. Start your free trial today This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Zack Greenburg: I think it was really good for hip hop, and I don't think it was ever going to turn violent, but I think again, there was just this kind of like national paranoia around hip hop and, there is, you know, in waves. I think it was just a, good reminder that you can have like a spi
Thu, May 25, 2023
The State of Music (with Will Page)
Will Page returns to the show for a “state of the industry” episode. In last year’s appearance he correctly called out the slowdown in streaming subscriptions, bubbles in web3, and more. Will believes the value of copyrighted music could hit $45 billion annually when the 2022 numbers are calculated — up $5 billion from 2021, which is already an all-time high for the industry. Another massive shift is glocalisation”: the trend of local music dominating the domestic charts, as opposed to Western artists. This phenomenon isn’t just being felt in music, but across every industry, from film to education. We covered both these trends, plus many more. Here’s all our talking points: 1:33 Why the music industry is actually worth $40+ billion annually 7:03 Physical music sales on the up and up 10:47 How publisher and labels split up copyright value 16:59 The rise of “glocalisation” will impact every industry 34:39 DSP carnivores vs. herbivores 40:23 Why video vs. music streaming isn’t a perfect comparison 46:31 Music as a premium offering in the marketplace 51:38 How to improve streaming royalties 1:06:05 AI music benefits that goes overlooked 1:10:07 Will’s latest mix pays homage to Carole King Glocalisation report: https://www.lse.ac.uk/european-institute/Assets/Documents/LEQS-Discussion-Papers/EIQPaper182.pdf Will Page's 2023 Believe in Humanity: https://www.mixcloud.com/willpagesnc/2023-believe-in-humanity/ Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Will Page, @ willpageauthor This episode is sponsored by DICE . Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their
Thu, May 18, 2023
Artist Independence (with Steve Stoute)
UnitedMasters and Translation CEO Steve Stoute returns to the show, fresh off a new deal with R&B star Brent Faiyaz for a reported $50 million. Brent had his pick at multiple major labels, but chose to stay independent with UnitedMasters. We talk about how independent companies can compete with majors on upfront money, competitive advantages in the music industry, and more. Steve and I also chat about the industry at-large: AI, entrepreneurship, subscription prices and more. Here’s what we hit on: 2:19 The ups and downs of entrepreneurship 06:11 Building two companies at once 10:56 Positioning UnitedMasters in the music distribution space 13:16 Does anyone in music have a moat? 15:56 Why Brent Faiyaz chose to sign with UnitedMasters 27:33 Should the DSPs raise prices? 30:07 Artists and creators becoming mini-media channels 36:58 How NIL (name, image, likeness) is like the independent music business 37:19 Is Steve going to strike more NIL deals? 45:52 Why every artists needs a Chief Technology Officer 54:30 Separating real from hype: blockchain, to web3, to AI Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Steve Stoute, @SteveStoute This episode is sponsored by DICE . Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Steve Stoute: They used to have a moat, but no longer do they have a moat. And I don't think anybody independent music has a moat. I think Distro kid has a lane and TuneCore has a lane, and United masses have a lane. A
Thu, May 11, 2023
How Brands Become Ideologies (with Marcus Collins)
It’s never been easier for brands to push their message out. But building true connections is in today’s fragmented landscape. Dr. Marcus Collins has advice for cutting through the noise. His new book, “For The Culture”, is full of insights. Marcus has worked with Beyonce, Apple, Nike and more. He’s the Head of Strategy at Wieden+Kennedy, and a marketing professor at the Michigan Ross School of Business (Go Blue!). Marcus believes people use brands to express who they are. To win now and in the future, the most successful brands will have to double down on identity, not on value proposition. Here’s everything we covered: [3:20] How media fragmentation is affecting community-building [5:35] Brands have to activate people, not algorithms [8:45] Ideology creates cultural consumption [10:44] Brand ideology transcends industries [19:18] How non-visible companies can use tangibility to brand build [20:04] Effective market research goes beyond just data [23:57] Great marketing taps into the moment [30:04] Why Marcus wrote this book [31:30] How to reach Marcus Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Marcus Collins, @marctothec This episode is sponsored by DICE . Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm This episode is also brought to you in collaboration with Primary Wave. James Brown would have turned 90 this month. Let’s revisit his cultural legacy and check out his greatest hits . Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Marcus Collins: The hope for me personally, is to scale my impact like I believe that reasonable, my ideology, my belief, my conviction is that we're put in this world to serve God, and serve each other. That's what I believe, and the way I serve is by helping people realize the best version themselves operate the highest fidelity. So the book is a way to scale my impact. [00:00:21] Dan Runcie Intro: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:45] Dan Runcie Guest
Thu, May 04, 2023
Rerun: How KevOnStage is Building His Comedy Flywheel
This week, I’m running back an interview with another one of the most popular episodes we ever did with KevOnStage from early 2022. KevOnStage (Kevin Fredericks) is a comedian, producer, director, and entrepreneur behind KevOnStage studios. Today's episode talks about how he built an independent brand that really paid off his hard work. He established a solid fan base, had millions of followers on social media, and monetized these platforms by producing his hilarious viral content, a total blast in the mainstream. Listen as we talk about what's going on in his business and his independent success, turning rejection into a massive opportunity to be where he is now. Episode Highlights [01:56] What KevOnStage is currently working on [04:49] His take on more black content going in the mainstream [06:53] KevOnStage’s motto, his marketing strategy, and business goals [11:57] What it’s like to have autonomy in his brand [19:08] His thoughts on artists knowing their audience and dealing with critics [21:30] What's the process from the stuff put out on socials versus onstage [25:24] How does he approach his game using different social platforms [32:38] What’s something beyond just the monetary gain that makes him want to continue to feel inspired to create content [35:13] His opinion on creators who are a one-platform-dominant [38:21] Where does his most lucrative income come from [41:57] How he diversify his content to own the media and make his brand stand out [45:51] What would he like to be doing more of [51:28] KevOnStage’s new content to watch out for Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | <a href="https://pca
Thu, April 27, 2023
The Rise of Interscope Records (with Zack Greenburg)
In the 1990s, Interscope Records played by its own rules. Most new labels started with big stars, but Interscope had a clean slate. Most labels were scared of rap music, but Interscope leaned in. Co-founded by Jimmy Iovine, a producer, and Ted Field, a film producer, people questioned whether they had the chops to make it. The label has had a hand in some of the most memorable music moments like Death Row Records, the rise of Eminem, and the creation of Beats by Dre headphones. To break down Interscope’s success, I brought back Zack O’Malley Greenberg. His book, “Three Kings,” covered Interscope’s story. Together, we unpack what’s made Interscope such a long-standing player in the music industry. [0:53] The most successful individual label of the past 30 years? [2:40] Key figures in Interscope’s come-up story [6:57] Nontraditional way to build a record label [11:07] Death Row Records partnership [16:44] Biggest signing? [19:14] Best business move? [28:07] Darkhorse business move? [33:21] Where will Interscope be in 10 years [36:07] Would Interscope’s 90s approach work today? [43:39] Interscope’s entrepreneurial challenges today [50:36] Biggest winner in Interscope history? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog This episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fm Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Dan Runcie Intro: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from the executives in music, media, entertainment, and more, who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:27] Dan Runcie Guest Intro: Today's episode is all about Interscope Records. It has been one of the most influential record labels since it was started in 1990. This record label has been home to Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent, Lady Gaga, Olivia, Rodrigo, and countless other names in between. So we talked about what made Death Row records wanna partner with a company like Interscope and what made Interscope succeed time and time again. So we talk about the business model of being able to
Thu, April 20, 2023
Rerun: Investing $200 Million In Music with Matt Pincus
This week, I’m running back an interview with one of the most popular episodes we ever did with Matt Pincus from 2022. Matt Pincus is without question one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the music industry. He sold his independent music publishing company, SONGS, for $160 million five years ago. And now, the music holdings company he co-founded, MUSIC, just raised $200 million to invest in music and music-adjacent companies. Though, Matt doesn’t see MUSIC as an investment fund, but rather a holding company. That’s because he’s taking an operator role in the companies he funds. And unlike the splashy catalog acquisitions that’ve dominated the space over the past few years, Matt is looking forward with his investments and targeting brand-new growth opportunities instead. In particular, Matt sees big opportunities in the technology sector, web3, and even record labels and publishing. At SONGS, Matt was able to spot and develop up-and-coming songwriters, inking early deals with the likes of Diplo, Lorde, and The Weeknd. He’ll be tasked with finding similar success at MUSIC. Matt and I dove deep into a wide-range of topics during our conversation. Here’s a few highlights of what we covered: [2:47] Why Matt created MUSIC [7:19] MUSIC’s investment thesis? [13:22] What Matt doesn’t like about the music business [19:36] Recent inflow of capital into the music business [20:54] Two lanes to entering music business [24:08] Finding left-of-center opportunities among musical talent [27:30] The structural problem of the music business [30:44] Continuity was key to SONGS success [35:59] The Weeknd as a business blueprint for other artists [36:53] Sync business opportunities [43:46] Have streaming subscriptions peaked? [48:12] Tiktok brought back music frequency [51:13] Matt’s five-year predictions Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Matt Pincus, @mpinc Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Newsly is your all-in-one audio super app to hear the trending topics on the entire web. Download newsly.me for free and use the promo code ‘TRAP’ to receive a 1-month free subscription. Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s b
Thu, April 13, 2023
The Business Behind Coachella (with Tati Cirisano)
The first weekend of Coachella is here: Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, and Frank Ocean will headline for 2023. Coachella is expected to gross well over $100 million with over 100,000+ attendees per day. In this episode, broke it all down withMIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano. Coachella started in 1999 as a niche festival for indie rock and quickly morphed into the biggest brand-name festival in the United States. These days, the Coachella brand is big enough to sell the experience itself, regardless of who’s performing — a rarity in the festival business. Tati and I discuss why that is, the implications, and what the future of Coachella could hold. Here’s what we hit on: [1:20] Coachella’s brand sells itself [2:19] Festival’s origin story [7:09] Advantages and disadvantages of performing at Coachella [9:09] Success by the numbers [11:28] Coachella bump for brands, influencers, and local economy [16:38] Untapped opportunities for future Coachellas [22:02] How individual music show prices influence festival attendance [24:22] Artists that are above playing Coachella [27:08] The festival that’s the antithesis of Coachella [31:10] Festival lineups becoming homogeneous [39:36] Predicting Coachella’s 2024 headliners Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Tati Cirisano, @tatianacirisano Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Tati Cirisano: Being a performer at Coachella has become almost like a badge of honor or like something that goes on your one sheet, you know what I mean? Like, it's something that like gives you leverage as an artist and also is just, I don't know, seen as like it has a certain level of prestige. Like I would compare headlining at Coachella to like, in the same way that a lot of artists would love to get like a rolling stone or a billboard cover, even if like, regardless of whether that's selling or regardless of what that does, just that as a concept has, is just something that's like on a bucket list for most artists. I feel like headlining Coachella, if you're someone who's trying to be a superstar, that's like a bucket list item too. So yeah, it's, interesting How entrenched this festival has become in the music industry when you really think about it. [00:00:43] Dan Runcie Intro: Hey, welcome to the Trapital P
Thu, April 06, 2023
Rerun: The Future Of Music Business With Economist Will Page
This week, I’m running back an interview I did with Will Page in 2022. It was our most popular episode of 2022 and we talked about a lot of topics that are still timely and still being debated right now in the industry. One of the most unique insights into the state of the music business today doesn’t come from a record label exec. Not from an agent. Not from an artist. No, it comes from Scottish economist Will Page, who served that role for Spotify from 2012 to 2019 — a period of explosive growth for the streaming giant. But if you ask Page about streaming’s future, he’s not nearly as optimistic as the rest of the industry. “The party has to come to an end,” as he told me on this episode of Trapital. Page believes the music industry is transitioning from a “herbivore market” to a “carnivore” one. In other words, future growth will not come from brand-new customers — it’ll come from the streaming services eating into each other’s market share. Not only has subscriber counts possibly tapped out in Page’s opinion, but streaming services have also put a ceiling on revenues by charging only $9.99, a price that hasn’t budged in 20 years despite giant leaps in technology and music catalog size. That against-the-grain prediction was one of many Will shared with me during our in-depth interview. But he has plenty more research- and experience-backed thoughts on touring, vinyl records, Web 3.0, and everything in between. Believe me, this is an interview you don’t want to miss. Here’s everything we covered: [3:21] The Global Business of Music [4:15] Vinyl Records $1.5 Billion Recovery [08:54] Will’s Bearish View About The Future Of Streaming [14:46] Ongoing Price War Between Streaming Services [18:33] The Changing Economics Of Music Touring [21:44] Performing At Festivals Vs. Tours [24:57] The Evolution Of Music Publishing [28:34] How Music Revenue Gets Distributed To Publishers [32:41] What Does A “Post-Spotify Economy” Look Like? [33:44] The Current Business Landscape Of Hip-Hop Listen to Will’s mix right here: https://www.mixcloud.com/willpagesnc/we-aint-done-with-2021/ Check out Will’s Podcast, Bubble Trouble , where he breaks down how financial markets really work. Read Will’s book, Tarzan Economics : Eight Principles for Pivoting Through Disruption. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Will Page, @willpageauthor Trapital is home for the busine
Thu, March 30, 2023
Picking The Most Valuable Music Catalog Portfolio (with Denisha Kuhlor)
If you had a billion-dollar fund to buy the full rights, masters, and publishing of ANY music artists — who are you acquiring to maximize shareholder value? This question was top of mind for real-life portfolio managers the past three years as music catalog sales boomed. Now my guest on the episode, Denisha Kuhlor, and I are asking ourselves the same hypothetical question. In this episode, we’re doing a mock music rights draft. Akin to the NFL Draft, each of us getting seven picks. Any artists’ catalog, living or dead, is on the table for us to acquire. Our goal is to score the biggest ROI for investors on a 10-year timeline from purely catalog revenue — streaming, syncs, and partnerships, among other sources. Touring or merchandise revenue isn’t factored in, and neither are future catalog releases, only what’s already been released. As you’ll see on this episode, Denisha and I took very different approaches to our portfolios. One was more “risk on”, while the other was filled with more “blue chips.” Here’s what to expect: [0:01] Draft parameters [4:51] First-round picks [9:42] Second-round picks [14:21] Third-round picks [18:49] Fourth-round picks [21:55] Fifth-round picks [26:04] Sixth-round picks [29:20] Seventh-round picks [37:33] Honorable mentions [52:21] Up-and-coming artists Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Denisha Kuhlor, @denishakuhlor Today’s episode was brought to you by feature.fm . Grow your fanbase and music career with their marketing suite. Get 50% off your first three months by using code: TRAPITAL50 Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT Denisha Kuhlor: We've talked about Burna Boy on the podcast before, so don't necessarily have to go over all of his stats, but I think that in one thing I'm finding with people discovering, music from the continent. Is that when they like the artist or there's things they like about the artist or the genre, they go back and listen, to the past catalog. And so I feel like there's still a lot of untouched ground in terms of people discovering his music and listening to his whole catalog and given how timeless in a lot of ways some of his music feels, I think that we'll have new fans
Thu, March 23, 2023
The Short-Form Video Wars: TikTok vs Shorts vs Reels (with Tati Cirisano)
Short-form video has exploded in popularity the past three years, buoyed by TikTok. Copycat apps and features are now the norm across social media sites — Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Instagram. MIDiA analyst Tati Cirisano joins me on this episode to break down the ongoing war between short-form video’s main players. The music industry is certainly keeping a close eye on the battle. Short-form video has been a boon for music discovery. Though, many music execs would also argue music has played a big factor in the rise of these platforms, and the industry wants to better monetize that. Tati and I covered all this and more on the show. Here’s everything we hit on: [02:59] Vine paved the way for short-form video [05:56] TikTok filled void in social media [06:53] Factors behind TikTok’s success [10:19] TikTok is an entertainment platform, not social [13:20] Potential pitfalls for TikTok [23:10] YouTube’s biggest advantages [25:53] Overlap between YouTube’s short-form and long-form audiences [29:37] Facebook and Instagram Reels are picking up steam [35:19] Instagram Reels more natural to the platform than YT Shorts [35:35] Meta’s advertising is both a pro and a con [36:39] Active creator vs. passive watcher user bases [38:35] In what scenario does TikTok lose top spot in short-form video war? [41:50] Best platform for artists? [43:08] Best platform for record labels? [44:05] Best monetized platform? [47:11] Will there be a new form of content consumption in the next five years? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Tati Cirisano, @tatianacirisano This episode was brought to you by trac. Learn more about how artists can bring web2 and web3 together for their fans at trac.co Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Tatiana Cirisano: One of my pros to talk about something that I've just, I don't know if this is still true, but something that I've heard from marketers, music marketers in the past is that, Instagram just has more trust with brands than TikTok and other platforms that are new because they've been using it for so long. [00:00:13] They know what the deal is like. It just has, better relationships in that respect. but if that's also leading to more a
Thu, March 16, 2023
Africa’s Music and Startup Future (with Mr Eazi)
The artist-entrepreneur-investor Mr Eazi has no on-off switch. Who he is in the recording studio, on stage, and on the boardroom are the same. With business and music, Mr Eazi has found parallel industries that allow him to be the same person. He’s founded both emPawa Africa and Zagadat Capital to feed his business appetite. The former invests into African artists and helps them scale. Meanwhile, Zagadat Capital invests into tech startups, most of which are inside the continent. Then there’s Mr Eazi, the Afrobeats artist. He’s collaborated with the likes of Beyonce and J Balvin, and also taken center stage at Coachella. After taking time away from music amid the pandemic, Mr Eazi is back in album mode now. Holed up in Cape Town currently, Mr Eazi has plans for two new albums this year. I caught up with Mr Eazi to cover his never-ending pursuits in music and business. Here’s everything we chatted about: [0:22] How Mr Eazi is balancing artistry and entrepreneurship [1:40] Similarities between music and startups [6:19] Taking equity stakes in artists and what an “exit” looks like [10:50] How Eazi measures success for Empawa artists [13:00] Eazi’s investment thesis for startups [18:10] Startup success trends in Africa [21:30] Lack of capital is biggest challenge to Africa’s startup scene [29:45] Raising awareness within the continent [32:20] Biggest obstacle that African artists face [36:52] Uncleared sample on a Bad Bunny song [40:45] Impact of Western companies investing into Africa [47:35] Mr Eazi is in album mode Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Mr Eazi, @mreazi This episode's sponsor is Symphony . Put your fanbase growth on autopilot with the first AI-powered platform that brings all your artist marketing workflows in one place. Learn more at symphony.to/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Mr. Eazi: part of me deciding to be an artist was reading the book, the Jay-Z book, Empire State of Mind. And that was when I saw it clearly and I was like, oh, wait a minute like this music is a business and the music gives you access, it gives you access to capital, access to the ne
Thu, March 09, 2023
The Future of Music and Gaming (with Vickie Nauman)
The gaming industry is larger than music and film combined. We’ve seen big music collabs in Fortnite, Roblox, and more, but there’s room to leverage music even more. That’s been a big focus for Vickie Nauman, who works at the intersection of music and gaming. She consults for major record labels, game developers, and more through her company, CrossBorderWorks. She’s also worked on big virtual concerts, like David Guerra and Saweetie in Roblox, and VR games like Beat Saber. But there are plenty of friction points between music and gaming. As Vickie said, the music industry likes to get money upfront, whereas gaming is fine getting it on the back-end. Then there’s the long process of clearing music from rights holders to even use in games. It makes it tough to move quickly It’s even more challenging because of how fast technology is changing. New virtual experiences are being created daily, which adds pressure on the music industry to sort this out. Vickie and I covered all this and more. Here’s everything we discussed: [1:40] What attracted Vickie to gaming [2:40] The gaming moment that finally struck a chord with the music industry [4:33] Similarities and differences between gaming and music industries [10:09] Why Travis Scott’s Fortnite concert clicked but others haven’t [9:53] Can gaming have its Kate Bush - Stranger Things moment [15:47] Why the music industry plays catch up to technology [21:33] Clearing 143 writer’s share for David Guetta’s Roblox concert [28:45] Dot-com bubble era of web3 [30:45] Music will evolve differently in web3 experiences [36:17] What’s slowing down virtual reality adoption? [41:26] AI is coming at the music industry like a freight train Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Vickie Nauman, @vnvnvnvn This episode was brought to you by trac. Learn more about how artists can bring web2 and web3 together for their fans at trac.co Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Vickie Nauman: There are not an enormous number of opportunities for music and games. It's gaming is similar to the music industry where there are a handful of huge, huge, huge gaming studios, and then there's an inordinate long tail of small to mid-size gaming companies and, you know, very, very similar to music. [0
Thu, March 02, 2023
The Rise of Burna Boy (with Denisha Kuhlor)
Burna Boy will be the first African artist to headline a UK stadium show when he performs at the 60,000-capacity London Stadium this summer. It’s the latest sign of Burna’s starpower and Afrobeats exploding popularity. The Nigeria-born artist is one of the genre’s biggest stars. Burna has reached this level because of consistency (six albums in nine years), savvy performing strategies, and a headliner mentality. To break down Burna’s rise, I talked to Denisha Kuhlor, founder of Stan, which helps artists identify and grow their fanbase. Stan has used Burna show giveaways to develop insight into his wide-spreading fanbase. Here’s what we discussed: [3:05] What sets Burna Boy apart from other African artists [6:26] Burna’s show at London Stadium [7:26] The Burna fanbase [7:52] Streaming era impact on African music [11:56] Returning to Coachella after 2019 drama [17:05] How Ye incidentally helped Burna break out [19:16] How fame is perceived in Africa vs US [20:45] Fans of Africa’s “Big Three” artists battling each other [21:50] Burna’s “contested” Madison Square Garden sellout [24:11] Possible missteps in Burna’s career [27:54] Projecting Burna’s future shows [32:20] His best career move [38:03] Building record label infrastructure in Africa [44:06] Five-year prediction for Burna’s career Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Denisha Kuhlor, @denishakuhlor This episode was brought to you by trac. Learn more about how artists can bring web2 and web3 together for their fans at trac.co Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Denisha Kuhlor: I think it was interesting, him being so vocal in the approach he took, I think a lot of, Ayra Starr did a documentary for Spotify and she's quite big, especially within West Africa. And she talked about touring in the United States for the first time, and she basically said that she viewed it as an opportunity to make someone her fan, right? [00:00:19] Like, just by someone attending her show, her goal was to convert them into a fan. Whereas, Burna definitely takes the approach of, "you should either already be one or recognize my fan base for what they are." I think in his case he's lucky cuz he's been able to back it up. especially when you look
Thu, February 23, 2023
Where Web2 and Web3 Meet (with Cardin Campbell)
In music, web3 hype may have cooled over the last year but there are still builders in the space making moves, like trac’s founder, Cardin Campbell. Trac is one of our sponsors for Trapital, and it was great to have Cardin on to discuss how music tech startups see the big picture and are approaching this. trac is a music distribution service, but it wants to bridge web2 and web3 together in a way most distribution services aren’t. Cardin sees an opportunity to digitize how royalty payments are made without disrupting the Web2 experiences on Apple Music and Spotify. That can remain, while blockchain technology adds a layer to bring an artist’s superfans around for the journey. In this episode, we discussed web3 music — what was overhyped, what has lasting value, and where things go from here. Here’s what you can expect: [2:57] Finding a wedge in web3 music [5:17] What people get wrong about web3 and ownership [9:25] SEC challenges with NFT royalties [12:04] Most music fans don’t want to invest in artists [15:31] Where web3 and web2 meet in music [19:13] Building trac’s platform [21:37] Benefit of artists “windowing” music releases [25:59] How trac sets itself apart [32:15] Artists “moving on” after reaching success [34:54] What’s most exciting in web3 right now [36:22] Biggest friction points to web3 [41:05] Projecting trac’s revenue mix between web2 and web3 [44:38] How to follow trac’s process Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Cardin Campbell, @iamcardin Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Cardin Campbell: Success means, you know, you as an artist can make a living doing your art, and whatever the national average is in terms of salary per year, we want every artist on track at that level to get to that level of freedom and beyond. [00:00:17] yeah, we're building for that success story. and then some that's like the bare minimum for us. But yeah, we hope to create, you know, the next superstar. Not create, but we hope to help support the next superstar by giving them the tools to make the business side and, you know, management side of their catalog super easy. [00:00:35] Dan Runcie Intro: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your ho
Thu, February 16, 2023
Investing in New Music Startups (with Bob Moczydlowsky)
The Techstars Music accelerator just announced its 7th cohort. As the program’s Managing Director Bob Moczydlowsky told me on this episode, they don’t invest in music companies. They invest in companies solving problems for the global music business. There are 10 companies that involve music in some way, including — education, web3, and even wedding celebrations. Each startup gets a $120,000 check from Techstars and hands-on development for 90 days. Past portfolio companies include Community, Endel, and Splash among many others. According to Bob, the program has returned a 3X multiple on invested capital since starting in 2017. Companies that went through the accelerator have gone on to raise an additional $250 million in capital after the accelerator. Here’s what we hit on: [0:00] How the accelerator has evolved [7:56] Investment areas that have underperformed [9:02] Is there a ceiling on music innovation? [12:38] Minor-league scouting, major-league swinging [17:07] Repeating motif of investments [18:11] 2023 accelerator cohort is “weirdest class ever” [28:49] The case for remote teams [31:44] The surge in capital from outside music industry [37:46] Music is less sensitive to macroeconomic conditions [40:39] Return on music accelerator vs. other Techstars programs [43:32] Techstars LP’s becoming more experimental [48:01] Hip-hop business mentors wanted Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Bob Moczydlowsky, @bobmoz This episode is brought to you by Amuse . Learn more about how its new program Music Insights can help your artist career: https://www.amuse.io/en/insights Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Bob Moczydlowsky: We have to invest in something that isn't fashionable but looks like it's before it's time, might even look a little crazy. And that's the where we can add a ton of value. And then it's our job to help to look back three years later and go, oh yeah, there it is but of course we saw that all along. [00:00:13] Like, same thing with generative media. We've been making generative media in investments since the very first year of the program and about half of them are really interesting, valuable companies now. And it
Wed, February 08, 2023
Rihanna, Roc Nation, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show (with DJ Louie XIV)
The biggest stage in music is still the Super Bowl Halftime Show. In 2023, that stage belongs to Rihanna. This is a noteworthy show for multiple reasons. Rihanna hasn’t released an album since 2016’s ANTI, which was a TIDAL exclusive! Seven years is a long time. She has since built two billion-dollar brands with Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, and recently became a mother. Could this be the start of a music comeback for RiRi? A few years ago, Rihanna famously turned down this opportunity citing her support of Colin Kaepernick. But that was before Jay Z’s Roc Nation entered into an agreement with the NFL to produce the show in 2019. That relationship — Jay signed Rihanna to her first record deal at 16 — likely patched things up. This performance is also noteworthy since it's Apple Music’s first year as sponsor, taking over from Pepsi’s decade long-run. To unpack it all, I brought on Louie Mandelbaum aka DJ Louie XIV. He’s a pop music connoisseur and breaks down the genre on his Pop Pantheon podcast. Here’s what we covered on the episode: [1:38] How Rihanna has stayed relevant without releasing music [4:49] Factors behind Rihanna’s cool factor [13:18] Where will Rihanna’s performance rank among Super Bowl halftime performances? [18:03] Evaluating Roc Nation as halftime show producers [26:47] “Chaotic” MTV-era producing halftime shows [28:59] Apple Music’s impact as first-time show sponsor [32:52] Is performing at the Super Bowl still the biggest stage? [37:15] Is Rihanna finally returning to music? [45:32] Predicting future Super Bowl performers Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Louie Mandelbaum, @DJLouieXIV This episode was brought to you by trac. Learn more about how artists can bring web2 and web3 together for their fans at trac.co Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] Louie Mandelbaum: I would say there's three moments that really stand out to me, maybe four. the first is I do believe from the jump, she always had the coolest records from Pon de Replay on like Rihanna, Pon de Replay, SOS, Unfaithful. These were like very state of the art cutting edge, well-made. Cool pop songs. She always had that going for her. [00:00:23] I think from the jump, but I don't know if that necessarily t
Thu, February 02, 2023
Why It’s Not Too Late to Start on TikTok (with Sean “BrandMan” Taylor)
The playbook for artists to go viral on TikTok has changed a lot since 2019. Sean Taylor aka “BrandMan Sean” has written and executed that playbook for his clients since the early days of TikTok. He’s the co-founder of the ContraBrand Agency, which specializes in TikTok marketing for music talent. The agency has helped artists like Macy Gray, 24kGoldn, and Trap Beckham, among others. Sean and his team just released a global report on How Artists are Going Viral on TikTok. The report is packed with insights on artist virality on the platform. According to the report, artist-generated content (AGC) is the key to going viral today. It’s more impactful than not user-generated content (UGC) from fans and other users. AGC not only works, but it’s also a cost-effective way for independent artists to break through. However, Sean points out that virality isn’t as easy as before. TikTok has matured, and overnight success is harder to achieve. Still, with the right strategy, Sean believes TikTok is still a second-to-none top-of-funnel marketing play. We broke down this tested TikTok system in our discussion. Here’s everything we covered about the platform: [1:51] TikTok entering its maturation stage [5:39] Second wave TikTok music artists vs. first wave [9:10] Biggest shift on TikTok for artists [17:13] No, artists don’t have to post dance content [24:00] YouTube shorts lack of culture [26:29] YouTube’s advantage over TikTok [31:31] The problem with IG Reels [33:32] TikTok pushing Google for search dominance [38:55] TikTok as a marketing funnel [42:21] The rise of TikTok live [46:10] Predicting where TikTok will be in three years How Artists are Going Viral on TikTok in 2022 report: https://www.contrabrand.agency/tiktokglobalreport2022 Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Sean Taylor, @brandmansean Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPTION Trapital #Sean Taylor [00:00:00] Sean Taylor: One of the problems that people were having were them blowing up right? Without being able to connect to an actual face, right? So it solves so many of the problems that come with that, and even helps the problem
Thu, January 26, 2023
How Cash Money Records Pulled Off Hip-Hop’s Louisiana Purchase (with Zack O’Malley Greenburg)
Everybody’s got something to say about Cash Money Records and the brothers who co-founded the label —Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams. To paint the full Cash Money full picture, good and bad, I brought on Zack O’Malley Greenberg who has interviewed the brothers at-length while working at Forbes. Cash Money has one of the deepest catalogs in the game with several classics. And unlike some other upstart hip-hop labels, Birdman and Slim maintained control as they rose up. Their 1998 distribution deal with Universal is hip-hop’s Louisiana Purchase. But we can’t ignore Cash Money’s lows either. There is a long, long list of artists who claim they were not compensated fairly by Birdman and Slim. Zack and I go through 30 years of Cash Money as a business, its competitive advantage, and what comes next now that Drake and Wayne are gone from the label. [1:44] Is Cash Money the greatest hip-hop record label of all time? [7:34] What people sleep on about Cash Money [11:01] Cash Money’s history of not paying artists [16:52] Did Cash Money succeed because of Birdman and Slim or despite them? [19:29] Biggest signing? [20:29] The 1998 Universal-Cash Money deal [25:31] Lil’ Wayne’s mixtape run [29:03] The benefit of partnering with Republic Records [31:49] Bidding wars for Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj [33:21] Connection with New Jack City [40:56] Cash Money catalog valuation ? [43:00] Lil Wayne’s beef with Birdman [45:48] Can Cash Money strike platinum again? [50:44] Birdman’s love for music [56:08] Hopes for a Cash Money reunion tour and biopic [58:24] Who “won” the most in Cash Money’s history? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . Transcription [00:00:00] Zack: You know, some of the subsequent deals that they worked out with Universal, you know, maybe some of the deals where they were able to get universal to, to tackle some of the back office stuff. I mean, it's very unsexy, but you know, that's clearly an area where they needed to improve. So, let's say,to give some cash in terms of like higher distribution fee in order to have Universal, you know, cover some of this stuff. It's kinda like a boring, dark horse candidate, but you know, I mean, you
Thu, January 19, 2023
Why Algorithms are Getting Smarter with Ari Herstand
I had a great chat about the future of streaming and more with Ari Herstand, who isan independent artist who also runs Ari’s Take, an education business to teach others artists about the industry. He just released the third edition of his book, How To Make It In the New Music Business. Ari joined me to discuss how artists are navigating new music releases. It's increasingly getting out of the artist’s hands in favor of the uncontrollable algorithms powering the likes of Spotify and TikTok. Ari says it’s like, “playing the lottery.” While algorithms are taking the human element out of music discovery, that human touch has found itself into new artist monetization tools like NFTs. It has inverted what Ari calls an artist’s “pyramid of investment” for an artist growing their fanbase. Ari and I covered a lot of ground on this episode. Here’s what you can expect to hear from us: [3:10] Waterfall release method infiltrating Spotify [8:15] Music discovery power shifting away from human, toward algorithms [11:40] DSP’s purposely pulling power away from playlist editors [19:21] TikTok isn’t for every artist [21:26] Evolving team structure of an indie artist [27:55] Role of music NFTs [31:44] How Sammy Arriaga sold $250k of NFTs to non-fans [40:02] The Pyramid of investment [49:10] Ari the musician vs. Ari the educator [50:05] Updated version of How To Make It In New Music Business book Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Ari Herstand, @ariherstand Learn more about Ari's book, How to Make It in the New Music Business here: https://book.aristake.com Learn more about Ari's Take here: https://aristake.com/ This week’s sponsor is Laylo . Join artists like Kodak Black, Sam Smith, and others who notify their fans instantly when they drop merch, tickets, and more. Create your own drop page for free in seconds at laylo.com Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] ARI HERSTAND I'm not a good recording en
Thu, January 12, 2023
How Diddy is Underestimated as a Businessman
Sean “Diddy” Combs is one of hip-hop’s most serial entrepreneurs. His business track record stretches 30 years with successes in completely-different industries — music (Bad Boys Records), clothing (Sean John), spirits (Ciroc and DeLeon), media (Revolt), among many other ventures. To take a closer look at Combs' empire, I brought on Tarik Brooks, who is the president of Combs Enterprises. Many chalk up Diddy’s entrepreneurial success to his influence and brand alone. While Tarik doesn’t deny Diddy’s star power, he also argues that line of thinking understates Diddy’s business acumen — his ability to spot trends, attract talent, raise capital, and so forth. Not only that, but the broadness of Combs Enterprises is a unique competitive advantage. Diddy’s different businesses across sectors give them unique data points that can drive decision-making. The group announced a new foray into cannabis in late 2022. However, they won’t enter the space completely void of knowledge. Using insights from Revolt or Ciroc, they can glean how customers think about cannabis already. Tarik and I dove deep into Diddy’s sprawling business empire this episode — the “why” not the “how” behind Puff’s success. Here’s what you can expect to hear: [0:00] Combs Enterprises’ focus in 2023 [2:22] Synergies between Diddy’s different businesses [4:40] Using Revolt Summit as a testing ground [6:29] Origins of the “Ciroc playbook” [9:32] How much strategic overlap is there between Ciroc and DeLeon marketing? [15:41] Entering the cannabis space [18:00] Regulatory challenges in the cannabis industry [26:01] Why Diddy is not just another celebrity entrepreneur [30:03] How Combs Enterprises invests in startups [34:21] Did Diddy really back Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter? [36:45] No rush to sell Bad Boy Records catalog [41:32] Sean John comeback [47:05] Diddy’s attempt to buy the Carolina Panthers in 2018 Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Tarik A. Brooks, @tarikamin Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] Tarik Brooks: Twitter's impact in society is certainly bigger than how it shows up from a profit and loss and from a market cap perspective. And when you look at, you know, where Twitter is trading today is trading at a fraction of like Facebook or
Thu, January 05, 2023
NYU Keynote: Music, Streaming, and Second-Order Effects
I had the pleasure of being the keynote speaker at New York University’s Annual Alumni Event for its music business department. Big thanks to Larry Miller, a professor and director of the program, for inviting me. It was a free-flowing conversation focused on how technology is reshaping the music industry from top-to-bottom. We’re well into the streaming era now, but some of the second-order effects are barely starting to ripple — particularly the oversaturation of content. It’s easier and cheaper than ever to release music, which explains how tens of thousands of new songs are uploaded to Spotify on a daily basis. On one hand, this has ushered in a golden era of independent artists making a career without the backing of a label. On the other hand, value is increasingly accruing to the superstar artists. Most of these superstars were “grandfathered” into this new era as they were already household names before streaming took off. Reaching that same superstar status is harder and harder for new artists due to the industry’s oversaturation. Larry and I dove deeper into the issue during our conversation. Students also hit me with Q&A about burning topics such as ChatGPT, botted streaming numbers, and much more. Here’s what you can expect to hear on this episode: [2:02] Introduction from Larry Miller [5:09] Superstar artists like Taylor Swift and Drake shining brighter than ever [10:22] Too many hits, not enough superstars [17:23] How Curren$y “niched down” to break through [24:18] Tradeoffs of going independent or the major label route [26:47] Industry takeaways from Spotify and YouTube’s billions playlists [30:32] YouTube’s competitive advantage over Spotify [34:09] Evolving Trapital’s own business model [39:43] Music’s bot problem in streaming and ticketing [42:07] Is the music superstar dead? [44:19] Picking a platform(s) as a new artist [46:24] How oversaturated music landscape impacts listeners [49:03] Is New York drill music the next wave? [50:48] Pros and cons of AI music Trapital’s first-ever Cultural Report for 2022: https://trapital.co/culture-report/ Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPTION <p
Thu, December 15, 2022
Trapital Mailbag: A.I. in Music, Future of NFTs, Hip-Hop Globalization, and More!
I’m digging into the mailbag for today’s episode. For the first time in over a year, I asked Trapital listeners and readers to send me their most burning questions about the music industry. I’ve pulled out nine questions from the bunch to cover on the show. We’re covering everything from NFTs to artificial-intelligence-assisted music creation to investing in music catalogs going forward and a whole lot more. I’m hitting you with my honest thoughts on each. Here’s a look at the topics: [0:54] State of music NFTs [4:40] Customer problems as a music startup [8:35] Lack of new music superstars [12:07] Future of AI-assisted music creation [17:00] Tradeoff for artists wanting ownership [22:11] Hasbro selling eOne [26:16] Music catalog investing in 2023 [29:41] Globalization of hip-hop [33:21] Emerging artists as startup founders Trapital’s first-ever Cultural Report for 2022: https://trapital.co/culture-report/ Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Check out The Drop, REVOLT's weekly newsletter to stay ahead of the latest news in hip-hop and Black culture. To learn more, visit revolt.tv Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] Dan Runcie: If you're an owner of I.P., often times that I.P. may be the most valuable thing that you have. But does it always make sense for you to then be the ones that produce it? Of course, there's unique examples of this, right? I think Disney is a company that clearly does both, but Disney is such a unicorn in what it does in so many ways, and we've all seen that flywheel of what they've done, and that flywheel is so relevant because it's hard to see another company that could really do that to that level. But it's more likely than not that if you are an I.P. owner or it's probably in your best financial interest to partner with a company that you can leverage their production because they are skilled at being a production company to do that thing. [00:00:46] Dan Runcie: Hey, welcome to the podcast. I'm your h
Thu, December 08, 2022
Turnover at Motown, Berner's Billion-Dollar Weed Business, and Hip-Hop's Wealthiest of 2022
This episode is a two-parter. At the top, I talk about the news at Motown Records with Ethiopia Habtemariam stepping down from her role as CEO and Chairwoman. After that, I talked to Zack O’Malley Greenburg about Hip-Hop’s wealthiest artists of 2022. After years of compiling the list for Forbes, Zack O’Malley Greenburg released the 2022 edition independently. This time around, he used insights from Columbia Business School to better grasp on the wealth of the industry’s biggest moguls. Jay-Z tops the updated list with an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion. In second is the newly-minted billionaire Sean “Diddy” Combs. The rankings are rounded out by Ye ($500 million), Berner ($410 million), and Dr. Dre ($400 million). Zack joined me on the episode to discuss the rankings, and two artists in particular — Diddy and Berner. Diddy has a portfolio of diversified assets that include media, music, spirits, and now cannabis. Berner is the biggest surprise of the top 5 but has quietly built a cannabis empire with a large runway for further growth. Here’s everything Zack and I covered on the show: [13:56] Zack’s process behind putting the list together [15:40] The newest billionaire on the list [16:41] The growth of Diddy’s DeLeon tequila brand [29:02] Sean John’s place in Diddy’s portfolio [30:28] Diddy’s latest moves in cannabis and possibly Twitter [32:45] The evolving business of REVOLT [36:19] Berner’s “surprise” $410 million net worth [31:50] High potential for Berner’s business [34:52] Berner’s business success supersedes his music fame [39:50] Drake moving up the ranks [43:50] Girl Dad stories Zack’s Hip-Hop’s Wealthiest Artists list for 2022: https://zogblog.substack.com/p/hip-hops-wealthiest-artists-2022 Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog Download The Culture Report here: https://trapital.ck.page/a23b7a6a4a Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:
Thu, December 01, 2022
Why The Next 10 Years Of Rich Homie Quan’s Career Won’t Be Like The Last
Rich Homie Quan was one of the defining rappers of the music era that preceded the industry’s shift to streaming. He — along with the likes of Future and Young Thug — made “mumble rap” a hot commodity in the mid-2010s. But while Future and Thugger continued their careers, Quan took a hiatus from the game, until now. Quan dropped his first project, “Family & Mula”, in almost three years back in October. During the long layoff, Quan admits he lost both his confidence and heart for rapping. He refused to quit on himself during the down period, which only spurred him artistically and business-wise. That’s because the eight-track EP is also the first under his independently-owned Rich Homie Entertainment label. Now ten years into his career — most of which spent under a label — Quan felt now was the time to go independent. Not only for the creative freedom, but also for the CEO role that comes with it. I caught up with Quan to reflect on his 10-year music career up to this point and how he envisions the next ten playing out as an independent artist and a CEO. Here’s everything we covered: [2:41] Reflecting on the loss of Takeoff [4:07] What Quan misses about his “come up” years [5:16] Why Quan went independent at this stage of his career [5:40] Taking on a CEO role [7:57] Why Quan doesn’t like his hit record “Flex” [10:33] New partnership with Troy Carter and Suzy Ryoo's Venice [14:44] Differences between Quan the CEO and Quan the artist [15:54] Rising as an artist before the streaming era took off [17:25] Distinctions between album, EP, and mixtape [20:16] Quan’s non-music business pursuits [21:56] How pandemic re-motivated Quan to do music [24:00] Quan wants more credit for influencing Atlanta sound [31:14] Quan’s 10-year vision for himself [35:54] Did Quan start “deluxe” project drops? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Rich Homie Quan, @RichHomieQuan Download The Culture Report here: https://trapital.ck.page/a23b7a6a4a Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . </
Wed, November 23, 2022
Investing in Web3 Music with Coopahtroopa
Cooper Turley, better known as Coopahtroopa, is betting big on ushering a new generation of music. In September, he announced a first-of-its-kind investment fund focused squarely on web3 music projects and artists themselves. Coop Records raised $10 million and Coopah will be the sole general partner. He’s hesitant to call it just an investment fund though. That’s because Coop Records is also a record label and incubator. Coopah will invest directly into web3-native music artists in a “seed round” — turning emerging artists into venture-backed startups. Structuring an artist’s company is what Coopah sees as web3’s biggest opportunity: resetting ownership dynamics. NFTs are another vertical of the Coop Records fund, in addition to the seed-stage investing in both companies and artists. Coopah joined me on the show to give us an in-depth look at how Coop Records is eying its investment opportunities. Here’s everything we covered: [0:00] How Coop Records started [2:06] Focusing on emerging artists, not established ones [3:35] Coop Records’ investment thesis [7:24] Investing in artists during “seed round” [9:50] Structuring artists as a holdings company [11:40] What does an exit look like for artists investors? [15:00] Artists as CEOs [20:11] What makes a music NFT historical [22:28] NFTs as a replacement for masters and publishing [27:18] Accredited investors vs. fan investors [29:30] Artist success stories with community building on web3 [31:40] Focusing on story when marketing NFTs [34:25] Optimizing for engagement not reach on social [39:24] How tokenization changes the artist-fan relationship [47:00] Predicting the year that music NFTs go mainstream [48:25] Coop’s big question for web3 Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Cooper Turley, @Cooopahtroopa Download The Culture Report here: https://trapital.ck.page/a23b7a6a4a Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTIO
Thu, November 17, 2022
What Spotify and YouTube’s Billions Playlists Tell Us About Streaming
Today's episode is a two-parter. Part 1 is on Spotify and YouTube’s billion streams and views playlists. After reviewing both lists, there’s a lot to learn about the streaming era and the strategy for both platforms respectively. I broke it all down with Tati Cirsiano, a music analyst at MIDiA Research. Spotify’s list is more reflective of passive consumption. Spotify’s top-performing songs are more correlated with radio hits than YouTube, which is a more active consumption experience. YouTube’s Billion Views Club has more international stars than Spotify. With streaming continuing to grow across the world and plateauing in the United States, YouTube’s list more reflects future music consumption. Part 2 is with Glenn Peoples from Billboard. We talk about its new Global Music Index that takes the publicly traded stocks from the biggest music companies in music to give an overall picture of stock performance for the industry. Here’s everything Tati, Glenn, and I covered on the show: [3:03] Immediate takeaways from each Billions Club playlists [5:15] How “meme traffic” impacted both platforms [9:37] Passive consumption vs. active consumption [12:11] International differences between Spotify and YouTube [14:57] The Justin Bieber conundrum [16:36] How Spotify and YouTube enable fragmentation of fandom [21:26] Gym-going and seasonality’s impact on streaming numbers [26:14] Short-form videos eventual effect on YouTube streaming [27:55] YouTube vs. Spotify competition intensifying [35:58] MIDiA’s upcoming predictions report [38:33] What % of the Global Music index Spotify takes up [39:23] Why music industry stocks fell further than the overall market [46:25] Streaming platforms increasing prices [50:22] What goes into calculating Average Revenue Per User for Spotify [55:23] Spotify’s podcast strategy & acquisitions [59:18] How much of Trapital’s audience comes from Spotify [1:02:53] Why TikTok should launch it’s own streaming service [1:09:39] What Glenn expects 2023 to look like Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Tati Cirisano, @tatianacirisano, Glenn Peoples, @theglennpeoples Download The Culture Report here: https://trapital.ck.page/a23b7a6a4a Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the la
Thu, November 10, 2022
How a16z’s Cultural Leadership Fund Is Putting More Black Dollars in Tech
Megan Holston-Alexander is a partner at Andreessen Horowitz Cultural Leadership Fund. It’s the first VC fund that raised money exclusively from Black leaders — from entertainment to sports to business. The fund co-invests with a16z’s other funds and has raised more than $60 million across its three funds to date. The overarching purpose of CLF is to create generational wealth opportunities for Black communities. It’s a two-pronged approach. The first is getting Black dollars directly on the cap tables of high-potential startup companies. And the second is creating a pipeline for more Black talent at early-stage companies. Megan joined me on the show on the heels of hosting the first-ever Cultural Leadership Summit and announcing CLF III before then. Here’s everything we covered during our conversation: [2:39] Takeaways from the Cultural Leadership Summit [5:19] Building despite economic uncertainties [7:36] High-worth individuals also affected by macro economy [9:05] How has the Cultural Leadership Fund evolved? [14:54] Difference between entertainment and executive LP’s [17:16] Web3’s knowledge imbalance [19:16] Megan’s interest in DAO’s [20:58] Will CLF’s investment model change? [22:42] How CLF used relationships and trust-building to scale its operation [28:35] Megan’s vetting process with LP’s [36:02] How VC industry at-large can create more opportunities for black founders and talent [39:15] Has the Bay Area lost its monopoly on tech? [44:59] What CLF is focusing on in 2023 Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Megan Holston-Alexander, @meghalexander Download The Culture Report here: https://trapital.ck.page/a23b7a6a4a Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] Megan Holston Alexander: What we hadn't considered on the executive side is, while the athletes and our kind of entertainers can partner on different things or, like, help them go into new markets, when it came
Thu, November 03, 2022
The Culture Report, and DICE President on Making Music Ticketing Less Transactional
At the top of the episode, I talk about Trapital’s new Culture Report and our opening section on hip-hop’s “decline.” This report is sponsored by DICE, and it was a great chance to chat with DICE President Russ Tannen about the future of ticketing and live events. Russ moved to New York City in 2021 amid the pandemic with one lofty goal: grow the music ticketing platform’s business inside the competitive United States market. If that wasn’t challenging enough, this was all while live musical shows were still hard to come by. More than a year later, DICE is still in growth mode, not only in the US but with aspirations for other international markets too. Russ was a day-one employee of DICE when it started in 2013 in Europe. What separated the platform then — and to this day — is its laser focus on the music fan. Unlike its major competitors, DICE is as much a discovery platform as a point-of-sale. Using the app’s own internal data, fans are recommended local shows to attend. The recommendation system was created with the intent of improving the live music-going experience for fans. This same reason is also why the ticket price you see on DICE is the final price, no extra fees added at check-out. DICE tickets also can’t be resold outside of its app, ensuring true fans, not ticket scalpers, will have first access to see their favorite artists. Russ joined me on the show to discuss the inner workings of DICE, from the app’s unique benefits for fans, artists, and venues alike to its overarching growth strategy. Here’s everything we covered: [0:35] The Culture Report [13:01] DICE entering the US market amid pandemic [15:26] Competing against other ticketing platforms [19:58] Re-wiring consumer behavior around attending events [22:15] Prior partnership with Kanye West [23:37] Has there been any artist pushback? [25:16] Showing ticket price upfront, not at checkout [28:10] How DICE deals with ticket-buying bots [35:57] DICE’s investment in data science is paying off [35:37] Partnering with Ice Spice [38:21] Early signals that an artist is on the rise [40:22] Correlation between social media and streaming numbers on ticket sales [43:16] Differences in ticketing in US vs. other markets [46:18] Sales strategies for low-demand shows [48:46] DICE’s plans to tap more into Latin music market [52:27] Expansion is DICE’s primary focus in 2023 Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Russ Tannen, @RussTannen Download The Culture Report here: https://trapital.ck.page/a23b7a6a4a Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3
Thu, October 27, 2022
How HitPiece Rebounded and Relaunched After Controversy
Rory Felton has spent most of his past two decades in music being pro-artist. He developed talent and sold millions of records under his Militia Group label that he co-founded and eventually sold to Sony. In the early days of social media, Rory worked with Top 40 artists and majors to monetize on these new platforms. That’s why it was ironic that Rory was recently criticized for being anti-artist. Rory founded HitPiece two years ago. HitPiece is an NFT marketplace focused solely on music collections. While in beta earlier this year, unauthorized NFTs from big-name artists became available for purchase on HitPiece. HitPiece was hit with wide-spread backlash from artists, the RIAA, and many others for copyright infringement. The company quickly went dark while the team recalibrated its business. Months later, HitPiece has now re-launched. This time with strictly-authenticated collections on-site from rising artists like ATL Jacob, Pyrex Whippa, and proven commodities such as Rick Ross. A metaverse add-on is also in the works to virtually display purchased NFTs. In many ways, the industry-wide blowback changed both Rory and HitPiece. The company’s intent has stayed consistent from the get-go: to make NFTs easy for both artists and fans. Rory joined me on the show to cover what went wrong with HitPiece earlier this year, why this relaunch is different, and the opportunities and challenges NFTs have inside the music industry. Here’s everything we covered: [2:58] Rory’s two decades in the industry pre-HitPiece [6:07] “Best time in human history to be an artist” [9:19] What went wrong with HitPiece’s beta release [13:33] Re-gaining industry trust after the backlash [16:22] Did HitPiece consider rebranding? [19:12] How HitPiece built a collection with rising star ATL Jacob [20:27] Web3 co-existing with industry, not replacing it [27:34] Building out a music-centric metaverse [33:32] How HitPiece will compete against Facebook, Opensea, and other big players [35:57] Types of NFT collections on HitPiece [39:00] How to win the music industry in 2022 and onward [43:17] HitPiece plans for 2023 Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Rory Felton, @Roryfelton Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from
Thu, October 20, 2022
How Curren$y Played The Long Game With His Career & Jet Life
Most artists want career growth and they want it fast — sometimes to a fault. This is where Curren$y is an outlier. From the jump, Curren$y set out to grow both his career and fanbase slowly but steadily. He successfully did that and it’s a reason why he’s not only stayed in the rap game for almost twenty years, but is now still earning more money, and at a career point where most of his peers coming up have already fizzled out. Curren$y and his longtime manager, Mousa, joined me on this week’s episode to explain how zigging when others zagged contributed to their career longevity. One instance is leaving his hometown Cash Money Records label to create their own, Jet Life. The two have been able to morph the brand into a full-on business empire that now includes apparel, athlete management, products, and more verticals on top of the music label. The duo built Jet Life on the back of touring and being true to their audience. To do so, they turned down more brand partnerships they can remember and even music festival appearances at times — no matter how good the bag was for each. These trend-bucking moves were covered at length in our interview. Here’s what we covered: [3:15] New Orleans folks are immune to heat [4:44] Mousa and Curren$y relationship began in 2005 [8:49] Growing Jet Life business beyond a record label [11:45] Turning down non-authentic business opportunities [15:59] Emphasizing touring early in Curren$y’s career [19:21] Releasing an EP as an NFT [23:52] Curren$y’s take on streaming farms [29:47] Macro-view of Jet Life revenue streams [34:47] Touring is cornerstone of Jet Life business [37:08] Performing on own shows vs. music festivals [43:48] Festival money goes to sports car dealership [45:16] Curren$y’s partnership with NASCAR (and problems with Coca-Cola) [50:37] What’s the secret to a great artist-manager relationship? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Mousa Hamdan & Curren$y, @MOUSA504 & @spitta_andretti Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRAN
Thu, October 13, 2022
Rap Capital: The Rise & Reign Of Atlanta’s Hip-Hop Empire
The dominance of Atlanta’s hip-hop scene has been discussed often, but not in the way Joe Coscarelli covered it in his new book, Rap Capital. Joe, a New York Times music reporter since 2015, spent four years and interviewed over 100 sources to get the contemporary story about Atlanta’s culture-defining music scene. Characters are what move the story forward in Joe’s book, not discography, record sales, or cultural relevance. Lil Baby is featured prominently, as is his mom. Joe’s relationship with the hit rapper dates back to 2017 when Lil Baby was still a mixtape artist. Another recurring character is Quality Control Music’s Kevin “Coach K” Lee, who has deep-rooted ties with the city’s most well-known artists across eras. Joe came onto the show to take us through the book’s journey — both for him to write it and the characters themselves. Here’s what we covered: [2:40] How the book came together and finally clicked [6:42] Role of Quality Control’s Coach K in Atlanta story [10:11] Lasting effects of pandemic on music industry [12:38] Which era of Atlanta hip-hop to focus on? [14:09] How streaming helped launch Atlanta rap into the mainstream [16:10] Building trust with his sources despite racial differences [18:10] Did Joe receive any pushback while reporting? [20:19] Evolution key to Atlanta rap’s longevity [25:05] Adapting Rap Capital into a movie [29:45] The crumbling of mainstream culture Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Joe Coscarelli, @joecoscarelli Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] Joe Coscarelli: I wanted to tell the story through characters, through people, not just, you know, you can run down the discography of all the amazing Atlanta musicians, right? You can go through the label history, read the reviews. But I always want to sort of pull back like, who's behind these people? Who's behind that person? So that's why I think, you know, mothers were huge, fathers, you know, friends, people who are around these artists growing up, I wanted them to be human characte
Thu, October 06, 2022
Mona Scott-Young’s Influence On Culture Goes Beyond Love & Hip Hop
Mona Scott-Young is best-known for producing the Love & Hip Hop reality TV series on VH1. The franchise debuted in 2011 has remained a TV fixture today through industry-wide changes with TV and around 30 different seasons aired. However, it’s Young’s ability to permeate hip-hop culture into the mainstream that’s been the true calling card. Before Love & Hip Hop, Mona managed talent in music. She was a co-founder for Violator with the late Chris Lighty, and was behind memorable brand partnerships such as Busta Rhymes and Courvoisier, Missy Elliott with Reebok and Adidas, and the landmark 50 Cent-Vitamin Water deal, among many others back then, such deals were harder to cut than nowadays. It was during this time in music when Mona was introduced to the fascinating lives of hip-hop wives, which led to Love & Hip-Hop’s creation. But Mona, who also founded and runs Monami Productions,has more stories to tell about the hip-hop industry. She’s teaming up with another well-known TV producer, 50 Cent, on “Hip-Hop Homicides,” which debuts later this year. Mona’s influence on the world of hip-hop reaches further than most realize. To hear how Mona moved the culture forward, you’ll want to listen to our show. Here’s everything we covered: [2:59] How does Love & Hip Hop stay fresh? [4:45] Biggest challenge for reality TV in social-media age [7:55] Love & Hip Hop success stories [9:07] Influencing other hip-hop-related series [11:15] Increased programming around hip-hop [14:21] How reality shows fit into today’s streaming landscape [19:00] Mona’s career in music and artist-brand deals [24:52] Brand deals for Love & Hip Hop talent [28:27] Network pressures to expand the Love & Hip Hop brand [30:06] Scrutiny on the show’s content [34:01] Future of Love & Hip Hop Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Mona Scott-Youngs, @monascottyoung Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital HitPiece is your place to discover new NFTs from your favorite artists. Learn more today at hitpiece.com Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . <strong
Thu, September 29, 2022
Inside Hannibal Buress’ Pivot From Comedy To Rap
Hannibal Buress has carved a name for himself in comedy over the past two decades. But now he’s foregoing that part of his career for a fresh identity — Eshu Tune, his rap alter-ego. The name pays homage to a “trickster god” in Nigerian mythology. A rap career has been in the back of Hannibal’s mind but the career pivot wasn’t seriously put into motion until 2020. Earlier that year, he put out a comedy special, “Miami Nights.” While promoting it at home during lockdowns, Hannibal felt a spark missing. That, plus the added alone time from not performing at comedy clubs, finally pushed Hannibal into the studio. Since then, Hannibal has largely dedicated himself to rap and rap only. His eight-track, self-titled EP dropped earlier this year. Live rap show performances followed that. An agency deal was inked with UTA this summer. And soon, Hannibal will hit the studio to prepare for his debut album, which he plans to drop on his 40th birthday next April. Hannibal took me through his comedy-to-rap journey over the past two years on the show. Here’s what we covered in our interview: [2:54] Introducing Eshu Tune the rapper [4:17] What led Hannibal to the career pivot [6:53] Goals of debut EP [10:11] Benefits of being independent artist [14:34] Following Too $hort at a Bay Area show [19:52] Getting a performing residency in LA [21:29] Challenging himself with music [26:52] Difference between Hannibal’s comedy and rap fanbase [29:08] Will Hannibal still do comedy? [31:36] Has the changing climate of comedy impacted Hannibal? [34:01] Previous comedians that went into music [37:50] Response from rap community to Hannibal’s career pivot [38:52] Eshu Tune’s next album drop Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Hannibal Buress, @hannibalburess Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] Hannibal Buress: I got some stuff, I got 'em locked and loaded, just, you know, got to go get 'em out. That's one thing too, is since I am independent, I don't feel, I just kind of d
Thu, September 22, 2022
The Music Industry’s Oversaturation Problem
It’s never been easier for artists to release music and find an audience in any corner of the world. Likewise, it’s never been more difficult for artists to break through the noise. The Internet and streaming services have created a double-edged sword for rising artists. To discuss this, Tatiano Cirisano joined me on the show. Tati is a music analyst at MIDiA Research and a former reporter at Billboard. Tati released a research piece a few weeks ago that argues the music industry is oversaturated and fragmented — more than ever before. This shift has created a new class system for artists. In Group 1 are artists that reached prominence pre-streaming in a less cluttered marketplace (e.g. Beyonce or AC/DC). Class 2 consists of artists who rose in parallel with the proliferation of streaming. Drake and Taylor Swift fall into this category. And then there’s the Class 3, that includes newer artists, who try to cultivate audiences in today’s hyper-competitive landscape against the other two groups. Tati believes the trend line for the music industry’s fragmentation is clearly pointing up. To understand how we got here, why it matters, and how it redefines success, you’ll want to listen to our interview. Here’s our biggest talking points: [3:11] Why consumption is now fragmented [8:41] Music superstars losing their reach [10:55] Modern artists valuing fame less than prior generations [13:24] Benefits to fragmentation [14:48] Updated benchmark for artist success [16:50] Active vs. passive listening [18:53] Music industry is still tied to album sales [25:34] Artists segmenting audiences by platform [30:18] Trap of taking users off native platforms [32:59] Content is becoming more important than the creator [37:35] YouTube and other potential outlier platforms for audience-building You can read Tati’s full report here: https://midiaresearch.com/blog/music-is-not-a-level-playing-field-it-is-a-field-of-all-levels Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Tatiana Cirisano, @tatianacirisano Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . </em
Fri, September 16, 2022
How Roy Wood Jr. Is Evolving His Comedy
Returning to Trapital for a second time is comedian Roy Wood Jr. We last spoke in mid-2020 when lockdowns curbed his usual comedy performance routine. On the outside, it might not seem Roy has changed much since our first convo — he’s still a regular on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah — but internally, Roy is amidst another career evolution. Roy made a successful comedic career — three specials on Comedy Central over a five-year span — out of finding unique angles to discuss external events such as news and politics. But now, Roy wants to talk about himself. Spurred by an appearance on PBS’ “Find Your Roots”, Roy is more introspective about the relationship with his father, a civil rights activist, and how it influences raising his own son. How and where Roy delivers this refined message hasn’t been decided yet. For now, Roy is taking time for himself to think through how he’s changed, and so has comedy and the entertainment industry at-large. In our discussion, Roy hinted at some of those major changes. Here’s what we covered: [3:15] The state of live comedy in 2022 [5:32] Roy’s insane performing streak from 1998-2020 [6:27] Why the comedy club isn’t the right venue for Roy right now [11:45] Comedian expectations have changed [13:35] Morality vs. profit [17:05] Roy’s partnerships [18:42] Roy’s criticism of Netflix and streaming [26:27] The new superstar is an assemble cast [31:08] How Roy chooses comedic topics [34:43] Roy’s most personal joke [35:24] How much does Roy’s son know about his comedy career? [37:39] How Dick Gregory changed Roy’s life [40:48] Roy starring in Confess, Fletch movie Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Roy Wood Jr., @roywoodjr Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] Roy Wood Jr.: You can be funny, you can get away with being funny for a little while, but true career longevity as a comedian, I believe, you have to make people feel, you have to give them an emotion. Sooner or later they have to leave feeling a certain way. It's not
Fri, September 09, 2022
TikTok Wants to Takeover. Will it Succeed?
TikTok has reshaped the Internet in under a three-year span, but if its parent company, ByteDance, has its way, the platform’s dominance is just getting started. This week I brought Stan founder Denisha Kuhlor back onto the show to discuss TikTok’s ambitious plans for total media domination. In the past few months, TikTok has announced plans for several new features — each aimed at competing with current media giants such as Google, Spotify, and Ticketmaster. Features include extending video-length capacity to 10 minutes, the TikTok Music streaming service, better internal search capabilities, and a ticketing platform, among many others. Recent history in Western culture is not kind to companies trying to be an all-in-one platform. Google and Facebook stumbles come to mind. To predict how TikTok might fare, Denisha and I hit the new features point-by-point, weighing TikTok’s advantages and disadvantages at breaking into each. Here’s our main talking points: [0:50] TikTok’s masterplan [7:02] Prediction: 10-minute-long TikTok videos [11:50] Prediction: TikTok music streaming service [15:43] Prediction: Enhanced TikTok search [22:00] Prediction: SoundOn music distribution [25:42] Prediction: In-app ticketing [29:46] Are consumers creator or platform loyal? [33:18] TikTok’s impact on creator economy [37:22] TikTok’s geopolitical issues Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Denisha Kuhlor, @denishakuhlor Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] Denisha Kuhlor: It has become this trend where we have more affinity to the platform and the platform's ability to curate the content than some of these content creators themselves. And in a world where I think these content creators are so driven to following the algorithm and getting promoted by the algorithm, what they don't realize is kind of the uniformity in content that is created. [00:00:30] Dan Runcie: Hey, welcome to The Trapital podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from exec
Fri, September 02, 2022
Investing $200 Million In Music with Matt Pincus
One of the most successful entrepreneurs in the music industry is, without question, Matt Pincus. He sold his independent music publishing company, SONGS, for $160 million five years ago. And now, the music holdings company he co-founded, MUSIC, just raised $200 million to invest in music and music-adjacent companies. Though, Matt doesn’t see MUSIC as an investment fund, but rather a holding company. That’s because he takes an operator-centric role in the companies he funds. And unlike the splashy catalog acquisitions that’ve dominated the space over the past few years, Matt is looking forward with his investments and targeting brand-new growth opportunities instead. In particular, Matt sees big opportunities in the technology sector, web3, and even record labels and publishing. At SONGS, Matt was able to spot and develop up-and-coming songwriters, inking early deals with the likes of Diplo, Lorde, and The Weeknd. He’ll be tasked with finding similar success at MUSIC. Matt and I dove deep into a wide-range of topics during our conversation. Here’s a few highlights of what we covered: [2:58] Why Matt created MUSIC [8:07] MUSIC’s investment thesis? [14:40] What Matt doesn’t like about the music business [19:49] Recent inflow of capital into the music business [21:15] Two lanes to entering music business [25:15] Finding left-of-center opportunities among musical talent [27:30] The structural problem of the music business [31:35] Continuity was key to SONGS success [33:34] The Weeknd as a business blueprint for other artists [37:53] Sync business opportunities [44:55] Have streaming subscriptions peaked? [47:50] Tiktok brought back music frequency [51:40] Matt’s five-year predictions Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Matt Pincus, @mpinc Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Newsly is your all-in-one audio super app to hear the trending topics on the entire web. Download newsly.me for free and use the promo code ‘TRAP’ to receive a 1-month free subscription. Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, August 26, 2022
How Virtual Characters Are Done Right
In less than a week, AI-powered rapper FN Meka became the first virtual rapper signed to a major label and then released by one. Capitol Records dropped the virtual act for being a complete caricature of black culture — glorifying police brutality in lyrics, dropping the n-word, and other cringey behaviors. However, FN Meka’s utter failure shouldn’t be a write off for ALL virtual characters. In fact, a prime example of how to do it right is Aku. Aku was created by Micah Johnson — a former MLB player and now a full-fledged artist, both in the virtual and real world. The kid character is a black astronaut, which was inspired by Micah’s four-year-old nephew asking his mother, “can astronauts be black?” Unlike FN Meka, Aku is a vehicle to promote what one artist wants to see in the world. A symbol or hero for a better tomorrow. This week, I’m running back an interview I did with Micah in 2021. It was done shortly after Micah first released the character as an NFT collection, selling $2 million right off the bat. And no, this was not just a FOMO-fueled drop amid the NFT crazy. Aku has lived on since then, and only a few weeks ago, the lifestyle fashion label Paper Plans announced a snapback collab with the Aku character. This comes on top of prior partnerships with major brands like Puma and Billionaire Boys Club, plus Aku appearing on the cover of Time Magazine. Unlike FN Meka, the creation and intention behind Aku is an uplifting story. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Micah Johnson, @Micah_Johnson3 Links: Aku | Micah Johnson’s character to inspire kids to dream without limits Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, August 19, 2022
Inside the Business of Beatmaking
Before Abe Batshon started BeatStars in 2008, a handful of superproducers had a quasi-monopoly on selling beats, charging hundreds of thousands of dollars per song. Top producers still get paid today, but the concept has become more antiquated with platforms like BeatStars democratizing beat-making. Creators can sell instrumentals — either under an exclusive license or not — to artists around the globe for a fraction of the previous cost. With $200 million paid out to creators to date, BeatStars has reset the entire economics of beats. Abe started BeatStars without any VC funding during the Great Recession. This was also pre-steaming, when the music industry was in its dark days. Bootstrapping the company, BeatStars would redefine the music landscape along with other DIY distribution platforms such as SoundCloud and YouTube. Abe’s goal from the get-go was to break the relationship-driven nature of creating music and open opportunities for creators around the globe. Fourteen years later, it’s safe to say Abe has created more opportunities and then some. Famously, Lil Nas X bought the beat for viral sensation “Old Town Road” on BeatStars for $30. BeatStars’ producers have also been featured on songs released by Drake and Ariana Grande and ads for adidas, the NBA, and many more. BeatStars’ fingerprints are all over media, not just the independents but the majors too. Here’s all the noteworthy moments during our conversation: [3:27] Recognizing BeatStars instrumentals online [6:18] Starting BeatStars amid 2008 music landscape [7:28] Receiving pushback when BeatStars began [10:02] What finally changed for producers [12:20] Resetting economics of beats [16:25] Typical earnings for BeatStars creators [20:36] Music syncs in mainstream media [23:44] BeatStars growth trajectory [28:20] More competitors in the marketplace [31:22] VC money’s impact in the music industry [36:03] BeatStars cap table [39:30] Roadmap for the future Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Abe Batshon, @AbeBatshon Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . </p
Fri, August 12, 2022
Post Malone’s Agent Breaks Down Strategy Behind His Success
Post Malone is the definition of a streaming-era superstar. He exploded onto the scene with the viral hit, “White Iverson” that was uploaded straight to SoundCloud. That was followed up with a record deal with Republic Records, four feature albums, world tours, and now he’s one of the world’s most popular artists. My guest on Trapital this week is Cheryl Paglierani, a partner at UTA, who became Post’s agent a few short weeks after the release of “White Iverson.” The duo, along with manager Dre London, have engineered one of the fastest and most successful come-ups for an artist during the streaming era. The keyword in the last sentence is engineered because Post’s resounding success was deliberately planned out. Cheryl prioritized live exposure early in Post’s career. “To see him was to fall in love with him,” she said, which meant getting Post in front of as many different people as quickly as possible was the key to building a fanbase with longevity. This live strategy helped make Post a must-see attraction — whether it’s on his upcoming 33-city Twelve Carat Tour or at music festivals, including his own-created Posty Fest. For a first-hand look at Post’s enormous rise over the past seven years, you’ll want to listen to my interview with Cheryl that covers strategies on touring, social media, sponsorships, and more. [3:15] Cheryl And Post Malone’s Joint Rise-Up [5:13] Post’s Upcoming Twelve Carat Tour [6:44] Exposure Was Key To Post’s Early Success [9:11] Post Malone Being Genre-Less By Design [10:32] Dynamic Between Post, Dre London, and Cheryl [12:42] Post Headline Strategy [13:52] Factors That Influence Festival Headliners [15:50] Touring vs. Festival Shows [17:57] Main Trait Cheryl Looks For When Signing With An Artist [21:29] Philosophy Of Artist-Branded Music Festivals [23:07] Post Malone Brand Deal Strategy [24:18] Correlation Between Social Media Followers & Ticket Buyers [26:01] TikTok’s Value-Add For Artists [28:00] The Trap Of Overperforming At Nightclubs [32:03] How To Prevent Artist Burnout [33:28] Could Virtual Experiences Help Avoid Burnout? [34:43] Cheryl’s Personal Wishes For Post’s Career Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Cheryl Paglierani, @cherylpags Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital </p
Fri, August 05, 2022
Inside Benny Pough’s Career in Hip-Hop
Music exec Benny Pough has shaped the hip-hop industry in a career that’s spanned from Motown Records to Def Jam to Roc Nation and now his own entrepreneurial pursuits. Benny joined me on Trapital to discuss his 30-year journey and where it’s heading next. The defining feature of Benny has been his ability to spot and develop musical talent. He’s responsible for signing the likes of Future, Jeremih, and Yo Gotti, among others. That skill was initially forged from having an ear for what would catch on the radio, but has evolved in the streaming era. Despite this radical shift in music consumption, Benny says “stars will always be stars.” After working at seven different record labels, Benny left the corporate world in 2019 and dove full-time into entrepreneurialism. He runs two separate companies — DVERSE Media and Kandiid. The former is a global music distributor and publisher, while the latter is a mobile app for creators to monetize their content. Benny also manages a diversified real estate portfolio. Like Benny’s own career, our conversation covers a lot of ground. Here’s our talking points: [3:13] How Benny Developed His Eye andEar For Talent [4:42] Differences Between Hit-Makers andSuperstars [6:10] How Has Streaming Changed Superstar Development? [7:33] Record Label’s Role in Talent Development [13:07] Inside Def Jam’s Business Turnaround During Mid-00s [16:02] Aligning Business andArt at Def Jam [18:15] Teairra Mari and Rihanna Coming Up at Def Jam [21:37] Balancing Short-Term andLong-Term Business Goals [24:39] How Did Benny Adapt To Working At Different Labels? [27:00] Why Benny Became a Full-Time Entrepreneur [28:34] How Does Benny Split Time Across His Business Ventures? [31:26] DVERSE Media’s Pitch To Artists [33:15] TikTok’s Role In Talent Development Today [34:43] Monetizing Content On Kandiid [36:07] How Benny Got Into Real Estate [38:54] Benny’s Upcoming Book Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Benny Pough, @bennypough Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly
Fri, July 29, 2022
How Does the Music Business Compare To Film And TV?
Best-selling author Zack O’Malley Greenburg and I took a break for a new Dad-girl duties to talk about the latest headlines in the music industry — namely Irv Gotti selling a 50-percent ownership stake in Murder Inc.’s past music recordings. He got $100 million from Iconoclast for the deal, plus another $200-million credit line to fund future media endeavors Irv has planned. After the sale, Irv did an interview with Billboard and quipped that monetary-wise, the music industry is the “lowest form” in entertainment compared to film and television. Zack and I debated that during our episode comparing top-line revenues for each entertainment vertical, plus how Irv’s deal compares to other splashy catalog sales in the past two years. We also dived into a guest post on Zack’s Substack about how “moods” has become the new classification for music, not genres anymore. Discovery algorithms deployed by streaming services have pushed listeners toward moods — and away from regionalism (e.g. Houston-style “chopped and screwed”) and loyalty to particular record labels. It’s also another tell-tale sign that Gen Z is more fluid, less rigid than prior generations with their labels. Below are all the music-industry topics Zack and I covered throughout the episode, plus a special segment on becoming Dad’s in the past two months: [0:55] Baby Duties For Zack & Dan [4:11] Irv Gotti Calls Music Industry “Lowest Form” In Entertainment [6:09] Zack Still Gets Royalties for “Lorenzo’s Oil” [7:52] Top-Line Revenues: Music vs. Movie Industry [8:59] New Artist Perspective Skewing Perception Of Music Business [11:04] Did Irv Gotti’s Deal Get Made Before Market Correction? [13:08] Irv’s Deal Was For Masters, Not Publishing [13:50] Crowning Jewel of Murder Inc’s Catalog [18:23] Why Mood Is The New Musical Genre [19:26] Gen Z Uses Labels Less Than Prior Generations [25:53] Post Malone The Genre-Agnostic Artist [27:10] Did Streaming End Regionalism In Music? [29:53] Fan Attachment To Record Labels Has Disappeared [32:30] Stories From Two New Girl Dads [38:21] First Music Show For The New Babies? Tiffany Ng’s article on music being categorized by moods, not genre: https://zogblog.substack.com/p/why-mood-is-the-new-musical-genre Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog Sponsors: MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! <a href=
Fri, July 22, 2022
Why Talib Kweli is Focused on his Fans
Twenty-four years after their debut album, Black Star — the duo of Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey — is back with its sophomore release, “No Fear Of Time.” Talib joined Trapital to discuss the long-awaited return album (which dropped in May) and why it was released exclusively on the paid-subscription podcast platform Luminary. Spurning traditional streaming platforms like Apple Music or Spotify was about serving its true fans, Talib told me during our interview. The pair was already in business with Luminary, hosting an original podcast “The Midnight Miracle” alongside Dave Chappelle. The way Talib sees it, the group’s most dedicated fans — one’s that care about them on a personal level beyond just spitting bars — were already rocking with them on Luminary. And after a career that’s spanned four decades, Talib is more interested in engaging his core fanbase rather than reaching the masses. Disruptive art is on-brand for Black Star. Similarly, Yasiin’s latest solo album was exclusively distributed inside a 10-week art exhibit in Brooklyn. For Talib, he’s blended different musical genres and sounds his entire career. “As an artist, it’s my duty to try everything I can,” he told me on this episode. For a closer look at Talib’s creative and business approach, you’ll want to hear our interview in full. Here’s all our talking points during the episode: [3:16] Black Star’s New Album “No Fear Of Time” [4:10] Why The Album Released Exclusively On Luminary Podcast Network [8:07] Why Talib Moved Away From Patreon [10:37] Art Vs. Business [14:11] What Talib Has Learned In Different Creative Pursuits [15:55] Yasiin Bey Makes Talib “Step Up” [19:23] TikTok’s Influence On Modern-Day Music [23:00] Why Talib Avoided Clubhouse [25:12] Talib Doesn’t Miss Twitter [29:41] Speaking Out Against Online Trolls [33:51] Putting Out Music On “Own Terms” [35:24] Talib Did 200 Shows A Year For Two Decades Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Talib Kweli, @talibkweli Sponsors: beatBread is your music platform to get funding and stay in control. You can get advances from $1,000 to $2 million, and you keep your masters. To learn more, go to beatBread.com MoonPay is the leader in web3 infrastructure. They have partnered with Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and many more. To learn more, visit moonpay.com/trapital Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop
Fri, July 15, 2022
What Every Artist and Creator Needs to Know Before Signing Contracts
This week’s special guest on Trapital is entertainment lawyer Karl Fowlkes. As part of his own The Fowlkes Firm, Karl represents entertainers across many domains — from music to sports to media, including hip-hop’s rising star, Blxst. He pulled double duty, not only appearing on the podcast, but guest-writing for the newsletter about the need for the artist contract to evolve. In particular, Karl predicts shared equity between not only artists and record labels, but also with other parties like distributors or fintech companies. The days of record labels having 100-percent ownership of an artists’ masters could slowly be phased out over the next decade in favor of a split much more friendly toward the artist. Karl also has advice for an artist, or any content creator for that matter, signing a new contract — LOMO. The acronym stands for length, obligation, money, and ownership. These are the top-line items creators should prioritize when inking deals, according to Karl. Karl has a ton more insights into how artists and creators can maximize their long term value, plus how deals will change in the near and distant future. Here’s everything we covered during our interview: [4:13] The Future Of The Artist Deal [5:50] Changes With Major Record Labels [7:36] Will Record Labels Exist In 10-20 Years? [11:20] Artists Wanting A Partnership, Not Signing [15:50] Karl’s Advice To All Content Creators Signing Contracts [19:18] The Issue With Music Royalties [22:42] The Hip-Hop “Middle Class” [24:47] Building EVGLE Brand Alongside Blxst [25:08] Blxst Partnership Status With “Major” Labels Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | P
Fri, July 08, 2022
Improving The Artist-Fan Relationship
There’s never been more ways for artists to tap directly into their fan bases than present day. However, actually understanding those same audiences hasn’t scaled at the same rate with the times. My guest on Trapital this week, Denisha Kuhlor, is out to solve that pain point with her new music tech startup, Stan. Denisha’s company wants to take a more scientific approach to understanding and growing an artist's fanbase — from the casuals to the “stans.” Strengthening the artist-fan relationship will create better fan experiences, or as Denisha calls them, “moments of magic.” One way to create that magic is through live performance, but not necessarily at music festivals, argues Denisha. She thinks artists are mistakenly prioritizing quantitative metrics (attendance and performance-fee sizes) rather than the qualitative. While this might provide a short-term boost, it hurts in the long term since artists aren’t connecting with the “stans” that are paying to see them and them only. Denisha has observed this effect among Africa-based artists. The continent has produced a number of new stars, who generally “cut their teeth” performing at smaller, but more intimate venues like a club or even a wedding. Denisha has more insights into the rise of Africa’s music scene, the state of touring, and more. Here’s all our talking points in this episode: [2:44] The Downside Of Performing At Music Festivals [8:52] Followers Aren’t Your Fans [12:51] African Artists Model The Way For Growing A Fanbase [14:11] Benefits Of Instant Feedback Loops When Performing [16:47] Cardi B’s Unique Approach To Touring [21:28] Deeper Message In Kendrick Lamar’s Partnership With Cash App [26:52] What’s The Future Of African Music? [28:07] TikTok’s Influence In Africa’s Music Scene [31:42] Differences Between Performing In US Vs. Africa [33:55] 'Elasticity” Of An Artist Like Future [38:41] Denisha’s Start-Up Stan Is Reimagining Fan-Artist Relationship [40:19] How An Artist Can Leverage Stan Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Denisha Kuhlor, @denishakuhlor Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . Transcription [00:00:00] Denisha Kuhlor: I really think that music coming out of the continent in
Fri, July 01, 2022
Sherrese Clarke Soares Explains Why Content Is Queen
“Content is queen” is the mantra of this week’s Trapital’s guest, Sherrese Clarke Soares. The phrase has a double-meaning. For one, it’s the heart of her investment firm, HarbourView Equity Partners, which specializes in acquiring content across the entertainment, sports, and media sectors. But on a personal level, the phrase also represents her unique place in the industry as a rare Black and female founder. Sherrese founded HarbourView in 2021. This came on the heels of founding Tempo Music and ten-plus years at Morgan Stanley. These experiences have put Sherrese front and center with IP, understanding not only its financial incentives, but its cultural value too. HarbourView is backed with up to $1 billion in investment capital from Apollo Global Management. Within months of its founding, HarbourView acquired the music catalog of Luis Fonsi and with that, the decade-defining hit “Despacito.” It was the latest splash in the booming business of catalog sales that ecliped over $5 billion in 2021 alone. What’s Sherrese's strategy with Fonsi’s catalog plus other IP acquisitions? You’ll want to listen to the full episode to find out, plus a whole lot more. Here’s everything we covered during our interview: [3:27] Why Sherrese Created Her Own Firm, HarbourView [6:55] Why HarbourView Team Looks Different Than Any Other Investment Group [10:31] Hip-Hop Investments Being Overlooked [15:28] Why HarbourView Acquired Luis Fonsi’s Music Catalog [17:21] HarbourView’s “Forever Owner” Strategy To IP [22:47] Owning IP In web3 [24:22] Owning IP Vs. Owning Distribution [28:24] Current Market Conditions Impact On Catalog Investments [33:39] Music Industry In Better Shape Now Compared To 2008 Recession [35:54] Building A Next-Gen Asset Management Firm [37:25] Opportunities In Reggae & Ska [39:11] Importance of Mentorship in Private Equity Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Sherrese Clarke Soares, @sherreseclarkesoares Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] Sherrese Clarke Soares: We want to be one of the largest buyers, if not the largest buyer, of music catalogs, but we're also investing outside of music in how do we create cross-pollination across the music that we own to other pl
Thu, June 23, 2022
How Drake and Beyoncé Drop New Music
After a massive week inside the music industry, I had to bring Wall Street Journal music and entertainment reporter Neil Shah onto Trapital for an emergence podcast on Drake’s surprise “Honestly, Nevermind” album drop and Beyonce’s own announcement for her first album in six years, “Resistance.” For Drake, he once again switched it up — not only his hairstyle (cornrows this time), but his musical style. Drake is known to experiment with different sounds and flows, but “Honestly, Nevermind” is a complete 180-degree turn for hip-hop’s biggest star. It’s a dance album and actual rapping from Drake is mostly absent, which not surprisingly, has led to a mostly lukewarm response. Drake’s musical output has always been high, but “Honestly, Nevermind” ironically comes shortly after signing a new $400m deal with Universal Music Group. With a fresh contract and the economics of the streaming industry as a whole, Drake is incentivized for consistent music rather than “classics.” And whether fans and critics “catch up” to Drake’s new sound or not, he’s getting paid big-time from new releases either way. And then there’s Beyonce. Details about her next album are slim besides its drop date, July 29. Announcing an album in advance runs contrary to her last release, “Lemonade”, which was surprise dropped in 2016 — a completely different era in streaming when exclusives were still a thing (Lemonade was on TIDAL only). Even for a star the size of Beyonce, one has to wonder what kind of pull she has in today’s streaming era. Neil and I covered all things Drake and Beyonce albums in this episode of Trapital. Here’s all our talking points: [2:31] First Reaction To Drake’s Surprise Album Announcement [7:12] Drake’s First Album Post-UMG $400 Million Deal [10:56] Significance Of Drake’s Pivot To Dance Music [13:25] Is Drake’s Popularity Losing Steam? [19:20] Did Beyonce’s Album Announcement Affect Drake’s Release? [23:06] Music Industry’s Evolution Since Beyonce’s Previous Album Drop [30:21] Will Beyonce’s Renaissance Album Be A Multi-Release? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Neil Shah, @NeilShahWSJ Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, June 17, 2022
Broken Record: Missy Elliott
This week, we’re doing something a little different and sharing a fantastic episode from our friends over at the Broken Record podcast. On Broken Record, acclaimed producer Rick Rubin, bestselling author Malcom Gladwell, and former New York Times editor Bruce Headlam talk with the musicians you love about their lives, inspiration, and craft. Today, we’ll hear Rick’s conversation with one of the most innovative artists in music, Missy Elliot. Hope you enjoy! We’ll be back next week with a new episode of Trapital. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, June 10, 2022
Stem CEO Milana Lewis Wants To Get Artists Paid
Joining us on Trapital for the second time is Milana Lewis, co-founder and CEO of Stem. She last joined me at the end of 2019 and Stem has been in hyper-growth mode since then. Stem helps artist get paid in a clear and timely manner — not only through online-based financial tools, but music distribution too. As a former talent agent for UTA, Milana noticed it wasn’t exactly cut and dry how artists were paid out. That issue is exacerbated inside the music industry due to murky record deals and no-so-transparent streaming numbers. And these problems are affecting artists of all sizes, from the Meek Mill’s of the world, to independent ones. Enter Stem, which just raised a $20 million. With the the fresh injection of capital, Stem wants to extend its digital tools across the industry even further. It’s a completely new level of transparency inside a industry that’s notorious for being the opposite. Here’s everything Milana and I covered in our interview: [0:49] Stem Raised $20 Million In Latest Funding Round [7:03] The Differences Between Label And Independent Artists Are Becoming Smaller [11:07] Music Labels ARE Becoming More Artist Friendly [13:05] Companies That Stem Models Itself After [16:19] Payments Are An Issue Across Entertainment, Not Just Music [19:29] Technical Workers Pivoting Into The Creative Side [23:03] Stem’s Unique Positioning In Music Distribution [33:47] Asking Artists “Why?” Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Milana Lewis, @milana Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION TRAPITAL 129 [00:00:00] Milana Lewis: I think a lot of people assume that, oh, you can get your music out there. And that's the only role of the distributor, but that's really a delivery company, right? There needs to be that distinction that people need to realize that, like, there's delivery services. And then there's like distributors and distribution services. And distribution services is not just getting your music into the store. [00:00:16] Milana Lewis: It's about positioning it. It's about being an advocate, thinking strategically about how you structure marketing plans. And there are a ton of services that even our clients expect from their distributor and that cannot be commoditized. [00:00:34] Dan R
Fri, June 03, 2022
Bay Area Hip-Hop with Rexx Life Raj
Bay area artist Rexx Life Raj (real name Faraji Omar Wrightz) is in album mode with “Blue Hour” set to drop soon. The new album is his most personal yet. It was largely recorded after his mother passed away and before his father did too — which was within a three-month span of each other during 2021. The personal grief of both losses influenced the sounds of the new music. While recording this music was one way Raj coped with his grief, he also wants the album to do the same for others going through similar pains in their own lives. The deeper purpose behind Blue Hour is to create a safe space to talk about grief, especially amongst black men, where the topic of mental health can fly under the radar. Raj wants Blue Hour to honor his parents, who instilled in him an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. The album will be his fifth — all released independently. A tour will follow later this year too. For a closer look at Raj’s process behind his art, listen to our full interview. Here’s everything we covered: [3:03] Bay Area’s Influence On Raj’s Music [4:51] Rexx’s Entrepreneurship Spirit Stems From Parents [7:07] Did Rex Ever Consider Taking A Record Label Deal? [8:13] The TikTok Effect On Artists (Pros & Cons) [11:25] Content Strategy For Raj’s Newest Album [14:25] Why Grief Is Such A Big Theme In Rex’s Music [17:40] How Raj Is Coping With The Loss Of His Parents [24:10] Personal Goals For The Upcoming Album [25:53] Post-Album Tour Plans [30:40] How Tapped In Is Raj To Local Tech Scene? [32:42] E-40’s Entrepreneurship Skills [36:37] What Is Raj Most Excited About? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Rexx Life Raj, @rexxliferaj This episode was brought to you by Highlight. Build the community of your dreams on the blockchain. The new company is backed by leading investors like Haun Ventures, Thirty Five Ventures (“35V”), and more. Learn more at highlight.xyz Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] Rexx Life Raj: When it comes to numbers, like, you can buy followers, you can buy comments, you can buy likes, but a lot of people will tune in for the spectacle, you know what I'm saying? Like, it's a lot of followers who are just like there for the sho
Fri, May 27, 2022
Why the Golden State Warriors Launched a Record Label
The Golden State Warriors took the commonly-said phrase “every company is a media company” and did one better, launching a first-of-its-kind organization, Golden State Entertainment (GSE). Leading this brand-new entertainment company is Warriors’ chief business officer David Kelly, who joined me on this episode of the Trapital podcast to discuss the brand-new endeavor. While GSE is an extension of the Warriors brand, it wasn’t created with the sole purpose of advancing the NBA team. It’s a completely separate company (not a division) and as Kelly told me, it needs to be profitable. To do so, GSE will produce original documentaries, music, and events. Announced in April 2022, GSE has wasted no time breaking into the entertainment space. It’s already inked deals with iconic acts like Rhymefest and No I.D., released a song with K-pop star BamBam, and announced a documentary around Bay Area’s own Jeremy Lin. The Warriors are building a sports, entertainment, media, and technology company in front of us and this interview shines light into the entertainment piece. Here’s everything David and I covered in this episode: [3:10] How The Golden State Warriors Got Into Music & Film [5:34] Measuring Success For GSE Record Label [7:05] Synergy Opportunities With NBA Team [8:11] What’s An Artist Deal At GSE Look Like? [9:32] Why Rhymefest & No I.D. Joined GSE [14:55] Crypto’s Influence On Golden State & NBA Naming Rights Deals [16:52] What Type Of Projects GSE Is Pursuing [21:22] Why Can’t GSE Do A Steph Curry Documentary Until He’s Retired? [23:13] Is There A New Era Of Documentaries? [25:07] Upcoming GSE Projects Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: David Kelly, @goldenstateent This episode was brought to you by Highlight. Build the community of your dreams on the blockchain. The new company is backed by leading investors like Haun Ventures, Thirty Five Ventures (“35V”), and more. Learn more at highlight.xyz Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] David Kelly: We don't want to limit ourselves to only doing Warrior stories. We're not going to limit ourselves, even you know only doing basketball stories. We w
Fri, May 20, 2022
The iPod’s Legacy in the Music Industry with Zack O’Malley Greenburg
On this episode, we switched things up! Instead of a standard interview, I talked about a few recent topics with the best-selling author, Zack O’Malley Greenburg. He has long had his pulse on the music industry. Between his past time covering the business at Forbes, writing acclaimed books on the likes of Jay-Z and Michael Jackson, or his current Substack blog, Zack has formed both a macro- and micro-view of the entire industry. He’s the perfect person to bring onto Trapital to discuss the stories reverberating across the music business today. One of those stories is Spotify’s floundering performance as of late. The streaming leader’s stock has cratered to all-time lows, partly due to so-so performance, but also as a byproduct of Netflix’s own struggles. But if you ask Zack, the commonalities between Netflix and Spotify aren’t as close as critics will have you believe. Specifically, Spotify’s “unlimited buffet” business model is a massive differentiator. And then there’s Apple officially discounting the iPod after 21 years. Whether it gets the credit or not, the innovative product re-shaped the music business into what we see today. As a “legal Napster”, it laid the groundwork for today’s streaming-dominated industry — not just for music, but podcasts too. Check out all the topics Zack and I covered in this episode of Trapital: [0:00] Zack’s First Experiences with The iPod [6:11] Steve Jobs First iPod Keynote [8:33] iPod As A Gateway Into Apple Ecosystem [12:16] Will iPod Have A Resurgence Like Vinyl? [14:48] U2’s Free Album On Apple Backfires [18:55] Spotify’s Current Business Struggles [20:09] Why Spotify Shouldn’t Be Compared To Netflix [27:23] Do Spotify And Netflix Have Content Problems? [33:00] Examining Bad Bunny’s Meteoric Rise In Six Years [38:21] Latin Music Succeeding In US Despite Language Barrier [40:12] Did Jay Z Ruin Robinson Cano’s Career? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog This episode was brought to you by Highlight. Build the community of your dreams on the blockchain. The new company is backed by leading investors like Haun Ventures, Thirty Five Ventures (“35V”), and more. Learn more at highlight.xyz Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly
Fri, May 13, 2022
Comedian Bigg Jah Charters His Own Path Into Entertainment Industry
3.3 million followers on Facebook. Over 423 million views on YouTube. 4.2 million TikTok likes. Bigg Jah (real name Jahdai Pickett) has put up those gaudy social media numbers with no studio or agency backing and a relatively small team. The do-everything entertainer — who can write, act, direct, produce, and everything in between — has been posting content online almost nonstop for the past five years, doing what he calls “hood good comedy.” It’s all paying dividends now. He’s built a synergy map that extends past his wildly popular social media franchises like “Inner Thoughts” and “The Lesbian Homie.” There’s also merch (with a new piece dropping almost every month) and with the world re-opening, perhaps comedy shows again. Next, Bigg Jah is trying to parlay his massive social media success into feature films. He originally studied film in college and planned to take the traditional route into the industry — shooting a short film, winning movie festivals, and signing with an agent. But the rise of social media gave Bigg Jah an alternative AND independent route into the business. You’ll want to listen to my interview with Bigg Jah to get more insight into his creative process and meteoric rise on social media. Here’s everything we covered in this Trapital episode: [3:14] What Does “Hood Good Comedy” Mean? [5:36] Lasting Impact Of 90s Comedy Movies [7:36] Navigating Different Entertainment Mediums (Social Media, Film, Comedy) [11:49] Being Forced To Go The Independent Creator Route [14:59] Acting Vs. Directing Vs. Writing [18:18] How Bigg Jah Chooses What Type Of Content To Make [21:06] What’s Behind Bigg Jah’s Success On Facebook? [23:19] How Bigg Jah Has Leveraged Other Social Networks [26:25] Bigg Jah’s Revenue Breakdown [29:05] The Struggles Of Creator Burnout [33:56] The Key To Bigg Jah’s Success [43:55] Upcoming Projects For Bigg Jah [45:44] How To Follow Bigg Jah Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Bigg Jahh, @biggjah Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION [00:00:00] Bigg Jah: I'm not pressured to keep the series going, because I know that it works. I'm in it to create new stuff and see how it goes. I'm not a slave
Fri, May 06, 2022
How indify’s Co-Founder prettyboyshav Is Flipping The Economics Of The Record Business
The traditional record label model isn’t artist-friendly. That’s not a secret to anyone by now. Deals are notoriously long and feature a revenue split heavily tilted toward the label — not the artist. But an ambitious alternative has arisen in the last few years. Meet indify, a start-up co-founded by musician prettyboyshav and his two childhood best friends, Matthew Pavia and Connor Lawrence. indify is a platform that connects investors with up-and-coming artists. Investors can not only financially back artists, but also mentor them in matters like legal or marketing. But unlike a record deal, investments can be as short as a song-per-song basis. As prettyboyshav told me, it’s like “going on dates instead of marrying.” As an artist himself with millions of streams to his name, Prettyboyshav is specially equipped to carry out indify’s vision — to create a more equitable, prosperous music industry. indify was originally a music discovery tool when it launched in 2015. Using an algorithm, it identified emerging artists on the cusp of “blowing up” like Khalid, who the tool flagged way back in 2015. That technology still underpins its new business pivot as the “AngeList for the music industry.” To get a glimpse into indify’s innovative technology and mission, listen to my full interview with prettyboyshav. We covered a lot of topics, including the ones below: [3:39] indify’s Mission In The Music Industry [5:28] Why Artists Are Taken Advantage Of So Often [7:03] What Does indify Look For In Investors Wanting To Join The Platform? [10:16] The Potential For Culture-Setters To Financially Back An Emerging Artist [14:38] indify Vs. Record Labels [19:07] Is There A Glass Ceiling On Artists Who Don’t Sign With A Record Label? [23:35] Does indify Do Upfront Money Deals? [26:10] Principles That Guard indify’s Technology [29:27] indify Having Web 3.0 Values Despite Being Off-Chain [33:11] How prettyboyshav Juggles His Music Career And Being Start-Up Founder Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: prettyboyshav, @prettyboyshav Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/ trapital Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . TRANSCRIPTION prettyboyshav 00:00 I truly, truly, deeply believe in it and feel it and empathize with the work that's being done because I believe in these values, which really
Fri, April 29, 2022
Young M.A and the $20 NFT
Music NFTs are all the rage as of late. Entering the mix is Young M.A, who dropped a capsule on April 19. But in true Young M.A fashion, she took a different approach to her first-ever NFT project. For one, each NFT is only $20, making it widely accessible to her diehard fanbase. That’s a departure from most artists-focused NFTs that are on the pricier side due to their limitedness. In total, Young M.A dropped five NFT collections with 250 editions in each — for a total of 1,250. Each of the five collections represents key moments in Young M.A’s career. From first going viral with her Brooklyn Chiraq freestyle to the smashing success of “OOOUUU” and other highlights. Moreover, the capsule is exclusive to new NFT marketplace Serenade. The platform prides itself on being eco-friendly in an industry widely criticized for its energy consumption. The NFT collection is just one way Young M.A is staying connected to her fans these days. She’s also on tour and has continued to invest in non-music products like her adult toy line. Here’s everything we covered in this episode: [0:00] Seeing where things go [2:45] Purpose Behind Young M.A’s NFT Drop [9:29] Surprising Price Point For Young M.A’s NFT Capsule [10:14] Young M.A Has Hesitations About The Drop (Honest Talk) [12:32] Prioritizing Long-Term Impact With Business Ventures [12:55] Young M.A’s Relationship With Fame [15:37] How Young M.A Approaches Non-Music Business Ventures [20:10] Partnering With Serenade For The NFT Drop [23:22] Keeping Up With Web 3.0 & Music Industry [28:00] Young M.A Understands Her Place In The Industry Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Young M.A, @youngma, serenade.co/@youngma Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . Transcript ________________ Young M.A 00:00 When it comes to business, you might not always know. You can't always say you know people. Even if you research them, no matter what the situation is, sometimes things might not work for you. You know what I mean? So you just look more to it. And you see how it goes as it goes. I mean, seeing business situations I handled in the past, some things didn't go right. Some things went right, you know, and it's just like with them. I feel good, you know? And it was like, let's go, let's see where it goes. Let's take these events and take risks. D
Fri, April 22, 2022
How Fanbase Raised $6 Million Without VC with Isaac Hayes III
In less than three years, the Fanbase social content app has raised six million dollars (without traditional venture capital) and is inching toward the one-million user mark. How did co-founder Issac Hayes III take the app from nothing all the way to this? If you ask him, his life spent in the cut-throat music industry gave him the inspiration AND business chops to thrive within the tech space. As the son of legendary R&B artist Isaac Hayes, he was made well aware from the get-go of the exploitative practices by record labels toward musicians. Isaac would go on to notice similar exploitation with social media giants and their users, who were creating content and driving attention, but reaping little of the billions of dollars in revenues being reported by the same corporations. Fanbase is changing those optics. On the app, users can post content — written, photo, video, audio chat, and live stream — for a subscription fee. As Isaac sees it, “monetization for every user is the wave of the future.” For a full glimpse of how Isaac is building Fanbase into a disruptive social media force, you’ll want to tune into our interview. Here’s what we covered in the episode: [4:10] Fanbase Raised $6 Million From Crowdfunding — Not Venture Capital [6:34] The Most Important Investors Of Fanbase [8:10] Making Investing More Accessible [10:30] How Fanbase Is Acquiring New Customers [11:59] Fanbase’s Biggest Business Advantage (Not What You Think) [14:13] “Monetization For Every User Is The Wave Of The Future” [16:18] Why Artists Shouldn’t Sell Their Catalogs [22:23] What Isaac Loves About Technology [23:40] What Does Fanbase’s Future Fundraising Timeline Look Like? [26:38] Size Of Fanbase’s Team Now & In Near-Future [27:51] Atlanta’s Underrated Scene Outside Hip-Hp [30:39] Isaac’s Influence For Creating Fanbase [32:34] Getting The Music Rights Back For His Dad [33:48] Keeping Black Icons Relevant Post-Death [36:14] Will There Ever Be An Isaac Hayes Movie? [41:45] Fanbase’s New Features Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Isaac Hayes III, @isaachayes3 Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . _______________ Transcription Isaac Hayes III 00:00 I think monetization for every user is the wave of the future. I keep saying it, I think that there isn't a person right now that isn't subscribed to at least one thing. And one subscription becomes more and more the common vernacular of how we engage with cont
Fri, April 15, 2022
The Future Of Music Business With Economist Will Page
One of the most unique insights into the state of the music business today doesn’t come from a record label exec. Not from an agent. Not from an artist. No, it comes from Scottish economist Will Page, who served that role for Spotify from 2012 to 2019 — a period of explosive growth for the streaming giant. But if you ask Page about streaming’s future, he’s not nearly as optimistic as the rest of the industry. “The party has to come to an end,” as he told me on this episode of Trapital. Page believes the music industry is transitioning from a “herbivore market” to a “carnivore” one. In other words, future growth will not come from brand-new customers — it’ll come from the streaming services eating into each other’s market share. Not only has subscriber counts possibly tapped out in Page’s opinion, but streaming services have also put a ceiling on revenues by charging only $9.99, a price that hasn’t budged in 20 years despite giant leaps in technology and music catalog size. That against-the-grain prediction was one of many Will shared with me during our in-depth interview. But he has plenty more research- and experience-backed thoughts on touring, vinyl records, Web 3.0, and everything in between. Believe me, this is an interview you don’t want to miss. Here’s everything we covered: [0:00] The 3 R’s in the business of music [3:15] Will’s experience being a DJ [7:10] Lopsided Growth Of Music Streaming In Global Markets [8:59] Vinyl Records $1.5 Billion Recovery [13:18] Will’s Bearish View About The Future Of Streaming [15:22] Ongoing Price War Between Streaming Services [22:59] The Changing Economics Of Music Touring [26:16] Performing At Festivals Vs. Tours [30:50] The Evolution Of Music Publishing [34:32] How Music Revenue Gets Distributed To Publishers [37:35] What Does A “Post-Spotify Economy” Look Like? [40:00] Will’s Biggest Issues With Web3 [47:01] The Current Business Landscape Of Hip-Hop Listen to Will’s mix right here: https://www.mixcloud.com/willpagesnc/we-aint-done-with-2021/ Check out Will’s Podcast, Bubble Trouble , where he breaks down how financial markets really work. Read Will’s book, Tarzan Economics : Eight Principles for Pivoting Through Disruption. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Will Page, @willpageauthor Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by readi
Fri, April 08, 2022
Audiomack CMO Dave Ponte’s Plan to Grow the Pie for Artists
It’s been ten years since Dave Ponte co-founded Audiomack alongside Dave Macli. The decade has been strong in international growth for the music streaming platform — Audiomack recently became Nigeria’s number-one overall iOS app in a given week — but if Ponte has it his way, Audiomack will next become THE “home base” for artists, a place to begin their entire musical journey. The platform has rolled out numerous features to support those lofty ambitions, plus has several others in the works. One of the features that is live is the Supporters monetization tool. Launched in December, the tool allows fans to directly pay artists in exchange for a “badge” that memorializes their name in their profile and that of the supported artists. In the four months of being live on-site, Supporters has created $30,000 in new revenue for artists on Audiomack. As Dave told us in the episode, unlike competing streaming services, Audiomack is concerned with increasing the “size of the pie” for the entire music industry — not merely finding additional ways to ”slice the pie.” Dave and I spoke at length about artist monetization — and how Web 3.0 possibly fits into the equation — throughout the episode. Here’s everything else we covered: [0:00 Big Start To 2022 For Audiomack [0:55] Evaluating Audiomack’s Supporters’ Monetization Tool Post-Launch [3:38] Updating The Supporters’ Product Over Time [6:47] $30,000 Created For Artists (So Far) With Supporters Tool [10:25] Artist Campaigns On Audiomack [14:28] Audiomack’s Newly-Launched Creator App [17:50] Mobile App “Stickiness” [20:23] Audiomack’s “Home Base” Aspirations [24:05] Artist Resource Guide On Audiomack [27:52] How Brian Zisook’s Twitter Threads Influenced Artist Guide [30:20] Different Dynamic Between Audiomack & Other Platforms [32:55] Audiomack’s Biggest Challenges [38:42] How Does Web 3.0 Factor Into Audiomack’s Future? [46:26] Audiomack Motivated To Bring AfroBeats To America To listen to more Audiomack Trapital episodes, check out the two below: Audiomack Co-Founder & CEO Dave Macli: https://trapital.co/2020/11/16/dave-macli-on-audiomacks-role-in-music-streaming-partnership-with-djbooth-and-global-expansion/ Audiomack VP of Product Charlie Kaplan: https://trapital.co/2021/12/10/charlie-kaplan-on-audiomack-supporters-artist-fan-monetization-and-streaming-business-models/ Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieD
Fri, April 01, 2022
The Broccoli City Music Festival
Today I’m joined by Brandon McEachern and Marcus Allen, the co-founders of Broccoli City. The music festival makes its return to Washington D.C. on May 7-8 with a stacked lineup that includes Gunna, Summer Walker, Wale, and plenty more stars from the world of hip-hop and R&B. The black-owned promotion had not one, but two events canceled in the past two years. During the forced downtime, festival co-founders Marcus Allen and Brandon McEachern made a conscious decision to not just return for 2022, but come back better than ever. Specifically, the two wanted to leverage the Broccoli City platform to create black change. Since starting in 2013, the festival has always catered to black people first and foremost. But in 2022, it’s aiming to give its fans better resources well beyond the music grounds. The duo is accomplishing that in the form of an expo that’ll feature job/internship opportunities, health/wellness tools, financial support for small businesses, and forums on criminal justice issues, amongst other things. The expo is one component of what the festival organizers are calling BLK Change Weekend. The world and the music festival industry have transformed plenty since Broccoli City’s last show in 2019. However, Brandon and Marcus are not just changing with the times — they’re creating it with new initiatives too. Here’s what we covered in this episode of the Trapital podcast: [0:00] Broccoli City Returns For 2022 [3:10] The Optics Of Bringing Back Broccoli City After Two Years Of Cancellation [6:34] Artists Charging More For One-Off Festival Than Tour Event [12:25] Managing Egos When Creating Festival Flyers [14:31] Changing Nature Of Agents With Talents [19:05] Broccoli City’s Biggest Advantage Over Other Festivals [23:15] Measuring Success For The Festival [25:25] Anticipating Whether An Event Will Succeed Or Won’t [27:15] How Loyal Are Customers To Certain Festivals? [29:01] Ongoing Challenges Of Being Black Execs In Music Festival Scene [31:15] Influence Of The Live Nation Partnership [34:47] Lining Up The Festival With BLK Change Weekend [41:39] What’s In Store For The 2022 Event? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Marcus Allen, Brandon McEachern This week’s sponsor is 1-800-NUMBER , a creative agency that produces iconic moments for brand and artists. The studio has collaborated with Lil' Uzi Vert, Future , Isaiah Rashad , 24KGoldn , Nik
Fri, March 25, 2022
Why Podcast Ownership Matters with Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings of “For Colored Nerds”
A lot of creators talk about owning their intellectual property and distribution, but co-hosts of the For Colored Nerds podcast — Eric Eddings and Brittany Luse — actually went and made it happen, by any means necessary. The two left the Spotify-owned Gimlet Media network in 2020, leaving behind The Nod show (and its IP) which they had built up since 2017. As “free agents”, the duo made ownership a mandate in its next podcast deal. Stitcher was happy to oblige, bringing the two together in a homecoming of sorts. Before Gimlet, Eric and Brittany began podcasting with Stitcher which included the first iteration of the For Colored Nerds podcast. Now it’s back in its second form — still with a heavy dose of discourse about the intersection of pop and Black culture, but now with a dash of personal opinions from the two on ongoing issues as they see it. For Colored Nerds is one example of how the media industry is transforming in real-time. While Eric and Brittany got what they wanted, it wasn’t easy. The two joined me on this episode of Trapital to discuss this laborious process that included lawyers and agents — two things most creators aren’t privy to. Here’s everything we discussed in this episode: [3:07] Why Choose Stitcher Over Other Networks? [5:52] Changing Landscape Of Creator Ownership [9:22] Biggest Barriers To Having A Fair Contract [11:31] Will Future Podcast Networks Embrace Creator Ownership? [18:23] How Does The Podcast Balance What Topics To Discuss On The Show? [22:10] What Makes Podcasting So Special [28:51] The Polarization Of Tyler Perry [37:06] The Perils Of An “Elitist” Mindset [42:28] Relationship With Present-Day Music Compared To Past Favorites [49:23] Knowing Your Audience This episode is brought to you by Koji, the best “link in bio” tool. It is trusted by Grammy winners, chart-topping hitmakers, and more. Join 185,000+ creators. Check it out for free: koji.to/trapitalpodcast Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guests: Brittany Luse, IG: @bmluse | Eric Eddings, Twitter: @eeddings | For Colored Nerds Podcast, IG & Twitter: @ForColoredNerds Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands _____ Eric Eddings 00:00 What the industry kind of needs to understand is that people now, like, require that flexibility. Because so many creators understand different parts o
Fri, March 18, 2022
How Kevin Liles Built 300 Entertainment Into A $400 Million Business In Under 10 Years
Kevin Liles didn’t co-found 300 Entertainment just to sell it. He created it, first and foremost, to fill a void he saw in the music industry — a lack of talent development. Ten years after starting the 300 record label, it’s safe to say Kevin and company filled that void. By developing culture-shifting artists like Gunna, Megan Thee Stallion, Young Thug, among others, 300 has become one of the hottest commodities in all of hip-hop. This led to WMG buying the formerly-independent label for $400 million at the start of the new year. In WMG, Kevin believes he’s found a partner with the “mindset of an independent, but the muscle of a major.” As the one-time EVP of WMG, Kevin would know this first-hand. And even with an influx of $400 million, Kevin isn’t going to change the way he makes decisions. For Kevin, it’s always been about prioritizing the cultural incentives rather than the financial ones. This mindset has followed him from Def Jam intern to its President and now as CEO of 300 & Elektra Music Group. In-between running the label, Kevin has also invested resources in creating a pipeline for future music and entertainment execs with diverse backgrounds. In particular, Kevin has tapped into HBCUs, helping set up a $250 million fundraising campaign for his alma mater, Morgan State, and connecting students directly with the FBI. Kevin and I covered a lot of ground in this episode of the Trapital. Here are the show chapters: [3:23] Behind 300 Entertainment’s Sale To Warner Music [8:29] Gunna’s Meteoric Rise [10:29] How Phrases Like Hot Girl Summer & Pushin P Became A Thing [13:08] What Changes With WMG Partnership? [15:58] New Def Jam Video Game In The Works? [17:27] Launching 300 Studios [20:17] Kevin Thinks The Best Is Yet To Come For Hip Hop [22:10] Hip Hop’s International Opportunity [24:23] Major Differences Between Running Def Jam vs. 300 [28:10] The Power Of Diverse Execs Making Cultural, Not Financial Decisions [30:25] How Music Industry Has Handled Diversity Issues Since George Floyd [31:00] Kevin’s Attempt To Create Diverse Talent Pipeline [32:14] The Rise Of Hip-Hop Media Personalities [40:35] Young Thug’s Role As Chief Innovation Officer [43:49] Keeping Narrative On The Future, Not Past This episode is brought to you by Koji, the best “link in bio” tool. It is trusted by Grammy winners, chart-topping hitmakers, and more. Join 185,000+ creators. Check it out for free: koji.to/trapitalpodcast Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Kevin Liles, IG: @kevinlileskwl, Twitter: @KevinLiles1
Fri, March 11, 2022
How Quality Control Music Invests in Startups
Dazayah Walker is the Head of Investments at Quality Control Music, the label behind today’s most trendsetting artists like Lil Baby and Migos, Dazayah. She maintains QC’s investment portfolio, particularly within the startup space, which spans well beyond just music and entertainment. Being a 23-year-old venture capitalist is difficult as is. Now tack on being female and black? “It’s been a journey”, as Dazayah Walker shares with us in this episode of the Trapital podcast. Dazayah’s path to becoming a Venture Capitalist is as unorthodox as you’ll find in the venture capital world, but she’s stuck to the same principles that got her that opportunity to begin with — seeking out mentors, surrounding herself with a supportive community, and taking the learning process day-by-day. Before overseeing QC’s investments, Dazayah worked on the music side for the label. She began as an intern for QC, and worked her way through the ranks at the same time QC was taking the music industry by storm. Not only is Dazayah breaking down doors, but she’s also trying to leave them open for future aspiring VC’s with similar unconventional backgrounds. As Dazayah continues to learn the ins and outs of venture capital, she plans on creating initiatives to educate others about the world she operates in. To hear Dazayah’s future ambitions, plus everything else we covered in the show, reference the video chapters below: [0:00] Dazayah’s goals with her role [2:13] Dazayah’s Transition Into Venture Capital [5:29] What Is QC’s Investment Thesis? [6:35] The Pros And Cons Of Involving QC Artists Into Investments [9:16] What Does Dazayah Look For In A Company Before Investing? [10:49] QC Investing Beyond Just Music and Entertainment [10:45] Dazayah’s particular interest in Fintech [12:56] QC’s and Dazayah’s Involvement With Techstars [14:48] The Challenge Dazayah Faced Breaking Into The VC World [16:04] What Programs Have Helped Dazayah Adjust To The VC World? [17:40] What Was Behind QC’s Investment Into Riff? [18:50] QC’s Investment Portfolio Explained [20:00] “You Can Do This Too And This Is How” [23:30] Music-Wise, What Is Dazayah Most Excited About QC In Near Future? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Dazayah Walker, @dazayah Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands ----------- Dazayah Walker 00:00 Finding success her
Thu, March 03, 2022
Frank Cooper III Brokered Beyonce-Pepsi’s $50 Million Deal. Here’s Where He Sees Industry Going Next
Take a quick look at Frank Cooper’s resume and you might think, “what HASN’T he done?” He’s both Berkeley- and Harvard-educated. Coming out of school, Frank cut his teeth with two iconic labels — Motown Records and Def Jam. And most recently, he’s been Chief Marketing Officer for world-renown brands like Pepsi, BlackRock, and breaking news, he just took the same role with VISA. But if you ask Frank, his early years inside the music industry formed the backbone of his illustrious career. It’s during this time period where Frank developed cultural aptitude — and specifically, how to connect larger societal needs with brands he’s led. Frank’s unique pedigree that spans music, entertainment, and finance makes his views on business all the more fascinating. And believe me, Frank has a lot of thoughts about today’s ever-changing music landscape — whether it’s in the inflow of capital or the ripples that Web 3.0 will create. Here’s all the talking points Frank and I covered on today’s episode of Trapital: Episode Highlights [2:12] How Working In The Music Industry Laid The Foundation For Frank’s Career [6:37] Differences Between Hip Hop and Grunge Rock In The Mid ‘90s [8:15] How O.G. Artists “Set The Table” For Today’s Artist Entrepreneurs [11:56] How Frank Put Together Beyoncé and Pepsi $50 Million Deal [15:45] Frank Reviews The Latest Super Bowl Halftime Show (And Names The Best One Of All Time) [20:35] Helping Blackrock Create A New Purpose Statement Beyond Purely Profit [23:48] How The Big Short Movie Convinced Frank To Join The Financial Industry [26:22] Frank’s Thoughts About NFTs, Metaverse, And Web 3.0 [29:37] Early Tech Adoption Among Hip-Hop Artists Over The Years [31:05] Does Frank Own Anything In His Digital Wallet? [34:05] Frank Thinks Some Brands Are Too Early To Web 3.0 [37:18] Frank’s Harvard Business Review About Diversity In The Workplace [38:18] Clarence Avant’s Influence On Frank’s Career [43:17] What’s One Of The Best Pieces Of Advice Frank Has Ever Received? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Frank Cooper III Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands ______________ Frank Cooper 0:00 I'm actually not a big believer in traditional financial literacy by itself. I think all the research I've seen suggests that it doesn't change behavior bec
Thu, February 24, 2022
The Future Of Live Music with Kevin Shivers, Partner at WME
It’s no secret that touring is the lifeblood of most modern-day musical artists. But while most fans only see the finished product — a head-bobbing performance at Coachella or a sold-out nightclub — few get a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work being done by professionals like Kevin Shivers, a partner in WME’s music division. Let this interview with Kevin be your inside look at what goes into the live performances that fuel the entire music industry. Kevin has been with WME since 2008 after a stint in Hollywood. While with WME, he’s worked with stars such as Tyler The Creator, Summer Walker, Kid Cudi, and plenty more on their touring strategies. Of course, Kevin’s world — much like every other industry — was dealt a massive blow during the past two years. But with live shows seemingly back (knock on wood), Kevin has his eyes toward the future. And the future is an even better fan experience, says Kevin. NFTs, virtual concerts, removing the frictions of going to a real-life show — these are all ongoing evolutions that will better connect superfans with their favorite artists. We covered this near-term future in our interview, plus a whole lot more. Episode Highlights [2:15] How Kevin Broke Into The Entertainment Business [4:00] How Has the Music Business Changed In The Past Two Years? [5:25] The Go-Forward Plan For 2022 [6:40] What Spurred Tyler The Creator’s Big 2021 [9:35] What Data Goes Into Entering New Touring Markets [13:10] Festival Strategies With Artists [14:56] How Has Streaming Changed Touring Trajectory [17:10] The Biggest Touring Mistake [18:30] Social Media’s Influence On Touring [19:30] Touring Difference Between Hip Hop And R&B [21:02] How Kevin Measure Success For Himself [23:00] Why Kevin Is So Vested In Mentorship [25:19] Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives Within The Music Industry [28:46] The Impact Web 3.0 Will Have On The Music Industry [31:20] Will Virtual Concerts Replace Live Shows? [32:30] Five-Year Predictions For Music Touring [34:43] How Many Days Will Kevin Spend At Shows In 2022? [35:40] How Do You Find The Next Musical Star? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Kevin Shivers, Instagram: @bellmeadallstar Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo . Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands _____ Transcription: The Future Of Live Music with Kevin Shivers, Partner at WME Kevin
Thu, February 17, 2022
Bun B Believes The Metaverse Will Open Up Access Between Artists & Fans
In this week's show, we have a hip hop legend, Bun B. Best known as one-half of the Southern rap duo UGK, Bun along with Pimp C formed UGK in the late '80s when their former crew, Four Black Ministers, fell apart. Based in Port Arthur, Texas, UGK signed with Jive, and with 1992's Too Hard to Swallow began a series of Southern gangsta rap albums that were successful sellers. In 2005, Bun B carried on solo, and released both the mixtape Legends, and his debut album Trill extending his presence into the 2010s with Trill O.G.: The Epilogue and Return of the Trill , just as a generation of younger MCs looked up to the influential veteran for inspiration. Since then he has continued to experiment and always try what’s new, specially in the technology field, to take full advantage of it. We have an insightful talk on what he’s doing with NFT’s and Web 3.0, and discuss broadly about the metaverse. Tune in to discover how Bun has positioned artists and himself in this incredible space! Episode Highlights [02:50] Bun’s insights about NFT’s and EulerBeats [05:09] Technology advances in the music industry: Vinyl, cassettes, CD’s, mp3 [06:36] Bun’s wallet and the genuine aspect of being someone that is producing art and trying to consume it in space vs the cash grab [13:26] How NFT’s shapes the way Bun chooses to release music in the future [17:01] Bun’s outlook about putting himself in the frontlines for all types of things [20:41] Pimp C and testing technology in 1995 with the Ridin’ Dirty album [24:00] Doing more metaverse concerts for more artistic interpretation [29:42] The real advancement of technology with the Nintendo Wii. [35:02] Hip hop artists in Houston [38:49] Hip hop entertainment media becoming more democratized [40:40] Bun’s perception of how to take full advantage of what the metaverse and web 3.0 have to offer [41:28] Bun’s Trill Burger Restaurant [48:20] What Bun wants the “Trapital” audience to know about Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Bun B Twitter: @BunBTrillOG Instagram: @bunb Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekl
Thu, February 10, 2022
How Tuma Basa is Bringing Black Music to the World with YouTube
Since Tuma Basa broke into the music industry in the late ‘90s, he’s seen first-hand the complete transformation of the business. But amid the changes, Tuma has been a consistent force in curating hip-hop music and connecting it with brand-new audiences far and wide. That’s on full display in his current role as the Director of Black Music & Culture at YouTube. It’s a unique title for an even more unique individual. Tuma cut his teeth in music on the programming side, working for BET and MTV for over 10 years. Next, he was a guiding force in the launch of P Diddy’s REVOLT TV. But once the industry embraced streaming, Tuma left traditional TV and joined the new frontier with Spotify. There, he was the curator behind the RapCaviar playlist — which amassed over nine million followers at the time, making it a top-5 Spotify playlist globally. Tuma joined YouTube in 2018. The platform may not get the credit that a service like Spotify does, but it's just as influential in bridging artists directly with listeners. True to form, Tuma is leveraging YouTube’s worldwide reach and connecting it with not only emerging artists (think NBA YoungBoy) but on-the-rise genres too (AfroBeats, Dancehall). I really enjoyed this interview with Tuma, who is on the frontlines of the streaming era. Here are all the topics we covered on the show: Episode Highlights [02:44] Being on the front lines with the hip hop world [04:55] Tuma’s experience working at MTV when Dancehall was becoming part of mainstream music [06:01] The disconnection in terms of expectations: paid shows vs promo [07:50] Tuma talks about African artists and folk traditional music [09:28] The reasons why Tuma found YouTube attractive [11:14] Breaking barriers and giving more exposure to artists through streaming [12:45] What does success look like for Tuma? [15:23] Why you should spend time and have more focus on YouTube [18:30] NBA YoungBoy: One of the biggest stars on YouTube [26:36] The role of technology in the music industry [28:26] The CD and DVD era [31:15] Tuma’s outlook about generation transfer, and the concept of an album [37:51] Trends where music is heading, and what people think about emerging technology [41:45] What Tuma wants the “Trapital” audience to know about Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly90cmFwaXRhbC5saWJzeW4u
Fri, February 04, 2022
How Junae Brown Became the ‘Beyoncé of Marketing’
Junae Brown is a marketing expert and the founder and CEO of Browned 2 Perfection agency. She started her career in music and had worked for several record labels like Sodi Layla's, Columbia, and RCA. She gained the skills and expertise while working for these companies and set herself to start looking at the opportunities to have more control over all the exciting projects she wants, which is primarily why she started her agency. In today's episode, June shares her experiences way back in the music industry and how it paved the way for her to create her agency. She talks about the secret behind her signature, "Beyonce of marketing," that stood out in the marketing realm. She also shares her insights on building brands and creating a scalable business in the music industry. We had an insightful talk about her and her business ethics, which makes her distinct, making people want to work with her. Episode Highlights [01:36] Looking back at Junae’s previous roles in the music industry [06:06] Junae’s take on the royalty rate of streaming [09:16] Her thoughts on the previous and emerging labels in the music industry [12:57] Using the internet to maximize what artists are selling and get better compensation [15:40] What is it that attracts people to work with her agency [21:47] Bridging the gap between building a following and building a brand [24:11] What does “Beyonce of marketing” mean [32:57] Junae’s business ethics and commitment to legacy and impact [33:53] Who is her dream client? [39:34] Junae’s talk with Yoh Phillips on music’s record label misconceptions [44:30] Junae’s insights on having marketing strategies to make a music brand marketable [47:56] Her closing advice on making great business with music Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Junae Brown https://www.instagram.com/junaebrown/ https://
Tue, February 01, 2022
BONUS: The New Creator Manifesto
In today’s episode, our host, Dan Runcie, is joined by Gina Bianchini, co-founder, and CEO of Mighty Networks, which provides creators what they need to build their community-run courses and hosts live stream conversations, and Zoe Scaman, a brand strategist, owner of Bodacious, a strategy studio in London. The three talks about the creative economy survey Gina and Zoe conducted to identify some common struggles that creators are faced with right now. Specifically, they discussed the burnout and frustration creators are going through to keep up with the treadmill of creating content day by day and keeping up with social media algorithms and the solutions the survey surfaced to help creators get out the other side to try to find new models. They also share what trends creators should watch out for and what opportunities look like for the rest of 2022. Tune in to get valuable insights on the survey and what’s behind the New Creator Manifesto Gina and Zoe designed to help creators build a sustainable community with less burnout and more freedom and equity. Episode Highlights [01:11] Introducing Zoe and Gina [04:02] Overview of the creator economy survey [06:43] An unexpected stats on the creator economy report [10:45] What frustrates creators in keeping up with their social media game [14:13] Opinions on the issue of ownership in social media platforms [17:55] How to grow without spending much time building a massive audience [21:03] The importance of shifting the focus on cultivating community value [25:58] Learning the behavior of a brand’s customer set helps identify its equity layer [28:55] The fundamentals of community design to create a thriving and sustainable community [33:25] What actually came out from the creator economy research as a solution to challenges the majority of creators face [36:50] Zoe and Gina’s framework in building community [40:06] Being a community leader or creator is like being a host at a party [46:05] Opinions on social media platform subscriptions, subscription burnout, and how to shift to a sustainable model [51:06] Does the community way of thinking bring brand purpose alive? Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher |<a href="https://overcast.fm/
Fri, January 28, 2022
How KevOnStage is Building His Comedy Flywheel
Kevin Fredericks is a comedian, producer, director, and entrepreneur behind KevOnStage studios. He is known for his works Major Deal (2016), No Good Men (2008), and The Family Exchange (2015). Despite his talent, Hollywood somehow couldn't say yes to him. But that didn't stop him from having his green light and making his trademark in the tv industry. In fact, he surprised people to build his own streaming service. Today's episode talks about how he built an independent brand that really paid off his hard work. He established a solid fan base, had millions of followers on social media, and monetized these platforms by producing his hilarious viral content, a total blast in the mainstream. Listen as we talk about what's going on in his business and his independent success, turning rejection into a massive opportunity to be where he is now. Episode Highlights [01:56] What KevOnStage is currently working on [04:49] His take on more black content going in the mainstream [06:53] KevOnStage’s motto, his marketing strategy, and business goals [11:57] What it’s like to have autonomy in his brand [19:08] His thoughts on artists knowing their audience and dealing with critics [21:30] What's the process from the stuff put out on socials versus onstage [25:24] How does he approach his game using different social platforms [32:38] What’s something beyond just the monetary gain that makes him want to continue to feel inspired to create content [35:13] His opinion on creators who are a one-platform-dominant [38:21] Where does his most lucrative income come from [41:57] How he diversify his content to own the media and make his brand stand out [45:51] What would he like to be doing more of [51:28] KevOnStage’s new content to watch out for Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Kevin Fredericks Studios Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop.
Fri, January 21, 2022
Troy Carter on the Future of Music Streaming
Troy Carter is the co-founder and CEO of Q&A, a technology and media company focused on powering the business of music via distribution, services, and data analytics. He has also produced his own music, managed some of the biggest artists like Lady Gaga and Eve, and worked for Spotify as its Global Head of Creator Services. In today’s show, we talk about trends in the music industry and how things need to change moving forward. We also discuss the role that record labels serve, Web3, Troy’s work with Venice Innovation Labs, and his approach to angel investing. If you want to learn more about IP distribution, the economics between labels and artists, and what streaming can look like, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights [02:42] What Troy learned while starting Q&A [08:02] Why Kanye’s path is very similar to how tech founders run their companies [11:22] Troy’s forecast for major and indie record labels and their relationship with artists [16:00] His thoughts on sourcing from data, Taylor Swift’s deal with Republic Records, and the matrix of partners that artists should have [22:52] How artists have benefited from the age of digital downloads and streaming [27:10] Why Troy is a little scared for the streaming industry [31:08] What artists should think about before releasing new music [35:48] Troy’s insights from working with the Prince Estate and his angel investing Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Troy Carter, Q&A Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, January 14, 2022
Ralph McDaniels on Video Music Box and Documenting Hip-Hop History
Ralph McDaniels—or “Uncle Ralph”—is the co-creator of Video Music Box, a popular video show that is dedicated to airing hip-hop music videos and showing a side of hip-hop specifically from New York and the tri-state area. In this episode, he talks about the documentary that he recently released in collaboration with Mass Appeal and Showtime, the artists that he has worked with, and his nonprofit organization. He also shares how he was able to leverage his platform into directing hip-hop videos and hosting parties. Listen and learn from a pioneer for hip-hop media personalities! Episode Highlights [03:58] The process of getting “You’re Watching Video Music Box” off the ground [09:28] Some memorable sections from the documentary [12:45] Ralph’s transition from being behind the camera to talking on the radio [14:42] About his business model, his mindset about money, and the parties he hosted [19:12] What the music industry was like when he first got into directing videos [26:02] On bridging the gap between generations, staying resilient, and the importance of being present during cultural shifts [31:38] About Video Music Box Collection and how the documentary has helped its goals [38:12] Ralph’s plan to bring his documentary to universities and shows Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Ralph McDaniels, @VideoMusicBox , Video Music Box Links: "You’re Watching Video Music Box" on Showtime Video Music Box Collection Ralph McDaniels On 'Video Music Box' & Capturing Legendary Moments During The Golden Age Of Hip Hop Ralph McDaniels’ Instagram <b
Fri, January 07, 2022
Master P on Bringing Culture to Corporate America (live from TMRE)
Master P is an American rapper, record executive, actor, and entrepreneur. In this episode, he shares his thoughts on what corporate America can learn from hip-hop culture. He then talks about his work to get distribution in some of the more competitive spaces on retail shelves across the country, Snoop Dogg, Shaq, and some of his business endeavors. He also weighs in on the future of businesses and answers a few questions from the audience. If you’re looking to get into corporate America and become the best in your space, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights [03:55] Master P’s insights on starting from the bottom, marketing as the key to his success, and bridging the gap between hip-hop and corporate America [10:15] Personalities sell thanks to social media [13:12] How to get talents to work with brands [15:58] On Master P’s transition from music to business, [19:45] What he learned from the types of partnerships he has been able to make [22:48] On creating ideas, being a blessing to others, and loving what you do [28:32] What sets great companies apart [33:32] Master P’s 5-year forecast for companies [36:58] How to shift from being rich to wealthy and how the Astroworld tragedy will impact the hip-hop industry [39:40] The accomplishment that Master P is most proud of and the best advice that he has ever received Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Master P, @MasterPMiller Link: The Market Research Event Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, December 24, 2021
Issa Rae on Insecure, Ownership in Media, and Creator Economy Trends
Issa Rae is an actress and creator who is best known for her work on “Insecure” that has been running for five seasons on HBO. In this episode, Issa shares her journey with Warner and the importance of ‘ownership’ in the industry, which has been a growing topic especially for a lot of black creators like herself. She also talks about the final week of “Insecure” and her plans moving forward. Listen and be inspired by Issa’s story, achieving something that is often deemed unattainable: living your passion, creating engaging content, and being financially successful. [02:56] What to expect from the final week of “Insecure” [07:26] How the value of ‘ownership’ play a factor in the decisions in her content [11:01] Why her experience with Warner, specifically, HBO is the best decision [14:13] On working on the digital side to expand her business [19:41] What was her take on Quibi [22:39] On which of the multiple hats would Isaa want to have more focused on moving forward [29:12] Big announcement on things to keep a lookout for in 2022 Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Issa Rae, @IssaRae, <a href="https://www.issarae.c
Fri, December 17, 2021
Chris Taylor on MNRK's Rebrand, Managing Death Row Records Catalog, and Music's M&A Market
Chris Taylor is the president and CEO of MNRK, a record label that was formerly eOne Music. In this episode, he walks us through his journey from being a touring musician to having a legal practice to starting an independent label to heading eOne’s music division through its rebranding. He shares what it was like to sell Last Gang during the pandemic, to represent Drake and other Canadian artists, and to manage the Death Row Records catalog. He also offers advice as a record label executive to developing artists. Get thrown back to the pre-streaming era and see how the music landscape is changing from the eyes of a veteran in the industry! Episode Highlights [02:18] What MNRK has been up to since its rebranding and the process of how eOne sold its music business to Blackstone [08:40] On leading MNRK now compared to 2016 [15:52] The synergy opportunities that Last Gang and eOne lost because of its strategic partnership and the onslaught of COVID [19:02] Chris’ thoughts on the music landscape from the perspective of music companies and record labels, legacy copyrights, and [25:28] The highlights of his legal career [31:58] What buying and listening to music was like in the early 2000s [35:48] On managing the Death Row Records catalog [40:15] On the opportunities for developing artists in the era of streaming and social media [48:02] Why some record labels have gotten into trouble Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Chris Taylor, @solicitorct , MNRK Music Group Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, December 10, 2021
Charlie Kaplan on Audiomack Supporters, Artist-Fan Monetization, and Streaming Business Models
Charlie Kaplan is the VP of Product at Audiomack, a music streaming and discovery platform that reaches 20 million monthly active users. In today’s episode, he weighs in on Audiomack’s achievements and financial model. He then introduces the platform’s new monetization tool “Supporters” and explains why it matters. He also talks about Audiomack’s commitment to its users, the value exchange experience, and some of the trends he is seeing on social media platforms. If you’re a strategist who is interested in what's happening in the creator economy, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights [02:50] How Audiomack compares to other streaming services [05:55] Why the platform does not charge artists to upload and share music [11:48] The evolution of recorded music from file transfers to streaming [15:45] About Audiomack’s “Supporters” initiative [20:40] How listeners/fans benefit as a supporter [27:58] What Audiomack has to offer for artists versus other social media platforms and tools [37:30] On the company’s key performance indicators [40:50] Charlie’s observations about a stream-based economy Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Charlie Kaplan, @ciwk , <a href="
Fri, December 03, 2021
Tunde Balogun on Developing R&B Superstars, LVRN's Journey, and Mental Health in Music
Tunde Balogun is the co-founder and president of Love Renaissance (stylized as LVRN), an Atlanta-based record label that is focused primarily on R&B music. We talk about Summer Walker’s latest release and how LVRN has prioritized mental health services not just for its staff but also its executives. Tunde then weighs in on the differences of running an R&B label versus running a hip-hop label. He also shares his thoughts on the trends he is seeing in the music industry such as NFTs and other emerging technology. If you are looking to change the game and make things better for artists overall, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights [02:18] What Tunde is hoping to achieve with Summer Walker’s latest album [04:38] How LVRN stays a tightly-knit company [09:00] The LVRN executives’ history [12:22] What lead them to the decision to invest in group therapy [21:42] How they balance their artists’ welfare with making a profit [25:20] Tunde’s thoughts on Tiktok and cryptocurrency [33:35] What LVRN does differently compared to hip-hop labels [40:55] On investments in the African market, how education is key, and streaming Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Tunde Balogun, @tundetun88 , Love Renaissance Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, November 26, 2021
Independent Artist Life with Flawless Real Talk (2020)
Rapper, producer, and entrepreneur Flawless Real Talk joined to talk about how he manages his rap career. He was the runner up on Netflix’s hip-hop competition show Rhythm & Flow, which boosted his career trajectory. But despite all the industry attention, Flawless is still an independent artist. He talks about that decision, the tradeoffs he’s had to make, and what his goals are as an artist. He recently hosted a livestream concert on LIVIT, where he had over 1 million fans join in. If you’re interested in how artists manage tradeoffs between being signed and indie, building a fanbase, and resiliency, then this is the episode for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Flawless Real Talk, @flawlessri , flawlessri.com Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, November 19, 2021
Steven Galanis on Cameo's Rise (2020)
Cameo CEO and co-founder Steven Galanis came on the pod to talk about his company’s marketplace for personalized celebrity video shoutouts. We broke down Cameo’s growth in the pandemic, finding product-market fit with people who are more famous than they are rich, and tapping into the long tail. We also break down Cameo’s success with hip-hop artists and Black culture, and the future products that may come from the company. If you’re interested in how marketplaces are built, creating flywheels, and finding product-market fit, definitely check this podcast out. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Steven Galanis, cameo.com , @bookcameo Links: How Cameo Blew Up During Quarantine - New Yorker Why The Music Industry Should Be Tuning Into Cameo - Forbes Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, November 12, 2021
Trapital Mailbag #5: Blockchain Opportunities in Music, Middle Class Musicians, Astroworld, Indie vs Major Record Labels, and more
In today’s episode, I dive into a bunch of questions that I have received from readers. I weigh in on the opportunities that are available for middle-class hip-hop artists and how the creator economy is booming. In the wake of the Astroworld tragedy, I offer suggestions so that artists can do their part and manage crowds during music festivals. I also correct some misconceptions about blockchain technology, record labels, and streaming platforms. If you have had some burning questions about the future of music, tech, and startups, this may be the episode for you! Episode Highlights [01:30] My definition of what a middle-class musician is [06:10] How artists can be trained to handle crisis situations [09:55] On smart contracts, NFTs, and Web 2.0 [16:00] What the best indie record labels are doing that major record labels are not doing [24:38] How artists have been finding fans and monetizing these past few years [29:10] How artists get paid today compared to the CD era Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Link: New Creator Manifesto Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, November 05, 2021
Dave Mays on The Source's Legacy, Launching Breakbeat, and State of Hip-Hop Media
Dave Mays is the founder and former CEO of The Source Magazine. In today’s episode, he weighs in on the magazine’s legacy, the evolution of media, and what hip-hop is all about. He then talks about Breakbeat, a new podcast network that he co-founded and heads. He also discusses the success of the podcast “Don’t Call Me White Girl”, the boom of podcasts, and the projects he is working on now. If you want to get into podcasts that are all about hip-hop, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights: [03:10] About The Source Magazine and The Source Awards [11:15] Some lessons that can be learned from The Source [14:15] What led Dave to start Breakbeat [20:55] His future plans for the podcast network and a hip-hop-based app [25:22] His transition from behind the scenes to being a voice on the network [27:08] How he met his business partner and how he measures success [34:00] Dave’s observations about the podcast landscape [39:32] What Breakbeat is currently working on [45:05] The process of creating a docu-series on Larry Hoover Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Dave Mays, @therealdavemays , Breakbeat Links: Mighty Networks' study on the creator economy Breakbeat Media on Instagram Breakbeat Media on Twitter Breakbeat Media on Youtube Dave Mays on Instagram Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, October 29, 2021
Sacha Jenkins on Rick James Life and Times, the Rise of Music Documentaries, and Hip Hop 50
Sacha Jenkins is a documentarian, a film producer, and a creative director at Mass Appeal. He joins me on today's show to talk about his most recent documentary titled “Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James” and the steps that he took to get that project off the ground. He also weighs in on the boom of documentaries, giving us previews of the projects he is working on now. If you want to know more about music documentaries, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights: [02:42] What inspired Sacha to do a project about Rick James and what messages he wanted to convey to viewers [06:32] Why do some artists act the way they do [08:48] The process of making a documentary [11:55] What people don’t know about Rick James [18:35] How viewers have responded to the documentary [20:08] Sacha’s thoughts on music by POCs [24:18] On the rise of music documentaries thanks to streaming [27:52] Sacha’s dream project [31:35] About “Hip Hop 50” Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Sacha Jenkins, Mass Appeal Links: Mighty Networks SHOWTIME Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, October 22, 2021
Zack O'Malley Greenburg on How Music Leads Innovation, Forbes to Substack, and Hip-Hop's Next Billionaire
Former Forbes senior entertainment editor Zack O'Malley Greenburg returns to the podcast to talk about his achievements when he worked for the media company. He shares his thoughts on Jay-Z, the challenges of publishing, and why he decided to go with Substack. He also discusses his books, “We Are All Musicians Now” and “A-List Angels”, diving deep into some of the different themes and artists that he wrote about. If you’re interested in seeing things from a music and entertainment writer’s perspective, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights [03:05] On pioneering Forbes’ hip-hop coverage [08:22] How Zack valuates the net worth of hip-hop artists [11:25] Jay-Z’s billionaire status and his future plans [17:32] About Zack’s transition to Substack [23:38] Forbes’ journalism style versus Zack’s writing style [25:25] A preview of “We Are All Musicians Now” [34:35] What “A-List Angels” is about [39:12] Zack’s prediction on who is going to be the next billionaire Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Zack O'Malley Greenburg, @zogblog , Zack O'Malley Greenburg Links: Mighty Networks We Are All Musicians Now by Zack O'Malley Greenburg Substack A-List Angels by Zack O’Malley Greenburg Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, October 15, 2021
Mary Rahmani on TikTok Artist Strategies, Launching Moon Projects, and Influencer Partnerships
Mary Rahmani is the founder and CEO of Moon Projects, an innovative agency that is focused on short-form video content and helping artists, brands, and companies take that to the next level. In this episode, she talks about her three-pronged company and what she has learned from her time as a TikTok executive. She then discusses Moon Projects’ partnership with Republic Records and some of the trends she is seeing within the entertainment industry. If you’re looking to be a part of the TikTok community and to learn more about leveraging short-form videos, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights [02:10] An overview of Mary’s career and how she established Moon Projects [06:05] Strategy is key to gaining virality and staying relevant on TikTok [09:48] What emerging artists can learn from famous musicians who use TikTok like 24kGoldn, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, and Lizzo [13:57] How Mary chooses artists to work with and how A&R representatives should be dealing with artists [21:22] About Republic Records and Mary’s perspective on work-life balance [29:08] Music as a love language and TikTok as a platform [33:32] On music-gaming collabs, the divergence of fame and talent, and video streaming Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Mary Rahmani, @mrahmama , Moon Projects Links: How More TikTok Stars Can Succeed in the Music Industry Republic Records Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapita
Fri, October 08, 2021
Mike Weissman on SoundCloud's Creator Strategy, Web 3.0, and Building a Music Entertainment Business
Mike Weissman is the CEO of SoundCloud. He returns to the podcast to talk about the independent artist community, user-centric monetization, and the potential in NFTs and the like in a Web 3.0 era. He then weighs in on the revenue model in relation to the rise of streaming services and on SoundCloud’s progress to becoming a modern music entertainment business. If you are interested in the future of the music industry, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights: [02:38] The 3 pieces to SoundCloud’s growth and success [07:55] How fan-powered royalties work and benefit artists [13:20] What Mike is seeing from major labels [16:00] The opportunities in Web 3.0 [19:30] On the $10 all-you-can-consume subscription model [23:35] SoundCloud’s partnerships and future plans [26:28] Podcasting versus music streaming versus video [31:50] On SoundCloud’s international growth Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Mike Weissman, @mweissman2 , SoundCloud Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, October 01, 2021
Steve Stoute on Artist Independence, UnitedMasters, Translation, and Facilitating Fan Access
Steve Stoute is the founder and CEO of the music distributor UnitedMasters and the creative agency Translation. He returns to the podcast to talk about what his companies have been building towards in the past few years. He also weighs in on the trends he is seeing with independent artists and record labels—including legacy infrastructures, cryptocurrencies, and direct fan communication. Tune in and get up-to-date on what’s happening in the music scene! Episode Highlights [03:32] The biggest shift in the creator economy [10:10] On artists owning IPs and what production companies should be doing [14:15] Technology advances benefit the rights holder [18:15] About UnitedMasters’ world-class technical team and its partnerships [25:42] How UnitedMasters and Translation push the cultural edge while giving artists the opportunity to become small businesses [31:30] The opportunities in text marketing platforms and CRM tools [46:30] Why gamers and adult performers have found success through platforms like Twitch and OnlyFans Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Steve Stoute, @SteveStoute Links: MEP Capital UnitedMasters Translation Substack Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, September 24, 2021
Karl Fowlkes on Becoming an Entertainment Attorney, NBA Agent, and NIL Opportunities
Karl Fowlkes is an entertainment attorney, the founder of Fowlkes Firm, and a certified NBPA player agent under Firm Sports. In this episode, he walks us through his journey to where he is today. We talk about some of the artists he has worked with, the challenges of properly communicating information, and how athletes are missing out on revenue streams. Karl also weighs in on NFTs and cryptocurrency. Tune in for insight from a lawyer/agent who has established a name for himself both in music and in sports. Episode Highlights: [02:52] Karl’s transition from law school to building a network and starting a law firm [08:08] His process for raising funds [10:02] About Section 8 and his partnership with Lil Baby [13:40] Creators need to focus on the following when it comes to their contracts: length, obligation, money, and ownership [17:00] On content creation [24:45] Why Karl decided to become an NBA agent [28:45] On NIL (names, images or likeness), brand building, and maximizing one’s community or alumni base [37:00] Karl’s hate-love relationship with NFTs Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Karl Fowlkes, @esqfowlkes , Fowlkes Firm Links: Chosen (feat. Ty Dolla $ign and Tyga) by Blxst No Love Lost by Blxst Moneybagg Yo Dro Kenji Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, September 17, 2021
DJ Semtex on Donda, Certified Lover Boy, Podcasting, and UK Hip-Hop
DJ Semtex is an author, a podcaster, a radio host, and a DJ. In part 2 of our conversation, he shares his thoughts on Donda and Certified Lover Boy, diving into how these albums reflect on Kanye West’s and Drake’s artistry. He then weighs in on music journalism, fan feedback, and the gradual comeback of live performances. He also talks about podcasting and compares it to doing radio shows, going into some of his interviews. If you’re a fan of DJ Semtex or you’re just looking to start your own music podcast, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights: [02:35] DJ Semtex’s thoughts on Donda and Certified Lover Boy [09:15] Why Donda is a masterpiece [16:25] Music criticism in the era of social media [22:32] What music events are like now compared to pre-pandemic [28:45] Whether or not hip hop will reach a saturation point [34:05] Podcast interviews versus radio interviews [42:50] How hip hop has changed the podcasting scene and online consumption [52:55] Some UK artists to watch out for Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: DJ Semtex, @DJSemtex , DJ Semtex Links: Hip Hop Raised Me podcast Hip Hop Raised Me by DJ Semtex Clubhouse Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, September 10, 2021
Rick Ross on Bossing Up, Building His Empire, WingStop, and his Investments
Joining me on the show is Rick Ross—rapper, entrepreneur, mogul, and record executive. He has over 20 partnerships, and he just recently published “The Perfect Day to Boss Up” which he wrote during the pandemic. In this episode, Rick discusses his passion for music and business, highlighting the importance of finding joy in the things you do. He then talks about his home which has been featured in the movies “SuperFly” and “Coming 2 America”. He also weighs in on the feature market and ways to go viral. Strap in for some gold nuggets from a man who has found success in both music and business, and get into the mindset that you need to be in to level up! Episode Highlights [02:41] How Rick has changed since the pandemic [05:08] How he evaluates which brands or businesses to partner with [07:51] On doing live performances [11:07] About Rick’s Wingstop franchises and his thoughts on artists getting involved with the fast food industry [14:21] How Maybach Music Group fits into Rick’s vision [16:55] About his 280-acre estate, The Promised Land [24:44] On investing in physical and intangible assets [27:23] What to expect when doing features and from Rick’s upcoming album [30:00] On going viral, networking, and building an empire Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Rick Ross, @RickRoss Link: The Perfect Day to Boss Up by Rick Ross Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, September 03, 2021
The OutKast Edge
For the first part of this episode, I do a live reading of an essay that I wrote about the rap duo OutKast and a theory that I’ve named after their journey. I explain how different phases of technology and platforms have played a role in OutKast, Tyler Perry, Issa Rae, and Tyler, the Creator’s trajectories to success. After that, I weigh in on some of my readers’ suggestions for people—in hip-hop and in other industries—who they think have the OutKast Edge. And to wrap it all up, I talk about a few names from my own personal list. Tune in to this episode to learn how slept-on trends can become popular and how artists can sustain their unique edge to succeed! Episode Highlights [01:32] About OutKast [03:43] The OutKast Edge theory [04:40] Create content for like-minded outsiders [05:07] Build an audience on independent platforms [05:45] Play the long game: persevere and push through [06:17] Who else has the OutKast Edge [11:11] The OutKast Edge evolves with phases of technology [14:00] You can lose your OutKast Edge [16:48] My thoughts on Doja Cat, Anderson .Paak, and The Weeknd [21:54] On Elon Musk’s Tesla and David Portnoy’s Barstool Sports [24:27] Why Frank Ocean is popular but does not have the OutKast Edge [25:48] My personal picks: Ziwe Fumudoh, Griselda, Lil Dicky, and Nadeshot Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Links: The OutKast Edge Public.com (code: trapital) Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, August 27, 2021
A Campaign Breakdown on Tyler, The Creator’s “Call Me If You Get Lost” with Amber Horsburgh
Amber Horsburgh is an artist coach, a music marketer, and the founder of Deep Cuts—a go-to resource for early-stage musicians. And in today’s episode, we talk about Tyler, The Creator and break down his “Call Me If You Get Lost” campaign. We weigh in on his rollout strategy to use alter egos, the brands he has partnered with, and his business model. Amber also shares her thoughts on Tyler’s strengths, what he could improve on, and how present circumstances have posed a challenge for artists. If you are a fan of Tyler, The Creator or just curious about how music campaigns work, this episode is for you! Episode Highlights: [03:28] My thoughts on Tyler and his “Call Me If You Get Lost” album [05:52] How he has changed over time [08:32] 3 ways to stand out as an artist [10:55] About the Tyler Baudelaire persona [14:22] On Tyler’s brand collaborations and his “slow and steady” climb thanks to his fans [19:35] My expectations for Tyler’s campaign [21:02] How the “Call Me If You Get Lost” campaign is visually appealing but lacking in creative activation [29:00] The importance of merch from a fan perspective [31:15] How the pandemic has affected the music industry [34:45] On Tyler’s acceptance of his position in hip-hop Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Amber Horsburgh, @amberhorsburgh , Amber Horsburgh Links: Public.com Call Me If You Get Lost Music Marketing Tips - Amber Horsburgh Deep Cuts Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo
Fri, August 20, 2021
24kGoldn on TikTok Success, Investments, and Record Label Deals
24kGoldn is a chart-topping hip-hop artist and songwriter who was born and raised in San Francisco. In this episode, he talks about the opportunities he has gotten since “Mood” shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the middle of the pandemic. He shares how he leveraged Tiktok to stay relevant and what innovations he has done with his music. He also dives into his current investments and the business aspect of his brand. Get to know the genius behind the TikTok hit “Mood” and see what other options artists have when it comes to making money. Episode Highlights: [02:32] What it has been like for 24kGoldn since the pandemic began [05:25] The pros and cons of going virtual or working remotely [08:55] How much work went into making “Mood” a hit through TikTok [10:25] About the #BlackTikTokStrike [12:25] The different ways you can get your music heard [18:52] 24kGoldn’s musical inspirations and aspirations [22:00] His investment portfolio [24:42] The opportunities in getting artists to endorse and invest in consumer products [31:28] On playlisting and signing with record labels Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: 24kGoldn, @24kGoldn , 24kGoldn Link: Public.com (Code: trapital) Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, August 13, 2021
Mike G on Music Festivals, Touring, Young Thug, The Kid LAROI, and Chris Brown
Mike G is a music and touring agent for United Talent Agency (UTA). He joins me on the podcast to share what it has been like for him since COVID broke out, especially the big things he did recently. He talks about The Kid LAROI and Young Thug, the trajectory of their careers, and the projects they’ve worked on. He looks back on how he went from sales rep to full-time booking agent, revealing what it was like to manage Chris Brown. He also weighs in on what music events will be like when the pandemic’s over. Tune in to this episode to get an update on some artists, and see what things will be like for future concerts and tours from an agent’s perspective! Episode Highlights: [00:21] The opportunities that Mike G saw during the pandemic [05:18] The recent trend in tours and concerts [07:00] On working with The Kid LAROI and increasing the demand for him [12:00] About Young Thug and the challenge of getting him to the level where he should be [16:35] What music festival promoters look for in artists [22:13] On rebuilding artists [26:16] About Mike G’s background and why he decided to become an agent [30:00] On managing Chris Brown [34:42] His smooth transition to UTA [38:20] His prediction for music events post-pandemic Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Mike G, @MikeGNitevision Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, August 06, 2021
Anthony Martini on Royalty Exchange, Music Royalties, NFTs, and Managing Lil Dicky and Tyga
Just last March, Anthony Martini became the CEO of Royalty Exchange, a marketplace where buyers and sellers can trade music, rights, and copyright. He explains how royalties can benefit middle and lower-tier creatives in this economy of hit records, highlighting what Royalty Exchange is capable of as a platform. He then talks about the practical applications of NFTs. He also weighs in on what he has learned as a former artist, an artist manager, and the founder of an independent record label. Whether you’re a musician looking for funding or an investor searching for an asset to park your money in, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights [03:50] The opportunities in selling music catalogs and publishing [06:48] How Royalty Exchange has grown and what it has to offer as a platform compared to other investment funds [10:08] About multiples, the “dollar age” metric, and why music royalties are attractive assets [14:40] Anthony’s insights on hip-hop from a streaming perspective [17:18] The advantages of getting into the NFT market and the importance of really collaborating with artists [22:32] On the legal feud between Roc-A-Fella co-founders Damon Dash and Jay-Z [29:55] On setting up deals with digital distributors, artists, Youtubers, and Twitch streamers [36:36] What it was like to work with big record labels, manage Lil Dicky and Tyga, and founding Commission Records Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Anthony Martini, @realantmoney , Royalty Exchange Links: Pico Hipgnosis Roundhill Investments Robinhood Money Mu on Spotify <a href="htt
Thu, July 29, 2021
Steve Rifkind on Loud Records, Spring Sound, Wu-Tang Clan, and the Family Business
Steve Rifkind is the founder of Loud Records, SRC Records, and his new label Spring Sound. Loud Records, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last January 2020, is one of the most influential record labels in hip-hop with artists like Wu Tang Clan, Twista, and Akon. In this episode, Steve shares what it was like when he first started out in the industry, walking us through the changes he has seen since then until now. He also talks about Loud Record’s anniversary event and his close relationship with DMX. Reminisce about the ‘90s and early 2000s, and see things from the perspective of a legend in the music industry. Episode Highlights: [ 03:28 ] What the music industry was like 40 years ago compared to now [ 07:52 ] On Akon’s popularity and the rise of Youtube [ 12:38 ] On leveraging joint ventures with artists [ 17:28 ] What Steve is capable of offering and doing as a record label executive [ 19:58 ] Why the emergence of CDs led to a downshift in the industry [ 23:35 ] On the brand and identity of Steve’s artists [ 28:15 ] The importance of music in culture [ 30:25 ] How Steve is preparing his daughter for the role of CEO [ 32:02 ] Loud Records’ 25-anniversary event [ 33:58 ] On Steve’s close relationship with DMX Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Steve Rifkind, @steverifkind , Spring Sound Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, July 23, 2021
Detavio Samuels on REVOLT, Digital and Cable Strategy, The Crew League, Black-owned Media, and Working with Diddy
Detavio Samuels is the new CEO of REVOLT, a hip-hop-focused media company founded by Sean “Diddy” Combs. In this episode, he talks about the opportunities and challenges that rose when the Black-owned company made a shift toward social justice. He reveals what it’s been like to run a cable network amid the explosion of online content, giving a sneak peek of the exciting things that the company is working on. Detavio also shares how he establishes himself as a leader with Diddy as the chairman. If you work in media, entertainment, music, or in any of the related fields, here’s an interesting episode for you! Episode Highlights: [ 03:08 ] Why Detavio jumped ship from his previous company to Revolt [ 05:50 ] How REVOLT combines hip-hop culture with the Black Lives Matter movement [ 12:08 ] The challenges of launching a cable network that offers black content [ 17:32 ] On REVOLT’s digital content and most important metrics [ 19:40 ] A preview of “The Crew League” Season 2 and the other projects that Revolt has planned for the rest of the year [ 27:00 ] What Diddy and Combs Enterprises President Tarik Brooks are like as leaders [ 29:55 ] The magic of being in the right place at the right time with the right people [ 34:30 ] REVOLT aims to set a different standard for what already exists [ 38:35 ] On the company’s plans to get into podcasts and the studio business Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Detavio Samuels, @Detavio , REVOLT TV Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, July 16, 2021
Jamal Henderson on Space Jam, Structuring SpringHill, LeBron James, and the Creator Economy
Jamal Henderson is the Chief Content Officer of The SpringHill Company, a video-production company created by LeBron James and Maverick Carter. He reveals what it took to get “Space Jam: A New Legacy” off the ground, diving deep into branding partnerships and the musical aspect of the production. He also weighs in on all of the changes that have happened in the entertainment landscape post-pandemic and gives a preview of what’s next for SpringHill. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to spearhead projects for an entertainment company and to launch a movie post-pandemic, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights: [ 02:08 ] How the pandemic affected the production and release of movies [ 03:12 ] About “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and SpringHill’s brand projects [ 06:27 ] Why the movie is on-brand for LeBron and how it aged well [ 10:45 ] On creating the “Space Jam: A New Legacy” soundtrack [ 14:40 ] How SpringHill came to be what it is today [ 22:55 ] About SpringHill’s venture into the audio side of the entertainment industry and its ongoing efforts to promote diversification [ 29:38 ] On SpringHill’s upcoming projects Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Jamal Henderson, @jamalhenderson , The SpringHill Company Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Tue, July 13, 2021
Music Business Podcast: Trippie Redd's Manager Charlene Bryant on Hitting Billboard #1 and Launching Riveter Management
Today's episode is a special interview from my friends at the Music Business Podcast! They had a great conversation Founder of Riveter Management and Trippie Redd’s Manager Charlene Bryant. Charlene Bryant was formerly a Digital Account Manager for Sony/RCA Inspiration, who recently ventured out to start her own artist management company, Riveter Management Inc. She is passionate about helping artists and her company motto is to treat every client like a VIP. If you enjoy their episode, leave a comment or a review on what you thought about the episode on Apple Podcasts or on the Music Business Podcast instagram @musicbusinesspodcast. You can also connect with our community on Patreon, MusicBusinessPodcast.com/Community. -- Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo. trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, July 09, 2021
MixedByAli on EngineEars, TDE's Legacy, and Mixing for Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre
Derek Ali, better known as MixedByAli, is a 3-time Grammy Award-winning mix engineer and a longtime collaborator with Top Dawg Entertainment. He is also the founder and CEO of EngineEars, a platform for audio engineers to mix music and find projects. He walks us through his music career, the artists who launched him to fame, and the workshops he offered. He also talks about the challenges of launching a startup, how he scaled his business, and the power of niche. If you’re an audio engineer looking to grow your potential or interested in building a startup, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights: [ 02:24 ] How Derek’s ringtone business in high school kick-started his interest in music [ 08:05 ] What it was like to work with Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre [ 10:10 ] About Derek’s team of engineers [ 10:50 ] On “unlearning” [ 11:42 ] Why and how he started offering workshops [ 16:05 ] On running a small business as a sound engineer and getting the funding to scale EngineEars [ 25:41 ] Lead by example and manage your time in a way that puts yourself first [ 31:22 ] On understanding problems in real time and the importance of having a team Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Derek Ali, @MixedByAli , EngineEars Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, July 02, 2021
Call Me Ace on his Indie Rap Career, Building His Brand, and Still Working Full-Time
Call Me Ace, hip-hop recording artist who has charted on Billboard, returns to the podcast to talk about his album “Out Of Office”, his participation in the BET AmpliFINd contest, and other things he has accomplished this past year while working a full-time job in tech. He shares his personal approach to making content and engaging with his fan base, High Grade Society. He also gives a sneak peek of a book he is working on. If you’ve ever wondered how people grew and established their creative careers while working a day job, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights: [ 02:13 ] How the pandemic affected Call Me Ace [ 03:15 ] About “Out Of Office” [ 06:26 ] The importance of community and making connections [ 08:50 ] Utilize the right platforms that align with your brand [ 13:38 ] On becoming a Top 10 semi-finalist in “BET AmpliFind” and the opportunities that followed after that [ 23:42 ] Call Me Ace’s partnership with Insider Studios and Ford [ 27:55 ] On text messaging as a platform [ 32:04 ] On sharing knowledge [ 39:00 ] Vanity metrics are not everything Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Call Me Ace, @callmeacelegit , Call Me Ace Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Fri, June 25, 2021
Benjy Grinberg on Rostrum Records, Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller, and Mental Health
Benjy Grinberg, founder and CEO of Rostrum Records, looks back on his journey—how he left what others might consider a dream job to start his own music label. Rostrum has helped put Pittsburg on the map with artists like Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller. Benjy reveals what it has been like to work with those two artists, giving us a snapshot of how their careers took off. Tune in until the end to learn about some of the philanthropic things he has done. If you want to know what it’s like to start your own label, this is the episode for you! Episode Highlights: ( 02:40 ) About Pittsburg’s music scene ( 03:24 ) Benjy’s transition from L.A. Reid’s assistant to independent music producer ( 07:05 ) How he met Wiz Khalifa and their trajectory to success ( 11:40 ) On handling different duties at the same time ( 17:41 ) The challenges of releasing mixtapes on streaming services ( 25:52 ) On doing deals with artists and major labels ( 37:40 ) The importance of giving back and mental health awareness Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Benjy Grinberg, @benjybenjy , Rostrum Records Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo .
Tue, June 22, 2021
The Major Record Labels All Want Your Attention
An audio version of the Trapital essay “ Inside Universal, Sony, and Warner’s Arms Race For Your Attention ” Streaming, media, and indies have changed the game for the three biggest major record labels. Here’s a full breakdown on where each company is heading. Host: Dan Runcie, trapital.co Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo: https://trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, June 18, 2021
Leron Rogers on Helping Artists Become Moguls, Entertainment Law, and Representing Rick Ross
Entertainment attorney Leron Rogers, a partner at Fox Rothschild, came on the pod to talk about rising up the ranks as a lawyer. He has represented Kanye West, Rick Ross, Monique, Migos, Steve Harvey, and the Miami Marlins. His goal is to help artists build their business like a Fortune 500 company. They should establish a board of directors. That message is definitely easier with some artists than others! We also talk about Rick Ross and 50 Cent’s beef, artists wanting to own their masters, and advice he gives to up and coming industry execs. If you want to hear all the hats that music industry attorneys wear, this is the episode for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Leron Rogers, @leronrogers , foxrothschild.com/leron-e-rogers Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo. trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, June 04, 2021
Jonnyshipes on Cinematic Music Group, Indie Hip-Hop, and Building the Supreme for Music
Cinematic Music Group founder and CEO Jonnyshipes came on the pod to talk about how he’s built Cinematic into an influential entertainment company that other labels are trying to follow. Shipes worked with Smoke DZA, Nipsey Hussle, Joey Badass, and more. In this episode, Shipes breaks down how he partners with major labels, helps artists build their careers, and more. Shipes also loves comedy. He recently signed comedian Druski, who blew up after Drake’s “Laugh Now, Cry Later” video. Druski and Shipes have a few things in the works which he goes more in depth with. If you want to hear about how an indie hip-hop company is run, this is the episode for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Jonnyshipes, @jonnyshipes , cinematicworldwide.com Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo. trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, May 28, 2021
Tarik Brooks, President of Combs Enterprises (2020)
Combs Enterprises President, Tarik Brooks, came on the Trapital Podcast to talk his role managing the Combs Enterprises portfolio of brands, which includes Ciroc, Bad Boy Entertainment, Revolt, Sean John, AquaHydrate, and more. We talked about how to measure Diddy’s value-add as an investor, Tarik’s experience working for both Diddy and Robert L. Johnson, and why Diddy sought mentorship from Ray Dalio, and more. This episode originally ran on February 4, 2020. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Tarik Brooks, @tarikamin , combsenterprises.com Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo. trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, May 21, 2021
Tracy Chan on Twitch Music, Helping Artists Monetize, and the Creator Economy
Twitch’s VP Head of Music, Tracy Chan, came on the podcast to talk about how artists on Twitch are making money. The number of artists making $25,000 on Twitch has grown 16x since the pandemic started. For those making $50,000 or more, the median viewership is 183 fans. That’s wild! We talk about how artists use the platform, gaming culture’s influence, and where the creator economy is heading. Tracy joined Twitch in 2020. He left Spotify where he launched Spotify for Artists, and worked at YouTube before that to help launch its creator platform. Tracy has seen the creator economy at every stage. If you’re interested in this topic, this is the podcast for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Tracy Chan, @tracypchan , twitch.tv/music Link: Twitch’s Rockonomics - a case study on how musicians make money on the platform Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo. trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, May 14, 2021
James Lindsay on Rap Snacks, BossUp Bank, Why Distribution Matters, and Managing Meek Mill
Rap Snacks founder and CEO James Lindsay came on the podcast to talk about his rise in the consumer packaged goods industry. Rap Snacks launched in 1994 and has partnered with artists like Migos, Cardi B, Trina, and Fabolous to sell snack chips. We talk about how Rap Snacks landed distribution space in Walmart, and how to navigate the snack food industry. We also talked about BossUp Bank, the new bank he launched with Master P to reach underserved communities. Lindsay also co-managed Meek Mill, so we talked about his experience there, and some recent advice he gave Meek about Dogecoin! Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: James Lindsay, @askfly1 , rapsnacks.net Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo. trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, May 07, 2021
Trapital Mailbag! Hip-Hop’s Streaming Popularity, Rap Battle Leagues, Cancel Culture, Women Music Execs, and Record Labels
I answered a bunch of questions from Trapital readers and listeners! Monetization in hip-hop vs other genres, rap battle leagues, Square’s Tidal acquisition, women in the music industry, cancel culture, record labels, and tech funding announcements that look like music festival lineups! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo. trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, April 30, 2021
Brandon Pankey on Launching the APEX Video Network, Live Music’s Return, and Educating the Next Generation
Live Nation Urban’s VP of Business Development & Operations, Brandon Pankey, joined to talk about the post-pandemic return of concerts and music festivals. He recently launched APEX, an advertising video on demand streaming service that will be music-centric. We talk about why he launched it and how he plans to give artists an opportunity to tell their stories. We finished our conversation by talking about the community and education-related work that Brandon has done, and why we have to let the next generation know about the opportunities that are out there! Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Brandon Pankey, @brandon_pankey , watchapex.com Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo. trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, April 23, 2021
Shawn Prez on Bad Boy, Black Rob, and PowerMoves Inc. (2020)
Music executive Shawn Prez came on the pod to talk about his days as Bad Boy’s VP of Marketing, what set Bad Boy’s Street Team apart, breaking hit records, starting the Ciroc Boyz, his work at Power Moves Inc., and why he decided to launch an award shows to recognize DJs. This episode was originally published on April 7, 2020. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Shawn Prez, @powermovesprez , powermovesprez.com Link: Ciroc Boyz – Power Moves Inc. Black Rob – “Whoa” Global Spin Awards Power Moves with Shawn Prez – YouTube
Fri, April 16, 2021
BrandMan Sean on Music Marketing, Common Mistakes Artists Make, and Working with 24KGoldn
Music marketer BrandMan Sean (Sean Taylor) joined to talk about how he built the BrandMan Network, which recently crossed 100,000 YouTube subscribers! He’s been a go-to source of insights for rising hip-hop artists on how to build their brands, use social media, and focus on what matters most. In this episode, Sean breaks down how he keeps up with the changes in the landscape, how artists beat those with 2-3x their budget, and his Contrabrand Agency. If you’re interested in the latest best practices on music marketing, this episode is for you! Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: BrandMan Sean, @brandmansean , BrandMan Network YouTube Channel Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo. trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, April 09, 2021
The "Will and Jada" Playbook
An audio version of the Trapital essay “How Will and Jada Pinkett Smith Built a Content and Commerce Powerhouse” The star couple regained Hollywood success by letting fans into their once-private lives and building a media-driven commerce flywheel with Westbrook Inc. Host: Dan Runcie, trapital.co Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo: trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, April 02, 2021
Brian “Z” Zisook on DJBooth’s Run, Major Record Labels, Indie Artists, and Audiomack’s Partnerships
DJBooth’s Editor-In-Chief and VP of Content Operations and Artist Services at Audiomack, Brian “Z” Zisook, came on the pod to talk about DJBooth’s 18th anniversary (!) and how it stayed strong over time. We also talked about the role that major record labels serve, the potential for indie artists, TikTok’s influence, the streaming era, classic rap albums, short releases, and more. At the end, we talked about Audiomack World and the company’s new partnerships with DistroKid. If you want an honest take on where the music industry is heading, this is the episode for you! Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Brian “Z” Zisook, @djboothEIC , audiomack.com/world
Thu, March 25, 2021
Dame Ritter on When “Ownership” Goes Too Far, Myths about Streaming and Touring, and Managing Comedians
Music Entrepreneur Club founder Dame Ritter came back on the pod to help me break down four music industry myths: artists need to own everything. Ownership! I can’t make money on streaming NFTs will save me I’ll make all my money on tour All of these takes need nuance, and there’s no better person to talk to than Dame. He ran Funk Volume, a former independent record label that hit $4M in sales in its first four years. On the episode we also talked about the comedians he manages, Bigg Jah and Minks, and the difference between artists and comics. If you’ve been hearing a lot about ownership, music business models, and want more context, this is the episode for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Dame Ritter, @Dame_MEC Links: Music Entrepreneur Club Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Thu, March 18, 2021
Ibrahim "Ib" Hamad, Dreamville President (2020)
Dreamville co-founder and President, and J. Cole’s manager Ibrahim Hamad came on the Trapital Podcast to talk about how him and J. Cole started Dreamville and how it became what it is today. Ib also broke down what changed for Dreamville in 2014, the impact that the Dollar & a Dream tour had on J. Cole’s career, establishing the Dreamville brand beyond J. Cole, and why the Dreamville Fest has nine lives. This episode was originally published in April 14, 2020 Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Ibrahim Hamad, @KingOfQueenz, dreamville.com Link: J. Cole is Still Making Millions From a $1 Million Concert - Trapital Dreamville Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/newsletter
Thu, March 11, 2021
Micah Johnson on Selling $1M Worth of NFTs in 1 Minute, Transitioning from MLB to Fine Art, and Getting More Black Collectors Involved
The artist Micah Johnson came on the pod to talk about his rise in the art world. On February 21, he introduced the world to Aku: The Moon God, his fictional character that was born from a question, “Can astronauts be Black?” Aku was released as an NFT that resulted in $1 million worth of sales in 1 minute and $2 million total in 28 hours! On the podcast, we talk about how Micah got support for Aku’s launch, why NFTs are powerful for his work, his future plans for Aku, and more. Micah was also a former Major League Baseball player, so we talked about his transition from MLB to fine art. If you’ve been hearing a lot about NFTs and want to hear how it works from an artist themself, this is the podcast for you! Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Micah Johnson, @Micah_Johnson3 , linktr.ee/Micahart Links: Aku | Micah Johnson’s character to inspire kids to dream without limits Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Thu, March 04, 2021
Mick Batyske on How His DJ Career Led to Brand Deals, Angel Investing, and Startup Advising
The multi-hyphenate entrepreneur Mick Batyske (aka DJ MICK) came on the pod to share how he started his career as a DJ (Mick Boogie) for the Cleveland Cavaliers hosting parties for LeBron James and Jay Z. He rebranded as “Mick” to expand his reach in multiple areas, build for the long-term, and leverage his best skillsets. His most important skill is building relationships and gathering audience insights. That mindset equates to how founders think, how marketers sell products, and invests in startups. If you’re interested in how a modern creator operates in today’s landscape, this is the pod for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Mick, @mick , mick.co Links: The Mick Show podcast - on The MICK Show, he offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives + businesses of today’s most prominent creatives. With interviews from a variety of musicians, actors, athletes, and CEOs, Mick brings listeners behind the curtain to learn from some of the world’s top culture creators, movers + shakers, and risk-takers. Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Fri, February 26, 2021
Jay Z sells 50% of Ace of Spades, TikTok Artist’s Path to Success
Dan shares thoughts on Jay Z selling 50% of Armand de Brignac to LVMH, Cristal, and how it all ties together. After that, Dan gives an audio version of the Trapital essay, How More TikTok Stars Can Succeed in the Music Industry. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Links: Jay Z Puts a Cap on Cristal (2006) New York Times Jay Z and LVMH Pop the Cork in Champagne Tie-Up Wall Street Journal How More TikTok Stars Can Succeed in the Music Industry Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/newsletter
Fri, February 19, 2021
Ted Lucas on Slip-N-Slide Records, Miami Hip-Hop, and R&B’s Comeback
Slip-N-Slide Records founder and CEO Ted Lucas came on the podcast to talk about his influential record label. Slip-N-Slide was home to Trick Daddy, Trina, Rick Ross, Plies, and many more. We talk about the early days when Ted had to pay major record labels for distribution! We also talk about why his label stayed independent, why his artists had major deals with other labels, and R&B’s role in modern music. We also talk about SuperFest, the music festival he runs in Miami, and his rising artists Sebastian Mikael and Teenear. Lastly, we talk about Miami--it’s role in hip-hop and its role in tech, and all the VCs and tech folks moving to his city. If you’re interested in how an indie record label can make moves in the music industry, this is the podcast for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Ted Lucas, @slipnsliderec , slipnsliderecords.com Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Wed, February 10, 2021
J. Erving on Human Re-Sources, Sony Music's Acquisition, and How to Evaluate Talent
Human Re-Sources founder J. Erving came on the podcast to talk about why he recently sold the rising indie distributor to Sony Music, where he’s now EVP of Creative Development and an EVP at The Orchard, where Human Re-Sources now sits. We also talked about his experience managing artists like Jeremih, why record labels and indie distributors partner with each other, how to evaluate and develop talent in today’s era, and more. If you’re interested in the “role of a record label” in today’s landscape, this is the podcast for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: J. Erving, @human.re.sources , human-re-sources.com Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Fri, February 05, 2021
The Best Hip-Hop Album Rollouts of All-Time (with Ernest Wilkins)
A webinar recording of "The Best Hip-Hop Album Rollouts of All-Time," a conversation on the best album rollouts in hip-hop since the year 2000. I’m joined by Ernest Wilkins of Office Hours. We break down the marketing tactics that make a good album release and each shared our top five list of albums rollouts. Our lists include some big releases by Kanye West, Dreamville, Beyonce, and many more! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Ernest Wilkins, @ernestwilkins , officehoursnewsletter.com Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Thu, January 28, 2021
Def Jam's Past, Present, and Future with Gary Suarez
A webinar recording of "Def Jam's Past, Present, and Future," a conversation on the past decade of business decisions made by one of hip-hop's most storied record labels. Gary and I discuss the highlights, the lowlights, and who should lead the label next. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Gary Suarez ( @noyokono ) runs a hip-hop newsletter called Cabbages. He's a music journalist with bylines in Vulture, Entertainment Weekly, NPR and VICE. To learn more about his work, sign up for his newsletter at https://cabbages.substack.com/ Dan Runcie is the founder of Trapital, a media company that covers the business of hip-hop. Learn more at: https://trapital.co
Thu, January 21, 2021
Binta Brown on the State of the Music Industry, omalilly projects, and Black Music Action Coalition
Music executive Binta Brown talked about why she left a successful career as an attorney to enter the music industry. We talk about the opportunities she saw and how the industry differs from other forms of media. We also talked about her work leading the Black Music Action Coalition, an advocacy organization formed to address systemic racism in the music industry. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Binta Brown, @batnib Link: Black Music Action Coalition Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Wed, January 13, 2021
Master P on Reebok, Ownership, Generational Wealth, and Lessons Learned from Reginald Lewis
The mogul and hip-hop legend Percy Miller (!!) came on to talk about why he and ex-NBA star Baron Davis want to acquire Reebok. We also talked about his new Master P Reviews channel on YouTube, supporting Black businesses, how his strategy differs from Jay Z and Kanye West, and lessons learned from studying the late Reginald Lewis, the Wall Street banker who started the first Black-owned billion dollar company. If you want to learn it straight from the No Limit Records legend himself, this is the episode for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Master P, @masterp Link: “Why Do White Guys Have All The Fun” - Reginald Lewis “What Hip-Hop Gets Wrong About Master P and No Limit” - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Mon, January 04, 2021
Why Artists Are Selling Their Music Catalogs (with Karl Fowlkes)
A recording of the Why Artists Are Selling Their Music Catalogs webinar from December 19. We broke down the reasons why so many artists sold their catalogs in 2020, the companies that want them, and where this trend is heading. Karl Fowlkes is an entertainment attorney whose clients include artists, musicians, athletes, producers and creative companies that have amassed millions of streams, RIAA certifications. He's also a music industry professor at Rowan University and Drexel University. To learn more about his work, visit: https://www.fowlkesfirm.com/ Dan Runcie is the founder of Trapital, a media company that covers the business of hip-hop. Learn more at: https://trapital.co
Mon, December 14, 2020
Phylicia Fant on Developing Superstar Artists, Rising in the Music Industry, and Navigating 2020
Columbia Records’ Head of Urban Music Phylicia Fant came on to talk about her career in the music industry. Before Columbia, she had executive roles at both Warner and Motown, and launched The Purple Agency. We talked about the superstar artists she’s worked with, the challenges the industry has faced in 2020, the use of the word “urban” in the music industry, and more. We also talked about the documentary she worked on--Eggs Over Easy: Black Women & Fertility. If you’re interested in how major record labels have navigated all the changes in 2020, then this is the episode for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Phylicia Fant Links: Eggs Over Easy: Black Women & Fertility Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Mon, December 07, 2020
Flawless Real Talk on Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow, Life as an Indie Artist, and Building His Fanbase
Rapper, producer, and entrepreneur Flawless Real Talk joined to talk about how he manages his rap career. He was the runner up on Netflix’s hip-hop competition show Rhythm & Flow, which boosted his career trajectory. But despite all the industry attention, Flawless is still an independent artist. He talks about that decision, the tradeoffs he’s had to make, and what his goals are as an artist. He recently hosted a livestream concert on LIVIT, where he had over 1 million fans join in. If you’re interested in how artists manage tradeoffs between being signed and indie, building a fanbase, and resiliency, then this is the episode for you. Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Flawless Real Talk, @flawlessri , flawlessri.com Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Mon, November 30, 2020
Daouda Leonard on CreateSafe, the Record Deal Simulator, and Empowering Artists to Manage Their Careers
CreateSafe co-founder and CEO Daouda Leonard came through to break down his company’s goals in the music industry. In 2020, CreateSafe launched the record deal simulator to empower artists to better manage their careers. Daouda has used these tools to manage Grimes and other artists. It’s planning to launch a publishing simulator and a suite of other products. The goal is to make the music industry’s operating system--an open source tool that offers the transparency the industry needs. If you’re interested in artist management tools and freemium business models, this is the episode for you. Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Daouda Leonard, @daoudaleonard , createsafe.io Links: Record Deal Simulator - CreateSafe Bringing Transparency to the Music Industry - The Hustle Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Mon, November 23, 2020
Steven Galanis on Cameo’s Growing Marketplace and Closing the Gap Between Fame and Monetization
Cameo CEO and co-founder Steven Galanis came on the pod to talk about his company’s marketplace for personalized celebrity video shoutouts. We broke down Cameo’s growth in the pandemic, finding product-market fit with people who are more famous than they are rich, and tapping into the long tail. We also break down Cameo’s success with hip-hop artists and Black culture, and the future products that may come from the company. If you’re interested in how marketplaces are built, creating flywheels, and finding product-market fit, this is the episode for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Steven Galanis, cameo.com, @bookcameo Links: How Cameo Blew Up During Quarantine - New Yorker Why The Music Industry Should Be Tuning Into Cameo - Forbes Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Sat, November 14, 2020
Dave Macli on Audiomack’s Role in Music Streaming, Partnership with DJBooth, and Global Expansion
Dave Macli is the co-founder and CEO of Audiomack, a music streaming provider built for artists. We discuss how Audiomack got started, its business model, and why it’s artist-first approach is so important. It landed early projects by J. Cole, Chance The Rapper, and Jennifer Lopez. Dave is also co-founder of DJBooth, which has had an ongoing partnership with Audiomack. In 2020, Audiomack has strengthened its global footprint in Africa and other continents. If you’re interested in how music streaming execs navigate a rapidly growing landscape, this is the podcast for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Dave Macli, @audiomacli , audiomack.com Links: Audiomack Announces Partnership with DJBooth Warner Music Inks Licensing Deal with Audiomack for Key African Markets Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Wed, October 21, 2020
Big Tech's Big Plans in the Music Industry with Cherie Hu
This is a recording of our webinar discussion on the latest music strategies from big tech companies! We broke down the latest and greatest from Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google, Tencent, and more. Cherie Hu is an award-winning music journalist and founder of Water & Music where she unpacks the fine print of innovation in the music business. Her work has been featured in Billboard, Forbes, NPR Music, Columbia Journalism Review, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Music Business Worldwide, Variety, CNBC, and more. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | RSS Hosts: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Cherie Hu, @cheriehu42 , cheriehu.com Links: Slides shared during webinar Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Mon, October 12, 2020
Alex "Al D" Damashek on a New Partnership With Twitch, Move Forward Music, and the Future of Live Music
Al D is founder of Move Forward Music, a New York-based live events production company. His company built a reputation for putting on the first NY shows for big name artists like Kendrick Lamar, DaBaby, Noname, and others. But like many companies, Move Forward was forced to pivot in 2020. Al partnered with Twitch for a new live streaming channel. Oct 17-18 is the Move Forward Fest with Just Blaze, The Alchemist, Sonny Digital, and more. Al D broke down tough decisions made, his business model, and the future of his company after the pandemic. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Alex Damashek, @mfmusic , moveforwardmusic.com , Links: Move Forward Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/moveforwardmusic Move Forward Partners with Twitch: https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9460342/move-forward-music-partners-twitch-live-streamed-programming-festival/ Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Fri, October 02, 2020
Netflix's Black Content Strategy
An audio version of the Trapital essay: Netflix's Black Content Strategy, Explained . The global entertainment company has grown stronger since it leveled up and focused on its influential customers. Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the people taking hip-hop to the level at trapital.co . Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co
Mon, September 28, 2020
The Best Hip-Hop Marketing Campaigns of All-Time with Marcus Collins
This is the audio from the webinar with Marcus Collins, a marketing professor at the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business. We broke down the top five hip-hop marketing campaigns of all time (and a few honorable mentions). We also talked about Marcus’ favorite ad campaigns from his days as an advertising exec at Translation, Doner, and other agencies. At the end, we broke down Travis Scott’s McDonald’s campaign and took questions from attendees. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Marcus Collins, @marctothec , marctothec.com Links to discussed campaigns: Hamburger Helper “Watch the Stove” Nipsey Hussle $100 mixtape The Reebok S. Carter Reebok Allen Iverson A5 and A6 Budweiser Made in America case study Beats by Dre ambush marketing at London 2012 Olympics How “Straight Outta Compton” became a viral sensation Sprite “Obey Your Thirst” Beyonce surprise album drop Hello Brooklyn campaign Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Fri, September 11, 2020
Jason Geter on Heavy Sound Labs, Launching Grand Hustle, Signing T.I. and Travis Scott, and Redefining the Modern Record Label
Heavy Sound Labs founder and CEO Jason Geter came on the Trapital Podcast to break down his rise in the music industry. He started as an intern when he was in high school! He eventually started Grand Hustle with T.I. and helped build his career. Jason adapted the playbook to help build Travis Scott’s career. Jason recently launched Heavy Sound Labs, a music incubator that redefines what it means to be a record label. He’s also an investor in All Def Digital, the largest Black-owned digital media property. If you are interested in how the music industry has evolved and where it’s heading, this is the podcast for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Jason Geter, @jasongeter , heavysound.com Related essay: How Travis Scott Growth Hacked Hip-Hop Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Wed, September 02, 2020
Donald Albright on Building a Podcast Network, Hip-Hop Marketing Tactics, and Tenderfoot TV’s Future
Tenderfoot TV cofounder and President Donald Albright came on the Trapital Podcast to talk about how his company has amassed 500 million podcast downloads. Tenderfoot is behind this hit shows Up and Vanished, Atlanta Monster, To Live and Die in LA, and more. The company has partnered with HBO, iHeartMedia, HBO, and others. Before Tenderfoot, Donald was a music exec in Atlanta where he managed LaFace Records’ street team, managed August Alsina, and worked closely with OutKast, Goodie Mob, and others. If you are interested in podcast strategy, partnerships, and ownership, this is def the podcast for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Donald Albright, @dabright03 , tenderfoot.tv Link: How Donald Albright Became Atlanta’s Podcast Kingmaker - Atlanta Magazine Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Mon, August 31, 2020
Hip-hop's Indie Economy
An audio version of the Trapital essay: Why Hip-Hop’s Indie Economy Has Taken Off. An ecosystem of rappers and businesses have shaped the path and future for independent artists. Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the people taking hip-hop to the level at trapital.co . Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co
Mon, August 17, 2020
Tyler, The Creator's Cult-Like Following
An audio version of the Trapital essay: How Tyler, The Creator Built a Cult-Like Following. Tyler's greatest creation is the loyal fanbase that's been riding with him for over a decade. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Links: How Tyler The Creator Built A Cult-Like Following - Trapital Tyler, The Creator's Fashion Show is Unlike Anything You've Ever Seen (Vogue - YouTube) Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Tue, July 21, 2020
Peter Bittenbender on Mass Appeal’s Rise, Holding Brand Partners Accountable, and International Expansion
Mass Appeal CEO Peter Bittenbender came on the Trapital Podcast to talk about the company’s content strategy, the 2020 climate, holding partners accountable, international expansion, and Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Peter Bittenbender, @bittenbender , massappeal.com Link: Wu Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men: Mass Appeal Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Tue, July 14, 2020
Hip-Hop Challenger Brands with Ernest Wilkins
Office Hours’ Ernest Wilkins came through to talk about challenger brands in hip-hop, why they exist, our respective articles on No Limit and Quality Control Music, and what we expect for the future. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Ernest Wilkins, @ernestwilkins , officehours.substack.com Link: How No Limit Became Hip-Hop’s Challenger Brand - Ernest Wilkins (in Trapital) How Quality Control Music Took Over Atlanta - Dan Runcie (in Office Hours) Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Tue, July 07, 2020
Roy Wood Jr. on How 2020 Changed Comedy, His Comedy Central Partnership, and Why Alabama Means So Much to Him
Comedian, actor, writer, and producer Roy Wood Jr. came through to talk about how the pandemic and uprisings, all the “lost tapes” from 2020, how comics have shifted, why he partnered with Comedy Central, and why his home state of Alabama means so much to him. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Roy Wood, Jr @roywoodjr , roywoodjr.com Link: It’s Time for Stand-ups to Prepare for the Worst - Roy Wood Jr, Vulture Black Patriotism Sketch - Father Figure special, Roy Wood Jr. Roy Wood Jr’s Rap Song “Smoothie Song” Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Fri, July 03, 2020
The Steve Jobs of Gap?
An audio version of the Trapital essay: Why Kanye West’s Gap Deal is a Risk to Yeezy. Yeezy’s new partnership with the struggling apparel company is a threat to the brand that Kanye West built. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Link: Why Kanye West’s Gap Deal is a Risk to Yeezy - Trapital Kanye describes his issues with Nike and confirms Adidas deal - Hot 97 Why Rihanna Broke Barriers That Others Couldn’t - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Tue, June 30, 2020
Hovain Hylton and Busy Rivera on Cinematic Music Group’s Rise, and Turning the Brand into a Lifestyle
Cinematic Music Group’s President, Hovain Hylton and Head of Creative, Busy Rivera came through the Trapital Podcast to talk about leading the independent record label and management company, doing more with less than the major record labels, and managing the Cinematic brand like it’s one of their artists. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Hovain, @hovain Busy Rivera, @busyrivera Link: Cinematic website Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Sun, June 14, 2020
Build Your Table
Another solo episode in light of recent events, and an audio version of this week’s Trapital article, “Why Ownership Matters More in Hip-Hop.” The system hasn’t always had hip-hop’s best interest at heart, so its artists are more likely to take control. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Link: Why Ownership Matters More in Hip Hop Beyonce Commencement Speech | Dear Class of 2020 Cash Money Records Has a Bleak Future Without Drake and Lil’ Wayne Why Death Row Was Bound to Self-Destruct Spreadsheet: Hip Hop Statements - BLM 2020 Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Fri, June 05, 2020
Hip-Hop's Role in the Fight for Justice
This Trapital Podcast is a solo episode in light of this week’s events, the music industry’s actions in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, and this week’s Trapital article, “How Hip-Hop Pushed Companies to Fight for Racial Justice.” Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Link: Spreadsheet: Hip Hop Statements - BLM 2020 How Hip-Hop Pushed Companies to Fight for Racial Injustice Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Tue, May 12, 2020
Trapital Mailbag #3: How Hip-Hop Makes Money in a Pandemic, Superproducers in the Streaming Era, What’s Next for Fortnite + Travis Scott, and more!
Round 3! Here are the most pressing questions from Trapitalists: Do smaller indie acts fare better during the pandemic? Is Tekashi 6ix9ine worthy of a marketing case study? What’s next for Travis Scott + Fortnite? And a whole lot more. Tune in! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Link: How Hip-Hop Producers Lost Their Power How Travis Scott Growth Hacked Hip-Hop Why Hip-Hop and Gaming are Still Scratching the Surface Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Tue, May 05, 2020
Tiffany Ballard on Music Business Law, Why Bad Deals Still Happen, How She Made Connections on Myspace, and Her Time on Reality TV
Entertainment lawyer Tiffany Ballard came on the Trapital Podcast to talk about how she rose in the music industry. She spoke about using Myspace to find career opportunities and discover artists like Nicki Minaj. We also spoke about bad record deals and why they still happen. Tiffany also revisited her brief time on the reality TV show Money Power, & Respect! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Tiffany Ballard, @BlackElleWoods Link: Money, Power, & Respect - Meet Tiffany - WE tv Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co
Tue, April 28, 2020
Zack O'Malley Greenburg (2019)
Since Kanye West is now a billionaire, let's revisit the podcast I recorded in September with Zack O’Malley Greenburg, Senior Editor of Media & Entertainment at Forbes. We talked about Forbes’ annual Hip-Hop Cash List, why artists like Cardi B and Meek Mill who question the results, the integrity challenges with self-reported data, and the amount of work that goes into reporting a single number. Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog, forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg Links referenced: Article: Kanye West is Now Officially a Billionaire (and He Really Wants the World to Know) - Forbes Article: Highest Paid Hip-Hop Acts 2019: Kanye Tops Jay Z to Claim Crown - Forbes Article: Kanye’s Second Coming: Inside the Billion-Dollar Yeezy Empire - Forbes Article: Artist, Icon, Billionaire: How Jay-Z Created His $1 Billion Fortune - Forbes Twitter: Cardi B , Meek Mill , “Pee” from Quality Control Music Article: Why Cardi B Doesn’t Need to Go on Tour - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Tue, April 14, 2020
Ibrahim "Ib" Hamad on Building Dreamville, Managing J. Cole, the Dollar & a Dream Tour, and Starting the Dreamville Fest
Dreamville co-founder and President, and J. Cole’s manager Ibrahim "Ib" Hamad came on the Trapital Podcast to talk about how him and J. Cole started Dreamville and how it became what it is today. Ib also broke down what changed for Dreamville in 2014, the impact that the Dollar & a Dream tour had on J. Cole’s career, establishing the Dreamville brand beyond J. Cole, and why the Dreamville Fest has nine lives! If you wanna know what it takes to get to that next level, this is the episode for you. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Ibrahim "Ib" Hamad, @KingOfQueenz , dreamville.com Link: J. Cole is Still Making Millions From a $1 Million Concert - Trapital Dreamville Fest - August 29, 2019 - Dreamville Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome
Tue, April 07, 2020
Shawn Prez on the Bad Boy Street Team, Grassroots Marketing in Hip-Hop, and Starting the Global Spin Awards
Music and marketing executive Shawn Prez came on the Trapital Podcast to talk about his days as Bad Boy’s VP of Marketing, what set Bad Boy’s Street Team apart, breaking hit records, the Ciroc Boyz, his work at Power Moves Inc., and why he decided to launch an award shows to recognize DJs. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Shawn Prez, @powermovesprez , powermovesprez.com Link: Ciroc Boyz - Power Moves Inc. Black Rob - “Whoa” Global Spin Awards Power Moves with Shawn Prez - YouTube Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome
Tue, March 31, 2020
Hannibal Buress on How Netflix Changed Comedy, His Investing Strategy, and Why Isola Fest is One of His Favorite Career Moments
The hilarious comedian Hannibal Buress came on the Trapital Podcast to talk about how he’s adjusted to quarantine life, how he prioritizes his multiple business interests (touring, comedy specials, acting, investing), Netflix’s impact on comedy specials, planning a music festival on three weeks notice (!!!), why he wishes he got into the toilet paper business, and what’s in store for 2020. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Hannibal Buress, @hannibalburess , hannibalburess.com Link: Isola Fest - Hannibal Buress Handsome Rambler Podcast - Hannibal Buress Hannibal’s thoughts on the toilet paper business - Comedy Camisado, Hannibal Buress I.B.S. - Cam’Ron (2006, Killa Season) Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome
Thu, March 26, 2020
Mike Weissman - President, SoundCloud (2019)
Mike Weissman, President of SoundCloud, came on the Trapital Podcast to talk about the streaming company’s business model, how it compares to a tech accelerator, SoundCloud’s growth in the Middle East, SoundCloud rap, and what sets the company apart from its competitors. (Originally published November 11, 2019) Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Mike Weissman, @soundcloud , soundcloud.com Links referenced: WIRED: As Streaming Services Boom, SoundCloud Strives for Relevancy (2017) Trapital: Why Hip-Hop Can Help Venture Capital Navigate Changes in the Industry (2019) Trapital: Why Streaming Services are Here to Stay (2019) SoundCloud: On Tuesday We Presented Lil’ Tecca with our First-Ever Chart-Topper Award (2019) – The sneakers are on this link! Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Tue, March 17, 2020
Akin Aliu - Music Touring Agent, CAA (2019)
CAA music touring agent Akin Aliu came on the pod to talk about the BET Awards, representing Ciara, Freddie Gibbs, and Becky G, the NCAA’s “Rich Paul Rule,” and why agents break out on their own. (Originally published October 21, 2019) Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Akin Aliu, @caamusic Links referenced: Article: Why Choosing the Right Concert Venue Matters – Trapital Article: Why Cardi B Doesn’t Need to Go On Tour – Trapital ESPN: NCAA amend “Rich Paul Rule” amid blowback Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Tue, March 10, 2020
James Supreme - A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group (2019)
James Supreme, A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group, came on the pod to talk about his role in Lil’ Nas X’s second hit song “Panini”, the differences managing black rappers and white rappers, working with Beyonce’s Parkwood Entertainment team on The Lion King: The Gift, and why mental health matters in the music industry. (Originally published October 10, 2019) Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: James Supreme, @jamessupreme Links referenced: Article: How Lil’ Nas X’s Success Will Impact Hip-Hop - Trapital Article: White Rappers and Black Rappers Have Different Business Models - Trapital Article: What Chance the Rapper Gets Wrong About Ownership - Trapital Article: How Do You Follow Up ‘Old Town Road?’ If You’re Lil’ Nas, You Don’t Try - Rolling Stone Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Tue, March 03, 2020
Trapital Mailbag #2! D-Smoke’s Potential, Lovers & Friends Fest, Jay Z the Wartime Leader, The Cost of Album Bundles, and Def Jam…oh Def Jam
This is Round 2! Here are the most pressing questions from Trapitalists: How successful will the Lovers & Friends Fest be? Was Jay Z’s tenure as Def Jam CEO a success? Should artists bundle albums with digital products to reduce costs? My thoughts on Mr. Eazi’s music incubator in Nigeria? Will Travisbott lead to a producer-less future? And a whole lot more. Tune in! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Link: Trapital Mailbag #1: Grammy Awards Woes, Young Rappers Most Likely to Become Moguls, and Thoughts on a Rappers Union - Trapital How Travis Scott Growth-Hacked Hip-Hop - Trapital How Billboard Can Fix the Album Bundles Issue - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome Want in on the next mailbag? Learn more here: trapital.co/membership
Tue, February 25, 2020
Lynzie Riebling on Gen Hip Hop, Quantifying the Power of the Hip-Hop Audience, and REVOLT’s Role in the Culture
REVOLT’s VP of Insights & Strategy Lynzie Riebling came through to talk about Revolt’s new study Gen Hip Hop, key findings from the study (did you know gen hip hop has a buying power of $438 billion?!), why this work matters, Revolt’s competition, and more. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Lynzie Riebling, @hilynzie , revolt.tv Link: genhiphopstudy.com - Order a copy of the report. It’s free! Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome
Tue, February 18, 2020
Karl Fowlkes on Music Business Law, Combat Jack’s Influence, and Why He Hopes There are Less Lawyers in 20 Years
The Fowlkes Firm founder and music business professor Karl Fowlkes talked about his experience as an entertainment lawyer, why he fights for producers rights, music publishing exams, trends in digital streaming, the late Combat Jack (Reggie Ossé), and his series “The Courtroom.” Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Karl Fowlkes, @esqfowlkes , elawandbusiness.com Links: Free Music Publishing Exam - The Fowlkes Firm The Courtroom - Karl Fowlkes (YouTube) Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome
Tue, February 11, 2020
Jesse Kirshbaum on Nue Agency's Brand Marketing, #CRWN Interview Series, and the Future of Award Shows
Nue Agency Founder and CEO Jesse Kirshbaum talked about his company’s transition from talent to brand partnerships. We also talked about his brand activation deals with Sour Patch Kids and Tidal, The Grammys, the Super Bowl Halftime Show, upcoming awards shows, and more. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Jesse Kirshbaum, @jessekay , nueagency.com Links: The Patch South Patch Kids brand partnership - Nue Agency #CRWN partnership with Nue Agency - Nue Agency A Conversation with Elliot Wilson & Meek Mill - Tidal Grammys PostGame - Beats and Bytes newsletter Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome
Tue, February 04, 2020
Tarik Brooks on Combs Enterprises, Diddy’s Investment Strategy, and Managing a Portfolio of Brands
Combs Enterprises COO Tarik Brooks came on the Trapital Podcast to talk his role managing the Combs Enterprises portfolio of brands, which includes Ciroc, Bad Boy Entertainment, Revolt, Sean John, AquaHydrate, and more. We talked about how to measure Diddy’s value-add as an investor, Tarik’s experience working for both Diddy and Robert L. Johnson, and why Diddy sought mentorship from Ray Dalio, and more. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Tarik Brooks, @tarikamin , combsenterprises.com/tarik-brooks/ Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome
Mon, January 27, 2020
Steve Stoute on UnitedMasters, Partnership with Apple Music, Ownership in Hip-Hop, and Why Brands Value Indie Artists
UnitedMasters and Translation CEO Steve Stoute came through the Trapital Podcast to talk with Dan Runcie about ownership in hip-hop, why the music distribution company partnered with the NBA, Apple Music, and NBA 2K. We also talked about brands that use phrases like “Hot Girl Summer,” why his work at UnitedMasters is gratifying, and why he’s still in the second inning of building this company. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Steve Stoute, @stevestoute , @unitedmasters , unitedmasters.com Links Apple Music, NBA Strike Deal for Playlist, Songs in Highlights - Bloomberg With $70M from Alphabet, UnitedMasters replaces record labels - TechCrunch 2014 Michigan Ross Alfred L. Edwards Black Business Students Association Conference Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome
Tue, January 21, 2020
Fantasy Record Labels? We’re Skeptical. (a Trapital - Water & Music Collaboration with Cherie Hu)
Water & Music creator and music journalist Cherie Hu came on the Trapital Podcast to discuss why “fantasy football for music” hasn’t taken off. Her and I did a mutual newsletter takeover where we both researched the topic and wrote separate articles in each other’s newsletter. On this podcast, we recapped our findings, and shared key reasons why the concept is limited in its reach. We also had some fun and answered a popular meme on how we would spend our $15 if we’re drafting a record label. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Cherie Hu, @cheriehu42 , cheriehu.com Links So you want to be a music mogul: The future of fantasy record labels - Cherie Hu in Trapital Why “fantasy football for music” has struggled - Dan Runcie in Water & Music FanLabel - your fantasy record label where you can compete in daily music contests with songs by big name artists and brand-new acts. Water & Music newsletter sign-up Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome
Mon, December 16, 2019
Milana Lewis on Stem’s Artist-First Strategy, How it Evolves in the Streaming Era, How the Company Makes Tough Decisions
Stem CEO and co-founder Milana Lewis came on the Trapital Podcast to talk about Stem’s role as a music distributor, how it worked with Frank Ocean and Childish Gambino, business decisions that impacted the artist community, diversity in the music industry, and why some record labels deals make sense. Don’t miss it! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Milana Lewis, @milana, stem.is Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome
Tue, November 26, 2019
Trapital Mailbag Special: Grammy Awards Woes, Young Rappers Most Likely to Become Moguls, and Thoughts on a Rappers Union
I answered some of the most-pressing questions from Trapital Members: Should the digital streaming providers invest in e-commerce? Are the Spotify Awards a step-in-the-right-direction to recognize global music or will it be more of the same? Will rappers surpass NBA players as the best sneaker endorsers? Don’t miss this one! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Want to participate in the next Mailbag? Become a Trapital Member: trapital.co/membership
Tue, November 19, 2019
Why Netflix's 'Rhythm + Flow' Was a Hit
Ace “Call Me Ace” Patterson came back on the pod to break down Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow . We talked about what worked, what didn’t, how the hip-hop competition show compares to American Idol and Making the Band, and what we expect from Netflix next season! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Ace Patterson, @callmeacelegit , airplanemode.callmeace.com Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Learn more about Trapital .
Mon, November 11, 2019
Mike Weissman on SoundCloud’s Creator Strategy, How it Compares to a Startup Accelerator, and What it Means to be a SoundCloud Rapper
Mike Weissman, President of SoundCloud, came on the pod to talk about the streaming company’s business model, how it compares to a tech accelerator, SoundCloud’s growth in the Middle East, SoundCloud rap, and what sets the company apart from its competitors. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Mike Weissman, @soundcloud , soundcloud.com Links referenced: WIRED: As Streaming Services Boom, SoundCloud Strives for Relevancy (2017) Trapital: Why Hip-Hop Can Help Venture Capital Navigate Changes in the Industry (2019) Trapital: Why Streaming Services are Here to Stay (2019) SoundCloud: On Tuesday We Presented Lil’ Tecca with our First-Ever Chart-Topper Award (2019) - The sneakers are on this link! Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Learn more about Trapital .
Mon, November 04, 2019
Shea Serrano on the Economics of Book Publishing, ‘Movies (and Other Things),’ and How DJ Screw Inspired his Promotional Tactics
Shea Serrano, New York Times bestselling author and staff writer at The Ringer, came on the pod to chat about his strategy for his latest book ‘Movies (And Other Things),’ the pros and cons of selling independently vs. through a publisher, and how the late DJ Screw inspired his promotional tactics. We also talked about Shea's FOH Army fanbase, rappers who fumbled the bag with Fast & Furious franchise, why The Ringer CEO Bill Simmons is the plug, and his Top Five rappers. Don't miss this one. Tune in! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Shea Serrano, @sheaserrano , sheaserrano.com Links referenced: Book: Movies (and Other Things) - Shea Serrano (2019) PDF: Conference Room, Five Minutes - Shea Serrano (2018) - independently released Book: Basketball (and Other Things) - Shea Serrano (2017) Book: The Rap Year Book - Shea Serrano (2015) Book: Bun B’s Rapper Coloring Book and Activity Book - Shea Serrano (2013) Podcast: Mathew Knowles on Beyonce’s Streaming Strategy, Solange’s Marketing, and Dinner with Jay Z or $50,000? - Trapital</
Mon, October 28, 2019
DJ Semtex on UK Hip-Hop’s Moment, Stormzy and Skepta Becoming Stars, Brexit’s Impact on the Culture, and Why Radio Still Matters
DJ Semtex, award-winning DJ, radio host, author, and podcast, came on the pod to talk about the moment UK is having in hip-hop, how Brexit has impacted the hip-hop landscape, why he still loves radio. He even asked me some questions too! Tune in. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: DJ Semtex, @djsemtex - Twitter, @djsemtex - Instagram Links referenced: Book: Hip-Hop Raised Me - DJ Semtex (2016) Podcast: Who We Be TALKS_ - DJ Semtex and Spotify Article: What Chance the Rapper Gets Wrong About Ownership - Trapital Article: Why Latin Hip-Hop is Still Undervalued - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Mon, October 21, 2019
Akin Aliu on Life as a CAA Agent, Representing Ciara, and the “Rich Paul Rule”
Akin Aliu, Music Touring Agent at the Creative Artists Agency, came on the pod to talk about the BET Awards, representing Ciara, Freddie Gibbs, and Becky G, the NCAA’s “Rich Paul Rule,” and why big-time agents break out on their own. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Akin Aliu, @caamusic Links referenced: Article: Why Choosing the Right Concert Venue Matters - Trapital Article: Why Cardi B Doesn’t Need to Go On Tour - Trapital ESPN: NCAA amend “Rich Paul Rule” amid blowback Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Thu, October 10, 2019
James Supreme on Being the A&R Behind Lil’ Nas X “Panini”, G-Eazy's Management Team, and why Mental Health Matters in the Industry
James Supreme, A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group, came on the pod to talk about his role in Lil’ Nas X’s second hit song “Panini”, the differences managing black rappers and white rappers, working with Beyonce’s Parkwood Entertainment team on The Lion King: The Gift , and why mental health matters in the music industry. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: James Supreme, @jamessupreme Links referenced: Article: How Lil’ Nas X’s Success Will Impact Hip-Hop - Trapital Article: White Rappers and Black Rappers Have Different Business Models - Trapital Article: What Chance the Rapper Gets Wrong About Ownership - Trapital Article: How Do You Follow Up ‘Old Town Road?’ If You’re Lil’ Nas, You Don’t Try - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Tue, October 08, 2019
Dame Ritter on Kanye West’s Sunday Services, Launching Music Entrepreneur Club, and How He Almost Signed Russ to a Deal
Dame Ritter, Founder and CEO of the Music Entrepreneur Club, came on the podcast to talk about the latest with Kanye West and his infamous Sunday Services. We also talked about Dame’s journey launching and running the Funk Volume record label, the business model for Music Entrepreneur Club, and how he almost signed Russ, and why he regrets turning down an opportunity to invest in the platinum-selling rapper. Tune in! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Dame Ritter, @dame_mec - Twitter, @dame.mec - Instagram, https://musicentrepreneurclub.com/ Links referenced: Article: Why Kanye West’s Sunday Service Has Limited Power - Trapital Website: Music Entrepreneur Club Tour Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Thu, September 26, 2019
Zack O’Malley Greenburg on the Forbes Hip-Hop Cash List, the Controversy it Causes, and What it Took to Declare that Jay Z is a Billionaire
Zack O’Malley Greenburg, Senior Editor of Media & Entertainment at Forbes, came through the Trapital Podcast to talk about the Forbes’ annual Hip-Hop Cash List. We talked about the artists like Cardi B and Meek Mill who question the results, the integrity challenges with self-reported data, the amount of work that goes into reporting a single number, and more. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog , forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg Links referenced: Article: Highest Paid Hip-Hop Acts 2019: Kanye Tops Jay Z to Claim Crown - Forbes Article: Kanye’s Second Coming: Inside the Billion-Dollar Yeezy Empire - Forbes Article: Artist, Icon, Billionaire: How Jay-Z Created His $1 Billion Fortune - Forbes Twitter: Cardi B , Meek Mill , “Pee” from Quality Control Music Article: Why Cardi B Doesn’t Need to Go on Tour - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Thu, September 12, 2019
50 Cent is a Habitual Line Stepper
Dan is joined by Ace Patterson (hip-hop artist ‘Call Me Ace,’ Consumer Marketing at Facebook). They break down how 50 Cent built a brand on shock value, why he raises hell on social media, whether he’s changed his style, and why he’ll never get canceled. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Ace Patterson, @callmeacelegit , callmeace.com Links referenced: Article: Why 50 Cent Hasn't Been Canceled - Trapital Podcast: Moody Jones on marketing for Snoop Dogg, EMPIRE’s digital strategy, and why he wants to work with Childish Gambino - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Fri, August 23, 2019
Moody Jones on marketing for Snoop Dogg, EMPIRE’s digital strategy, and why he wants to work with Childish Gambino
Moody Jones, Head of Digital at EMPIRE, came through the Trapital Podcast to chat about his experience marketing for artists like Iggy Azalea, Tyga, XXXTentacion, and Snoop Dogg. He also broke down why he wants to work with Childish Gambino, and dropped some advice for the aspiring rappers who stay in his DMs. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Guest: Moody Jones, @moodyjones , empi.re Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Fri, August 09, 2019
RapCaviar's Big Advantage
Dan explains why Spotify’s RapCaviar playlist still has a competitive advantage over its competitors and why that won’t change anything soon. But that doesn’t mean the other digital streaming providers should give up! Each competing playlist can still take steps in the right direction. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Links Discussed: Why Spotify’s RapCaviar Can’t Be Matched 8/8/2019 - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalst .
Thu, August 01, 2019
Roc Nation's Wild Year
Dan breaks down Roc Nation’s wild and eventful 2019--a bunch of execs got fired, there are new co-presidents for the record label, and a new joint venture record label with Meek Mill: Dream Chasers. There’s been A LOT going on, but the company needs to be intentional about its next steps. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , trapital.co Links Discussed: Why Roc Nation Needed to Restructure 7/31/2019 - Trapital Why Roc Nation May Move on From its Record Label 12/7/2018 - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist .
Tue, July 23, 2019
The Hip-Hop Partnership Flywheel
Dan breaks down why distribution is so critical for today’s hip-hop artists and how it has created a partnership flywheel that benefits Jay Z, Rihanna, and countless others. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , Trapital (trapital.co) Links Discussed: How Distribution Changed Hip-Hop for Better or Worse , Trapital To get all the content you need to level up on hip-hop business, become a Trapital member .
Mon, July 15, 2019
No Tour, No Problem for Cardi B
Dan breaks down why Cardi B has held out on a major tour, why she’s on the festival circuit instead, and whether her model is one that other rappers can follow. Listen: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, trapital.co , @RuncieDan Links Discussed: Why Cardi B Doesn’t Need to Go On Tour - Trapital Why Choosing the Right Concert Venue Matters - Trapital Why Jay Z Partnered with Cannabis Company Caliva - Trapital GGB vs. Caliva - Web Smith, 2PM To get all the content Trapital has to offer, become a member .
Mon, July 08, 2019
Mathew Knowles on Beyoncé's Streaming Strategy, Solange's Marketing, and Dinner with Jay Z or $50,000
Mathew Knowles, founder and CEO of Music World Entertainment came through the Trapital podcast to talk shop on Beyoncé and her streaming strategy with Netflix and Tidal, Solange and BlackPlanet, and the burning internet question: Would you rather have dinner with Jay Z. We also ran through a list of lightning round questions from Trapital members. Check it out! Listen: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan , Trapital Links Discussed: Beyonce’s Streaming Strategy, Explained , Trapital mathewknowles.com @mathewknowles - Twitter @mrmatherknowles - Instagram Trapital is the home for hip-hop business + strategy. I write one free article per week on a particular topic in the hip-hop business world. I also write additional content for Trapital's membership program . Stay up to date on Trapital between podcast episodes: https://trapital.co
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