Shows / The Manager's Playbook
The Manager's Playbook
Hosted by Mauricio Ruiz, a music industry executive of 15 years, The Manager's Playbook is your essential podcast for insights into the music industry. Whether you're an artist, aspiring manager, music industry professional, or just passionate about the behind-the-scenes of the music business, this podcast is for you. Mauricio brings you in-depth interviews with top artist managers, entertainment lawyers, and other industry execs. Each episode is packed with valuable tips, real-world…
Episodes
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Steve Rifkind on How He Invented Street Teams
Steve Rifkind breaks down one of the most important “from nothing to systems” stories in the music business. With just $5,000 to his name, he invests in a…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Steve Rifkind on The Street Team Strategy That Built Hip-Hop Fans
In this clip, Steve Rifkind breaks down the year he spent managing New Edition, and why it became his real-world education in the music industry. From meeting…
- The Manager's Playbook
The Manager’s Playbook 051: Steve Rifkind - Loud Records, Street Teams, Wu-Tang Clan, Akon & Record Label Strategy
Steve Rifkind helped build the modern music business playbook, and he’s one of the people who created and popularized “street teams” before anyone had a…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Mike Biggane on Why Artist Development Is Now the Manager’s Job
The music didn’t get worse. The way it travels changed. In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mike Biggane and I unpack why hits feel smaller in the…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Mike Biggane on Why the Current Music Industry Is at a Turning Point
Most conversations about streaming focus on artists or platforms. This one starts where the pressure shows up first: songwriters, publishers, and the economics…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Mike Biggane on Why Record Labels Don’t Build Artist Careers Anymore
The music industry didn’t pivot because of trends. It pivoted because the returns disappeared. In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mike Biggane unpacks…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Mike Biggane on Why Playlists Don’t Break Artists Anymore
Before playlists became leverage, before algorithms dictated discovery, before release strategy turned into guesswork, there was New Music Friday. In this clip…
- The Manager's Playbook
The Manager’s Playbook 050: Mike Biggane - Spotify, Personalization, Artist Development & The New Music Business
The music industry didn’t slowly evolve. It structurally changed. And most people are still trying to operate inside a version of the business that no longer…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Nima Nasseri on The Mental Shift Artists Need to Survive the 2026 Music Biz
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Nima Nasseri and Mauricio Ruiz unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of success in the music industry…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Nima Nasseri on The One Shift Every Artist Must Make in 2026
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Nima Nasseri breaks down what it really takes for artists to succeed in today’s digital-first music industry. Nima…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Nima Nasseri on The TikTok Blueprint Every Artist Needs
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Nima Nasseri breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in the modern music industry: virality. This isn’t about…
- The Manager's Playbook
The Manager’s Playbook 049: Nima Nasseri - Content, Consistency, Algorithms, Artist Strategy & The New Music Industry
In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with Nima Nasseri, artist manager for Hit-Boy, former VP of A&R Strategy at Universal Music Group, and…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Azad Naficy on Why Artists Get Screwed by Major Labels
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz and Azad Naficy break down one of the biggest questions in the music industry today: Does every…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Azad Naficy on The Untapped Music Genre Making Artists REAL Money
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and Azad Naficy explore one of the most transformative shifts happening in the music business today…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Azad Naficy on Why Your Show Isn’t Selling
In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and Azad Naficy break down the real mechanics of touring in the modern music business. Not the highlight…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Azad Naficy on The Steps Successful Artists NEVER Skip
In this episode clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with artist, executive, and Avant Garden co-founder Azad Naficy to unpack one of the…
- The Manager's Playbook
The Manager’s Playbook 048: Azad Naficy - Artist Development, Major Label Deals, Merch Strategy, Touring Realities & Building Sustainable Music Careers
Azad Naficy has lived every corner of the music business - artist, manager, A&R, label co-founder, and the architect behind Peace of Mind Studio and Avant…
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Inside the Playbook: Theron Thomas on What Really Holds Artists Back
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Grammy-winning songwriter Theron Thomas breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in the music industry, the…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Theron Thomas on Why Your Songs Aren’t Blowing Up
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Grammy-winning songwriter Theron Thomas breaks down the real stories and strategy behind some of the biggest hit…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Theron Thomas on The Truth About Winning in Music
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Theron Thomas opens up about the part of the music industry that rarely makes headlines: the grind, the pressure, and…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Theron Thomas on The Science of a Hit Song
In this episode clip, Grammy-winning songwriter Theron Thomas dives into one of the biggest truths in today’s music industry: the entire business is built on…
- The Manager's Playbook
The Manager’s Playbook 047: Theron Thomas - GRAMMY Songwriter of the Year, Songwriter Rights, Music Industry Inequality, Publishing Realities & Hitmaking Strategy
Most people talk about hit songs. Theron Thomas writes the ones that define entire eras. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with one of the…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Machel Montano & Che Kothari on How the King of Soca Designs World-Class Shows
In this conversation, Machel Montano opens up about what truly goes into crafting a great live performance, not just the music, but the presence, discipline…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Machel Montano & Che Kothari on the Real Cost of Success
In this conversation, we dig into one of the most important parts of an artist’s journey: learning how to invest in yourself long before the world believes in…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Machel Montano & Che Kothari on Why Most Artists Can’t Keep Up
In this conversation, we dive into one of the most demanding parts of the Caribbean music ecosystem: the race to create a Road March hit for Carnival. Machel…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Machel Montano & Che Kothari on the ONE Quality Every Artist Needs in a Manager
In this conversation, we unpack one of the biggest turning points in Machel Montano’s career, choosing the right partner to help him grow, evolve, and carry…
- The Manager's Playbook
The Manager’s Playbook 046: Machel Montano & Che Kothari - The King of Soca, Trinidad & Tobago Culture, Creative Reinvention, Team Alignment & Long-Term Success
For over 40 years, Machel Montano has been the heartbeat of Soca and one of the most influential voices in Caribbean music. But behind the longevity, the…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Snow Tha Product on The Independent Artist System That Actually Works
Snow Tha Product has been building on YouTube long before most artists realized how powerful the platform could be. In this clip, she breaks down what it’s…
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Inside the Playbook: Snow Tha Product on What Every Music Manager Can Learn from Snow Tha Product
In this clip, Snow Tha Product opens up about what it really takes to stay ahead in the music industry, and why being early isn’t always as glamorous as it…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Snow Tha Product on Why the Music Business Keeps Failing Artists
Snow Tha Product has one of the most unique creative processes in the game, and in this episode she walks us through all of it, from building songs completely…
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Inside the Playbook: Snow Tha Product on the Harsh Reality of Record Deals
Snow Tha Product has lived through parts of the music industry most artists never talk about publicly. In this episode, she opens up about what it felt like to…
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The Manager’s Playbook 045: Snow Tha Product - Independence, Creative Infrastructure, Artist Autonomy, Fan-Powered Ecosystems & Building a Self-Sustaining Career
Snow Tha Product is one of the clearest examples of what real independence looks like in today’s music industry, not the aesthetic, but the infrastructure. In…
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Inside the Playbook: Austin Dunn on the Marketing System That Broke Victoria Monét
Victoria Monét didn’t just have a viral moment, she built one. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Austin Dunn breaks down how Victoria’s journey from…
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Inside the Playbook: Austin Dunn on Why Most Artists Will Never Go Viral
The way artists connect with fans is evolving, and Austin Dunn has been studying the shift in real time. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Austin…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Austin Dunn on The New Rules of Music Marketing
The rules of digital marketing in music have changed, and Austin Dunn has lived every version of them. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Austin breaks…
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Inside the Playbook: Austin Dunn on Cracking SoundCloud Before It Blew Up
Before algorithms ran the music business, Austin Dunn was already building his own. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Austin breaks down the…
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The Manager’s Playbook 044: Austin Dunn – Storytelling, Digital Strategy, Content Seeding, Music Marketing, Faceless Pages, Artist Growth & The Future of Music Promotion
Most artists are chasing the algorithm. Austin Dunn built systems that outsmart it. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast, I sit down with Austin…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Nic D on the Content Strategy That Actually Works for Artists
What if the key to building a real music career wasn’t luck, playlists, or connections, but how you show up online? In this clip, Nic D breaks down how he…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Nic D on The Lie About Touring Every Artist Believes
What if walking away from touring wasn’t a step back, but the smartest move an artist could make? In this conversation, Nic D opens up about why he turned down…
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Inside the Playbook: Nic D on Building a Profitable Music Career Without a Manager
What does financial independence really look like for an artist with no label, no manager, and no team? In this clip, Nic D breaks down the real numbers behind…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Nic D on His Winning System - You Don’t Need a Record Label
What if success in music had less to do with talent, and everything to do with mindset? In this conversation, Nic D breaks down the discipline, self-awareness…
- The Manager's Playbook
The Manager’s Playbook 043: Nic D – 1.5B Streams, Independence, Content Strategy, Streaming Revenue, Mindset, No Label, No Manager & The New Music Business Model
What if you built a billion-stream music career, without a label, manager, or industry connections? That’s exactly what Nic D did. From Culpeper, Virginia, he…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Nick Jarjour on Why Songs Became More Valuable Than Ever
Nick Jarjour shares the inside story behind Hipgnosis Songs Fund, the company that redefined how the world values music. From his work alongside Merck…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Nick Jarjour on The Genius Behind Rihanna’s ‘Needed Me’
Nick Jarjour shares the story of Starrah, one of the most transformative songwriters in modern music. From crafting Rihanna’s “Needed Me” to shaping global…
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Inside the Playbook: Nick Jarjour on The Real Laws of Music Management
Nick Jarjour takes us inside the real world of music management. In this conversation, Nick breaks down what it truly means to manage artists and songwriters…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Nick Jarjour on The Real Story Behind Kanye’s Documentary
Nick Jarjour opens up about the making of In Whose Name, a powerful and deeply human documentary on Ye that explores the intersection of mental health…
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The Manager’s Playbook 042: Nick Jarjour - Rihanna, Kanye West, Starrah, Max Martin, Songwriter Rights, Mental Health, Artist Advocacy, Hipgnosis, Blockchain & The Business of Music
Nick Jarjour has built his career around one mission: protecting the storytellers. From managing Starrah, the songwriter behind Rihanna’s “Needed Me,” to…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Isabel Quinteros on Being a Publicist to TikTok to AI
What does it really take to build lasting partnerships between artists, brands, and technology? In this clip, Isabel Quinteros, SVP at Jen Music AI and former…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Isabel Quinteros on Why AI Can’t Touch the Human Soul
AI is reshaping how music is created and consumed, raising new opportunities and new risks. In this clip, Isabel Quinteros, SVP at Jen Music AI and former…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Isabel Quinteros on How Kids Are Experiencing Music in a Completely New Way
AI is changing how music is created, discovered, and experienced. In this clip, Isabel Quinteros, SVP at Jen Music AI and former Global Music Partnerships lead…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Isabel Quinteros on Why Artists Can’t Compete With AI
Generative AI is shaking up the music industry, creating new opportunities and new risks. In this clip, Isabel Quinteros (SVP at Jen Music AI and former Global…
- The Manager's Playbook
The Manager’s Playbook 041: Isabel Quinteros - TikTok, AI in Music, Artist Compensation, Blockchain, Ethical Innovation & The Future of the Industry
In this episode, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Isabel Quinteros, former Global Music Partnerships lead at TikTok and now SVP at Jen Music AI. From her start in…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Shawn Desman and Managers on What Almost Ended Shawn Desman’s Music Career
After stepping away from music in 2015, Shawn Desman found himself questioning if he would ever return. In this conversation, he shares the pivotal moment with…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Shawn Desman and Managers on How They Sold Out Every Show
Shawn Desman’s career looked finished, until it wasn’t. In this conversation, Shawn, Steve Zsirai, and Chad Walsh break down how a mix of social media…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Shawn Desman and Managers on The Human Side of Music Management
What does it really take to build authentic relationships in music? In this conversation, Shawn Desman, Steve Zsirai, and Chad Walsh share why keeping a small…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Shawn Desman and Managers on What Really Makes a Great Artist
What makes a great artist, and a great manager? In this conversation, Shawn Desman, Steve Zsirai, and Chad Walsh break down the traits that separate the good…
- The Manager's Playbook
The Manager’s Playbook 040: Shawn Desman, Steve Zsirai & Chad Walsh - Drake’s Co-Sign, Fame, Sobriety, Social Media Strategy & Building a Comeback Team
Shawn Desman’s story is one of highs, lows, and a powerful comeback. From topping the charts to stepping away from music, Shawn opens up about the pressure of…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Milana Lewis on What Artists Can Learn From Entrepreneurs
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz speaks with Milana Lewis (CEO of Stem) about her journey from having no background in music to becoming…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Milana Lewis on What Makes an Artist Stand Out
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Milana Lewis (CEO of Stem) to unpack the realities of artist development and…
- The Manager's Playbook
Inside the Playbook: Milana Lewis on The Reality of Music Advances & Shelving
In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Milana Lewis, CEO of Stem, to break down how Stem approaches artist partnerships and…