Trapital
Trapital explores the intersection of technology and culture, focusing on trends in tech, media, and entertainment. Host Dan Runcie and guests analyze the business moves and cultural shifts that shape society, with a particular emphasis on hip-hop and the music industry.
Episodes
Should Netflix Start Streaming Music?
Could music become Netflix’s next big content category?
In this episode, we break down Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl’s case for bringing music to Netflix, why it could give both Netflix and the music industry more leverage against YouTube, and how advertising could make the opportunity more compelling.
We also explore the challenges, from licensing economics and consumer behavior to wheth
Why Investors Are Looking Beyond Iconic Music Catalogs
The music business has changed dramatically over the past decade, especially in the independent sector.
We sit down with Flexpoint Ford's Managing Director, Mike Morris, to discuss why independent music has become such an attractive investment opportunity, how fragmentation creates value, and how investors weigh catalog ownership against infrastructure, services, and technology.
We also explore
Jay-Z’s Year of Offense, Explained
Jay-Z's 2026 has been a victory lap of sorts. Anniversary shows, stadium runs, and enemies put on notice. He’s focused on the music, yet less public on the business moves. But maybe that’s by design.
For years, one of Jay Z’s goal was to attain more wealth and become richer. Mission accomplished, he’s the world’s richest musician. But ever since he got there, the climate has long shifted. For pu
Bold Predictions: The Future for Songwriters and Creators
Our third annual Trapital Summit is right around the corner, live September 15 at the Sunset Room Hollywood. We're kicking off a new segment called Bold Predictions, where you’ll hear from the executives from our sponsors who made this year’s summit possible.
Today we’re joined by Lucas Keller, president and founder of Milk & Honey as he explains why shrinking splits could turn songwriting into a
Remembering Clive Davis: 1932 - 2026
My April 2026 interview with Clive Davis (watch here or listen here) was one of his last before he passed away in June 2026. Here are my reflections on my interactions with Clive, and a few parts of his legacy that still get overlooked.
You can also revisit our original Trapital episode on Clive’s career Here.
CHAPTERS
04:23 Reflecting on our interview
06:03 Clive's overlooked career peak
When AI Writes Code and Makes Music, What's Left for Humans?
AI keeps getting called music's biggest threat. Or its biggest opportunity. Both framings miss the point.
The real question is harder: if AI can handle the cognitive work, what's left that actually matters?
We're joined by Jessica Powell, CEO and co-founder of AudioShake, to figure that out. We talked about why experienced practitioners get the most out of AI, what happens to the creators caught
Find Your Interstellar: Why Some Art Ages Well
Interstellar wasn't a phenomenon when it dropped in 2014. Now it's widely seen as a masterpiece. It’s more popular now than it was on release.
How does that happen? Can we see it coming?
In this solo episode, we break down the mechanics of a cultural reappraisal: why some polarizing work ages into greatness, and why other art quietly disappears. From Yeezus to Reasonable Doubt, Mr. Brightside to
Why Everything Feels the Same Now
Was there ever truly a "monoculture”? Or have we been telling ourselves a comforting story about past shared experience? We sit down with Tatiana Cirisano, VP of Music Strategy, MIDiA Research to unpack how we got from finale watch parties to infinite algorithmic feeds.
If culture is so fragmented, why does everything online look, sound, and feel the same?
We did more into the great cultural coll
K-Pop's Paradox: Why BTS Fans Aren’t K-Pop Fans
K-Pop is in a unique situation. The genre “feels” like it’s everywhere. BTS, Blackpink, Stray Kids, and KPop **Demon Hunters have topped Billboard and Netflix charts. But recent data shows that roughly 2% of global streams are from K-Pop, and the genre is and trending down.
We are joined by Will Page, former Chief Economist at Spotify and author of Pivot. He released a new report on Music Busines
Arena Tours: The Truth Behind “Blue Dot Fever”
"Blue dot fever" is the new phrase floating around for artists whose tours have seat maps full of unsold blue dots for concerts, especially in arenas and stadiums. It’s said to be a precursor to a cancelled tours. The term is catchy, it captures headlines, but is the “problem” a bit exaggerated?
With blue dot fever now part of the discourse, we dive deep into the latest in the business, how agent
Music Catalogs: Is There Ever A Good Time to Sell?
The multiples for music rights and catalog sales continue to rise, despite high interest rates. Selling can look rational in the moment but great music keeps finding new formats, new buyers, and new value. But it's hard to look at sales are pure financial decisions. As most investors know, there are countless factors that can go into a sale.
We are joined by Josh Gruss, founder of Round Hill Musi
Troy Carter on Why Suno Changes Everything
I sat down with Troy Carter during SXSW in Austin. We talked about Suno role in music, where record labels stand today, artist management, catalog sales, estates, we covered it all!
The conversation was hosted by Chaka Mahone at his company, DAWA, 4-day event titled Vision 8291, in collaboration with Venice Music, where Troy is the co-founder and CEO.
CHAPTERS
03:30 Stayed Ahead of AI News
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Artists and AI: Offense, Defense, and the Future of Music
Is “Artists vs. AI” the wrong way to think about music’s future?
At HumanX, I hosted a conversation with Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava and Universal Music Group’s Michael Nash on how AI can become a creative force multiplier for artists, not a replacement.
We discussed why music’s supply problem existed long before generative AI, how artists are using new tools to reduce production friction, and
SoundCloud’s Big Bet for the AI Era
SoundCloud is at a turning point, and CEO Eliah Seton takes us inside the strategy shaping its future.
In this conversation, we break down how SoundCloud evolved into a two-sided marketplace for artists and fans, why it moved on from potential sales, how it's embracing AI, and doubling down on the moves that work best for both creators and fans.
CHAPTERS
03:34 Update on a Potential Sale
08:2
Clive Davis Part 2: Reviving Careers, Industry Power, and Leaving a Legacy
In part two, you'll hear Clive Davis reflect on strategic decisions made when running a record label and career revivals he helped shape that defined another chapter of his run.
He discusses the balance of control and economics in label joint ventures, why hitmakers are not always great talent scouts, and how LaFace became a powerful force through artists like Toni Braxton, TLC, and Pink. Davis
Clive Davis Part 1: Whitney Houston, Resilience, and The World's Greatest Party
I sat down with the legendary record executive Clive Davis. We looked back on the career-defining moments that made him one of the most influential figures in music.
He shares memories from the Beverly Hills Hotel, where we recorded the conversation. We also discussed the evolution of his famed pre-Grammy gala, and the philosophy behind honoring artists in the room. Davis also revisits being pu
Coachella’s Dilemma: Stadium Money vs. Festival Money
Coachella sold out in five days after announcing Justin Bieber as headliner. That's the good news. The bad news? It tells you how hard it's become to book a headline act who can actually move 250,000 tickets for the one of most premiere music festivals in the world.Dave Brooks, a music correspondent at Puck and host of the Decibel and Docket podcast, joins the show to break down the business of fe
Talent Agencies: Who Leads the Next Era?
Now that Wasserman Agency has rebrand itself to "The Team," what's next? Who will lead The Team? Who will the new owner be? What will they do with it? Elsewhere in the talent agency world, CAA has a new managing director for music touring, and UTA's longtime leader has stepped down. Who will lead the next era?
I am joined by Ben Sisario from the New York Times to unpack the talent agency busine
Can AI Music Creation Be a Real Growth Market?
As streaming growth slows, the music industry is searching for its next big opportunity. One of the leading bets? AI-powered music creation.
I'm joined by MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano to break down whether platforms like Suno represent a true growth engine or just another niche product.
We explore the rise of consumer creation, the limits of the “superfan” narrative, and why the future of m
Live Nation and DOJ Settled. Now What?
The Department of Justice has settled its lawsuit against Live Nation - Ticketmaster. There will be no breakup of the live entertainment company, but Live Nation has agreed to several remedies in an effort to improve the ticketing industry. But more rust that’s settled… what’s next? What will this change?
In this episode, we are joined by returning guest and NYU professor Larry Miller to break
Private Investors Love Music. Why Doesn’t Wall Street?
Investors have poured more money into music than ever before. Music as an asset class if hotter than ever,. But the public markets have discounted the value of music companies:
UMG stock is currently trading near its all-time low
WMG trades at a discount on its earnings relative to UMG
RSVR is going through a takeover attempt
Several publicly traded music companies have been taken off
Trapital: Where Business Meets Culture
Is The Sphere… A Good Business?
Sphere Entertainment is now profitable, Wizard of Oz was a hit, and more locations are coming. Has the business turned the corner, or are there still question marks?
In this episode, I’m joined by Tati Cirisano, MIDiA Research, to assess where Sphere Entertainment stands in 2026. We unpack the company’s narrative, scalability, residencies, challenges, and more.
CHAPTERS
01:34 Is It Really
Follow The Money: EVEN, Duetti, and The New Deal Stack
In music right now, the winners aren’t just the artists with the biggest audiences, they’re the teams that control the infrastructure.
First, I sit down with Mag Rodriguez, CEO and co-founder of EVEN, to break down how Even became a key part of J. Cole’s The Fall Off rollout, from exclusive drops and direct-to-fan sales to tour presales and fan community features designed to keep people coming ba
Why Netflix and Spotify Won in Paid Streaming
For the past 20 years, subscription streaming has produced an outcome that still gets overlooked. The category winners weren’t the big tech giants or the major studios. In music, Spotify became the default. In premium video, Netflix did the same.
In this episode, we break down how pure-play focus, faster decision-making, and a single retention-driven scoreboard create compounding advantages that
Inside Grammy Week: Galas, Deal Rooms, and “The Two Grammys”
We just came back from the 68th Grammy Awards. I am joined by Tati Cirisano of MIDiA Research break down what it’s actually like to the experience the Grammys up close from industry events and late-night conversations to crossing paths with artists, executives, and power players shaping the music business. We unpack standout performances, unexpected moments, and how attending the show in person is
Can YouTube Have It All?
YouTube is the biggest TV, music, and video platform in the world, but it’s not satisfied. The company still wants to compete for the dollars that go to traditional TV. But can YouTube have it all?
In this episode, we examine YouTube’s push into the living room, from securing the NFL Sunday Ticket to becoming the exclusive home of the Oscars starting in 2029. But as YouTube chases TV legitimacy a
The Rise of Reels: Meta’s $50B Ad Machine
Meta’s short-form video surface, Reels, now generates $50 billion in annual run rate. That’s more than some of the largest media companies like Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube’s ad business.
Reels may be less culturally relevant than those companies, and its users spend less time on the platform than others, but it prints money and shows no signs of slowing down.
This episode explores how Meta’s in
Music is a $47 Billion Industry. Why Isn’t It Bigger?
In this episode, we sit down with Will Page, economist and author of Pivot, for a deep dive on the global economics of music. Using Will’s latest Global Value of Music Copyright Report, we explore streaming economics, global market gaps, AI, and where the music industry’s next phase of growth may come from.
CHAPTERS
02:45 Global Value of Music: 10 Years in Review
11:24 Emerging Music Market
Polymarket and Kalshi: Financial Tools or Casinos?
Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi have had a big year in 2025, but what are they really? Securities? Derivatives? Sportsbooks? They may be all of the above.
Listen to my breakdown on how these markets have evolved over time, and what led to their current rise today. We then dive into the opportunities, risks, and the regulatory challenges that may shape their future.
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How MTV Lost Its Way
People say they miss when MTV played music videos, but their viewing habits say otherwise!
We revisited one of our most popular episodes from 2023, but trimmed it down to include the best parts. I’m joined by Zack O’Malley Greenburg to unpack MTV’s rise from a scrappy video platform to a cultural powerhouse. We break down breakthrough moments like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”, the rise of real
Five Bold Predictions: Netflix and Spotify, AI-Powered Industry, The Big 3’s Future, and More
We continue our Trapital Summit series with Dan and MiDIA Research’s Tati Cirisano sharing bold predictions from Trapital Summit attendees and sharing their thoughts.
We debate the long-term viability of major record labels, whether a Netflix + Spotify merger make sense (we recorded this before the podcast partnership!), we also discussed whether we’ll return to mass mainstream monoculture, futur
What's a Grammy Worth? New Voters, New Winners, and Rewriting History
This episode is in partnership and collaboration with our friends at The Recording Academy
You’ll hear our deep dive on what we can learn from this years Grammys with our usual analysis and a few select guests including: Panos Panay (President of The Recording Academy), Tati Cirisano (MIDiA Research), Zack O’Malley Greenburg, author and investor.
We discuss the biggest takeaways from the 2026 no
Building Businesses Around Artists with Firebird Music CEO Nathan Hubbard
At our Trapital Summit, Nathan Hubbard joined me in stage to discuss Firebird Music’s investment thesis, working with Yungblud, and the business of Taylor Swift.
CHAPTERS
04:06 Firebird’s Mission
06:46 Yungblud’s Case Study
14:16 Investing in Management Companies
21:03 Finding New Talent
23:34 Is Taylor Swift the Best CEO in Music?
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Investing in Music Rights with Shamrock Capital’s Jason Sklar
We continue our Trapital Summit series with Jason Sklar, a partner at Shamrock Capital, to explore music rights as an asset class, as well as gaming, film, and more. We discuss Shamrock’s perspective, market trends, valuation approaches, the role of AI, and cross-industry opportunities.
02:27 State of Music Rights Investing
09:37 Shamrock’s Investment Approach
16:01 AI, Gaming, and Music
19:
Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez on AI’s Future in Music
We continued our Trapital Summit series with our talk with Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano. AI is rapidly transforming how music is created, distributed, and experienced. You’ll hear them unpack the challenges and opportunities shaping this new era of sound. From redefining creativity to fostering trust between artists and technology, we explore how collaboration, ethics
Steve Pamon on How to Create Moments That Matter
At the Trapital Summit, we were joined by the CEO of VERZUZ, Steve Pamon. His career is all about turning events into big moments, from his time at McKinsey, HBO, NFL, WWE, IMAX, and more. We discussed how major shows scale into franchises, covering team execution, fan value, storytelling, and lessons from Beyoncé, Roger Goodell, and more.
03:50 Story and Execution in Live Events
09:49 Music I
Andreea Gleeson on TuneCore’s Next Chapter
We’re continuing our Trapital Summit series with TuneCore CEO Andreea Gleeson. You’ll hear her and Billboard’s Taylor Mims discuss how TuneCore empowers artists worldwide, how indie artists break through the noise, successes, challenges, and more.
03:48 Wins and Milestones
09:55 Superfans Opportunities
12:57 Future Tools for TuneCore Artists
15:33 Indie Artist Trends
This episode is bro
Kakul Srivastava on Why Splice Acquired Spitfire Audio
We’re continuing our Trapital Summit series. In this episode, we’re with Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice, to discuss how technology is reshaping music. From Splice’s acquisition of Spitfire Audio to the rise of AI-powered tools, we explore innovation, M&A lessons learned, and more.
03:51 Acquiring Spitfire Audio
10:24 Product and Data-Driven Growth
16:47 Royalty-Free Tradeoffs
20:22 Future o
Oliver Schusser on Apple’s Strategy in Music, AI’s Potential, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show
We’re continuing our Trapital Summit recap series. In today’s episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Oliver Schusser, VP of Apple Music and International Content, to explore Apple’s journey in music. We dive into the state of music streaming, AI ‘s impact , and Apple’s partnerships in sports and live content.
02:46 From iTunes to Apple Music
01:39 Focusing on Music
08:41 Apple Music Growth
Elliot Grainge on Atlantic’s Future, AI, and Selling 10K Projects
We’re kicking off our Trapital Summit recap series. In today’s episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Elliot Grainge, CEO of Atlantic Music Group.
This was Elliot’s first public talk since becoming CEO in October 2024.
We discuss his response to the fanfare around the Warner Music Group transition, Elliot’s experience selling 10K Projects, and adapting the 10K playbook for superstars like Bru
Trapital Summit Recap: Venue Surprise, Highlights, and Behind the Scenes Moments
In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of last week’s second annual Trapital Summit.
Listen to me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research break down what went into the event. From the NeueHouse bankruptcy to speaker selection, key moments, feedback from guests, curating the right room, and plenty more.
01:13 A Last-Minute Surprise
09:40 Curating the Room
12:05 Programming Decisions
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How Much Is The Weeknd's Music Really Worth?
Our Trapital Summit is Wednesday, September 10 in Los Angeles! Get your tickets here.
Today's mini-episode is a breakdown on The Weeknd's $1 billion music rights financing goals and whether it is worth that massive price tag. I also share a few words on the late Peter Sinclair, CEO and co-founder of beatBread.
How Much Is The Weeknd's Music Really Worth? - Trapital
Trapital Summit 2025
Have Record Labels Turned Into Private Equity Firms?
Trapital Summit is on Sep 10 in LA. Join us! Get your tickets here.
The major record labels are adapting for the modern era. Lately, that shift has them looking less like RCA and more like KKR. These companies have invested less in signing new artists and more in acquiring the legendary back catalog of music. With streaming driving steady royalties, the music rights of proven hits are valuable. M
The Business Behind Iconic Music Catalogs
In this solo episode, we dive into the most valuable music catalogs in the world, and what makes them stand out. From Queen and Michael Jackson’s deals and more, we explore why the top catalogs fetch massive multiples and how they operate at unique financial and cultural assets.
03:19 Iconic Catalogs
07:07 Music Biopics
08:32 How Genres Imoact Catalog Value
13:07 Future of Music Rights
Tr
Revisiting The Sphere (Rewind)
In this episode, we’re revisiting our deep dive on James Dolan’s Sphere in Las Vegas. The Backstreet Boys residency at the Sphere. As we predicted on our 2025 Live Music Draft, the boy band’s apperance at the Vgas spectacle would exceed expectations. So I talk about that before I jump into the episode.
Then I’m joined by MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano for our deep dive on the mult-billion dollar
Algorithms vs. Curators: YouTube’s Role in Breaking Through The Noise
It’s harder than ever to breaking through the noise, but navigating YouTube may be a prerequisite to even have a chance.
In this episode, I’m joined by YouTube’s Director of Black Music & Culture, Tuma Basa. He returns to reflect on the platform’s evolution and the ongoing relationship between curators and the algorithms they rely on to reach the masses.
03:23 The YouTube Advantages
12:42 Glob
Trapital Summit: Sep 10 in LA. A few announcements...
This is the room for the leaders shaping what's next in music, entertainment, and technology. It's Wednesday, September 10 at NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA.
Register now. Early bird pricing ends July 24, two weeks from today.
You'll hear from:
Elliot Grainge, CEO, Atlantic Music Group
Steve Pamon, CEO, Verzuz | Board Member, IMAX
Erin Teague, CPO, Character.ai
Kak
Record Labels Want Market Share, But At What Cost?
This episode’s a bit different, no guests. I’m going solo to break down a big topic. For record labels, the market share they have relative to peers drives major decisions both macro and micro. They spend a lot to maintain that position. Is it all worth it?
01:33 Market Share’s Financial Impact
05:49 Challenges & Critiques
07:21 Cross-Industry Parallels
12:54 Indies vs. Majors
Trapital Su
How Will Taylor Swift’s Masters Ownership Saga Be Remembered?
Now that the dust has settled on Taylor Swift’s music rights saga, what’s next?
We unpacked the financial impact of all the transactions on key players like Scooter Braun, Scott Borchetta, Shamrock Capital, and Swift herself. While all of those parties made a lot more money, we took a deeper look into the potential losers over the years. And lastly, we tackle an important question: how will histo
Why Artist Development Matters More Than Ever
We’re joined by AWAL CEO Lonny Olinick. In the episode, we broke down why artist development still matters, how AWAL merges traditional record label services with its distribution business, giving artists creative freedom, global reach, and real ownership to AWAL’s artist-first approach often beats major label deals, what it means to be part of the Sony Music family, and how the future of music is
Does Hip-Hop Still Run Luxury Fashion?
Hip-hop’s has had an outsized impact in fashion for decades, but where are we today? In this episode, I am joined by Fashion Killa author
Sowmya Krishnamurthy. We unpack hip-hop’s relationship with fashion, how these partnerships have evolved, where they stand in 2025, and what we want to see more of.
01:41 Hip-Hop’s Cultural Impact vs. Sales Metrics
11:37 Nostalgia and the Evolution of Celebri
America Streams American. The World Follows.
American music still dominate the global stage, despite the world going local.
In this episode, I am joined by former chief economist at Spotify, Will Page. We explore the powerful global influence of American music and what it reveals about culture, commerce, and control in the streaming era.
From top-down industry power to bottom-up grassroots movements, we unpack how hits spread, why the U.S.
The Business of Soundtracking the Creator Economy
There are billions of videos uploaded to the internet daily. They all need the right music or sound effect. Many of them rely on Epidemic Sound to make that happen.
In this episode, I’m joined by Oscar Hoglund, co-founder and CEO of Epidemic Sound. We dive into how Epidemic Sound uses AI to enhance music discovery while ensuring fair compensation for artists through a unique revenue model. Oscar
Tariffs, Tours, and Trade Wars: Why Music Investment Won’t Slow Down
Is the global market headed for another shake-up?
In this episode, we unpack the rising uncertainty in international trade and finance—from shifting geopolitical alliances to unexpected tariffs and policy pivots. What does this mean for businesses, investors, and everyday consumers? Tune in as Billboard’s Senior Finance Correspondent, Liz Dilts Marshall and I break down the trends, the tensions,
The 2025 Live Music Draft
In this episode, we’re shaking things up with our very first Live Music Draft 2025!
Joined by MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano, we’re drafting our top music festivals, stadium tours, arena tours, concert residencies, over-performers, and under-performers of the year!
02:30 Music Festivals
09:21 Stadium Tours
14:04 Arena Tours (First Timers)
22:00 Vegas Residencies
25:07 Overperformers
28:53 Under
The $10B+ Blind Spot in B2B Streaming
There are millions of companies worldwide that use personal music streaming accounts for their businesses’ music. But if those companies had the business-level streaming they should, it would add billions of annual revenue to the industry. So why isn’t this a priority?
Well, it’s a priority for today’s guest, Ola Sars. He’s the founder and CEO of Soundtrack, which has been solving this problem fo
Why Legacy Rock Bands Still Love Music Festivals
Everyone’s talking about “superfans,” but artist management companies have been focused on their top fans for quite some time. We sat down with Jonathan Daniel from Crush Music. They manage Green Day, Miley Cyrus, Sia, Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Train, and others.
We talk about Coachella, touring strategies, how they use data, business ventures and more. I also ask JD about acquisition offers, why the
How to Win on YouTube
Let’s cut through the noise and get real about what it takes to build a sustainable business on the world’s biggest video platform.
Joining me are Ten2 Media founders Donna Budica and George Karalexis, who help artists like Benson Boone and Brent Faiyaz maximize YouTube. ****We dive into insights on how artists can take advantage of the YouTube ecosystem.
Whether you're an artist, content creator,
Coachella’s Layaway Plan, Tubi’s Long Game , Lucian Grainge’s Legacy
It’s time for a Trapital Mailbag! We dive into hot topics like the Coachella’s payment plan debate, Tubi’s strategy under Fox, Meta vs the FTC, Lucian Grainge’s tenure at UMG, and a special section on how we use AI tools at Trapital!
00:55 Coachella Payment Plans
07:07 Tubi's Long-Term Strategy
15:42 Lucian Grange's Impact on UMG
26:14 Meta and the FTC: A Legal Battle
29:47 AI Tools for Trapital
How TikTok Got Caught in the Trade War
Our episode today is a two-parter. I start at the top with my take on TikTok.
We then transition to our partner spotlight!
Part 1: The April 4 deadline has passed, and there’s still no deal on TikTok. The app got caught in the middle of the U.S. - China trade war and the ongoing tariffs. How will this all play out?
Part 2: I’m joined by beatBread’s CEO Peter Sinclair as we discuss the company’s
Inside Spotify’s $10B Payout to the Music Industry
It’s Data Week at Trapital and for part 2 in this week’s episode, we take a closer look at Spotify’s economic structure and the platform’s evolving role in the music industry.
Spotify’s Head of Marketing & Policy for Music, Sam Duboff joins me as we take insights from the company’s Loud and Clear report, we explore how money flows through the system, what it means for both major and independent ar
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
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 yea
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 R
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
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
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 L
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 B
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
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 th
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.
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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
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 podc
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
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:
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 men
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!
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 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
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