Trapital

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.

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.

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.

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 artistbut why it's harder to be an omnipresent superstarthe role and perception of Spotify, YouTube, and DSPsmaking it in music today vs. the CD erathe impact of a great producer and a guest versewhy it's harder than ever to be the biggerThis 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!

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!

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/trapitalThis episode is also brought to you by SymphonyOS, the marketing platform for today’s creative businesses. Learn more at https://symphony.to/trapitalMake sure you listen for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 Harborview07:24 How rising interest rates affect the valuation of music14:50 KKR vs other players in the industry22:15 The role of UMG in the music rights landscape30:25 Predictions on the current bidding warsThis 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/trapitalTrapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

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 move07:52 Why Swift and UMG have competing incentives13:37 What it means for UMG and TikTok moving forward24:27 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/trapitalMake 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.

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

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!

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 impact12:08 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.

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 CarterMake sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week!Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapitalTrapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

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/trapitalTrapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

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 music12:14 Main challenges and opportunities20:26 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/trapitalTrapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

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 Oscars06:30 Why the Grammys gets worse ratings than the Oscars22:05 What happened to big movie soundtracks?31:36 Controversies over the years40:02 Biggest snubs of all time44:39 How to improve the showMake sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week!Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapitalTrapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

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 world07:44 Virgil’s influence on hip-hop and ‘luxury rap’15:57 Open-source fashion23:23 The Virgil-Kanye West relationship27:20 Legacy and controversiesEnjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapitalTrapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.