The label question isn’t major vs. indie. It’s alignment vs. confusion.

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Nick Ruffalo to unpack the evolving role of record labels in 2025. They go deep into what a modern label actually offers, what artists should demand, and how smart teams are building digital departments that prioritize branding, content, and true audience engagement.

Nick shares hard-won lessons from building strategy inside Big Loud Rock, and why passion, buy-in, and internal clarity matter more than ever. Whether you’re navigating a deal or building your own path, this episode delivers clarity in a complex industry.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/064FyRu3z56AGb77HHmfCT?si=Vi-QAD-9T16OP5-xDDVl6A

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

What separates artists who get skipped from those who build legacy?

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Nick Ruffalo, SVP of Digital at Big Loud Rock and founder of Unleashed, to unpack what it really takes to build an artist brand that connects.

They dive into why great music isn’t enough anymore, how the 80/20 rule still shapes careers, and why understanding your archetype might be the unlock your brand has been missing. From the creator to the rebel to the best friend, Nick explains how artists can build clarity, audience, and authenticity in a noisy landscape.

This isn’t about surface-level content tips. It’s about the mindset, strategy, and discipline behind modern artist development. If you’re serious about building something that lasts, this episode is for you.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/064FyRu3z56AGb77HHmfCT?si=Vi-QAD-9T16OP5-xDDVl6A

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Nick Ruffalo, SVP of Digital Marketing & Audience Engagement at Big Loud Records and founder of Unleashed, for a sharp, unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to build an artist brand in 2025.

Nick breaks down the difference between branding and content (hint: most artists confuse the two), how to build trust before traction, and why clarity, not aesthetics, is the foundation of a scalable music career. They dive into the power of archetypes, content funnels, the role of paid media, and how to navigate the leap from developing artist to breakthrough moment with intention.

If you’re an artist, manager, or creative operator looking to build something real, without chasing trends, this one’s required listening.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠

New episodes drop Tuesdays @ 10am ET

YouTube isn’t just for views. It’s for building worlds.

In this episode, we unpack why YouTube remains one of the most powerful tools in an artist’s strategy, especially in an era where the music business has shifted from gatekeeping to global access.

Tuma Basa breaks down how to actually use the platform: consistency, storytelling, thumbnails, appointment drops, and understanding the full power of its grid.

We also get into the deeper layer; why content is now infrastructure, how to lead with value, and why people like Wallo267 are reshaping the game by giving back what they’ve learned.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CldAKsiPTxk5uEXGqWzpr?si=M3R2bqM6TyWKVVcgmoDqnw

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Tuma Basa didn’t just build playlists. He built a perspective shaped by continents, cultures, and connection.

In this clip, we unpack his global journey through music and media: growing up across countries, working through legacy and startup ecosystems, and choosing YouTube over traditional label paths.

We talk about why real connection beats transactional networking, why music is more service than product, and what it means to listen, not just hear.

Tuma also shares why trust, curiosity, and cultural fluency matter more than ever in today’s music business and how YouTube is helping shape the next era.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CldAKsiPTxk5uEXGqWzpr?si=M3R2bqM6TyWKVVcgmoDqnw

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Timbaland made headlines by signing the first AI artist but the real story goes deeper.

In this clip, Tuma Basa and I dive into the tension between tech and tradition in music. From generative AI tools to the industry’s emotional resistance, we explore how this moment mirrors past disruptions; Auto-Tune, sampling, even the rise of the DJ.

We ask the uncomfortable questions: Is AI a tool or a threat? Is resistance just fear in disguise? And what does it really mean to keep art human in a tech-driven era?

This one’s for anyone navigating where creativity meets innovation.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CldAKsiPTxk5uEXGqWzpr?si=M3R2bqM6TyWKVVcgmoDqnw

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

The future of music in Africa is full of energy but the infrastructure isn’t there yet.

In this clip, Tuma Basa and I unpack the real story behind the rise of African music. From venue shortages and publishing gaps to the global influence of organizations like Live Nation and investors like China, we explore what it’ll take to build something sustainable.

We also spotlight emerging African artists, festivals making real impact, and why the passion for music discovery is still alive, even in a fragmented system.

This one’s for the builders, believers, and anyone watching the next global wave take shape.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CldAKsiPTxk5uEXGqWzpr?si=M3R2bqM6TyWKVVcgmoDqnw

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

In Episode 031 of The Manager’s Playbook, Tuma Basa, former head of Spotify's RapCaviar and Director of Black Music & Culture at YouTube, joins Mauricio Ruiz for a deep dive into the evolution of music curation, platform strategy, and long-term artist relevance.

Tuma shares his journey from BET to Spotify to YouTube, and breaks down how emotional intelligence, cultural adaptability, and curiosity have shaped his leadership. They talk YouTube as global TV, the impact of Gen AI on creativity, and the line between music industry and music community.

For artists, executives, or anyone building legacy in the music business, this one’s a masterclass.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
New episodes drop Tuesdays @ 10am ET

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, I talk with Mag Rodriguez about the artist who helped change everything: LaRussell.

After being introduced to EVEN, LaRussell became the platform’s first artist, and the proof of concept. What followed was a masterclass in independent strategy: $27K in just hours, $100K within a month, and a new blueprint for how artists can scale without relying on traditional systems.

We talk about how skepticism turned into belief, how smart work can outperform luck, and how LaRussell’s approach is reshaping what it means to be an artist-entrepreneur.

This is what direct-to-fan looks like when it actually works.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Kn9j2Ef2Fwc48iTvA3Tio?si=gWcZocLsQ82ArNfVsQDF4w

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with Mag Rodriguez to talk about the journey few founders ever get to share, what it means to break into venture capital as a Latino entrepreneur.

Mag opens up about growing up in an immigrant household, the early lessons in hustle and resilience, and the winding path from managing artists to leading a tech company backed by venture capital.

We get into the emotional weight of representation, the role of taste and conviction in startup success, and why building a transparent, values-driven culture matters more than ever. Mag also shares how AI could create more access for underrepresented founders and what it takes to scale both a company and a mission.

This one’s personal, honest, and deeply strategic. For anyone building from the margins, this is required listening.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Kn9j2Ef2Fwc48iTvA3Tio?si=gWcZocLsQ82ArNfVsQDF4w

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook