The Manager's Playbook

Why do artists still sign record deals if they don’t actually need them?

In this clip, Chris Anokute breaks down the real value of record labels, why there’s no such thing as a universally “good” or “bad” deal, and what artists need to understand about rights, leverage, and ownership in today’s music business.

He also explains why recouping even a small investment is harder than most people think, what it really costs to build momentum from zero, and how artists can start creating leverage through repertoire, content, strategy, and consistency.

This clip is for independent artists, managers, music executives, and anyone trying to understand record deals, artist development, A&R, leverage, and the real economics of building in music today.

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

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1V06xjz5nGBJO77fYwdH14?si=K1M5F0F9QwK4xxbD-1K-6Q

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

In the part II of this Manager’s Playbook convo, Mauricio Ruiz sits back down with former EPIC Records executive Chris Anokute to talk about what AI means for artists, how Suno is already being used in music, and why the future of the music business will belong to people who know how to adapt.

Chris breaks down the truth about record deals, why no deal is simply “good” or “bad,” and how artists can build leverage from zero through repertoire, content, strategy, and consistency. He also shares his thoughts on AI ethics, intellectual property, artist development, independent label operations, and what it takes to build the next superstar in a democratized music industry.

This episode covers AI music, artist development, music business strategy, record deals, independent artists, A&R, audience growth, music marketing, and the future of the music industry.

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

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

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

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

What does every producer need to know about the music business beyond making great records?

In this clip, Khris Riddick-Tynes gets into the side of the game a lot of creatives learn too late, publishing structures, deal terms, mentorship, discipline, and why studying the greats still matters.

He also breaks down how an old MDRC publishing deal became difficult once the business shifted to streaming, how supportive mentors helped him navigate it, and why producers need to understand more than just the studio if they want real longevity.

If you care about music publishing, producer development, mentorship, songwriting, and learning how the music business actually works, this one’s for you.

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

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wOQH0FOauCNaI3L8RANXx?si=TBK2clMnRkOmvZt0tvrCPg

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

Why did Kehlani’s “Folded” work the way it did? I

n this clip, Khris Riddick-Tynes breaks down how the record came together, why it needed more emotional nuance than a standard breakup song, and how trusting the feeling of a record can lead to something bigger.

He also gets into how to motivate artists without forcing them, why substance matters more than technique, how he knew “Folded” was special, and what it takes to keep a slow-burn record moving through smart rollout, remixes, challenges, and staying close to what the audience is responding to.

If you care about Kehlani, songwriting, artist development, hit records, music production, and the long game behind songs that last, this one’s for you.

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

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wOQH0FOauCNaI3L8RANXx?si=TBK2clMnRkOmvZt0tvrCPg

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

Why do some artists last while others fade after one breakout moment?

In this clip, Khris Riddick-Tynes breaks down the mindset behind real music career longevity, from resilience and studying your wins to avoiding short-term money traps and building demand the right way.

He gets into why you have to watch the tape after a hit, why touring still matters, and how artists, managers, and producers can think beyond quick money and start building something that actually lasts.

If you care about artist development, breakout songs, music business strategy, touring, and long-term success in music, this one’s for you.

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

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wOQH0FOauCNaI3L8RANXx?si=TBK2clMnRkOmvZt0tvrCPg

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

Why do some songs fade fast while others last for years?

In this clip, Khris Riddick-Tynes breaks down why the song still comes first; not the trend, not the moment, not the hype. He gets into why lyrics, melody, and emotional truth are what give records real staying power, and why track-first songs often burn out fast.

The conversation also covers how SZA’s “Snooze” came together, why mentorship matters, what discernment looks like in A&R and executive production, and how great songs often start with honest conversations and difficult emotions.

If you care about songwriting, artist development, music business, A&R, producer mindset, and building records that last, this one’s for you.

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

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wOQH0FOauCNaI3L8RANXx?si=TBK2clMnRkOmvZt0tvrCPg

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

Khris Riddick-Tynes, three-time Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and Kehlani’s executive producer, joins The Manager’s Playbook to break down what really makes hit songs last.

This conversation gets into songwriting, artist development, A&R, executive production, mentorship, and music business strategy, with stories behind SZA’s “Snooze”, Kehlani’s “Folded”, and the long game behind building records that connect. Khris also shares lessons on producer ego, trusting your instincts, navigating deals, studying the greats, and why the song still comes first.

If you care about hit songs, music business, artist development, songwriting, and career longevity, this episode is for you.

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

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

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

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Hitmaka and Mauricio Ruiz unpack why the music industry does not create stars the way it once did.

They get into what separated artists like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole from the pack, how algorithms and personalized discovery have changed the way audiences connect with music, and why the business needs more fearless creatives in positions of leadership.

The conversation also explores artist development, label politics, NBA YoungBoy’s unique rise, the tension between taste and data, and what it really takes to build lasting success in today’s music business.

A valuable listen for artists, producers, songwriters, managers, A&Rs, and music executives trying to understand the future of stardom, leadership, and culture in the music industry.

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

If you’re earning publishing income, make sure you’re collecting all of it. KOSIGN, powered by Kobalt, offers direct global publishing collections and real-time royalty transparency in a flexible, artist-friendly format. It’s highly selective, but free to apply here: https://bit.ly/4b438pj

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tjdQ69aragoLlzVBOxsFT?si=0hO2glznQ2GUHa1IU6j0Og

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

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Hitmaka breaks down why the music industry is really a people business.

From working with labels and independent artists to building trust, collaboration, and long-term leverage, Hitmaka shares how real relationships create opportunities in music. He also reflects on developing an artist connected to Gillie, how that led to an Epic deal, why getting invited back into the room matters, and the role humility plays in building a sustainable career.

A valuable listen for artists, producers, songwriters, managers, and music executives looking to better understand how relationships, collaboration, and reputation shape success in the music industry.

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

If you’re earning publishing income, make sure you’re collecting all of it. KOSIGN, powered by Kobalt, offers direct global publishing collections and real-time royalty transparency in a flexible, artist-friendly format. It’s highly selective, but free to apply here: https://bit.ly/4b438pj

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tjdQ69aragoLlzVBOxsFT?si=0hO2glznQ2GUHa1IU6j0Og

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

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Hitmaka breaks down how producers really get paid in the music business.

He reflects on his time during Atlantic’s high-powered A&R era, how he helped shape the sound of modern R&B and hip-hop, and why songwriters have historically been undervalued. From the making of A Boogie’s “Look Back At It” to the strategy behind producer credits, advances, and building leverage, Hitmaka gives a real look at the business behind hit records.

A must-listen for producers, songwriters, artists, managers, and music executives trying to better understand how the music business really works.

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

If you’re earning publishing income, make sure you’re collecting all of it. KOSIGN, powered by Kobalt, offers direct global publishing collections and real-time royalty transparency in a flexible, artist-friendly format. It’s highly selective, but free to apply here: https://bit.ly/4b438pj

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tjdQ69aragoLlzVBOxsFT?si=0hO2glznQ2GUHa1IU6j0Og

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