The Manager's Playbook

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 marketing department to hand it to.

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Steve Rifkind (founder of Loud Records and SRC Records) breaks down how culture turns into commerce: A&R instincts, artist development, record label strategy, grassroots marketing, touring impact, radio promotion, and the real math behind traditional record deals. From Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and Big Pun to the early breakout of Akon and lessons from New Edition, Steve shares the behind-the-scenes stories, hard calls, and systems that actually break artists.

If you’re an independent artist, artist manager, or aspiring music executive, this is a masterclass in fanbase growth, music marketing strategy, and career longevity, from the streets to the boardroom.

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

Topics covered: street teams, radio promotion, touring vs streaming, record deals & leverage, label politics, building systems, loyalty & relationships, breaking artists market-by-market

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

New episodes drop Tuesdays @ 10am ET

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 streaming era; not because of talent, but because algorithms now control scale. Platforms reward consistency and predictability, which quietly reshaped how big songs can actually get.

We talk about why artist development is making a comeback, why it’s happening through management companies instead of labels, and why content and storytelling are no longer optional if you want music to move. Not as gimmicks, but as context.

The conversation also dives into the pressure of fast release cycles, the myth of the 28-day window, and how UGC and fan participation changed marketing forever. Using lessons from building New Music Friday, we reframe success away from moments and toward systems, engagement, and qualitative signals that compound over time.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1DDs8ss1IMx7YU5OV2QtXa?si=vO7b2aHjRomFvbCIxoEO5Q

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

Most conversations about streaming focus on artists or platforms.
This one starts where the pressure shows up first: songwriters, publishers, and the economics underneath the music.

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mike Biggane and I unpack how the streaming era, personalization, and AI quietly reshaped the value chain of the music industry and why the next phase won’t be driven by louder releases, but smarter systems.

We talk about how Spotify’s personalized listening changed discovery and royalties, why traditional publishing models struggled to keep pace, and how AI is being positioned as a connective layer between artists and fans as we head toward 2026. Mike also references Lucian Grainge’s memo on AI as a signal of how seriously the industry is recalibrating.

The conversation moves into TikTok’s role in music distribution, the rise of derivative works (remixes, edits, alternate versions), and what moments like The Weeknd’s “Die For You” resurgence reveal about how songs actually travel today.

This isn’t speculation. It’s a snapshot of systems already in motion.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1DDs8ss1IMx7YU5OV2QtXa?si=vO7b2aHjRomFvbCIxoEO5Q

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

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 why major record labels quietly changed their entire approach once it became clear that new music investments, viral signings, and influencer-driven marketing weren’t delivering sustainable results anymore.

Referencing the Goldman Sachs “Music in the Air” report, the conversation breaks down why the industry started shifting away from high-risk, moment-based marketing and toward superfans, direct-to-consumer revenue, and long-term fan monetization. When spending millions on viral moments stopped making sense, the focus moved to ownership, engagement, and repeat value.

We also explore how Spotify’s personalization and algorithm-driven discovery reshaped listening behaviour, how TikTok accelerated fragmentation through user-generated content, and why merchandise, touring, and DTC products became more attractive than traditional streaming-first strategies.

At the core of it all is a tension the industry still hasn’t fully solved: human curation versus algorithms. Why data alone can’t spot culture early, why taste still matters, and why so many legacy music marketing workflows quietly collapsed.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1DDs8ss1IMx7YU5OV2QtXa?si=vO7b2aHjRomFvbCIxoEO5Q

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

Before playlists became leverage, before algorithms dictated discovery, before release strategy turned into guesswork, there was New Music Friday.

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mike Biggane, creator of New Music Friday and former Global Head of Curation at Spotify, breaks down how one early idea helped reshape music discovery and quietly changed the entire music industry.

Mike walks through Spotify’s formative years, when human curation and algorithmic programming were still in tension, and how acquisitions like The Echo Nest accelerated the shift toward personalization at scale. He explains how streaming platforms altered market dynamics, why traditional programming models broke, and how labels, A&R teams, and DSPs were forced to adapt in real time.

We also touch on how TikTok and user-generated content further fragmented listening behaviour, why release cycles lost their power, and how corporate pressures inside streaming platforms influenced music programming decisions.

This isn’t nostalgia. It’s a snapshot of how the modern music business was actually built and why it works the way it does today.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1DDs8ss1IMx7YU5OV2QtXa?si=vO7b2aHjRomFvbCIxoEO5Q

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

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 exists.

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with Mike Biggane, creator of New Music Friday, former Global Head of Curation at Spotify, and former EVP of Music Strategy at Universal Music Group, for a grounded, honest conversation about where the music business really is right now.

Mike was in the rooms where modern music discovery was built. From shaping playlist culture and algorithmic curation to navigating the shift toward personalization, he explains why traditional artist development, marketing strategies, and release cycles stopped working the way they used to.

We talk about how Spotify algorithms, TikTok and user-generated content, and AI-driven music tools rewired how artists grow audiences, how labels allocate marketing spend, and why playlisting alone no longer builds sustainable careers. We unpack why the album model broke, why new music doesn’t monetize the same, and why labels quietly pulled back on development.

Looking ahead to 2026, Mike shares why derivatives, remixes, superfans, and artist-centric thinking will define the next phase of the music industry and why songwriters may be positioned to benefit more than they have in years.

This episode is for:

• Independent artists trying to grow streams and real fans

• Managers building teams, systems, and long-term strategies

• Songwriters navigating royalties, attribution, and derivatives

• Music executives adapting to AI, data, and personalization

• Anyone serious about building a sustainable career in music

This isn’t about chasing virality.
It’s about understanding how the music business actually works now and building with intention inside the new reality.

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

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: visualization, mindset, and mental discipline.

This isn’t about motivation. It’s about alignment.

Nima explains why artists, managers, and creators who build lasting careers start with the internal work first. Before the streams, before the content strategy, before the opportunities, there’s clarity of vision. What you see, feel, and believe directly shapes how you move through your career.

The conversation touches on how elite performers and athletes use visualization, why mental health and gratitude are essential for creative longevity, and how building the right team culture compounds success over time. Nima also shares practical insight into daily routines, habit tracking, and goal setting, offering a grounded framework artists can actually apply.

If you’re an independent artist, manager, or creative navigating today’s fast-moving music business, this clip is a reminder that sustainable growth starts from the inside out.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/29UCcW0A5LeIquPLsdf2FB?si=9HhtH7SYQ6aurU1fq3tF8g

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

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 explains why talent alone isn’t enough anymore and why artists have to rethink how they show up, market themselves, and build momentum. Success today comes from mindset, consistency, and understanding how content and platforms actually work.

The conversation touches on TikTok strategy, social media algorithms, and why reframing yourself as a creator and marketer isn’t selling out, it’s adapting. Nima also speaks candidly about authenticity, mental health, burnout, and how to stay consistent without losing yourself in the process.

Whether you’re an independent artist, artist manager, or someone trying to build a long-term career in the music business, this clip offers a grounded look at what growth really requires in the current landscape.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/29UCcW0A5LeIquPLsdf2FB?si=9HhtH7SYQ6aurU1fq3tF8g

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

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 chasing trends or hoping the algorithm saves you. It’s about why consistency, authenticity, and understanding content systems are what actually create momentum for artists and creators today.

Nima shares the real-life story of Norris Williams, a 72-year-old dog trainer who had been living on a train for years and how applying the same principles artists need to grow online turned social media into something far more powerful than views. What came out of it wasn’t hype, but community, opportunity, and a new business.

The conversation also touches on how platform algorithms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube all move differently, and why artists who fail to adapt their strategy end up stuck. In today’s music business, knowing how these systems work isn’t optional, it’s part of the job.

If you’re an independent artist, creator, or manager trying to understand how discovery really works in a post-gatekeeper industry, this clip offers a clear reframe worth sitting with.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/29UCcW0A5LeIquPLsdf2FB?si=9HhtH7SYQ6aurU1fq3tF8g

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

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 one of the clearest thinkers in the modern music business.

This conversation is about the shift most artists and managers are still resisting.

We’re no longer in a talent-first industry. We’re in a content-led, motion-driven business where consistency, systems, and storytelling matter more than waiting to be discovered. Nima breaks down how TikTok, short-form content, and algorithms have quietly replaced traditional A&R and why artists who don’t adapt are falling behind, regardless of how good the music is.

We talk through real strategy:

• how to stay consistent without burning out,
• how to think about content as a system instead of a chore,
• how artists actually convert attention into fans and streams,
• and why mindset, visualization, and mental health are no longer optional if you want longevity.

Nima also shares the story of using content to help Norris Williams, a 72-year-old man experiencing homelessness, rebuild his life, a powerful reminder that these platforms aren’t just tools for marketing, but for real human impact.

Whether you’re an independent artist, artist manager, producer, or music executive, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, discovery, and what it really takes to build a sustainable career in today’s music industry.

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