The Manager's Playbook

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with angel investor, musician, founder, creator, and Magic Mind CEO James Beshara for a different kind of music business conversation.

James brings a Silicon Valley lens to artist development, independent artists, artist management, and building a career that actually lasts. We get into why “trust and a network” are the foundation of anything meaningful, what the music industry can learn from startup culture, and why recording artists need more than talent to win.

From building and selling Tilt to Airbnb, to creating Magic Mind after a major health wake-up call, James shares real lessons on purpose, reliability, productivity, fundraising, wellness, flow state, and finding your zone of genius.

Whether you’re an artist, manager, aspiring music executive, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is a blueprint for building with more trust, more intention, and a lot less noise.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

Check out James Beshara's Essay on Mental Wealth: https://jjbeshara.com/2020/06/04/mental-wealth/

Get 100% off APT with code TMP100 https://www.tryapt.ai/

Get 20% of Magic Mind with code TMP20 https://magicmind.com/

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://form.typeform.com/to/JNELnGw9?utm_source=xxxxx&typeform-source=bit.ly#fbclid=xxxxx&gclid=xxxxx⁠

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

Book a 1:1 Strategy Session with Mauricio Ruiz, host of The Manager's Playbook, with over 16 years of experience for tailored advice for artists and managers. Consultation Fees Apply ⁠https://calendly.com/themanagersplaybook⁠

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

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Amber Grimes, EVP, GM, and partner at Love Renaissance (LVRN), to talk about self-advocacy, asking questions, and learning the business without pretending to know everything.

Amber shares how asking for help changed the way she negotiated contracts, understood stock compensation, talked about pay, and recognized her own value in rooms where those lessons are not always taught.

The conversation also gets into cultural confidence, executives of colour advocating for themselves, using every tool available, adapting to new platforms, and staying optimistic in a music business that keeps changing.

A must-listen for aspiring music executives, artist managers, independent artists, and anyone building a career in the music business.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZGoA4uIb95Ln5Og2lT6Ga?si=Jwmq9YR2QPuq1vZ7YO7How

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

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Amber Grimes, EVP, GM, and partner at Love Renaissance (LVRN), to talk about what makes artists memorable in today’s music business.

Amber breaks down the importance of visual identity, distinctive perspective, consistency, mystery, and competitiveness when building an artist brand that can actually last.

She uses examples like Rihanna, Sabrina Carpenter, Zara Larsson, Ice Spice, Sexyy Red, Kanye West, Pink, Ne-Yo, Summer Walker, Beyoncé, Drake, and Taylor Swift to explain how artists build recognition, trust, fan engagement, and long-term connection.

The conversation also gets into authentic world-building, Summer Walker’s rollout strategy, why marketing should solve fan frustration, how oversharing can hurt longevity, and why music is still a competitive sport.

A must-listen for independent artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone interested in artist branding, visual identity, music marketing, rollout strategy, and artist development.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZGoA4uIb95Ln5Og2lT6Ga?si=Jwmq9YR2QPuq1vZ7YO7How

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

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Amber Grimes, EVP, GM, and partner at Love Renaissance (LVRN), to talk about what artists need beyond the music.

Amber breaks down the fundamentals of artist branding: authenticity, purpose, identity, community, fan access, and building something people actually believe in.

She also explains how fan culture has evolved from fan clubs to stans to subscribers, why artists need direct ways to reach their audience, and how real fan communities can turn supporters into brand ambassadors.

A must-listen for independent artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone interested in artist development, music marketing, fanbase growth, direct-to-fan strategy, and building a lasting artist brand.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZGoA4uIb95Ln5Og2lT6Ga?si=Jwmq9YR2QPuq1vZ7YO7How

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

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Amber Grimes, EVP, GM, and partner at Love Renaissance (LVRN), to talk about what goes into building artist rollouts that actually connect.

Amber shares the story behind 6LACK’s tour promo with a real bear, how LVRN develops creative ideas as a team, and why the best rollouts start with meaning before money.

She also breaks down LVRN’s global vision, building in South Africa with trust and intention, the importance of artist authenticity, and why hard work still separates talent from greatness.

A must-listen for independent artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone interested in artist branding, music marketing, rollout strategy, and the real work behind building artist worlds.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZGoA4uIb95Ln5Og2lT6Ga?si=Jwmq9YR2QPuq1vZ7YO7How

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

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Amber Grimes, EVP, GM, and partner at Love Renaissance (LVRN), for a real conversation about artist branding, music rollouts, and what it takes to build artists people actually believe in.

Amber breaks down the rules behind lasting artist brands: authenticity, purpose, community, visual identity, consistency, mystery, competitiveness, and knowing exactly why you exist. She also shares the story behind the real bear in 6LACK’s tour promo, how LVRN builds worlds around artists, and why Summer Walker’s authenticity is such a powerful example of long-term fan connection.

We get into modern music marketing, artist development, fan communities, direct-to-fan strategy, manager value, self-advocacy in business, and how artists can adapt as the industry keeps changing.

A must-listen for independent artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone serious about building a career in today’s music business.

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://form.typeform.com/to/JNELnGw9?utm_source=xxxxx&typeform-source=bit.ly#fbclid=xxxxx&gclid=xxxxx

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

Book a 1:1 Strategy Session with Mauricio Ruiz, host of The Manager's Playbook, with over 16 years of experience for tailored advice for artists and managers. Consultation Fees Apply https://calendly.com/themanagersplaybook

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

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Great music still wins.

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek of Grass Fed Music talk about what it really takes to build a music career that lasts.

They get into artist development, independent artists, major label partnerships, AI, superfans, touring, culture-building, and why exceptional ideas still matter more than tools, resources, or industry excuses.

Nael and Alyce also break down why artists need to stop blaming playlists, focus on making better music, and build with the right people.

This clip is for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to understand how real careers are built in today’s music business.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mqdVGC0ip18qh5ZlaOVKf?si=6sl7kZnsS3eQcnhNrIbiNA

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

What does it really take to last in the music business?

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek of Grass Fed Music talk about the mindset behind building a meaningful career in music.

Nael shares lessons from his father’s optimism, his Palestinian roots, his brother Nasri’s resilience, and the belief it takes to keep going when the business tests you.

They also get into no-agenda networking, serving others, managing with intention, why managers often work in the shadows, and how real impact matters more than just chasing money.

This clip is for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to build with purpose in the music business.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mqdVGC0ip18qh5ZlaOVKf?si=6sl7kZnsS3eQcnhNrIbiNA

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

What separates great artist managers from everyone else?

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek of Grass Fed Music talk about managing artists with care, honesty, trust, and real business execution.

Nael shares lessons from Sal & Co, Mike Caren, and Scooter Braun, why the song has to come first, and how Grass Fed helped build DJ Habibeats by bringing Middle Eastern music into club culture in a fresh way.

They also get into working together as partners in life and business, balancing creative vision with operational structure, and what real management actually requires behind the scenes.

This episode is for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to understand the music business from the inside.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mqdVGC0ip18qh5ZlaOVKf?si=6sl7kZnsS3eQcnhNrIbiNA

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

Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek of Grass Fed Music join The Manager’s Playbook to talk about building a music management company together as husband and wife.

They share how they met, how their relationship turned into a business partnership during COVID, and how Grass Fed developed its artist services model for independent artists.

Nael and Alyce get into artist development, content strategy, rollout planning, business structure, team building, and why great management needs both creative instinct and operational discipline.

This episode is for artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to understand what it really takes to build artists behind the scenes.

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

Check out Influur Pulse: https://www.influur.com/book-a-demo

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mqdVGC0ip18qh5ZlaOVKf?si=6sl7kZnsS3eQcnhNrIbiNA

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