Trapital

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/trapital

This episode is also brought to you by SymphonyOS, the marketing platform for today’s creative businesses. Learn more at https://symphony.to/trapital

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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:

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 Harborview

07:24 How rising interest rates affect the valuation of music

14:50 KKR vs other players in the industry

22:15 The role of UMG in the music rights landscape

30:25 Predictions on the current bidding wars

This 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/trapital

Trapital 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 move

07:52 Why Swift and UMG have competing incentives

13:37 What it means for UMG and TikTok moving forward

24:27 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/trapital

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.

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 impact

12:08 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.