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The Manager's Playbook

The Manager's Playbook
The Manager's Playbook
Latest episode

269 episodes

  • The Manager's Playbook

    The Manager’s Playbook 063: Hitmaka - Hit Songs, Songwriting, A&R, Artist Development & Music Business

    19/04/2026 | 1h 33 mins.
    In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Hitmaka, formerly Yung Berg, for a deep conversation on the real business behind hit songs.
    Hitmaka breaks down how hit records actually get made, from demo-first songwriting and producer collaboration to song deals, publishing, label politics, and artist development. He reflects on nearly three decades in music, the mindset that kept him going through every era of his career, and the lessons he learned building records like “Sexy Can I,” Big Sean’s “Bounce Back,” and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie’s “Look Back At It.”
    They also get into why writers often do not get paid properly, how producers create leverage, the importance of relationships in the music business, and why the industry needs more creative leadership.
    A must-listen for artists, producers, songwriters, managers, and anyone serious about understanding how the music industry 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

    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
  • The Manager's Playbook

    Inside the Playbook: Mike Caren on What Makes a Song Feel Like a Hit

    18/04/2026 | 13 mins.
    Mike Caren breaks down what actually makes a song feel like a hit.

    This clip explores the role of A&R, taste, replay value, emotional connection, melody, lyrics, and creative judgment in today’s music business. 

    Mike also talks about trusting your opinion, learning from missed calls, redefining what a hit means in the streaming era, and why great executives grow by focusing on their strengths instead of rushing titles.

    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/2UnV1d2ltTCO1rfjqhTKc4?si=seltDGQ-RvWE9fwshY-f3w

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

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Have an Opinion
    00:58 What Makes a Hit
    03:18 Replay Test for Songs
    05:37 Gut Instinct Explained
    07:08 Defining Hits Today
    08:04 Culture vs Chart Peaks
    09:42 Career Moves for Execs
    10:58 Turning Down Promotions
    11:36 Choosing Your Strengths
    13:00 Closing Thoughts on Growth
  • The Manager's Playbook

    Inside the Playbook: Mike Caren on The Reason Artist-Manager Relationships Fall Apart

    17/04/2026 | 11 mins.
    Mike Caren breaks down why artists and managers need to have hard conversations early if they want to avoid bigger problems later.

    This clip is about artist-manager communication, label frustrations, project readiness, honest feedback, over-communication, and building stronger working relationships in the music business. 

    It’s a sharp reminder that many issues are not solved by blame. They’re solved by clarity, direct conversations, and the willingness to address problems before they get expensive.

    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/2UnV1d2ltTCO1rfjqhTKc4?si=seltDGQ-RvWE9fwshY-f3w

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

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Label Frustrations
    01:21 Tough Talks Early
    01:43 Is It Ready
    03:11 Feedback Not Gossip
    04:24 Ad Break Publishing
    06:12 Challenge To Improve
    08:13 Learning Softer Critique
    10:10 Over-communicate Always
    11:05 Decisions And Regret
  • The Manager's Playbook

    Inside the Playbook: Mike Caren on Why Consistency Beats Talent in Music

    16/04/2026 | 13 mins.
    Mike Caren breaks down why consistency, discipline, and adaptability matter more than occasional flashes of brilliance in the music business.

    This clip explores the traits that help artists and executives build lasting careers: embracing change, staying open to new ideas, avoiding nostalgia, protecting your focus, and developing the self-awareness to regularly reassess your strategy. 

    It’s a sharp conversation on artist development, music business longevity, creative discipline, release strategy, and staying relevant in a constantly evolving 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/2UnV1d2ltTCO1rfjqhTKc4?si=seltDGQ-RvWE9fwshY-f3w

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

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Consistency Beats Brilliance
    00:29 Adapting to Industry Change
    01:27 Letting Go of Old Ways
    02:47 Hip Hop Cycles and Optimism
    05:54 Nostalgia vs Innovation Mindset
    06:53 Distractions and Staying Focused
    08:45 Quarterly Self Review Habits
    10:09 Reputation Takes Time to Shift
    11:16 Release Strategy and Artist Growth
    13:12 Discipline and Consistency Wrap Up
  • The Manager's Playbook

    Inside the Playbook: Mike Caren on Why Most Artists Fail Before They Ever Become Great

    15/04/2026 | 20 mins.
    Mike Caren breaks down what actually creates longevity in the music business.

    This clip is about building a career the right way: bringing value instead of extracting it, thinking long term, preparing before chasing opportunity, and developing the habits that lead to real greatness. Mike also touches on confidence, artist development, smart collaboration, and the importance of understanding music publishing and songwriting royalties.

    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/2UnV1d2ltTCO1rfjqhTKc4?si=seltDGQ-RvWE9fwshY-f3w

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

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Value First Mindset
    00:34 Longevity Over Hype
    02:58 Preparation Beats Opportunity
    04:02 Superstar Myth Reality
    04:29 Publishing Royalties Break
    05:20 Cosign Win Win Model
    07:35 Traits of Long Term Thinkers
    09:39 Mentorship Asking Questions
    11:49 A&R Practice and Confidence
    15:36 Habits of Elite Artists
    17:04 Chasing More vs Mastery
    19:09 Yin Yang Collaborations
    19:50 Staying Fresh Closing

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About The Manager's Playbook

Hosted by Mauricio Ruiz, a music industry executive of 15 years, The Manager's Playbook is your essential podcast for insights into the music industry. Whether you're an artist, aspiring manager, music industry professional, or just passionate about the behind-the-scenes of the music business, this podcast is for you. Mauricio brings you in-depth interviews with top artist managers, entertainment lawyers, and other industry execs. Each episode is packed with valuable tips, real-world experiences, and expert advice to help you navigate the complexities of the music business.
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