Inside the Playbook: Azad Naficy on Why Artists Get Screwed by Major Labels

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz and Azad Naficy break down one of the biggest questions in the music industry today:

Does every artist need a major label or can you build a successful career independently?

Azad offers a refreshingly honest look at the advantages and limitations of major label partnerships, from global reach and international infrastructure to the realities of misaligned deals and lost creative direction. He also explains why some artists thrive in the independent sector, especially when they build a strong, bespoke team that actually understands their vision.

This conversation dives deep into:
• how to evaluate a record deal and what a label can really offer
• why artist development is still the foundation of every long career
• the qualities that make a great A&R
• challenges artists face when signing too early
• what independence looks like when done intentionally
• how to build a team that supports your long-term goals

Whether you're considering a label deal, building an independent operation, or trying to understand how to scale your music career the right way, this clip delivers practical guidance you won’t hear in most industry rooms.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OEmeP3qCOLotxuji6se0j?si=IGzhU94zT2ydsy63TGkhuw

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