Inside the Playbook: Azad Naficy on The Steps Successful Artists NEVER Skip

In this episode clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with artist, executive, and Avant Garden co-founder Azad Naficy to unpack one of the most important truths in the modern music business:

The people who make the most money in music aren’t the artists, they’re the ones who own the copyright.

Azad breaks down how record labels build wealth through ownership and equity, why understanding your masters, publishing, and copyright is essential, and what artists should look for before signing any record deal.

He also shares how early collaborators like Brittany Crawford and Brando shaped his approach to artist development and why great management is always centered on people, not numbers.

Whether you’re an independent artist, aspiring music executive, manager, or someone trying to understand how real careers are built, this conversation offers clarity on:

• The real economics of the music industry
• How labels profit from ownership and catalog
• What makes effective artist development
• The mindset shift from artist to executive
• How to build the right team for long-term growth

This is a candid, strategic breakdown of how the business actually works and why artists need to understand it before they give anything away.

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