Trapital

Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud, has been pivotal in transforming the platform from a crisis to profitability. He discusses innovative strategies for enhancing artist-fan connections, including how smaller artists can monetize their work effectively. Seton reveals insights about the company's potential sale, the transformative role of AI in music, and emphasizes the importance of superfans. He also highlights how engaging dedicated fans can create a vibrant ecosystem for artists, rather than just extracting value from them.

Tunji Balogun, the Chairman and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, shares his insights on the evolving music landscape. He discusses the fluidity of hip-hop, reflecting on its growing influence across genres. Balogun highlights the critical importance of artist development and nurturing new talent in today's dynamic industry. He also touches upon the rising prominence of Afrobeats globally, showcasing the need for adaptability and foresight in predicting future trends in music.

Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice, drives innovation for music creators, while Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research offers sharp industry insights. They delve into challenges faced by emerging artists, emphasizing the need for better tools and support. The duo discusses the growing role of AI in music, balancing accessibility with creative integrity. They explore the shifting landscape influenced by TikTok and the importance of nurturing new talent, along with the complexities of creator-rights holder relationships.

Denis Ladegaillerie, the Founder and CEO of Believe, a leading global digital music company, shares insights on navigating the dual roles of founder and manager. He discusses the complexities of transitioning to a public company and aligning stakeholders. The conversation covers the challenges of managing diverse music business sectors and emphasizes regional nuances in artist development. Ladegaillerie also highlights the shift towards artist independence, showcasing the transformative impact of streaming services in the evolving music landscape.

Will Page, former chief economist at Spotify and author of the global music copyright report, dives into the multifaceted value of music, now at $45.5 billion. He discusses the influence of glocalization on music markets from Colombia to Brazil, the growth of vinyl, and the disparity in streaming revenue across regions. Will also highlights the importance of better measuring emerging markets and explores the challenges faced by non-American artists, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies in the evolving music landscape.

Brian Z Zisook, co-founder of Audiomack, dives deep into Drake's bold legal actions against industry giants like Universal Music Group and Spotify. They explore whether his claims about inflated streams are valid and debate his ultimate goals. The discussion highlights the challenges hip-hop artists face in maintaining relevance, the ethics of music marketing, and the implications of whistleblowing within the industry. Zisook also sheds light on listener trends and the complexities of Drake’s reputation as he navigates his evolving career.

Troy Carter, the Co-founder and CEO of Venice Music, shares insights from his experience managing superstar artists. He discusses the industry's shift towards independence and the necessity of creating more than just audio experiences. With the current seller's market for music distributors, he explores potential next revenue drivers for musicians beyond streaming. The conversation also touches on the rise of premium models, TikTok's challenges, and the transformative impact of technology on music's future.

TikTok has had quite the 2024, especially in music. The year started with a very public dispute with UMG. But TikTok also saw the rise of SoundOn, the end of TikTok Music, lingering threats of a US ban, the force of TikTok Shop, and more.Join me and MIDiA’s Tati Cirisano as we break it all down.Sponsors: HubSpot: download your free AI playbook here. Chartmetric: check out our Stat of the Week!

In a riveting discussion, Carletta Higginson, EVP and Chief Digital Officer at Warner Music Group, teams up with Tatiana Cirisano from MIDiA Research to explore AI's transformative impact on the music industry. They dive into how innovation is reshaping rights management and highlighting the tug-of-war between startups and established norms. Higginson shares insights from her diverse career, emphasizing the need for robust frameworks that balance artist protection with technological advancement while enhancing collaboration and creativity in music.

The NFL and Roc Nation just renewed their five-year partnership to lead the Super Bowl Halftime Show production and its Inspire Change Initiative. Let’s dive into what led to the initial deal in 2019, how it’s gone, Jay Z’s involvement, the twists, turns, and whole lot more. Join me and Zack O’Malley Greenburg as we break it all down.Sponsors: CD Baby: https://cdbaby.com/ Splice: https://splice.com/ Chartmetric: https://www.trapital.com/chartmetric