
Trapital
Trapital is where technology meets culture. Hear breakdowns on the most important trends in tech, media, and entertainment. Trapital founder Dan Runcie and various guests break down the moves that shape the rest of society. Learn more
Latest episodes

Nov 4, 2019 • 49min
Shea Serrano on the Economics of Book Publishing, ‘Movies (and Other Things),’ and How DJ Screw Inspired his Promotional Tactics
Shea Serrano, New York Times bestselling author and staff writer at The Ringer, came on the pod to chat about his strategy for his latest book ‘Movies (And Other Things),’ the pros and cons of selling independently vs. through a publisher, and how the late DJ Screw inspired his promotional tactics. We also talked about Shea's FOH Army fanbase, rappers who fumbled the bag with Fast & Furious franchise, why The Ringer CEO Bill Simmons is the plug, and his Top Five rappers. Don't miss this one. Tune in! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Shea Serrano, @sheaserrano, sheaserrano.com Links referenced: Book: Movies (and Other Things) - Shea Serrano (2019) PDF: Conference Room, Five Minutes - Shea Serrano (2018) - independently released
Book: Basketball (and Other Things) - Shea Serrano (2017) Book: The Rap Year Book - Shea Serrano (2015) Book: Bun B’s Rapper Coloring Book and Activity Book - Shea Serrano (2013) Podcast: Mathew Knowles on Beyonce’s Streaming Strategy, Solange’s Marketing, and Dinner with Jay Z or $50,000? - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Learn more about Trapital.

Oct 28, 2019 • 48min
DJ Semtex on UK Hip-Hop’s Moment, Stormzy and Skepta Becoming Stars, Brexit’s Impact on the Culture, and Why Radio Still Matters
DJ Semtex, award-winning DJ, radio host, author, and podcast, came on the pod to talk about the moment UK is having in hip-hop, how Brexit has impacted the hip-hop landscape, why he still loves radio. He even asked me some questions too! Tune in. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: DJ Semtex, @djsemtex - Twitter, @djsemtex - Instagram Links referenced: Book: Hip-Hop Raised Me - DJ Semtex (2016) Podcast: Who We Be TALKS_ - DJ Semtex and Spotify Article: What Chance the Rapper Gets Wrong About Ownership - Trapital Article: Why Latin Hip-Hop is Still Undervalued - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist.

Oct 21, 2019 • 41min
Akin Aliu on Life as a CAA Agent, Representing Ciara, and the “Rich Paul Rule”
Akin Aliu, Music Touring Agent at the Creative Artists Agency, came on the pod to talk about the BET Awards, representing Ciara, Freddie Gibbs, and Becky G, the NCAA’s “Rich Paul Rule,” and why big-time agents break out on their own. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Akin Aliu, @caamusic Links referenced: Article: Why Choosing the Right Concert Venue Matters - Trapital Article: Why Cardi B Doesn’t Need to Go On Tour - Trapital ESPN: NCAA amend “Rich Paul Rule” amid blowback
Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist.

Oct 10, 2019 • 44min
James Supreme on Being the A&R Behind Lil’ Nas X “Panini”, G-Eazy's Management Team, and why Mental Health Matters in the Industry
James Supreme, A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group, came on the pod to talk about his role in Lil’ Nas X’s second hit song “Panini”, the differences managing black rappers and white rappers, working with Beyonce’s Parkwood Entertainment team on The Lion King: The Gift, and why mental health matters in the music industry. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: James Supreme, @jamessupreme Links referenced: Article: How Lil’ Nas X’s Success Will Impact Hip-Hop - Trapital Article: White Rappers and Black Rappers Have Different Business Models - Trapital Article: What Chance the Rapper Gets Wrong About Ownership - Trapital Article: How Do You Follow Up ‘Old Town Road?’ If You’re Lil’ Nas, You Don’t Try - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist.

Oct 8, 2019 • 45min
Dame Ritter on Kanye West’s Sunday Services, Launching Music Entrepreneur Club, and How He Almost Signed Russ to a Deal
Dame Ritter, Founder and CEO of the Music Entrepreneur Club, came on the podcast to talk about the latest with Kanye West and his infamous Sunday Services. We also talked about Dame’s journey launching and running the Funk Volume record label, the business model for Music Entrepreneur Club, and how he almost signed Russ, and why he regrets turning down an opportunity to invest in the platinum-selling rapper. Tune in! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Dame Ritter, @dame_mec - Twitter, @dame.mec - Instagram, https://musicentrepreneurclub.com/ Links referenced: Article: Why Kanye West’s Sunday Service Has Limited Power - Trapital Website: Music Entrepreneur Club Tour
Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist.

Sep 26, 2019 • 36min
Zack O’Malley Greenburg on the Forbes Hip-Hop Cash List, the Controversy it Causes, and What it Took to Declare that Jay Z is a Billionaire
Zack O’Malley Greenburg, Senior Editor of Media & Entertainment at Forbes, came through the Trapital Podcast to talk about the Forbes’ annual Hip-Hop Cash List. We talked about the artists like Cardi B and Meek Mill who question the results, the integrity challenges with self-reported data, the amount of work that goes into reporting a single number, and more. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Zack O’Malley Greenburg, @zogblog, forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg Links referenced: Article: Highest Paid Hip-Hop Acts 2019: Kanye Tops Jay Z to Claim Crown - Forbes Article: Kanye’s Second Coming: Inside the Billion-Dollar Yeezy Empire - Forbes
Article: Artist, Icon, Billionaire: How Jay-Z Created His $1 Billion Fortune - Forbes
Twitter: Cardi B, Meek Mill, “Pee” from Quality Control Music
Article: Why Cardi B Doesn’t Need to Go on Tour - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist.

Sep 12, 2019 • 42min
50 Cent is a Habitual Line Stepper
Dan is joined by Ace Patterson (hip-hop artist ‘Call Me Ace,’ Consumer Marketing at Facebook). They break down how 50 Cent built a brand on shock value, why he raises hell on social media, whether he’s changed his style, and why he’ll never get canceled. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Ace Patterson, @callmeacelegit, callmeace.com Links referenced: Article: Why 50 Cent Hasn't Been Canceled - Trapital Podcast: Moody Jones on marketing for Snoop Dogg, EMPIRE’s digital strategy, and why he wants to work with Childish Gambino - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist.

Aug 23, 2019 • 40min
Moody Jones on marketing for Snoop Dogg, EMPIRE’s digital strategy, and why he wants to work with Childish Gambino
Moody Jones, Head of Digital at EMPIRE, came through the Trapital Podcast to chat about his experience marketing for artists like Iggy Azalea, Tyga, XXXTentacion, and Snoop Dogg. He also broke down why he wants to work with Childish Gambino, and dropped some advice for the aspiring rappers who stay in his DMs. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Moody Jones, @moodyjones, empi.re Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist.

Aug 9, 2019 • 10min
RapCaviar's Big Advantage
Dan explains why Spotify’s RapCaviar playlist still has a competitive advantage over its competitors and why that won’t change anything soon. But that doesn’t mean the other digital streaming providers should give up! Each competing playlist can still take steps in the right direction. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Links Discussed:
Why Spotify’s RapCaviar Can’t Be Matched 8/8/2019 - Trapital Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalst.

Aug 1, 2019 • 9min
Roc Nation's Wild Year
Dan breaks down Roc Nation’s wild and eventful 2019--a bunch of execs got fired, there are new co-presidents for the record label, and a new joint venture record label with Meek Mill: Dream Chasers. There’s been A LOT going on, but the company needs to be intentional about its next steps. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | YouTube | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Links Discussed:
Why Roc Nation Needed to Restructure 7/31/2019 - Trapital
Why Roc Nation May Move on From its Record Label 12/7/2018 - Trapital
Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Become a Trapitalist.