Trapital

UnitedMasters and Translation CEO Steve Stoute came through the Trapital Podcast to talk with Dan Runcie about ownership in hip-hop, why the music distribution company partnered with the NBA, Apple Music, and NBA 2K. We also talked about brands that use phrases like “Hot Girl Summer,” why his work at UnitedMasters is gratifying, and why he’s still in the second inning of building this company. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.coGuest: Steve Stoute, @stevestoute, @unitedmasters, unitedmasters.com Links Apple Music, NBA Strike Deal for Playlist, Songs in Highlights - Bloomberg With $70M from Alphabet, UnitedMasters replaces record labels - TechCrunch 2014 Michigan Ross Alfred L. Edwards Black Business Students Association Conference Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome

Water & Music creator and music journalist Cherie Hu came on the Trapital Podcast to discuss why “fantasy football for music” hasn’t taken off. Her and I did a mutual newsletter takeover where we both researched the topic and wrote separate articles in each other’s newsletter. On this podcast, we recapped our findings, and shared key reasons why the concept is limited in its reach. We also had some fun and answered a popular meme on how we would spend our $15 if we’re drafting a record label. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.coGuest: Cherie Hu, @cheriehu42, cheriehu.com Links So you want to be a music mogul: The future of fantasy record labels - Cherie Hu in Trapital Why “fantasy football for music” has struggled - Dan Runcie in Water & Music FanLabel -  your fantasy record label where you can compete in daily music contests with songs by big name artists and brand-new acts. Water & Music newsletter sign-up Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome

Stem CEO and co-founder Milana Lewis came on the Trapital Podcast to talk about Stem’s role as a music distributor, how it worked with Frank Ocean and Childish Gambino, business decisions that impacted the artist community, diversity in the music industry, and why some record labels deals make sense. Don’t miss it! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Milana Lewis, @milana, stem.is Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome

I answered some of the most-pressing questions from Trapital Members: Should the digital streaming providers invest in e-commerce? Are the Spotify Awards a step-in-the-right-direction to recognize global music or will it be more of the same? Will rappers surpass NBA players as the best sneaker endorsers? Don’t miss this one! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Want to participate in the next Mailbag? Become a Trapital Member: trapital.co/membership

Ace “Call Me Ace” Patterson came back on the pod to break down Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow. We talked about what worked, what didn’t, how the hip-hop competition show compares to American Idol and Making the Band, and what we expect from Netflix next season! Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest:  Ace Patterson, @callmeacelegit, airplanemode.callmeace.com Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Learn more about Trapital.

Mike Weissman, President of SoundCloud, came on the pod to talk about the streaming company’s business model, how it compares to a tech accelerator, SoundCloud’s growth in the Middle East, SoundCloud rap, and what sets the company apart from its competitors. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest:  Mike Weissman, @soundcloud, soundcloud.com Links referenced: WIRED: As Streaming Services Boom, SoundCloud Strives for Relevancy (2017) Trapital: Why Hip-Hop Can Help Venture Capital Navigate Changes in the Industry (2019) Trapital: Why Streaming Services are Here to Stay (2019) SoundCloud: On Tuesday We Presented Lil’ Tecca with our First-Ever Chart-Topper Award (2019) - The sneakers are on this link! Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Take your insights to the next level. Learn more about Trapital.

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.

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.

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.

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.