

The Manager's Playbook
The Manager's Playbook
Hosted by Mauricio Ruiz, a music industry executive of 15 years, The Manager's Playbook is your essential podcast for insights into the music industry. Whether you're an artist, aspiring manager, music industry professional, or just passionate about the behind-the-scenes of the music business, this podcast is for you. Mauricio brings you in-depth interviews with top artist managers, entertainment lawyers, and other industry execs. Each episode is packed with valuable tips, real-world experiences, and expert advice to help you navigate the complexities of the music business.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 28, 2025 • 21min
Inside the Playbook: Tuma Basa on How YouTube Replaced MTV for Artists
YouTube isn’t just for views. It’s for building worlds.In this episode, we unpack why YouTube remains one of the most powerful tools in an artist’s strategy, especially in an era where the music business has shifted from gatekeeping to global access.Tuma Basa breaks down how to actually use the platform: consistency, storytelling, thumbnails, appointment drops, and understanding the full power of its grid.We also get into the deeper layer; why content is now infrastructure, how to lead with value, and why people like Wallo267 are reshaping the game by giving back what they’ve learned.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CldAKsiPTxk5uEXGqWzpr?si=M3R2bqM6TyWKVVcgmoDqnwWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Jul 27, 2025 • 21min
Inside the Playbook: Tuma Basa on The Difference Between Music Industry and Community
Tuma Basa didn’t just build playlists. He built a perspective shaped by continents, cultures, and connection.In this clip, we unpack his global journey through music and media: growing up across countries, working through legacy and startup ecosystems, and choosing YouTube over traditional label paths.We talk about why real connection beats transactional networking, why music is more service than product, and what it means to listen, not just hear.Tuma also shares why trust, curiosity, and cultural fluency matter more than ever in today’s music business and how YouTube is helping shape the next era.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CldAKsiPTxk5uEXGqWzpr?si=M3R2bqM6TyWKVVcgmoDqnwWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Jul 24, 2025 • 14min
Inside the Playbook: Tuma Basa on The Culture Clash Around Generative AI
Timbaland made headlines by signing the first AI artist but the real story goes deeper.In this clip, Tuma Basa and I dive into the tension between tech and tradition in music. From generative AI tools to the industry’s emotional resistance, we explore how this moment mirrors past disruptions; Auto-Tune, sampling, even the rise of the DJ.We ask the uncomfortable questions: Is AI a tool or a threat? Is resistance just fear in disguise? And what does it really mean to keep art human in a tech-driven era?This one’s for anyone navigating where creativity meets innovation.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CldAKsiPTxk5uEXGqWzpr?si=M3R2bqM6TyWKVVcgmoDqnwWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Jul 23, 2025 • 13min
Inside the Playbook: Tuma Basa on What's REALLY Holding Back African Music Globally
The future of music in Africa is full of energy but the infrastructure isn’t there yet.In this clip, Tuma Basa and I unpack the real story behind the rise of African music. From venue shortages and publishing gaps to the global influence of organizations like Live Nation and investors like China, we explore what it’ll take to build something sustainable.We also spotlight emerging African artists, festivals making real impact, and why the passion for music discovery is still alive, even in a fragmented system.This one’s for the builders, believers, and anyone watching the next global wave take shape.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CldAKsiPTxk5uEXGqWzpr?si=M3R2bqM6TyWKVVcgmoDqnwWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Jul 22, 2025 • 2h 11min
The Manager’s Playbook 031: Tuma Basa - RapCaviar, YouTube, Music Curation, Artist Longevity, Gen AI, African Infrastructure, Global Strategy & Cultural Fluency
Tuma Basa, former head of Spotify's RapCaviar and current Director of Black Music & Culture at YouTube, shares his incredible journey through the music industry. He discusses the power of emotional intelligence and cultural adaptability in leadership. Tuma explores the evolution of music curation from traditional platforms to YouTube, emphasizing how technology, especially generative AI, is democratizing music creation. Additionally, he highlights the need for authenticity and connection in the rapidly changing landscape of the music business.

Jul 18, 2025 • 16min
Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on Why Why the First $500 from Artists' Fans Changes Everything
In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, I talk with Mag Rodriguez about the artist who helped change everything: LaRussell.After being introduced to EVEN, LaRussell became the platform’s first artist, and the proof of concept. What followed was a masterclass in independent strategy: $27K in just hours, $100K within a month, and a new blueprint for how artists can scale without relying on traditional systems.We talk about how skepticism turned into belief, how smart work can outperform luck, and how LaRussell’s approach is reshaping what it means to be an artist-entrepreneur.This is what direct-to-fan looks like when it actually works.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Kn9j2Ef2Fwc48iTvA3Tio?si=gWcZocLsQ82ArNfVsQDF4wWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Jul 17, 2025 • 15min
Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on How He Got Funded Without a Degree
In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with Mag Rodriguez to talk about the journey few founders ever get to share, what it means to break into venture capital as a Latino entrepreneur.Mag opens up about growing up in an immigrant household, the early lessons in hustle and resilience, and the winding path from managing artists to leading a tech company backed by venture capital.We get into the emotional weight of representation, the role of taste and conviction in startup success, and why building a transparent, values-driven culture matters more than ever. Mag also shares how AI could create more access for underrepresented founders and what it takes to scale both a company and a mission.This one’s personal, honest, and deeply strategic. For anyone building from the margins, this is required listening.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Kn9j2Ef2Fwc48iTvA3Tio?si=gWcZocLsQ82ArNfVsQDF4wWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Jul 16, 2025 • 16min
Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on Why the Global South Is the Future of Music Monetization
In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Mag Rodriguez and I explore the future of music monetization and what it means to truly go global.From innovative artist subscription models, like “pay what you want”, to untapped opportunities in the Global South, Mag Rodriguez breaks down how platforms like EVEN are making it easier for artists to reach fans in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.We dive into real-world case studies, the payment infrastructure powering fan access, and how globalization is reshaping not just music releases, but live experiences and sustainable growth for artists.If you care about scale, access, and building a future that includes everyone, this one’s for you.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Kn9j2Ef2Fwc48iTvA3Tio?si=gWcZocLsQ82ArNfVsQDF4wWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Jul 15, 2025 • 18min
Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on How J. Cole Helped Transform His Music Tech Business
In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with Mag Rodriguez to unpack the exclusive J. Cole x EVEN collaboration celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Forest Hills Drive.We get into how this drop went far beyond music; with unreleased tracks, an original audio series, real-time fan engagement, and a global livestream straight from Madison Square Garden.Mag breaks down how the project came to life, what it taught him about navigating major label partnerships, and how trust and execution drive true fan connection.This one’s a blueprint for any artist or builder thinking beyond the stream.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Kn9j2Ef2Fwc48iTvA3Tio?si=gWcZocLsQ82ArNfVsQDF4wWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Jul 14, 2025 • 2h 14min
The Manager's Playbook 030: Mag Rodriguez - EVEN, J Cole, LaRussell, Direct-to-Fan Strategy, Global Monetization, and the Future of Artist Ownership
In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with Mag Rodriguez, founder and CEO of EVEN, a platform redefining how artists connect with fans and monetize their work across the globe.We unpack how EVEN helps artists go direct-to-fan, unlock new revenue streams, and build real community beyond the limitations of streaming and traditional industry models.Inside the episode:→ Building for global, underserved fanbases→ Why direct-to-fan is the smarter play, not anti-DSP→ Lessons from tech founders applied to artist careers→ Community, ownership, and scaling with intentionWe also dive into Mag’s journey as a Latino founder in the VC world, the J. Cole collaboration, and what it takes to lead with both culture and clarity.If you're an artist, manager, or entrepreneur thinking long-term, this one’s for you.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Watch the Episodes On Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook