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Inside the Playbook: Bryan Johnson on AI Music, Fraud & Royalties May 14, 2026

Show notes

How is Spotify handling AI music, fake streams, and artist impersonation?

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and Bryan Johnson from Spotify discuss how AI is changing the music business and what it means for artists, songwriters, rights holders, and listeners.

Bryan breaks down Spotify’s approach to AI music, including spam filters, impersonation policies, AI credits, artificial streaming, and the removal of around 75 million spammy tracks over the past year.

They also discuss prompt-generated AI songs, low listener engagement, artist opt-in, AI derivatives, UGC remixes, copyright protection, and why fair compensation for songwriters and publishers will be a major part of the conversation going forward.

For artists, managers, songwriters, producers, and music executives, this is a clear look at where AI music is headed and why artist protection still has to come first.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0EpX71F9JklAmZAEdXsRKA?si=877g60VXRImVmjV0j-ud6A

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Topics Covered:
00:00 AI Music and Royalty Dilution
00:59 Spotify’s AI Music Policies
01:29 Spam Tracks and Fake Streams
02:35 AI Artists vs Music Fraud
04:48 Low Engagement on AI Songs
05:46 Music Technology and Fear
07:36 AI Derivatives and Artist Opt-In
09:42 Artist Rights and Compensation
10:18 Publishers, Songwriters, and UGC

Inside the Playbook: Bryan Johnson on Spotify's $11B Artist Payout May 13, 2026

Show notes

Spotify paid $11B to music rights holders in 2025 but who actually gets the money?

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and Bryan Johnson from Spotify break down what the Loud & Clear report really means for artists, managers, songwriters, and the wider music business.

They get into how Spotify royalties work, why payments go to rights holders first, what stream-share means, why “per-stream rates” are misleading, and how independent artists are participating in the growth of streaming.

They also discuss how streaming helped lower the barriers for DIY artists, why Spotify was built as a response to piracy, how global music is cutting through, and why catalog value has changed in the streaming era.

For artists, managers, and aspiring music executives, this is a clear look at how money moves through Spotify and why the headline number is only part of the story.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0EpX71F9JklAmZAEdXsRKA?si=877g60VXRImVmjV0j-ud6A

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Topics Covered:
00:00 Streaming Boom Stats
00:31 DIY Artist Breakthroughs
02:13 Mobile Streaming and Discovery
04:21 From Piracy to Streaming
05:41 Global Languages Breaking Through
09:19 Loud & Clear Payouts
12:10 Rights Holders Explained
15:58 Stream Share vs Per-Stream Rates
18:37 Artist Dilution Myth
20:43 Catalog Sales in the Streaming Era

The Manager’s Playbook 066: Bryan Johnson - Spotify Royalties, Independent Artists, AI Music & The Future of Streaming May 10, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Bryan Johnson, Spotify’s Head of Artist and Industry Partnerships, International, for a rare inside look at how Spotify is shaping the modern music business.

Bryan breaks down Spotify’s 2025 Loud & Clear report, including the $11B paid to rights holders, the growth of independent artists, the rise of the artist middle class, and why more artists are building real careers through streaming than ever before.

They also get into the questions artists and managers actually care about:
Who really gets paid?
How do Spotify royalties work?
Do playlists still matter?
Is algorithmic discovery more important than editorial?
What does AI mean for artists, songwriters, and rights holders?

This conversation covers streaming royalties, Spotify for Artists, Fresh Finds, global music discovery, AI music, artificial streaming, ticketing, merch, catalog value, and why artist control matters more than ever.

For artists, managers, songwriters, and aspiring music executives, this episode is a clear look at where the music economy is headed and what it takes to actually benefit from it.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Topics Covered

00:00 Streaming Opens Doors
02:04 Spotify Then vs Now
06:45 Piracy to Streaming
08:06 Global Languages Breaking Through
11:43 Loud & Clear Report
14:34 Who Actually Gets Paid
18:22 Stream Share vs Per-Stream Rate
23:08 Catalog Sales and Valuation
33:44 Fresh Finds Breakouts
43:32 The Artist Middle Class
49:13 AI Music, Spam, and Spotify Policies
55:48 Derivatives and Artist Opt-In
01:09:11 Spotify’s Responsibility to Artists
01:19:22 Getting Dropped by a Label
01:26:43 The Future Music Economy
01:27:44 Editorial vs Algorithmic Discovery
01:31:32 How Spotify Pitching Works
01:43:34 Superfans and Final Thoughts

Listen to more episodes of The Manager’s Playbook for conversations on artist management, music business strategy, streaming, labels, publishing, marketing, and the future of the music industry.

Inside the Playbook: Chris Anokute on How the Next Superstars Will Be Built May 09, 2026

Show notes

What does the future of artist development actually look like in a democratized music business?

In this clip, Chris Anokute breaks down why younger artists, managers, and executives are building their own systems, skipping old gatekeepers, and using new tools to break artists faster than previous generations.

He also explains why superstar careers are still possible, why artist development now requires more patience and a longer view, and how the next wave will come from blending old-school taste and development with modern marketing, audience acquisition, and AI-assisted strategy.

This clip is for artists, managers, A&Rs, and music executives thinking about artist development, independent music strategy, AI in music, fan growth, audience building, and the future of the music business.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1V06xjz5nGBJO77fYwdH14?si=K1M5F0F9QwK4xxbD-1K-6Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Inside the Playbook: Chris Anokute on How Disrespect Costs Record Labels Great Artists May 08, 2026

Show notes

What makes an artist worth backing before the data shows up?

In this clip, Chris Anokute breaks down why real artist development starts with belief, desire, point of view, and trust; not just streams, looks, or momentum.

He also reflects on the Jessie Reyez story, what major labels often miss because of red tape, why disrespect can cost companies great artists, and how timing, leverage, and real relationships shape careers in the music business.

This clip is for artists, managers, A&Rs, and music executives thinking about artist development, record labels, management, leverage, mentorship, and how great talent gets recognized before the rest of the industry catches up.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1V06xjz5nGBJO77fYwdH14?si=K1M5F0F9QwK4xxbD-1K-6Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Inside the Playbook: Chris Anokute on Why Artists Can’t Ignore AI Music Anymore May 07, 2026

Show notes

AI is already changing the music business, and artists can’t afford to ignore it.

In this clip, Chris Anokute breaks down why AI is not a passing trend, how the industry may respond the same way it did with streaming, and why artists need to start paying closer attention to rights, royalties, and how their work could be used in the future.

He also gets into why producers are quietly using tools like Suno, how artists can think about AI as a tool instead of a replacement, and why today’s real battle is not just music creation, it’s attention.

This clip is for artists, managers, producers, and music executives trying to understand AI music, artist rights, royalties, record labels, IP, audience behavior, and the future of the music business.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1V06xjz5nGBJO77fYwdH14?si=K1M5F0F9QwK4xxbD-1K-6Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Inside the Playbook: Chris Anokute on Why Artists Don’t Need Record Labels But Still Want Them May 06, 2026

Show notes

Why do artists still sign record deals if they don’t actually need them?

In this clip, Chris Anokute breaks down the real value of record labels, why there’s no such thing as a universally “good” or “bad” deal, and what artists need to understand about rights, leverage, and ownership in today’s music business.

He also explains why recouping even a small investment is harder than most people think, what it really costs to build momentum from zero, and how artists can start creating leverage through repertoire, content, strategy, and consistency.

This clip is for independent artists, managers, music executives, and anyone trying to understand record deals, artist development, A&R, leverage, and the real economics of building in music today.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1V06xjz5nGBJO77fYwdH14?si=K1M5F0F9QwK4xxbD-1K-6Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

The Manager’s Playbook 065: Chris Anokute - AI Music, Artist Development, Record Deals, A&R & The Future of the Music Business May 03, 2026

Show notes

In the part II of this Manager’s Playbook convo, Mauricio Ruiz sits back down with former EPIC Records executive Chris Anokute to talk about what AI means for artists, how Suno is already being used in music, and why the future of the music business will belong to people who know how to adapt.

Chris breaks down the truth about record deals, why no deal is simply “good” or “bad,” and how artists can build leverage from zero through repertoire, content, strategy, and consistency. He also shares his thoughts on AI ethics, intellectual property, artist development, independent label operations, and what it takes to build the next superstar in a democratized music industry.

This episode covers AI music, artist development, music business strategy, record deals, independent artists, A&R, audience growth, music marketing, and the future of the music industry.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: Khris Riddick-Tynes on What Every Producer Must Know About the Music Business May 02, 2026

Show notes

What does every producer need to know about the music business beyond making great records?

In this clip, Khris Riddick-Tynes gets into the side of the game a lot of creatives learn too late, publishing structures, deal terms, mentorship, discipline, and why studying the greats still matters.

He also breaks down how an old MDRC publishing deal became difficult once the business shifted to streaming, how supportive mentors helped him navigate it, and why producers need to understand more than just the studio if they want real longevity.

If you care about music publishing, producer development, mentorship, songwriting, and learning how the music business actually works, this one’s for you.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wOQH0FOauCNaI3L8RANXx?si=TBK2clMnRkOmvZt0tvrCPg

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Inside the Playbook: Khris Riddick-Tynes on Why “Folded” Worked May 01, 2026

Show notes

Why did Kehlani’s “Folded” work the way it did? I

n this clip, Khris Riddick-Tynes breaks down how the record came together, why it needed more emotional nuance than a standard breakup song, and how trusting the feeling of a record can lead to something bigger.

He also gets into how to motivate artists without forcing them, why substance matters more than technique, how he knew “Folded” was special, and what it takes to keep a slow-burn record moving through smart rollout, remixes, challenges, and staying close to what the audience is responding to.

If you care about Kehlani, songwriting, artist development, hit records, music production, and the long game behind songs that last, this one’s for you.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wOQH0FOauCNaI3L8RANXx?si=TBK2clMnRkOmvZt0tvrCPg

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

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