The Manager's Playbook - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Inside the Playbook: Khris Riddick-Tynes on The Long Game Behind Music Success Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

Why do some artists last while others fade after one breakout moment?

In this clip, Khris Riddick-Tynes breaks down the mindset behind real music career longevity, from resilience and studying your wins to avoiding short-term money traps and building demand the right way.

He gets into why you have to watch the tape after a hit, why touring still matters, and how artists, managers, and producers can think beyond quick money and start building something that actually lasts.

If you care about artist development, breakout songs, music business strategy, touring, and long-term success in music, 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 the Song Still Comes First Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

Why do some songs fade fast while others last for years?

In this clip, Khris Riddick-Tynes breaks down why the song still comes first; not the trend, not the moment, not the hype. He gets into why lyrics, melody, and emotional truth are what give records real staying power, and why track-first songs often burn out fast.

The conversation also covers how SZA’s “Snooze” came together, why mentorship matters, what discernment looks like in A&R and executive production, and how great songs often start with honest conversations and difficult emotions.

If you care about songwriting, artist development, music business, A&R, producer mindset, and building records 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

The Manager’s Playbook 064: Khris Riddick-Tynes - Songwriting, Hit Songs, Artist Development, A&R & Music Business Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

Khris Riddick-Tynes, three-time Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and Kehlani’s executive producer, joins The Manager’s Playbook to break down what really makes hit songs last.

This conversation gets into songwriting, artist development, A&R, executive production, mentorship, and music business strategy, with stories behind SZA’s “Snooze”, Kehlani’s “Folded”, and the long game behind building records that connect. Khris also shares lessons on producer ego, trusting your instincts, navigating deals, studying the greats, and why the song still comes first.

If you care about hit songs, music business, artist development, songwriting, and career longevity, this episode is 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/

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

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: Hitmaka on What’s Wrong With the Music Industry Apr 25, 2026

Show notes

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Hitmaka and Mauricio Ruiz unpack why the music industry does not create stars the way it once did.

They get into what separated artists like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole from the pack, how algorithms and personalized discovery have changed the way audiences connect with music, and why the business needs more fearless creatives in positions of leadership.

The conversation also explores artist development, label politics, NBA YoungBoy’s unique rise, the tension between taste and data, and what it really takes to build lasting success in today’s music business.

A valuable listen for artists, producers, songwriters, managers, A&Rs, and music executives trying to understand the future of stardom, leadership, and culture in the music industry.

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

If you’re earning publishing income, make sure you’re collecting all of it. KOSIGN, powered by Kobalt, offers direct global publishing collections and real-time royalty transparency in a flexible, artist-friendly format. It’s highly selective, but free to apply here: https://bit.ly/4b438pj

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tjdQ69aragoLlzVBOxsFT?si=0hO2glznQ2GUHa1IU6j0Og

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

Inside the Playbook: Hitmaka on Why the Music Industry Is Really a People Business Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Hitmaka breaks down why the music industry is really a people business.

From working with labels and independent artists to building trust, collaboration, and long-term leverage, Hitmaka shares how real relationships create opportunities in music. He also reflects on developing an artist connected to Gillie, how that led to an Epic deal, why getting invited back into the room matters, and the role humility plays in building a sustainable career.

A valuable listen for artists, producers, songwriters, managers, and music executives looking to better understand how relationships, collaboration, and reputation shape success in the music industry.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tjdQ69aragoLlzVBOxsFT?si=0hO2glznQ2GUHa1IU6j0Og

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

Inside the Playbook: Hitmaka on The Truth About Songwriters vs Producers Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Hitmaka breaks down how producers really get paid in the music business.

He reflects on his time during Atlantic’s high-powered A&R era, how he helped shape the sound of modern R&B and hip-hop, and why songwriters have historically been undervalued. From the making of A Boogie’s “Look Back At It” to the strategy behind producer credits, advances, and building leverage, Hitmaka gives a real look at the business behind hit records.

A must-listen for producers, songwriters, artists, managers, and music executives trying to better understand how the music business really works.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tjdQ69aragoLlzVBOxsFT?si=0hO2glznQ2GUHa1IU6j0Og

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

Inside the Playbook: Hitmaka on How Producers Really Get Paid Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Hitmaka breaks down how producers really get paid in the music business.

From song deals and publishing to fair splits, leverage, and non-exclusive relationships across labels, Hitmaka shares real insight into the business mechanics behind a successful producer career. He also talks about why he stays rooted in hip hop and R&B, the gatekeeping that exists in pop, why the industry is in a “refresh” era, and why building new talent matters now more than ever.

A must-listen for producers, songwriters, artists, managers, and music executives trying to better understand how money, leverage, and opportunity really work in today’s music industry.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tjdQ69aragoLlzVBOxsFT?si=0hO2glznQ2GUHa1IU6j0Og

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

The Manager’s Playbook 063: Hitmaka - Hit Songs, Songwriting, A&R, Artist Development & Music Business Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Hitmaka, formerly Yung Berg, for a deep conversation on the real business behind hit songs.

Hitmaka breaks down how hit records actually get made, from demo-first songwriting and producer collaboration to song deals, publishing, label politics, and artist development. He reflects on nearly three decades in music, the mindset that kept him going through every era of his career, and the lessons he learned building records like “Sexy Can I,” Big Sean’s “Bounce Back,” and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie’s “Look Back At It.”

They also get into why writers often do not get paid properly, how producers create leverage, the importance of relationships in the music business, and why the industry needs more creative leadership.

A must-listen for artists, producers, songwriters, managers, and anyone serious about understanding how the music industry really works.

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

If you’re earning publishing income, make sure you’re collecting all of it.KOSIGN, powered by Kobalt, offers direct global publishing collections and real-time royalty transparency in a flexible, artist-friendly format. It’s highly selective, but free to apply here: https://bit.ly/4b438pj

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: Mike Caren on What Makes a Song Feel Like a Hit Apr 18, 2026

Show notes

Mike Caren breaks down what actually makes a song feel like a hit.

This clip explores the role of A&R, taste, replay value, emotional connection, melody, lyrics, and creative judgment in today’s music business.

Mike also talks about trusting your opinion, learning from missed calls, redefining what a hit means in the streaming era, and why great executives grow by focusing on their strengths instead of rushing titles.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UnV1d2ltTCO1rfjqhTKc4?si=seltDGQ-RvWE9fwshY-f3w

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

Timestamps:

00:00 Have an Opinion

00:58 What Makes a Hit

03:18 Replay Test for Songs

05:37 Gut Instinct Explained

07:08 Defining Hits Today

08:04 Culture vs Chart Peaks

09:42 Career Moves for Execs

10:58 Turning Down Promotions

11:36 Choosing Your Strengths

13:00 Closing Thoughts on Growth

Inside the Playbook: Mike Caren on The Reason Artist-Manager Relationships Fall Apart Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Mike Caren breaks down why artists and managers need to have hard conversations early if they want to avoid bigger problems later.

This clip is about artist-manager communication, label frustrations, project readiness, honest feedback, over-communication, and building stronger working relationships in the music business.

It’s a sharp reminder that many issues are not solved by blame. They’re solved by clarity, direct conversations, and the willingness to address problems before they get expensive.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UnV1d2ltTCO1rfjqhTKc4?si=seltDGQ-RvWE9fwshY-f3w

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

Timestamps:

00:00 Label Frustrations

01:21 Tough Talks Early

01:43 Is It Ready

03:11 Feedback Not Gossip

04:24 Ad Break Publishing

06:12 Challenge To Improve

08:13 Learning Softer Critique