The Manager's Playbook - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Inside the Playbook: Amber Grimes on The New Rules of Artist Branding Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Amber Grimes, EVP, GM, and partner at Love Renaissance (LVRN), to talk about what artists need beyond the music.

Amber breaks down the fundamentals of artist branding: authenticity, purpose, identity, community, fan access, and building something people actually believe in.

She also explains how fan culture has evolved from fan clubs to stans to subscribers, why artists need direct ways to reach their audience, and how real fan communities can turn supporters into brand ambassadors.

A must-listen for independent artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone interested in artist development, music marketing, fanbase growth, direct-to-fan strategy, and building a lasting artist brand.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZGoA4uIb95Ln5Og2lT6Ga?si=Jwmq9YR2QPuq1vZ7YO7How

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

Inside the Playbook: Amber Grimes on How LVRN Builds Artist Rollouts Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Amber Grimes, EVP, GM, and partner at Love Renaissance (LVRN), to talk about what goes into building artist rollouts that actually connect.

Amber shares the story behind 6LACK’s tour promo with a real bear, how LVRN develops creative ideas as a team, and why the best rollouts start with meaning before money.

She also breaks down LVRN’s global vision, building in South Africa with trust and intention, the importance of artist authenticity, and why hard work still separates talent from greatness.

A must-listen for independent artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone interested in artist branding, music marketing, rollout strategy, and the real work behind building artist worlds.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZGoA4uIb95Ln5Og2lT6Ga?si=Jwmq9YR2QPuq1vZ7YO7How

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

The Manager’s Playbook 074: Amber Grimes - LVRN, Artist Branding, Music Rollouts, Artist Development, Fan Communities & Music Business Jul 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Amber Grimes, EVP, GM, and partner at Love Renaissance (LVRN), for a real conversation about artist branding, music rollouts, and what it takes to build artists people actually believe in.

Amber breaks down the rules behind lasting artist brands: authenticity, purpose, community, visual identity, consistency, mystery, competitiveness, and knowing exactly why you exist. She also shares the story behind the real bear in 6LACK’s tour promo, how LVRN builds worlds around artists, and why Summer Walker’s authenticity is such a powerful example of long-term fan connection.

We get into modern music marketing, artist development, fan communities, direct-to-fan strategy, manager value, self-advocacy in business, and how artists can adapt as the industry keeps changing.

A must-listen for independent artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone serious about building a career in today’s music business.

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

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

Book a 1:1 Strategy Session with Mauricio Ruiz, host of The Manager's Playbook, with over 16 years of experience for tailored advice for artists and managers. Consultation Fees Apply https://calendly.com/themanagersplaybook

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

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek on How to Build a Music Career That Actually Works Jul 04, 2026

Show notes

Great music still wins.

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek of Grass Fed Music talk about what it really takes to build a music career that lasts.

They get into artist development, independent artists, major label partnerships, AI, superfans, touring, culture-building, and why exceptional ideas still matter more than tools, resources, or industry excuses.

Nael and Alyce also break down why artists need to stop blaming playlists, focus on making better music, and build with the right people.

This clip is for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to understand how real careers are built in today’s music business.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mqdVGC0ip18qh5ZlaOVKf?si=6sl7kZnsS3eQcnhNrIbiNA

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

Inside the Playbook: Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek on Delusional Optimism in Music Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

What does it really take to last in the music business?

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek of Grass Fed Music talk about the mindset behind building a meaningful career in music.

Nael shares lessons from his father’s optimism, his Palestinian roots, his brother Nasri’s resilience, and the belief it takes to keep going when the business tests you.

They also get into no-agenda networking, serving others, managing with intention, why managers often work in the shadows, and how real impact matters more than just chasing money.

This clip is for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to build with purpose in the music business.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mqdVGC0ip18qh5ZlaOVKf?si=6sl7kZnsS3eQcnhNrIbiNA

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

Inside the Playbook: Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek on What Great Artist Managers Actually Do Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

What separates great artist managers from everyone else?

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek of Grass Fed Music talk about managing artists with care, honesty, trust, and real business execution.

Nael shares lessons from Sal & Co, Mike Caren, and Scooter Braun, why the song has to come first, and how Grass Fed helped build DJ Habibeats by bringing Middle Eastern music into club culture in a fresh way.

They also get into working together as partners in life and business, balancing creative vision with operational structure, and what real management actually requires behind the scenes.

This episode is for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to understand the music business from the inside.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mqdVGC0ip18qh5ZlaOVKf?si=6sl7kZnsS3eQcnhNrIbiNA

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

Inside the Playbook: Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek on Marriage and Music Business Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek of Grass Fed Music join The Manager’s Playbook to talk about building a music management company together as husband and wife.

They share how they met, how their relationship turned into a business partnership during COVID, and how Grass Fed developed its artist services model for independent artists.

Nael and Alyce get into artist development, content strategy, rollout planning, business structure, team building, and why great management needs both creative instinct and operational discipline.

This episode is for artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to understand what it really takes to build artists behind the scenes.

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

Check out Influur Pulse: https://www.influur.com/book-a-demo

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mqdVGC0ip18qh5ZlaOVKf?si=6sl7kZnsS3eQcnhNrIbiNA

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

The Manager’s Playbook 073: Nael Atweh & Alyce Hayek - Grass Fed Music, Artist Management, Artist Development, Independent Artists & Music Business Jun 28, 2026

Show notes

Artist management is not just about deals, rollouts, and relationships.

It’s service.

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Nael Atweh and Alyce Hayek of Grass Fed Music for a real conversation about what it takes to build artists behind the scenes.

Nael and Alyce talk about running a music management company as a married couple, developing independent artists, building trust with clients, and balancing creative instinct with business structure. They also get into the story behind Grass Fed Music, working with DJ Habibeats, the rise of Middle Eastern club sounds, lessons from Nasri Atweh, MAGIC!’s “Rude,” Justin Bieber cuts, Myspace-era hustle, mentorship, and why the song still has to come first.

This episode is for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, independent artists, and anyone trying to understand what real artist management actually looks like.

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: Omar Grant on The Real Reason Your Songs Aren't Getting Heard Jun 27, 2026

Show notes

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Omar Grant breaks down the mistake too many artists make with their music: releasing without enough quality control, strategy, or honest feedback.

Omar explains why great songs still need the right artist, the right plan, and the right timing. He also gets into the pressure independent artists feel to release constantly, why the market can be a useful teacher, and when blaming the marketing is really just avoiding the harder question: was the song strong enough?

A sharp conversation for independent artists, managers, A&Rs, songwriters, producers, and aspiring music executives trying to build better records and smarter release strategies.

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/6V9sf8DiDrf8EmOspp48OH?si=7iM5Mi76QAKBwVyzQc8zeQ

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

Inside the Playbook: Omar Grant on His Rise to Roc Nation Co-President Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Omar Grant breaks down the strategy behind building a real career in the music business.

Omar reflects on his rise from Bronx DJ and Columbia Records intern to Rihanna’s A&R and co-president of Roc Nation, sharing the lessons that shaped his path: patience, artist development, trust, relationships, and doing the work most people never see.

He also explains what made Roc Nation different, why authentic marketing has to start with understanding the artist, and why copying another artist’s rollout is rarely a real strategy.

A sharp conversation for aspiring music executives, artist managers, A&Rs, marketers, independent artists, and anyone trying to understand how long-term careers are actually built.

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/6V9sf8DiDrf8EmOspp48OH?si=7iM5Mi76QAKBwVyzQc8zeQ

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

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