The Manager's Playbook

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

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

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

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

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
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