In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Russ pulls back the curtain on one of the most unconventional, and successful, label deals in modern music.

From earning $100K/month independently to partnering (not just signing) with Columbia, Russ breaks down exactly how he kept full control of his TuneCore catalog, negotiated profit splits, and built a system that still pays him seven figures a month, just from masters.

This isn’t just artist advice. It’s a case study in ownership, leverage, and long-term vision.

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

Timestamps:
00:20 Navigating Label Meetings
01:27 The Rise of Streaming Platforms
03:30 Choosing Columbia Records
04:46 Maintaining Creative Control
08:43 Challenges with the Label
09:56 Leaving the Label
10:42 Advice for New Artists
11:42 The Future of Music Ownership

Join the Discord, a real space for real music business conversations.
https://app.levellr.com/the-managers-playbook

Want more fans that will buy tickets and merch on top of streaming your music? It's simple. Try out ForeverFan for FREE at ⁠⁠https://www.foreverfanmusic.com/?el=TMPB

For your tour managing, transportation and security needs, 5483 ES has got you covered behind the scenes. A one stop solution for entertainment professionals.
https://www.5483es.com/

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Host: Mauricio Ruiz
Executive Producer: Mauricio Ruiz
Director of Photography: Austin Bourdages
On Location Sound: Jesse Lopez
Editor: Max Carmona
Co-Editor: Mauricio Ruiz
Colourist: Max Carmona
Sound Engineer: Madeline Currie
Project Manager: Erica Kongvongxay
Marketing Coordinator: Melanie Letra-Frade
Production Company: 8 Til Faint

#themanagersplaybookpodcast #musicbusinesspodcast #musicbusiness #musicindustry #artistmanagement #musicbusinesstips

Russ thinks Spotify should ditch the monthly listener count, but I strongly disagree! Let's dive into why that number actually matters and why artists need to focus on their hustle, not expect platforms to soften the playing field. Business is business, and our success as artists comes from hard work and connection.



YT: https://www.youtube.com/@AJONEZ602/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ajonez602/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Attuneofficial
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/art....ist/ajonez/132499634
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artis....t/0muKzHDmfw1pCb1tht
DISCORD: https://discord.gg/9j9jBpKn


Russ, Spotify, Monthly Listeners, Music Industry, Artist Advice, Music Business, Music Marketing, Artist Development, Independent Artist, DIY Music, Music Streaming, Streaming Platforms, Data Analysis, Fan Engagement, Music Metrics, Success in Music, Hard Work, Hustle, Grind, Artist Mindset, Business of Music, Music Career, Digital Strategy, Online Presence, Music Promotion, Music Discussion, Music Commentary, Disagree, Opinion, Analysis

Extra tags

#russ, #spotify, #monthlylisteners, #musicindustry, #artistadvice, #musicbusiness, #musicmarketing, #artistdevelopment, #independentartist, #diymusic, #musicstreaming, #streamingplatforms, #dataanalysis, #fanengagement, #musicmetrics, #successinmusic, #hardwork, #hustle, #grind, #artistmindset, #businessofmusic, #musiccareer, #digitalstrategy, #onlinepresence, #musicpromotion, #musicdiscussion, #musiccommentary, #disagree, #opinion, #analysis

Was Timbaland exposed for stealing beats? A recent video surfaced of Timbaland feeding another producer's beat into Suno, then remaking the beat without crediting, paying or getting permission from the original producer. But beyond that, Timbaland and his defenders are lying to the producer community about how AI actually works and doesn't work. Why are they so invested in AI?

Full podcast episode: https://youtu.be/K3sVmEzA3fI

00:00 - Timbaland Destroys His Legacy
00:47 - Timbaland Lying to us
01:53 - He Stole a Beat ON CAMERA
03:13 - The CRAZIEST Lie
03:51 - Producers Will Replace Artists
06:03 - Timbaland's Live Stream with Guru
11:15 - Darkchild Defends Timbaland
12:32 - Consent MATTERS
16:54 - This is a Betrayal
18:54 - Timbaland Used to be...
19:58 - AI is NOT a Tool
21:34 - Is Timbaland's Artist Truly AI?
23:47 - What's REALLY Going on?!




#spotify #musicbusiness #musicbusinesspodcast #streaming #recordlabel #producers #busyworks #makingbeats #beatmaking #flstudio #beatmaker

Selling beats online 2025