Hearing a major label president speak his mind this openly? Rare. Hearing it on record? Rarer.
Legendary music exec Nick Raphael unpacks a career that spans global chart-toppers, executive pivots, and the evolution of artist power. He’s an anomaly in the music business – honest, transparent, and still thriving.
From being the FIRST person to sign Jay-Z to global success to battling illness in 2013 to rebounding with massive hits and signings like Sam Smith and 5SOS, Nick shares how streaming flipped the script on music distribution and why modern artists need storytelling and focus to cut through.
We explore his transformation from Capitol UK President to indie label founder, and his candid take on building long-term artist careers without relying solely on traditional labels.
00:00 – Health Crisis & Comeback
03:10 – Streaming Changes Everything
07:10 – The Rise of DIY Artists
11:32 – Evolution of Artist Deals
16:08 – Power of Teams & Mentorship
42:21 – Learning from Legends
52:19 – Focus in A&R
01:21:21 – Martial Arts, Music & Mindset
01:24:32 – Storytelling in Artist Development
01:30:21 – Making ‘Promises’ ft. Sam Smith
01:41:24 – Launching an Indie Label
01:58:29 – Ego & Authentic Leadership
02:05:33 – Artist Journeys & Legacy
The opinions shared by our guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or The Manager’s Playbook.
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/1hourconsult
Follow The Manager’s Playbook
Newsletter https://www.the-managers-playbook.beehiiv.com/c/subscribe
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mauroisruiz/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@managersplaybook
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mngrsplaybook
X https://www.twitter.com/mngrsplaybook
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-managers-playbook
Snapchat https://snapchat.com/t/bCaZ8cvw
Website https://mngrsplaybook.com
Host: Mauricio Ruiz
Executive Producer: Mauricio Ruiz
Director of Photography: Will Dobak
On Location Sound: Jesse Lopez
Editor: Will Dobak
Co-Editor: Mauricio Ruiz
Colourist: Will Dobak
Sound Engineer: Francisco Sabio
Project Manager: Erica Kongvongxay
Marketing Coordinator: Melanie Letra-Frade
Production Company: 8 Til Faint
#themanagersplaybookpodcast #musicbusinesspodcast #musicbusiness #musicindustry #artistmanagement #musicbusinesstips
source
- artist development
- artist management
- artist manager
- artist manager commissions
- indie label vs major label
- mauricio ruiz
- music business
- music business 101
- music business advice
- music industry
- music industry 2025
- music industry secrets
- music management
- music marketing
- music marketing 101
- music promotion
- nickraphael
- record label executives
- streaming era
- talent management
- the manager's playbook
- the manager's playbook podcast
Huge thank you to everyone showing up for these real, unfiltered conversations about the music business. Conversations like this are rare. And they matter.
Make sure to subscribe so you never miss what’s coming next. 🔥
This was very insightful and it’s a confirmation that I am on the right path as an artist however slow it may seem. Gotta build the fans more. Thank you for testimony of so much music history. I’m excited for the future of music with people like yourselves helping to steer the ship 🩵🩷
-much love from Canada !
-Gigi Noche
A conversation that don’t come cheap !!! Yessir you did it again oh don’t miss 🏆🏆🏆🏆
This fired me up! 🔥 🔥
💎💎💎
💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎
Thank you soo much. Loved it. Is Dave Free a possible guest? Might be a long shot
Wow, what a great conversation. 🤯 I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it; this is my favorite channel on YouTube. Much love and respect for doing this work and getting us these gems bro.
No offense but Jesse is not a star. She's part of the 2010's school (big vaccum created by distribution changes in industry) where anbody wt a lil ambition entered. Not an icon. No major hit or classic songs. Even the South Koreans benefited from this. It's all temporary. Not permanent.
The sauce is there is people want to find it. This video is a prime example. Thank you
These conversations are like what you hear in books about convos that changed an execs life… The Managers Playbook is too good 🙏🏿
nice
I love these podcasts
❤️🔥✨️💫⚡️
These interviews are really wonderful, thank you for this. I'm a composer/sound designer for the film Trailers market and yes, likability is truly number 1. Before I had leveled up to where I am now, trailer publishers took a chance on me because I was enthusiastic, open, have a very strong work ethic and of course the talent …but never, ever desperate.
Excellent podcast! 🔥👏👏
Amazing podcast very accurate and valuable conversation!
only channel this open about the industry
I AM INDEPENDENT AND I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH THIS MAN, ONE DAY IN TERMS OF MAKING BUSINESS, I RUN MY OWN SMALL LABEL AND I AM ALSO PORTUGUESE ARTIST THAT LOVES R&B/SOUL BUT I AM PLUS VERSÁTILE
Im inspired 🔥🔥🔥
Man. That was so good.
What was the name of the book around the 30 minute mark? Great podcast btw 😀
quality content
Yeah this is goated. Bro got the man involved with the benze in the UK…..mind blown bro. This was a real treat FR.
Lonny Breaux tapes were so fire
Bunch of no talent losers sussed out by the satanic Jew death and sex cult.
That baseball business analogy was phenomenal. Man, blew my mind haha. TRULY amazing episode
I need the photo too.
Knew Nick back in the 90s and 00s. He's not changed a bit except the cross dressing bit obvs.
another fire ep……..defo gotta tap in with Nick for that 20 mins talk
lol bro really corrected himself and said them. good convo
Brother got that Trap Lore Ross swag
These conversations are so inspiring. Thanks for being amazing! Nick Raphael is such a force ❤I have learned a lot
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Likability!!!
didn't know Tom Hardy worked at Capital
this should have 1mil+ views by now
Another great video. Appreciate it
interesting
This is hands down the only music biz channel consistently dropping real-world value and untold stories. Your interviews are next-level — criminally underrated. Any chance Scooter Braun’s on your radar while he’s doing his podcast run?
Amazing interview – you can feel the passion for the job ooozing off him.
It’s funny that losers will make a video talking about how streaming doesn’t pay and a bunch of people who don’t know what they’re talking about will agree in the comment and get three hundred thousand views but two guys who actually know what they’re talking about will have a conversation about what a great time it is for artists and only ten thousand people will watch.
Great content. ❤❤❤❤
I need a manager smh
This is great. I’m soaking this all up
Grateful for this conversation
Love the content keep up the good work!!
Well, i love your interview style! I'm finding myself watching interviews of people I havent heard of, simply because your its pretty captivating, and im hungry to learn and hear more from everyone. I love that its like two buddies catching up. Cant wait to see your next ones!