Lola Plaku has been behind the scenes of some of hip-hop’s biggest moves, working with artists like French Montana and Big Sean, and now leading a powerful mentorship movement for women in music through Girl Connected.
In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Lola breaks down her path from music journalism to street teams, tour management, and artist development. She shares real-world lessons on audience engagement, label communication, and what it actually takes to build and sustain a career in music.
Whether you’re a manager, artist, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with game.
Simply put, a conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:57 Early Career and Networking
04:16 Rise in the Music Industry
07:04 Community and Collaboration
09:46 Transition to Concert Promotion
31:19 The Hustle Behind Booking French Montana
33:40 Building a Street Team for Big Sean
37:02 From Street Teams to Tour Management
51:33 The Importance of Live Performances
01:04:33 Selling Out Shows: The Secret Sauce
01:06:29 The Art of a Great Performance
01:13:00 Touring Challenges and Realities
01:15:21 Empowering Women in the Music Industry
01:28:41 Success Stories from Girl Connected
01:38:38 Reflections on Bishop’s Legacy
01:41:10 Navigating the Music Industry: Challenges and Insights
01:44:58 The Role of Labels and Effective Communication
01:48:12 Balancing Artistry and Business
02:08:56 Future Plans and Final Thoughts
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
Join the Discord, a real space for real music business conversations.
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Host: Mauricio Ruiz
Executive Producer: Mauricio Ruiz
Director of Photography: Will Dobak
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
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- a$ap rocky
- a$ap yams
- artist development
- artist management
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- big sean
- french montana
- girl connected
- hip hop canada
- lola plaku
- major record labels
- mauricio ruiz
- music business
- music business 101
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- the manager's playbook
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i'm impressed she doesn't drive <3
She is super smart
another great interview! big sean at stussy/nomad, i remember that! i was there i skipped highschool that day to meet him, i actually remember him crying too i was legit just looking at the autograph the other day
Great content as always
Big respect for this convo. I use to chat with Lola way back in Hiphop Canada days. Hours of convo with nothing but inspiration and gems. She would challenge everything and give an explanation on why she was correct in what she talks about. A definition of a Multiplier, she must of read that book because it shows in this interview. Salute to a Sauga city general! 🎉
Excellent content and discussion each episode. God bless brotha💯
A real legend in the game🔥 I remember seeing Fredo Santana, French Montana and other artists taking pictures with her and shouting her out
Inspired me a lot!
Excellent. Amazing story. The resilience motivates me. I no longer feel alone. There are many of us winning, in our own way. These are the key people for me and my future. I look forward to meeting everyone in person. Mr Ruiz. Home run. This was a trip down memory lane. I planned to break out of Canada. Cirvca 2003/ 2004. This is proof to me. It would have been a major success. Just knowing that there were people there; building. Honestly. I think we are about to do this again. Mauricio… You're stuck with me. I don't trust anyone else with my project. I have hired close to 24 execs with everything I have learned.
I greatly appreciate everything. Thank you so much. Don't worry. Everything is on schedule. I have everything planned for the next 72 Months 🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️
I make the next move. I have to travel a bit on my tour. New office soon . New everything. As soon as I do. I can fly in. Or meet with us abroad; overseas. Columbia Tour coming up next. I have everything I need. Only missing a few phone calls.
I will be watching every single episode. Before I make one phone call. This has been a guide and an inspiration. Every step of this journey. Columbia/ Canada Tour. July/ August.
Open Australia. Costa Rica. Argentina.
Go Brazil. Panama. Honduras.
All I perform is my greatest hits.
Ready 😎🏍️
Another day of educating the next generation
She one of them ones🔥
Haha Hiphop Canada I was on that site back then but I was in Pennsylvania USA. That site def was major for a moment.
Lola’s been dope. Met her in her event era. Watched as she went to ATL. Admired her grind from time. P.s. Lot 332 was Richmond & Peter. Atelier was on King.
Wow! This information is truly priceless. Thann you for sharing and i cant wait for more . ❤❤
~🦾💰✨️⚡️🔑🏆🔑⚡️✨️✨️⚡️🦾
This episode gave me chills her grind🔥🔥🔥
she s a real one
Manager playbook is da truth!!! 🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 jeeeeeez I remember yasser he use to have parties fubar or zubar in waterloo!!!!!
Haven't seen Lola since ric London, jd Era soul clap show🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🎬💯🙌
Lola is a SUPERHERO! Wow!🔥
Hands down my favorite episode! Tapping in with Girls Connected ASAP.
Please kindly number the episodes….thx for your great videos
This was such a valuable interview, & honestly validating as a woman freshly navigating the music industry and business.
Especially in the beginning so much of it is MAKING opportunities.
💎💎💎
my deal with EMI some time ago was stipulated that I play a character with a story
and that I couldn't be me myself and I. I turned that shish kebob down but I also knew
that my time in the business was over because that is what most record companies
want artist to do. Those "artist" that already fall in line with what they want are facilitated.
The whole thing works around the music business investing in the private prison system
promoting criminals in order to entice fans into becoming criminals so they'll end up
locked up as financial fodder for the NYSE. Ice Cube has already admitted that he
was used as a willing participant for the aforementioned agenda. I myself didn't
want my art or me personally being used in such a manner so I turned the deal down.
There is more behind it but I was told I was too smart for the business, my deal
was given to another group who were robbed of the advance and studio budget.
Having already worked behind the scenes prior to that I realized that the business
is a front for social control. the music is being used to keep certain groups of
people in unhealthy environments using it to promote social and political change
that benefits those in power. Guys like Diddy with all the ties he has to organized
crime and the FBI via through his dad are in power because they were strategically
placed there for the same reasons stated above. Why hasn't the music changed
in the last 50 years prior to when music trends changed every 10 years or so? Its
because the music business has been sitting on gold making money at the expense
of youth getting locked up. They won't change that. That's why "hip hop" (a pure PSYOPS)
has been around for so long. The funny thing is none of the artist past or present live up
to the standards of the characters they play in real life bcuz its all fake. Up and coming
"artist" (potential political tools) should at least be made aware of it so they'll see how
effed up that business is and whether or not they want to be down with it. Its a job
like pro wrestling, the music game is set up the same way characters selling war
stories that are either embellished and or made up. Pathetic.
"People just wanna be lit! Greyhound is not lit!" This hustle is inspiring. And your story serves as advice for a lot of people. Great episode.
Can I ask what does she do now?
bro i love how you do the podcast its a like 2 friends just talking past work lol
Listened to this one on Spotify, love that you guys are also dropping there. I can just have it in my headphones and still multi task and get things done.
Great episode, just saw the new one drop. Boutta tap in. Loving the consistency bro 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Another amazing podcast thank you for being the king!
Gold mine! Found this via shorts. Thank god!
Great podcast Ruiz! If you have an opportunity we would like to see Joyner Lucas’s manager Drew on your podcast I’m sure he has good experience n knowledge to give us. Thank you!
She’s so dope ❤
Great episode. 🎉
Amazing episode, thank you. Canadian legend low key🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Lola is really a legend in this game. I loved this convo so much!!!
You look like twins