The Manager's Playbook

• The Manager’s Playbook 031: Tuma Basa - RapCaviar, YouTube, Music Curation, Artist Longevity, Gen AI, African Infrastructure, Global Strategy & Cultural Fluency

  In Episode 031 of The Manager’s Playbook, Tuma Basa, former head of Spotify's RapCaviar and Director of Black Music & Culture at YouTube, joins Mauricio Ruiz for a deep dive into the evolution of music curation, platform strategy, and long-term artist relevance.Tuma shares his journey from BET to Spotify to YouTube, and breaks down how emotional intelligence, cultural adaptability, and curiosity have shaped his leadership. They talk YouTube as global TV, the impact of Gen AI on creativity, and the line between music industry and music community.For artists, executives, or anyone building legacy in the music business, this one’s a masterclass.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybookNew episodes drop Tuesdays @ 10am ET

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• Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on Why Why the First $500 from Artists' Fans Changes Everything

  In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, I talk with Mag Rodriguez about the artist who helped change everything: LaRussell.After being introduced to EVEN, LaRussell became the platform’s first artist, and the proof of concept. What followed was a masterclass in independent strategy: $27K in just hours, $100K within a month, and a new blueprint for how artists can scale without relying on traditional systems.We talk about how skepticism turned into belief, how smart work can outperform luck, and how LaRussell’s approach is reshaping what it means to be an artist-entrepreneur.This is what direct-to-fan looks like when it actually works.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Kn9j2Ef2Fwc48iTvA3Tio?si=gWcZocLsQ82ArNfVsQDF4wWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

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• Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on How He Got Funded Without a Degree

  In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with Mag Rodriguez to talk about the journey few founders ever get to share, what it means to break into venture capital as a Latino entrepreneur.Mag opens up about growing up in an immigrant household, the early lessons in hustle and resilience, and the winding path from managing artists to leading a tech company backed by venture capital.We get into the emotional weight of representation, the role of taste and conviction in startup success, and why building a transparent, values-driven culture matters more than ever. Mag also shares how AI could create more access for underrepresented founders and what it takes to scale both a company and a mission.This one’s personal, honest, and deeply strategic. For anyone building from the margins, this is required listening.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Kn9j2Ef2Fwc48iTvA3Tio?si=gWcZocLsQ82ArNfVsQDF4wWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

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• Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on Why the Global South Is the Future of Music Monetization

  In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, Mag Rodriguez and I explore the future of music monetization and what it means to truly go global.From innovative artist subscription models, like “pay what you want”, to untapped opportunities in the Global South, Mag Rodriguez breaks down how platforms like EVEN are making it easier for artists to reach fans in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.We dive into real-world case studies, the payment infrastructure powering fan access, and how globalization is reshaping not just music releases, but live experiences and sustainable growth for artists.If you care about scale, access, and building a future that includes everyone, this one’s for you.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Kn9j2Ef2Fwc48iTvA3Tio?si=gWcZocLsQ82ArNfVsQDF4wWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

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• Inside the Playbook: Mag Rodriguez on How J. Cole Helped Transform His Music Tech Business

  In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with Mag Rodriguez to unpack the exclusive J. Cole x EVEN collaboration celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Forest Hills Drive.We get into how this drop went far beyond music; with unreleased tracks, an original audio series, real-time fan engagement, and a global livestream straight from Madison Square Garden.Mag breaks down how the project came to life, what it taught him about navigating major label partnerships, and how trust and execution drive true fan connection.This one’s a blueprint for any artist or builder thinking beyond the stream.A conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Kn9j2Ef2Fwc48iTvA3Tio?si=gWcZocLsQ82ArNfVsQDF4wWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

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