Inside the Playbook: Azad Naficy on Why Artists Get Screwed by Major Labels

Inside the Playbook: Azad Naficy on Why Artists Get Screwed by Major Labels

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz and Azad Naficy break down one of the biggest questions in the music industry today:


Does every artist need a major label or can you build a successful career independently?


Azad offers a refreshingly honest look at the advantages and limitations of major label partnerships, from global reach and international infrastructure to the realities of misaligned deals and lost creative direction. He also explains why some artists thrive in the independent sector, especially when they build a strong, bespoke team that actually understands their vision.

This conversation dives deep into:
• how to evaluate a record deal and what a label can really offer
• why artist development is still the foundation of every long career
• the qualities that make a great A&R
• challenges artists face when signing too early
• what independence looks like when done intentionally
• how to build a team that supports your long-term goals

Whether you're considering a label deal, building an independent operation, or trying to understand how to scale your music career the right way, this clip delivers practical guidance you won’t hear in most industry rooms.

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


Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OEmeP3qCOLotxuji6se0j?si=IGzhU94zT2ydsy63TGkhuw


Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

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Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on The Skill Every Music Manager Needs

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on The Skill Every Music Manager Needs

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving unpacks a “superpower” that’s quietly responsible for most long careers in the music business: surrounding yourself with the right people, reading the room, ...

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Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Operate Like a Record Label in Any Role

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Operate Like a Record Label in Any Role

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving III breaks down what changes when you go from managing outside the label system to operating inside it, and why most “label frustration” is really a culture ...

8 Maalis 19min

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on What to Do Before Artists Break

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on What to Do Before Artists Break

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving breaks down a truth the music business loves to forget: artist trust is built in the off-season.Not when the venue is sold out. Not when the streams spike. R...

7 Maalis 21min

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Spot Great Artists Early

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Spot Great Artists Early

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving breaks down how top music executives, A&Rs, and elite artist managers actually identify greatness and it’s not just “talent.”We talk artist development throu...

6 Maalis 20min

The Manager’s Playbook 057: J. Erving III - Artist Development, Music Distribution, Label Services, Team Building, Manager Mindset, SONY/The Orchard & Streaming Growth

The Manager’s Playbook 057: J. Erving III - Artist Development, Music Distribution, Label Services, Team Building, Manager Mindset, SONY/The Orchard & Streaming Growth

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, I’m joined by J. Erving III, CEO & Founder of Human Re Sources (a SONY Music/The Orchard partner), to talk about what it really takes to build an artist-led ...

3 Maalis 1h 50min

Inside the Playbook: Jacob Paul on Music Publishing Deals 101

Inside the Playbook: Jacob Paul on Music Publishing Deals 101

If you’re a songwriter, producer, or manager, this is the publishing conversation that saves people from “congrats on the deal” regret.In this clip, Jacob Paul breaks down what a co-publishing (co-pub...

2 Maalis 5min

Inside the Playbook: Jacob Paul on Mechanical Royalties

Inside the Playbook: Jacob Paul on Mechanical Royalties

If you’re an independent artist, producer, or songwriter, there’s a good chance you’re doing the loud part right (streams, content, growth) while missing the quiet part that builds real stability: mus...

1 Maalis 15min

Inside the Playbook: Jacob Paul on How Global Music Publishing Royalties Work

Inside the Playbook: Jacob Paul on How Global Music Publishing Royalties Work

You can be “up” on Spotify and still collect $0 in publishing royalties.That’s the quiet trap: publishing isn’t paid by default. Master recording money tends to flow through labels and distributors. B...

28 Helmi 8min

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