Inside the Playbook: Steve Rifkind on How He Negotiated Wu-Tang’s Deal with a CHAIR?!?

Inside the Playbook: Steve Rifkind on How He Negotiated Wu-Tang’s Deal with a CHAIR?!?

Steve Rifkind breaks down the behind-the-scenes reality of Wu-Tang Clan’s record deal negotiations, the kind of label-room pressure that shapes careers, catalogs, and legacies.

In this clip, Steve walks through how a deal can come down to a $20,000 gap, how business affairs and label politics can stall momentum, and why the smartest move isn’t always “artist vs label,” but true team alignment that protects leverage. He also explains the bigger strategic picture: how Wu-Tang approached solo album deals while preserving the power of the group economics, and why deal structure, deliverables, and touring strategy mattered as much as the music itself.

If you’re an independent artist, artist manager, A&R, or aspiring music executive, this is a rare mix of wild story and real playbook: negotiation, leverage, leadership, and the systems behind building something that lasts.


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


Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/30zqrBREeAf2j61iIJzPm2?si=U3aK6O-OTsmO0uTCHmR09w


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

Jaksot(270)

The Manager's Playbook 006: Chip Sutherland - Management Contracts, Business Manager, Canadian Funding, All You Need To Know About The Music Business

The Manager's Playbook 006: Chip Sutherland - Management Contracts, Business Manager, Canadian Funding, All You Need To Know About The Music Business

In this episode of The Managers Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Chip Sutherland, a seasoned entertainment lawyer and artist manager who was recently honored with the Walt Grealis Special Achiev...

30 Heinä 20241h 15min

The Manager’s Playbook 005: Che Kothari - Machel Montano, Mustafa The Poet, The Power of Photography, Manifesto Festival, Tools for Burnout

The Manager’s Playbook 005: Che Kothari - Machel Montano, Mustafa The Poet, The Power of Photography, Manifesto Festival, Tools for Burnout

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Che Kothari, a multifaceted visionary whose work spans photography, artist management, festival production, and much more. ...

16 Heinä 20242h 23min

The Manager’s Playbook 004: Matthew Burnett & Jordan Evans - Daniel Caesar, Record Producers, Artist Management, Major Label vs Indie

The Manager’s Playbook 004: Matthew Burnett & Jordan Evans - Daniel Caesar, Record Producers, Artist Management, Major Label vs Indie

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz sits down with acclaimed record producers and songwriters Matthew Burnett and Jordan Evans. Known for their exceptional work in the music ...

2 Heinä 20242h 22min

The Manager’s Playbook 003: Lex Borrero - Tainy, NEON16, La Firma, Clarity of Vision, Los Montaner, 50/50 Partnerships

The Manager’s Playbook 003: Lex Borrero - Tainy, NEON16, La Firma, Clarity of Vision, Los Montaner, 50/50 Partnerships

Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Lex Borrero, a prominent figure in the Latin American music and entertainment industry, for this  episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast.  Lex has worked with some of ...

16 Kesä 20241h 27min

The Manager’s Playbook 002: Tyler Henry - PARTYNEXTDOOR, Drake, Rihanna, Coachella, OVO Fest, Work-Life Balance, Ironman Triathlon, Range Music

The Manager’s Playbook 002: Tyler Henry - PARTYNEXTDOOR, Drake, Rihanna, Coachella, OVO Fest, Work-Life Balance, Ironman Triathlon, Range Music

Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Tyler Henry, one of the youngest superstar Artist Managers in the game, for the next episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast. In this episode, Ruiz and Tyler talk about...

2 Kesä 20241h 56min

The Manager's Playbook 001: Troy Carter - Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, UMG vs TikTok, Work Ethic, AI, Superfans

The Manager's Playbook 001: Troy Carter - Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, UMG vs TikTok, Work Ethic, AI, Superfans

Mauricio Ruiz sits down with American music manager, entrepreneur, and investor, Troy Carter for the inaugural episode of The Manager's Playbook Podcast. In this episode, Mauricio and Troy discuss th...

19 Touko 20241h 3min

Suosittua kategoriassa Viihde

anni-jaajo
tuplakaak
grekovit
hei-baby-3
terveisia-perheesta
the-harlin-show
hupiklubi
dear-shirly
antin-palautepalvelu
bella-table
antin-elokuvakerho
everypodi
verhon-takaa
dear-shirly-ja-arttu
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
nonsensepodi
tahtitehdas
get-jassud
hollywood-love-stories-2
terkuin-jenna