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 through an athlete lens: discipline, work ethic, reps, and dedication to craft are what separate artists with potential from artists with longevity. Because “goosebumps” from a record is real… but it’s not enough. The real question is: who’s the person behind the music, and do they have the character and vision to execute for years?

J uses RAYE as a case study for an artist-led career, an independent artist staying “captain of the ship,” while a distribution partner supports where it’s needed. We also get into bespoke label services, why you can’t cheat the work, and how long-term partnerships in the music business survive through humility, accountability, and “strong opinions loosely held.”

If you’re an independent artist, an aspiring music manager, or a future music executive, this clip is a masterclass in what the industry is really rewarding right now.

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

If you’re earning publishing income, make sure you’re collecting all of it. KOSIGN, powered by Kobalt, offers direct global publishing collections and real-time royalty transparency in a flexible, artist-friendly format. It’s highly selective, but free to apply here: https://bit.ly/4b438pj

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PE3sW1MLfGpxE7cb3iMeK?si=eo75Qd0AQbSANSXHzE2uDw

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