Music Business Interviews

‘There’s nothing wrong with success and chasing your dreams, but don’t forget to bring your true self with you.’

Philip Lawrence has been Bruno Mars’ key creative partner for over 15 years, co-writing smash-hit singles and landmark albums along the way.

Interviews

Merck Mercuariadis on Hipgnosis, vindication, and his next move.

The entrepreneur opens up on his new industry thesis – and how he feels seeing the company once known as Hipgnosis sold to Sony

Interviews

Pulse Music Group: How It Started…

Pulse Music Group's Co-CEOs take us back through a series of near-misses across the streets, studios, and open houses of Los Angeles – before their paths finally collided over a half-shared chicken parmigiana...

Interviews

‘People don’t just want hits. They want honesty.’

Tunde Balogun, CEO of LVRN (Love Renaissance), maps out how the company he cofounded in Atlanta with Sean Famoso McNichol, Justice Baiden, Junia Abaidoo, and Carlon Ramong went from college parties to over 30B streams and a $100m+ valuation.

Interviews

From Kobalt to Pipeline: meet the $5 billion financier rewiring indie music capital

Matt Spetzler is a private equity veteran who fell in love with the music business. Now, through Jamen Capital and Pipeline, he’s changing how independent rightsholders raise capital – while helping them keep ownership of their companies...

Interviews

‘I have to show up with my arms wide open creatively and hope that the lightning falls out of the sky.’

Drew Fulk (aka WZRD BLD) on making his name in rock and metal, crossing over, creative inspiration, AI, and whether or not he might need therapy

Interviews

‘After K-pop, Chinese pop music will come to the world next.’

UMG Greater China Chairman and CEO Timothy Xu on the company’s ‘Glocal’ strategy, and why he believes Chinese pop will be the next genre to go global...

Interviews

‘The future of the industry belongs to executives who can bridge the creative, commercial, and technological divides.’

EMIC founder Daniel Findikian talks music industry education, emerging markets, and more

Interviews

Warner Music COO, Armin Zerza: Music is under-monetized, under-digitized, and ripe for ‘years of productivity’

Zerza appeared at the JPMorgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference on Wednesday (May 20)

Interviews

Chord Music Partners’ John Chapman on the next wave of capital heading for music rights

Alongside Sam Hendel, Chapman runs Dundee Partners, the investment office of the Hendel family

Interviews

Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez on ‘walled gardens’ in AI music, Warner-Suno, and why he’s skeptical of attribution engines

Sanchez spoke at a MBW x Raine breakfast networking event in London this morning

Interviews

‘The next global genre will likely start in someone’s bedroom – and that bedroom might be in Lagos, Mumbai or São Paulo.’

MBW's Trailblazers series meets Constantin Koehncke, CEO of Image-Line, the Belgian company behind FL Studio

Interviews

‘Many still view Thailand as a domestic-only market. In truth, there are many talented Thai songwriters with strong potential for global success.’

MBW's World Leaders series speaks to Tatchara Longprasert, General Manager of Sony Music Publishing Thailand

Interviews

‘Artists often fail when you give up too much responsibility to others.’

MBW's Trailblazers series meets Alternate Side Management founders Evange Livanos and Zack Zarrillo

Interviews

‘We’re finally in a place where we can win and retain the artists and labels we’ve always wanted to work with.’

MBW's Inspiring Women series meets Kristin Graziani, co-CEO of Los Angeles-based music distribution platform Stem