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The Business Behind Coachella

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RapCaviar’s Big Advantage

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Roc Nation's Wild Year

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Trapital Report 2023

This is our second annual report! The pandemic is behind us, and so are the zero interest rate phenomena that came with it. Fortunately, that has led to better opportunities, important trends, and we broke them all down in this year’s report.

“You tell the true stories. Not just the end product, but how you get to the end product. Your point of view on it is dope.”

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Why Def Jam Re-signed DMX and LL Cool J, Michael Jackson Estate's Strategy
Memo
September 23, 2019
9/23/2019

Why Def Jam Re-signed DMX and LL Cool J, Michael Jackson Estate's Strategy

Rihanna's 'DTC' Deal with Amazon, Earthgang's 'Outrage Twitter' bump, Drake Revives 'Top Boy' on Netflix
Memo
September 13, 2019
9/13/2019

Rihanna's 'DTC' Deal with Amazon, Earthgang's 'Outrage Twitter' bump, Drake Revives 'Top Boy' on Netflix

Nicki Minaj's Future, Ciara's Management Moves, Post Malone's Album Tactics
Memo
September 6, 2019
9/6/2019

Nicki Minaj's Future, Ciara's Management Moves, Post Malone's Album Tactics

Ghazi on Why He Will Never Sell EMPIRE
Episode
October 24, 2024
10/24/2024

Ghazi on Why He Will Never Sell EMPIRE

Clive Davis: The Business Behind The Golden Ears
Episode
September 23, 2024
9/23/2024

Clive Davis: The Business Behind The Golden Ears

Where Does Drake Go From Here?
Episode
September 16, 2024
9/16/2024

Where Does Drake Go From Here?

Why Oprah is the Original Influencer
Episode
September 3, 2024
9/3/2024

Why Oprah is the Original Influencer

What Music's Next Growth Phase Will Look Like
Episode
August 26, 2024
8/26/2024

What Music's Next Growth Phase Will Look Like

Inside The Sphere and the Future of Entertainment
Episode
August 19, 2024
8/19/2024

Inside The Sphere and the Future of Entertainment

Why The Live Nation-DOJ Lawsuit Missed The Mark
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Why The Live Nation-DOJ Lawsuit Missed The Mark

StubHub: The Complicated World of Ticket Reselling
Episode
August 5, 2024
8/5/2024

StubHub: The Complicated World of Ticket Reselling

50 Cent: From Trolling to Triumph
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July 29, 2024
7/29/2024

50 Cent: From Trolling to Triumph

Tencent Finalized 10% Purchase of Universal Music Group, Coachella Trends Toward Influencers
Episode

Tencent Finalized 10% Purchase of Universal Music Group, Coachella Trends Toward Influencers

Tencent Struggles in Universal Music Group Bid, Biopics in the Streaming Era, Super Bowl Music Fest
Episode

Tencent Struggles in Universal Music Group Bid, Biopics in the Streaming Era, Super Bowl Music Fest

Future Maximizes Mixtape Anniversary, 'Jesus is King' on IMAX, Spotify's Strong Q3
Episode

Future Maximizes Mixtape Anniversary, 'Jesus is King' on IMAX, Spotify's Strong Q3

Zack O’Malley Greenburg on the Forbes Hip-Hop Cash List, the Controversy it Causes, and What it Took to Declare that Jay Z is a Billionaire
Episode

Zack O’Malley Greenburg on the Forbes Hip-Hop Cash List, the Controversy it Causes, and What it Took to Declare that Jay Z is a Billionaire

Jesse Kirshbaum on Nue Agency's Brand Marketing, #CRWN Interview Series, and the Future of Award Shows
Episode

Jesse Kirshbaum on Nue Agency's Brand Marketing, #CRWN Interview Series, and the Future of Award Shows

How Roy Wood Jr. Is Evolving His Comedy
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How Roy Wood Jr. Is Evolving His Comedy

Rich Homie Quan the Artist vs Rich Homie Quan the CEO
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Rich Homie Quan the Artist vs Rich Homie Quan the CEO

Investing in Web3 Music with Coopahtroopa
Episode

Investing in Web3 Music with Coopahtroopa

Berner’s Billion Dollar Cannabis Business and Hip-Hop’s Wealthiest Artists
Episode

Berner’s Billion Dollar Cannabis Business and Hip-Hop’s Wealthiest Artists

What’s Next for A.I. in Music, the Future of NFTs, and Catalog Sales
Episode

What’s Next for A.I. in Music, the Future of NFTs, and Catalog Sales

The Future of Music, Streaming, and Second-Order Effects (NYU Keynote)
Episode

The Future of Music, Streaming, and Second-Order Effects (NYU Keynote)

Why Diddy Won’t Sell Bad Boy Records
Episode

Why Diddy Won’t Sell Bad Boy Records

How Cash Money Records Pulled off Hip-Hop’s Louisiana Purchase (with Zack O’Malley Greenburg)
Episode

How Cash Money Records Pulled off Hip-Hop’s Louisiana Purchase (with Zack O’Malley Greenburg)

Unpacking the Economics of Taylor Swift
Episode

Unpacking the Economics of Taylor Swift

Why Streaming Algorithms Keep Getting Better
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Why Streaming Algorithms Keep Getting Better

Why It’s Not Too Late to Start on TikTok
Episode

Why It’s Not Too Late to Start on TikTok

Transcript for Trapital Podcast episode with Zack O'Malley Greenburg and Dan Runcie
Episode

Transcript for Trapital Podcast episode with Zack O'Malley Greenburg and Dan Runcie

Why Music is a $40+ Billion Industry
Episode

Why Music is a $40+ Billion Industry

The Business Behind the Grammys
Episode
January 26, 2024
1/26/2024

The Business Behind the Grammys

The Las Vegas Residency
Episode
February 9, 2024
2/9/2024

The Las Vegas Residency

Arena Tours: The Art and Science Behind Sold Out Shows
Episode
June 21, 2024
6/21/2024

Arena Tours: The Art and Science Behind Sold Out Shows

A24 Wants to Evolve. Can it Maintain its Brand Along the Way?
Episode
June 7, 2024
6/7/2024

A24 Wants to Evolve. Can it Maintain its Brand Along the Way?

Why Now Is The Best Time to Be An Artist
Episode
June 14, 2024
6/14/2024

Why Now Is The Best Time to Be An Artist

The Generative AI Music Sweepstakes
Episode
May 24, 2024
5/24/2024

The Generative AI Music Sweepstakes

The Business Behind Coachella
Episode
April 13, 2023
4/13/2023

The Business Behind Coachella

The Rise of Interscope Records
Episode
April 27, 2023
4/27/2023

The Rise of Interscope Records

Inside the Short-Form Video Wars with Tati Cirisano
Episode
March 23, 2023
3/23/2023

Inside the Short-Form Video Wars with Tati Cirisano

Which Artist Has The Most Valuable Catalog?
Episode
March 30, 2023
3/30/2023

Which Artist Has The Most Valuable Catalog?

The Rise of Burna Boy
Episode
March 2, 2023
3/2/2023

The Rise of Burna Boy

Investing in New Music Startups (with Bob Moczydlowsky)
Episode
February 16, 2023
2/16/2023

Investing in New Music Startups (with Bob Moczydlowsky)

Africa’s Music and Startup Future (with Mr Eazi)
Episode
March 17, 2023
3/17/2023

Africa’s Music and Startup Future (with Mr Eazi)

How Roc Nation Changed the Super Bowl Halftime Show
Episode
February 9, 2023
2/9/2023

How Roc Nation Changed the Super Bowl Halftime Show

Why Top Artists Stick with Major Record Labels
Episode
May 31, 2024
5/31/2024

Why Top Artists Stick with Major Record Labels

Why NPR Tiny Desk is Still a Phenomenon
Episode
May 17, 2024
5/17/2024

Why NPR Tiny Desk is Still a Phenomenon

Why Penske Bought All The Media Companies
Episode
May 10, 2024
5/10/2024

Why Penske Bought All The Media Companies

What Taylor Swift’s Return to TikTok Means for Universal Music Group
Episode
April 19, 2024
4/19/2024

What Taylor Swift’s Return to TikTok Means for Universal Music Group

How Hip-Hop Beef Evolved in the Streaming Era
Episode
May 3, 2024
5/3/2024

How Hip-Hop Beef Evolved in the Streaming Era

Inside KKR’s Investments in Music
Episode
April 26, 2024
4/26/2024

Inside KKR’s Investments in Music

What’s Next for Diddy’s Businesses?
Episode
April 12, 2024
4/12/2024

What’s Next for Diddy’s Businesses?

Yeezy’s Rise, Fall, and Future
Episode
February 16, 2024
2/16/2024

Yeezy’s Rise, Fall, and Future

The Oscars: Hit Songs, Endless Drama, and Tons of Money
Episode
March 1, 2024
3/1/2024

The Oscars: Hit Songs, Endless Drama, and Tons of Money

Virgil Abloh: Off-White, Luxury, and Open-Source Fashion
Episode
February 27, 2024
2/27/2024

Virgil Abloh: Off-White, Luxury, and Open-Source Fashion

Is Generative Music Really the Next Napster?
Episode
March 8, 2024
3/8/2024

Is Generative Music Really the Next Napster?

SoundCloud and the Future of Superfans
Episode
February 2, 2024
2/2/2024

SoundCloud and the Future of Superfans

How Insurance Ads Became the Industry Standard
Episode
January 19, 2024
1/19/2024

How Insurance Ads Became the Industry Standard

How Radio Still Shapes the Modern Music Industry
Episode
January 12, 2024
1/12/2024

How Radio Still Shapes the Modern Music Industry

Why Celebrity Fast Food Meals Took Off
Episode
December 15, 2023
12/15/2023

Why Celebrity Fast Food Meals Took Off

Can New Superstars Ever Surpass Current Superstars?
Episode
December 22, 2023
12/22/2023

Can New Superstars Ever Surpass Current Superstars?

Reebok: Sneakers, Hip-Hop, and Missed Opportunities
Episode
November 10, 2023
11/10/2023

Reebok: Sneakers, Hip-Hop, and Missed Opportunities

YouTube’s Impact on Music
Episode
December 1, 2023
12/1/2023

YouTube’s Impact on Music

How Music Helped Apple Become the Most Valuable Company in the World
Episode
October 20, 2023
10/20/2023

How Music Helped Apple Become the Most Valuable Company in the World

Def Jam Recordings: A 40-Year Legacy
Episode
September 22, 2023
9/22/2023

Def Jam Recordings: A 40-Year Legacy

MTV: 40 Years of Music Videos, Reality TV, and Ridiculousness
Episode
August 25, 2023
8/25/2023

MTV: 40 Years of Music Videos, Reality TV, and Ridiculousness

Pandora: a 3-1 Lead in Music Streaming
Episode
October 6, 2023
10/6/2023

Pandora: a 3-1 Lead in Music Streaming

Napster's Impact on Music and Culture
Episode
September 1, 2023
9/1/2023

Napster's Impact on Music and Culture

Why Saudi Arabia Will Invest More in Music
Episode
September 15, 2023
9/15/2023

Why Saudi Arabia Will Invest More in Music

The Music Industry: A Tale of Two Cities
Episode
September 8, 2023
9/8/2023

The Music Industry: A Tale of Two Cities

How Will Travis Scott Bounce Back After the Astroworld Tragedy?
Episode
July 20, 2023
7/20/2023

How Will Travis Scott Bounce Back After the Astroworld Tragedy?

Reflecting on Hip-Hop's 50 Greatest Moguls
Episode
August 8, 2023
8/8/2023

Reflecting on Hip-Hop's 50 Greatest Moguls

The Real Story Behind Hip-Hop’s “Decline”
Episode
July 6, 2023
7/6/2023

The Real Story Behind Hip-Hop’s “Decline”

The Rise and Fall of Roc-a-Fella Records
Episode
June 1, 2023
6/1/2023

The Rise and Fall of Roc-a-Fella Records

How Music Videos Have Evolved (with Tati Cirisano)
Episode
June 16, 2023
6/16/2023

How Music Videos Have Evolved (with Tati Cirisano)

Why Music Streaming Can’t Agree on a Payout Model
Episode
June 23, 2023
6/23/2023

Why Music Streaming Can’t Agree on a Payout Model

How Ice Spice Blew Up
Episode
June 8, 2023
6/8/2023

How Ice Spice Blew Up

The State of Music (with Will Page)
Episode
May 25, 2023
5/25/2023

The State of Music (with Will Page)

The State of the Middle Class Musician
Episode
July 29, 2023
7/29/2023

The State of the Middle Class Musician

Motown Records: The Rise and Fall of Hitsville USA
Episode
July 13, 2023
7/13/2023

Motown Records: The Rise and Fall of Hitsville USA

The Legacy of Bad Boy Entertainment
Episode
June 29, 2023
6/29/2023

The Legacy of Bad Boy Entertainment

Artist Independence (with Steve Stoute)
Episode
May 18, 2023
5/18/2023

Artist Independence (with Steve Stoute)

The Future of Music and Gaming (with Vickie Nauman)
Episode
March 9, 2023
3/9/2023

The Future of Music and Gaming (with Vickie Nauman)

Where Web2 and Web3 Music Meet (with Cardin Campbell)
Episode
February 23, 2023
2/23/2023

Where Web2 and Web3 Music Meet (with Cardin Campbell)

What Spotify and YouTube’s Billions Playlists Tell Us About Streaming
Episode
November 17, 2022
11/17/2022

What Spotify and YouTube’s Billions Playlists Tell Us About Streaming

How DICE Makes Ticketing More Fan-Focused
Episode
November 3, 2022
11/3/2022

How DICE Makes Ticketing More Fan-Focused

How a16z’s Cultural Leadership Fund Is Putting More Black Dollars in Tech
Episode
November 10, 2022
11/10/2022

How a16z’s Cultural Leadership Fund Is Putting More Black Dollars in Tech

How Curren$y Played The Long Game With His Music Career
Episode
October 20, 2022
10/20/2022

How Curren$y Played The Long Game With His Music Career

Rap Capital: The Rise & Reign Of Atlanta’s Hip-Hop Empire
Episode
October 13, 2022
10/13/2022

Rap Capital: The Rise & Reign Of Atlanta’s Hip-Hop Empire

How HitPiece Rebounded and Relaunched After Controversy
Episode
October 27, 2022
10/27/2022

How HitPiece Rebounded and Relaunched After Controversy

Inside Hannibal Buress’ Pivot from Comedy to Music
Episode
September 29, 2022
9/29/2022

Inside Hannibal Buress’ Pivot from Comedy to Music

Mona Scott-Young’s Influence On Culture Goes Beyond Love & Hip Hop
Episode
October 6, 2022
10/6/2022

Mona Scott-Young’s Influence On Culture Goes Beyond Love & Hip Hop

The Music Industry’s Oversaturation Problem
Episode
September 22, 2022
9/22/2022

The Music Industry’s Oversaturation Problem

Investing $200 Million In Music with Matt Pincus
Episode
September 2, 2022
9/2/2022

Investing $200 Million In Music with Matt Pincus

TikTok Wants to Takeover. Will it Succeed?
Episode
September 9, 2022
9/9/2022

TikTok Wants to Takeover. Will it Succeed?

Inside the Business of Beatmaking
Episode
August 19, 2022
8/19/2022

Inside the Business of Beatmaking

Post Malone’s Agent Breaks Down Strategy Behind His Success
Episode
August 12, 2022
8/12/2022

Post Malone’s Agent Breaks Down Strategy Behind His Success

How Does the Music Business Compare To Film And TV?
Episode
July 29, 2022
7/29/2022

How Does the Music Business Compare To Film And TV?

How Virtual Characters Are Done Right
Episode
August 26, 2022
8/26/2022

How Virtual Characters Are Done Right

Inside Benny Pough’s Career in Hip-Hop
Episode
August 5, 2022
8/5/2022

Inside Benny Pough’s Career in Hip-Hop

Why Talib Kweli is Focused on his Fans
Episode
July 22, 2022
7/22/2022

Why Talib Kweli is Focused on his Fans

Sherrese Clarke Soares Explains Why Content Is Queen
Episode
July 1, 2022
7/1/2022

Sherrese Clarke Soares Explains Why Content Is Queen

What Every Artist and Creator Needs to Know Before Signing Contracts
Episode
July 15, 2022
7/15/2022

What Every Artist and Creator Needs to Know Before Signing Contracts

Improving The Artist-Fan Relationship
Episode
July 8, 2022
7/8/2022

Improving The Artist-Fan Relationship

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