Trapital - the podcast wave

This Trapital memo covers Charlamagne Tha God's new pod network, Motown's UK expansion, Sony Music's podcast growth, and a new Trapital pod with Jason Geter.

memo 006: the podcast wave

was this forwarded to you? sign up here.

Hey there. It's been an eerie week here in the Bay Area. The skies were orange and the air is full of smoke. My thoughts are with the families who were impacted by the wildfires and the firefighters who are on the ground. The American Red Cross is accepting donations for the victims.

This Trapital memo is your weekly breakdown on what matters most in the business of hip-hop. There's a new Trapital podcast episode with Jason Geter from Heavy Sound Labs, and updates on Charlamagne Tha God's new podcast network, Motown Record's UK expansion, and Sony Music's podcast growth.

Webinar on Thursday. This Thursday 9/17 2pm ET, I'm hosting a webinar with ad exec and University of Michigan marketing professor Marcus Collins. We are breaking down the best hip-hop marketing campaigns of all time! I'm excited. Over 170 people have signed up so far. Click here to join us.

new podcast: Jason Geter - Heavy Sound Labs

In this episode, Jason breaks down how Heavy Sound Labs is on a goal to redefine the record label. The music incubator takes artists through three development phases. He also created the Heavy Crew to build a community for artists to support and promote each other's work.

Jason started his music career as a high school intern. He eventually started Grand Hustle with T.I. Later on, Jason adapted the playbook for Travis Scott, who he discovered when he only had 500 YouTube views!

If you want to hear how the music industry has evolved from Tip to Travis Scott to today's rising artists, this is a must-listen.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch the video on YouTube (this time I got the correct link!)

Charlamagne Tha God's new podcast network


via John Lamparski / Getty Images

The Breakfast Club star has partnered with iHeartMedia to launch Black Effect Podcast Network, which starts this fall with 18 shows.

The Charlamagne - iHeart partnership continues. Charlamagne has been tight with iHeartMedia for a while. iHeart owns and operates Power 105.1, which is home to The Breakfast Club. The relationship has paid Charlamagne quite well over the years. It reminds me of what Roy Wood Jr. said on the Trapital Podcast: when Black entertainers have a good thing going with a big distributor, keep striking while the iron is hot.

Big names or great content? The Black Effect Podcast Network will launch with some well-known names, including N.O.R.E., NBA vet Matt Barnes, NFL vet Steve Smith, and Michelle Williams (from Destiny's Child, not the one from Dawson's Creek! Should go without saying but you never know...)

One of the big mistakes in recent media launches is an over-emphasis on big-name talent. Instead, more focus should be on unique content or on existing IP that's already valuable. Both Quibi and Luminary missed the mark there.

The Black Effect Podcast Network will start with strong anchors in The Breakfast Club's audio, Drink Champs, and All The Smoke. A network of 18 shows only needs a few homerun hits to be a success.

Read more about the Black Effect launch in Variety.

Motown launches in the UK

The legendary Motown Records is launching a UK-based label with a focus on local talent.

The power of a musical. If you're wondering why a 61-year-old record label just now opened up operations in the UK, it's in large part because of the popular Broadway musical. In 2016, Motown: The Musical stopped in the West End of London. In 2018, it went back to the UK for a traveling tour.

The musical inspired an audience that was less familiar with Motown. One of Motown UK's early signees is 24-year-old Tiana Major9, who has been compared to the late Amy Winehouse.

More than music. In Black culture, Motown has always meant more than the hit songs. Berry Gordy's company is a symbol of business achievement. Ethiopia Habtemariam, Motown President, said in a recent statement that the goal is to "expand our platform for Black entrepreneurship in the UK and guide Motown towards even greater global success."

There's a power in that identity. It sticks with today's artists. Last year, Vince Staples praised Motown before eventually signing with the label months later.

Since the musicals are an effective synergy product for Motown, do you think we'll ever get a Quality Control musical with City Girls, Lil' Baby, and Migos? One can only hope.

Read more about Motown's UK expansion in Billboard.

Sony Music has big plans in podcasting

The major record label is developing more than 100 new programs to ride the wave of opportunity in podcasting.

Diversifying the revenue streams. The recorded music industry has technically "bounced back" thanks to its high revenue splits with the digital streaming providers. But as Spotify and others gain leverage in podcasting, the record labels will lose leverage. They need to level up before the power dynamic shifts further. Otherwise, the major labels may become "Procter & Gamble" to Spotify's "Walmart."

Podcasts ad sales have grown 48% in the past year, reaching $708 million. It makes sense for the music content owners themselves to get it on this. Their content is already behind some of the most popular podcasts.

Podcast deals from record labels? The trend started a few years ago, but now it's ramping up. Record label execs have watched their top talent bring their behind-the-scenes footage to other audio platforms. It's an easy lift to produce it all in-house.

Read more about Sony's podcast strategy in Water & Music.

More news

EMPIRE launches a music publishing division. YouTube announces Shorts, a TikTok copycat, in India. Usher lands 12-show residency in Las Vegas at Caesar's Palace. SEC fines T.I. $75,000 in cryptocurrency fraud case.

Trapital Player of the Week: Big Sean

His new album Detroit 2 topped the charts this week. It's a deep reflection of the depression and suicidal thoughts that have troubled the 32-year-old rapper. His honesty is welcomed as mental health discussions are finally getting the attention they deserve.

We've come a long way from the ASS-ASS-ASS-ASS era of Big Sean. It's always dope to see how artists evolve.

Coming soon...

next essay: Trapital essay is gonna be on Netflix, hip-hop, and its Strong Black Lead initiative. Stay tuned...

Thursday's hip-hop marketing webinar: don't forget! sign up automatically by clicking here. Share the webinar with a friend by sharing this registration link:

https://www.stream.club/e/hiphopmarketing


Was this email forwarded to you? sign up here.
Want more Trapital? Subscribe to the Trapital Podcast.
Text me 1 (415) 234-3074


Older messages

did somebody say McDonald's?

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

This Trapital memo covers Travis Scott-McDonald's, Spotify exploring karaoke, #TheShowMustBePaused, and a new podcast with Donald Albright. memo 005: did somebody say McDonald's? was this

pump, p-pump it up

Monday, August 31, 2020

This Trapital memo has a new essay on hip-hop's indie economy, and breakdowns on Joe Budden-Spotify, Lil' Wayne's 'No Ceilings,' and VR in music. memo 003: pump, p-pump it up was

it's just business

Monday, August 24, 2020

This Trapital memo covers record label disputes, music investments, the VMAs, and TikTok v. Trump. memo 003: it's just business was this forwarded to you? sign up here. Back with another memo. This

music and memes

Monday, August 17, 2020

This Trapital Memo covers a new Tyler The Creator essay, TikTok-UnitedMasters, Drake's Nike commercial, and Warner Music-@Daquan. memo 002: music and memes was this forwarded to you? sign up here.

controversy sells

Monday, August 10, 2020

This Trapital Memo covers "WAP," Roc Nation's new school, Live Nation's bad quarter, and Lizzo's Amazon deal. memo 001: controversy sells Boom. This is your first Trapital Memo!

You Might Also Like

Fox Wins Big With Best World Series Audience In 7 Years As Over 18M Watch Dodgers Secure 8th Title

Friday, November 1, 2024

View on web New reader? Subscribe October 31, 2024 Fox Wins Big With Best World Series Audience In 7 Years As Over 18M Watch Dodgers Secure 8th Title By Katie Campione This email was sent to

Ella Balinska Apocalypse Horror Film 'Monsters' Acquired By Voltage Pictures - AFM

Thursday, October 31, 2024

View on web New reader? Subscribe October 31, 2024 Ella Balinska Apocalypse Horror Film 'Monsters' Acquired By Voltage Pictures - AFM By Anthony D'Alessandro This email was sent to

Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock Talk 'Midnight Margaritas' Scene

Thursday, October 31, 2024

View on web New reader? Subscribe October 31, 2024 An Oral History of the 'Midnight Margaritas' Scene in 'Practical Magic' More than 25 years after its release, the cast and crew tell

How Elon Musk Helped Fuel the UK's Far-Right Riots

Thursday, October 31, 2024

View on web New reader? Subscribe October 31, 2024 How Elon Musk Helped Fuel the UK's Far-Right Riots The world's richest man helped drive unrest in the UK via his social media platform X — and

Kate Winslet's 'Lee' Breaks Sky UK Box Office Record

Thursday, October 31, 2024

View on web New reader? Subscribe October 31, 2024 Kate Winslet's 'Lee' Breaks Sky UK Box Office Record By Max Goldbart This email was sent to newsletterest1@gmail.com by Deadline. Please

October surprise

Thursday, October 31, 2024

a new Trapital memo on why CBS lost The Grammys ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Exhibition On A Roll As Marcus Theatres, Cinemark Showcase Record Quarters

Thursday, October 31, 2024

View on web New reader? Subscribe October 31, 2024 Exhibition On A Roll As Marcus Theatres, Cinemark Showcase Record Quarters By Jill Goldsmith This email was sent to newsletterest1@gmail.com by

Get instant access to Rolling Stone magazine.

Thursday, October 31, 2024

The Iconic Magazine. Only $29.95. Rolling Stone has been a culture carrier for more than 50 years, providing definitive coverage across music, politics, culture and entertainment. Subscribe now and you

Nintendo's Music Streaming App for Switch Online Subscribers; Glassnote Partners with AI-powered Tech Platform Hook

Thursday, October 31, 2024

2038 | Your Daily Dose of Music Streaming News ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Ofcom Fines GB News $130,000 Over Rishi Sunak Live Show

Thursday, October 31, 2024

View on web New reader? Subscribe October 31, 2024 Ofcom Fines GB News $130000 Over Rishi Sunak Live Show By Max Goldbart This email was sent to newsletterest1@gmail.com by Deadline. Please add email@