Music Business

Music Business

Welcome to Music Business! This podcast is all about exposing the deep-rooted issues in the music industry—gatekeeping, exploitation, and outdated business models—while exploring how independent artists and new technologies are dismantling the system. Through investigative deep dives and candid conversations, we’ll uncover the hidden tactics labels and platforms use to maintain control—shady contracts, playlist manipulation, algorithmic bias, and even conspiracy theories about industry plants, suppressed artists, and manufactured success. Featuring artists, insiders, independent label heads, and tech innovators, we’ll break down the dualities of the business: industry vs. artist, fans vs. corporations, and tradition vs. innovation. From streaming and direct-to-fan models to AI-driven music creation, we’re here to ask: How do we reclaim the sound and what does the future of the music industry look like? ”Reclaim the Sound. Dismantle the System.”

Episodes

June 10, 2026 58 mins

AI artists are topping the charts, but what does that mean for real musicians? In this episode of Music Business, Morgan Perry breaks down the biggest opportunities, risks, and controversies surrounding AI's growing influence on the music industry. From streaming royalties and licensing battles to authenticity and artist survival, discover what's really happening behind the headlines. Learn how independent artists can leverage AI w...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

In this episode of Music Business, host Morgan Perry unpacks the latest industry shifts, from AI-powered music licensing and TikTok's influence to the growing focus on artist ownership and superfans. Drawing from Donald Passman's All You Need to Know About the Music Business, Morgan explains why business knowledge—not just talent—determines long-term success. Learn the basics of copyrights, masters, publishing, and buil...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

In this episode of Music Business, rising singer-songwriter Morgan Keller joins the show for a candid conversation about the realities of life in the music industry. From her skepticism of award shows to her thoughts on industry-manufactured artists like Benson Boone, Keller doesn't hold back.

She opens up about the heartbreak that inspired her latest EP, the emotional toll of infidelity, and how she channels those experiences into...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

In this episode of Music Business, Morgan Perry sits down with DJ Mark Xtreme for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of AI in the music industry. They unpack the rise of AI-generated artists, cloned celebrity vocals, streaming fraud, and the growing tension between technology and human creativity. The conversation explores how platforms like Spotify and TikTok are reshaping music discovery while artists and labels race to ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

This week in Music Business our special guest is Scott Nathan, the LA-based bestselling author, photographer, director, and podcaster behind The Big Book of Bad Decisions and the Bad Decisions podcast, known for turning tragicomic Hollywood moments into unforgettable stories. In this episode, follow along as Scott reflects on his path from promoting nearly 1,000 concerts in Chicago to landing in LA as Napst...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

On this episode of Music Business, we sit down with Kirsten Collins, Princess, and Nathalie Bonin to talk about their new collaboration “FEELZ” under Momo Entertainment. The trio shares the story behind blending pop, EDM, orchestral music, and cinematic sound into one uplifting record while navigating the realities of being independent artists in today’s music industry. We also dive into collaboration, live perfor...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

On this episode, three-time Emmy and nine-time Grammy winner Kevin Brandino Brandon joins the show to talk reclaiming music culture through live instrumentation, mentorship, and adapting to tech-driven change. He shares behind-the-scenes session stories with legends like Aretha Franklin, Justin Timberlake, and OutKast, revealing what it really takes to thrive in the industry. The conversation dives into how AI and affordable produc...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

This week on Music Business, we break down the biggest shifts happening in the industry right now—from behind-the-scenes power moves to the trends shaping what hits and what doesn’t. If you’re an artist, executive, or building your way into the business, this is the information you need to stay ahead—and stay paid.

Intro Music: Sh!tty Princess "Women in Music"

Other Music: Sh!tty Princess, "Shatters" "Same S...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

In this episode of Music Business, we sit down with Mary Jurey of Tower 26 Music to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable career in today’s music industry. From independent artist growth strategies to the business fundamentals most creatives overlook, Mary shares practical insight on navigating an industry that’s constantly evolving. We dive into the intersection of creativity and revenue, artist developme...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Returning guest, DJ Mark Xtreme, joins the show to unpack the explosive ruling against Live Nation and Ticketmaster—and what it means for artists, venues, and fans worldwide. From hidden fees and alleged monopolistic control to real-life stories of industry gatekeeping, this episode dives deep into the power dynamics shaping live entertainment. The conversation bridges global perspectives, comparing the U.S. scene with emergi...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

This week Music Business has a special guest: Mara Kuge, president and founder of Superior Music Publishing, takes us inside the making of 40 Watts from Nowhere, a documentary tracing the rise and fall of a rebellious pirate radio station—and the massive effort behind clearing 70 songs for a 90-minute film. Additionally, she breaks down what music publishing really is, how sync licensing has evolved in the age of streaming, a...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

This week on Music Business, Nyx That Bitch joins us to recap a wild weekend performing at Truman State University alongside Shitty Princess and RuPaul’s Drag Race favorite Jessica Wild. The trip kicked off in St. Louis with chaotic pre-show antics through exploring the gay bars in The Grove. Once in Kirksville, the queens found an unexpectedly hype crowd and what Nyx swears are the best chicken fingers in the world. Between ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

This week on Music Business, Nyx That Bitch joins us to recap a wild weekend performing at Truman State University alongside Shitty Princess and RuPaul’s Drag Race favorite Jessica Wild. The trip kicked off in St. Louis with chaotic pre-show antics through exploring the gay bars in The Grove. Once in Kirksville, the queens found an unexpectedly hype crowd and what Nyx swears are the best chicken fingers in the world. Between ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
March 26, 2026 55 mins

Rerelease of our most streamed episode:  From late-night studios in Uganda to a top-streamed independent station across Africa, Mark Xtreme’s journey is a masterclass in building culture from the ground up. In this episode, the veteran DJ unpacks how a childhood obsession with music magazines, a homemade mixtape, and a single radio break sparked a global platform for indie artists. We dive into discipline, discovery, and...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

This episode of Music Business dives into the growing tension between AI innovation and copyright law, exploring how artists and companies are battling over ownership and creative rights. Additionally, we also highlight the lasting success of Bruno Mars, breaking down the strategy behind his longevity in an ever-changing industry. Also, the conversation then shifts to Labrinth’s latest annoucement, and how that may impact fut...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

On this episode of Music Business, we break down the conversation around Taylor Swift “blocking” other artists on the charts and what chart strategy really looks like in today’s industry. We also discuss the Grammys’ potential move to a new network and what it could mean for the Recording Academy’s already controversial reputation for inconsistency. Then we dive into the gap between fan theories and th...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
March 4, 2026 34 mins

In this episode of Music Business, we break down the mindset behind great live performances and why giving yourself grace on stage matters. The audience doesn’t know what was supposed to happen—so energy and presence often matter more than perfection. We talk about how stage confidence is a skill you build over time and how that confidence becomes contagious. Plus, we highlight the importance of showing gratitude to the...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
February 26, 2026 34 mins

This week Music Business explores how technology, data, and new platforms are reshaping the music industry, shifting power from traditional label systems to a more algorithm-driven landscape. The conversation examines tensions between artists and corporations, creativity and control, and talent versus ownership in an era of streaming, AI, and direct-to-fan models. Additionally, we dive into the rise of synthetic artists, digital cl...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
February 18, 2026 34 mins

In this episode, Music Business breaks down what it really takes to navigate today’s music industry, from mastering professionalism and preparation to balancing creativity with smart business strategy. The show explores how artists can use tools like streaming, social platforms, and AI without losing authenticity or wasting money on ineffective tactics. The conversation dives into building loyal fan bases, making the most of ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

On this episode, three-time Emmy and nine-time Grammy winner Kevin Brandino Brandon joins the show to talk reclaiming music culture through live instrumentation, mentorship, and adapting to tech-driven change. He shares behind-the-scenes session stories with legends like Aretha Franklin, Justin Timberlake, and OutKast, revealing what it really takes to thrive in the industry. The conversation dives into how AI and affordable produc...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Joy is essential. And it's also elusive. You can't order it, borrow it, or simply hope it into life. But now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence: The Joy 101 Podcast with Hoda! Best known for her Emmy-winning work and co-anchoring Today, Hoda Kotb infuses her authenticity, curiosity, and warmth into conversations with the world’s most fascinating people. Entertainment legends, sport icons, wellness experts, and everyday folks will share how they find, allow, and experience joy. Hoda will offer her own tips and takes on seeking a more balanced, harmonious life. If you're craving inspiration, support, and useful tools to maximize your joy, tune in to these candid, uplifting, and moving on-air chats. Joy after a breakup, joy as an empty-nester, joy after loss, joy as a caretaker — Hoda's new podcast will speak to you. Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb, an iHeartPodcast.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Hey Jonas!

    Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices