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 live opportunities, and showing up ready no matter the circumstances. If you’re serious about turning music from passion to profession, this episode is your blueprint for reclaiming your sound.

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 production tools are reshaping who can create music—and who gets paid. Brandino also recounts his role in a historic projects such as one with will.i.am.

On this week’s episode of Music Business, we recap The 2026 Grammy Awards which was filled with both chaos and clarity—from Morgan’s Spirit Airlines betrayal that almost kept her from the awards (don’t worry, she still made the afterparty) to breaking down the new artist montage and why the night delivered few real surprises, with most predictions landing right on target. We wrap it up with Morgan’s firsthand Grammy afterparty experience and all the energy that came with it.

This week Music Business dives into the 2026 Grammy Awards, calling out the artists poised to dominate the night and the ones who might be shut out. We pull back the curtain on the Recording Academy—who they are, how they vote, and what really sways their decisions. From industry politics to cultural buzz, we explore the outside forces shaping music’s biggest stage. Finally, we break down what makes the Grammys unlike any other award show and why that difference keeps the conversation so heated year after year.

Be sure to listen next week to see how our predictions played out!

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 the quiet power of taste-making in an industry obsessed with numbers. It’s a story of patience, integrity, and why supporting the unheard might be the most radical act in music today.

The Music Business podcast, and his episode features 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 Napster disrupted the music business and iTunes reshaped it. He shares chance-driven stories born from creative spaces and unexpected encounters, along with the beginnings of a long-running creative collaboration. Additionally, the conversation continues with how unfiltered moments shared online unexpectedly sparked a new storytelling path, rooted in messy, deeply human experiences and unforgettable bad decisions.

This week on Music Business breaks down the latest chapter in Taylor Swift’s ever-expanding era, touching on her recent 36th birthday, a reported online smear campaign involving bots, and the release of her Disney+ docu-series alongside The Eras Tour concert film. The conversation explores the addition of The Tortured Poets Department to the live show and how Swift’s performance style and vocal delivery continue to evolve, while the docu-series offers rare behind-the-scenes insight into her creative process, personal reflections, and relationship with her team. The episode also looks ahead to what may come next, including the possibility of a live album or Reputation (Taylor’s Version).

In this episode of Music Business, we break down the cultural waves created by 50 Cent’s new Netflix documentary and what it means for his long-running feud with Diddy. We explore the documentary’s impact, its use of archival footage, and how public narratives shape power dynamics in the music industry. Music Business also inspects the broader cultural significance of the rivalry, the reactions it’s sparked, and how moments like this influence the business behind the music. Plus, we dive into Spotify Wrapped—why it dominates every year, how it affects artists, and the unique way it drives engagement across the platform.