216 episodes

Gain insights from businesses in music, media, and entertainment. Trapital founder Dan Runcie and various guests break down the cultural trends that shape the rest of the economy. Learn more at https://trapital.co

Trapital Dan Runcie

    • Music
    • 4.9 • 156 Ratings

Gain insights from businesses in music, media, and entertainment. Trapital founder Dan Runcie and various guests break down the cultural trends that shape the rest of the economy. Learn more at https://trapital.co

    Do Major Record Labels Still Have Brand Identity?

    Do Major Record Labels Still Have Brand Identity?

    Back in the day, each record label had a distinct consumer identity. In the 90s, you knew what to expect from an Interscope album. Def Jam, Jive, Uptown, Cash Money. They all had their own vibe, their own identity, their own brand.
    So... what the hell happened?
    In the episode, we talk about how music's landscape shifted, and took the consumer brands with it. Strong brands still exist today among today's music companies, but they operate more like B2B brands than B2C brands.
    I'm joined by Justin Hunte, music journalist, startup advisor, and former Editor-in-Chief of HipHopDX, and we break it all down.

    04:20 Def Jam's fight for legitimacy and innovation.
    06:59 Federal Communications Act - media consolidation impact
    12:08 Media success relies on standing on giants' shoulders.
    16:36 Hybe's Weverse maximizes label and artist reach.
    18:21 Maximizing super fans to boost revenue. Consolidation.
    23:07 Shift in entertainment from pandemic to 2024.
    25:41 Changing music industry, companies adapting to trends.
    28:37 Brand identity crucial; industry accolades have limits.
    31:31 Share, rate, and spread the word.

    Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week!
    Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

    • 31 min
    UMG vs TikTok, Kids’ Music, and Beyonce - Verizon (Trapital mailbag episode)

    UMG vs TikTok, Kids’ Music, and Beyonce - Verizon (Trapital mailbag episode)

    It's time to dig into the mailbag again. I asked Trapital listeners to send me their most burning questions about the music industry. But this time we’re doing things a bit differently: you’ll be hearing the questions directly from our listeners.
    We dug into the TikTok vs. UMGc dispute, children’s entertainment media, and the Beyoncé - Verizon relationship leading to album ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter.”
    00:00 UMG vs TikTok 15:17 Kids’ music 19:55 Beyoncé, Verizon, and Cowboy Carter
    Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week!
    Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital
    Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

    • 29 min
    What’s Next For Concert Films?

    What’s Next For Concert Films?

    2023 was a big year for concert films. Taylor Swift's “Eras Tour” film became the highest grossing concert film of all time with nearly $270M in worldwide box office gross. Beyonce’s Renaissance film grossed over $44M. Was this just a Beyonce and Taylor thing, or will this continue?
    In this episode, I’m joined by Jimmy Stone, Founder of Alderbrook Companies, to dive deep into the rise of concert films, the economics behind them, the highest grossing concert films of all time, and so much more.
    At the end of our conversation, we also included an audio segment of the guest essay that Jimmy wrote for Trapital: “What Is Driving The Rise Of Concert Films?”
    00:00 Why are concert films becoming so popular? 06:50 Transmedia storytelling in music 12:48 The economics of concert films 21:11 Which artist could make a successful concert film in 2024? 31:22 Jimmy’s essay: What Is Driving The Rise Of Concert Films?
    Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week!
    Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital
    Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

    • 38 min
    Why We’re Still Early on AI Music

    Why We’re Still Early on AI Music

    There’s been a lot of discussion (and concern) about the impact of generative AI on music and whether the industry is on the verge of another Napster moment. But according to Jessica Powell, CEO of AudioShake, it’s going to take a lot more than a text prompt to kill music as we know it.
    On today’s episode, Jessica and I did a dive deep into the rise of generative music, its actual opportunities, and what it means for the industry moving forward.
    At the end of our conversation, we also included an audio version of the essay that Jessica wrote for Trapital: “Is Generative Music Really the Next Napster?”

    00:00 Will AI music have a Napster moment?
    08:07 The rise of generative music
    12:14 Main challenges and opportunities
    20:26 Audio essay: “Is Generative Music Really the Next Napster?”

    Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week!
    Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital
    Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

    • 27 min
    The Oscars: Hit Songs, All the Drama, and Tons of Money

    The Oscars: Hit Songs, All the Drama, and Tons of Money

    This episode is about Hollywood's biggest night, the Academy Awards. I’m joined by friend of the pod Zack O'Malley Greenburg to dive deep into the Oscars, how it compares to the Grammys, its relationship with music, the money spent on campaigns, the dramas, the major controversies, and some wild theories.

    00:00 The money behind the Oscars
    06:30 Why the Grammys gets worse ratings than the Oscars
    22:05 What happened to big movie soundtracks?
    31:36 Controversies over the years
    40:02 Biggest snubs of all time
    44:39 How to improve the show

    Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week!
    Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital
    Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

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

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

    The late Virgil Abloh’s legacy lives on. From luxury rap to high fashion, his influence changed an entire industry, and several other adjacent ones.
    In this episode of Trapital, I’m joined by friend of the pod Zack O'Malley Greenburg. We broke down Virgil’s early years that shaped his future, his relationship with Kanye West, brands like Pyrex Vision, Off-White, his 3% rule, his open-sourced approach to business, his highs, lows, and so much more.
    00:00 How Virgil entered the fashion world
    07:44 Virgil’s influence on hip-hop and ‘luxury rap’
    15:57 Open-source fashion
    23:23 The Virgil-Kanye West relationship
    27:20 Legacy and controversies
    Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital
    Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

    • 40 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
156 Ratings

156 Ratings

p_monti4 ,

Love it

Dan is an expert and a great communicator. Guest are always on point and engaging!

Sincere_fella ,

Adding Context & Depth To Entertainment Business

Trapital dives deep into the intricacies of the entertainment business, delivering insightful analysis and commentary that’s both engaging and informative. Each episode provides music business and broader entertainment industry knowledge. Dan and the quality guests bring depth to the discussion that’s rare to find elsewhere. Trapital is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the behind-the-scenes strategic moves.

Phil Stolaronek ,

Great podcast! Keep it up!

I stumbled upon this podcast by learning about Dan / Trapital via LinkedIn. I listen to A LOT of podcasts and I decided to give it a listen. First, Dan has a calm and authentic demeanor, which are great qualities. When he’s talking to his guests it’s very conversational and easy flowing. I’m a former music industry vet so the topics are right up my alley. I’m writing this review after listening to the Splice episode. Things like YouTube, Spotify, and Splice are the now and the future of the music business. There will always be the new talent walking through the door and busting onto the scene, but the “real money” in the music business is going to be made in a very different fashion. Keep up the great work Dan!

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