Elliot Grainge on Atlantic’s Future, AI, and Selling 10K Projects

We’re kicking off our Trapital Summit recap series. In today’s episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Elliot Grainge, CEO of Atlantic Music Group. This was Elliot’s first public talk since becoming CEO in October 2024. We discuss his response to the fanfare around the Warner Music Group transition, Elliot’s experience selling 10K Projects, and adapting the 10K playbook for superstars like Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran. We dig into Elliot’s view on leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future of AI. 02:41 The New CEO 03:44 Selling 10K Projects 09:35 Adapting 10K Playbook to Established Stars 14:08 The AI Generation Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of last week’s second annual Trapital Summit. Listen to me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research break down what went into the event. From the NeueHouse bankruptcy to speaker selection, key moments, feedback from guests, curating the right room, and plenty more. 01:13 A Last-Minute Surprise 09:40 Curating the Room 12:05 Programming Decisions 25:45 AI and Industry Trends 36:43 2026 Summit Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

Our Trapital Summit is Wednesday, September 10 in Los Angeles! Get your tickets here. Today's mini-episode is a breakdown on The Weeknd's $1 billion music rights financing goals and whether it is worth that massive price tag. I also share a few words on the late Peter Sinclair, CEO and co-founder of beatBread. How Much Is The Weeknd's Music Really Worth? - Trapital Trapital Summit 2025

Trapital Summit is on Sep 10 in LA. Join us! Get your tickets here. The major record labels are adapting for the modern era. Lately, that shift has them looking less like RCA and more like KKR. These companies have invested less in signing new artists and more in acquiring the legendary back catalog of music. With streaming driving steady royalties, the music rights of proven hits are valuable. Music companies have teamed up with private equity firms to cash in. I also break down how this changes artist deals, lowers risk-taking, and opens the door for global investors and even artists to buy in. 00:33 The Shift to Private Equity 03:45 The Back Catalog Boom 09:24 A&R Reductions 12:14 What The Future Holds This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. Trapital Summit is on Wednesday September 10 in LA. Join us!

In this solo episode, we dive into the most valuable music catalogs in the world, and what makes them stand out. From Queen and Michael Jackson’s deals and more, we explore why the top catalogs fetch massive multiples and how they operate at unique financial and cultural assets. 03:19 Iconic Catalogs 07:07 Music Biopics 08:32 How Genres Imoact Catalog Value 13:07 Future of Music Rights Trapital Summit is on Wednesday September 10 in LA. Join us! This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

In this episode, we’re revisiting our deep dive on James Dolan’s Sphere in Las Vegas. The Backstreet Boys residency at the Sphere. As we predicted on our 2025 Live Music Draft, the boy band’s apperance at the Vgas spectacle would exceed expectations. So I talk about that before I jump into the episode. Then I’m joined by MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano for our deep dive on the mult-billion dollar vision and future of The Sphere. 04:05 Sphere’s Backstory 10:33 Business Model 19:21 Financial Hurdles 28:40 Expansion Plans 33:11 Future Prospects Early bird ticket sales to the Trapital Summit end on Thursday July 24! Get your tickets today before prices go up! Join us on Wednesday September 10 in LA. This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

It’s harder than ever to breaking through the noise, but navigating YouTube may be a prerequisite to even have a chance. In this episode, I’m joined by YouTube’s Director of Black Music & Culture, Tuma Basa. He returns to reflect on the platform’s evolution and the ongoing relationship between curators and the algorithms they rely on to reach the masses. 03:23 The YouTube Advantages 12:42 Global Music Trends 16:29 Community Engagement on Platforms 18:42 Music videos: Hype Williams and Dave Meyers Our partners at Chartmetric just released a new report you should check out, 2025 Make Music Equal Report. Our Trapital Summit is Wednesday, September 10 in LA! Get your early bird tickets here before July 24. This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

This is the room for the leaders shaping what's next in music, entertainment, and technology. It's Wednesday, September 10 at NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA. ​Register now. Early bird pricing ends July 24, two weeks from today. You'll hear from: Elliot Grainge, CEO, Atlantic Music Group Steve Pamon, CEO, Verzuz | Board Member, IMAX Erin Teague, CPO, Character.ai Kakul Srivastava, CEO, Splice Andrew Sanchez, Co-Founder and CEO, Udio ...More to be announced soon Special thanks to our partners who helped make the summit possible: Platinum: The Raine Group Gold: Splice, Warner Music Group Bronze: SoundCloud, Too Lost ​Early bird pricing ends July 24. Come join us!

This episode’s a bit different, no guests. I’m going solo to break down a big topic. For record labels, the market share they have relative to peers drives major decisions both macro and micro. They spend a lot to maintain that position. Is it all worth it? 01:33 Market Share’s Financial Impact 05:49 Challenges & Critiques 07:21 Cross-Industry Parallels 12:54 Indies vs. Majors Trapital Summit is on Wednesday September 10 in LA. Join us! This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

Now that the dust has settled on Taylor Swift’s music rights saga, what’s next? We unpacked the financial impact of all the transactions on key players like Scooter Braun, Scott Borchetta, Shamrock Capital, and Swift herself. While all of those parties made a lot more money, we took a deeper look into the potential losers over the years. And lastly, we tackle an important question: how will history remember this? Join me and Tati Cirisano as we break it all down. 00:47 Scooter Braun’s Legacy 03:34 Taylor Swift Fans 07:12 Artists Reclaiming Their Music Rights 11:42 Superstar Leverage 24:25 Ticketmaster and the Eras Tour This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. Trapital summit