Billboard On The Record cover art
Podcast · 42 episodes

Billboard On The Record

by SickBird Productions · English

Take a step inside the music business every week with unfiltered conversations with the executives, artists and innovators shaping the industry, brought to you by Billboard's very own senior correspondent, Kristin Robinson. From billion-dollar catalog acquisitions to the next wave of music tech to the marketing moves driving headlines, "On the Record" cuts through the noise to uncover how boardroom decisions shape the music fans stream, buy, and experience live. Clear, sharp and accessible, this is the podcast that explains not just what’s happening in music — but why it matters. "On the Record" is a Billboard original podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.

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How Sampling Changed the Music Industry w/ QuestloveHow sampling reshaped modern music, from 1970s DJ origins through the 1988–1991 “wild west,” and how lawsuits changed sampling costs and behavior; plus where sampling is heading (catalog buying,…30 Sep 2026 · 1 h 16 min · 29 chapters
How to Become The Music Industry's Most Sought After Collaborator w/ Aaron DessnerAaron Dessner (The National; producer/songwriter for major pop) explains what makes an exceptional collaborator, how his “therapeutic” studio approach and Long Pond studio shape songwriting, and how…23 Sep 2026 · 1 h 8 min · 24 chapters
How Nostalgia Took Over the Music Industry w/ Rob JonasNostalgia and “catalog” music are taking a larger share of listening and revenue, driven by streaming’s always-on access, social/algorithmic discovery, TV/film syncs, and active catalog…16 Sep 2026 · 57 min · 21 chapters
How a Music Director Shapes the Biggest Live TV Moments w/ Ray ChewHow music director Ray Chew shapes live TV music for major productions, focusing on his process for Dancing with the Stars and comparisons to other live/broadcast work (e.g., Macy’s Thanksgiving Day…10 Sep 2026 · 1 h 5 min · 31 chapters
How Suno Built Its Latest AI Models w/ Mikey ShulmanSuno’s “V6” AI music launch and its partnership-driven rollout with major labels, including Warner Music Group and BMG.9 Sep 2026 · 34 min · 18 chapters
How to Survive Virality w/ Rebecca BlackHow music virality works (and whether it can be “bad”), how it changed from YouTube-era monoculture to TikTok’s algorithmic feeds, and what artists should do after a breakout moment.2 Sep 2026 · 1 h 7 min · 24 chapters
How the Music Business Is Looking Halfway Through 2026 w/ Dan Rys, Elizabeth Dilts Marshall & Bill DonahueMid-year 2026 music business check-in covering AI remix licensing, live music antitrust, Drake’s multi-album release, viral “psyop” marketing debate, and major label/catalog consolidation.1 Jul 2026 · 1 h 4 min · 27 chapters
How Today’s Top Singers Are Trained w/ Eric VetroVocal coaching for today’s top singers and actors, including how to prepare for high-stakes performances, maintain vocal health under grueling schedules, and avoid sounding like an imitation in…24 Jun 2026 · 1 h 7 min · 27 chapters
How the Role of the Record Producer Has Evolved w/ FinneasThe evolution of the record producer’s role as recording technology shifted from tape-limited, expensive studio sessions to digital, home-based, virtually unlimited production; how producers guide…17 Jun 2026 · 58 min · 24 chapters
How a Swiftie Turned Superfandom Into Big Business w/ Olivia LevinOlivia Levin, founder of Swifties for Eternity, explains how Taylor Swift fandom became a monetizable business—through brand partnerships, an HQ-style fan media presence, a New York Times–bestselling…10 Jun 2026 · 1 h 10 min · 32 chapters
How to Build a Setlist for the FIFA World Cup w/ Grayson ReppHow Grayson Repp builds culturally sensitive setlists and soundtracks for FIFA events, from World Cup stadium DJing to host-city “Sonic ID” themes and official anthem releases.3 Jun 2026 · 1 h 8 min · 27 chapters
How to Build a Dance Music Empire w/ John SummitJohn Summit discusses building a dance-music career and “empire” through his label Experts Only, plus how he finds new music, plans releases, balances visuals vs.27 May 2026 · 54 min · 31 chapters
How to Create the Perfect Film & TV Soundtrack w/ Jen MaloneJen Malone, CEO/founder of Black and White Music, explains how music supervision works in film/TV, how sync licensing is affected by Hollywood’s consolidation and post-pandemic changes, and how she…20 May 2026 · 59 min · 27 chapters
How So Much Music Ended Up Online w/ Milana LewisThe episode argues that streaming has created an unsustainable “too much music” problem driven by daily uploads, AI-generated tracks, and low-intent spam/fraud, which strains DSP storage/curation and…13 May 2026 · 1 h 3 min · 29 chapters
How Country Music Took Over Pop Culture w/ Seth EnglandCountry music’s takeover of pop culture and how Nashville’s music business is changing, with a focus on Big Loud’s approach to signing and developing talent.6 May 2026 · 1 h 11 min · 30 chapters
How Music Superfans Are Cashing In on Kalshi w/ Luana Lopes LaraHow regulated prediction markets (Kalshi/CalSheet) are monetizing music fandom, using publicly available chart and event data, and what this means for the music industry.29 Apr 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 28 chapters
How Apple Music Is Redefining Streaming w/ Oliver SchusserApple Music differentiation in streaming—artist-first strategy, no free tier, quality focus (spatial audio/lyrics), AI-assisted playlist tools, and why Apple Music became Super Bowl halftime sponsor.22 Apr 2026 · 1 h 7 min · 29 chapters
How Christian Music Became Big Business w/ LecraeLecrae explains how Christian/gospel music became a major business, what makes the industry distinct, and how it’s modernizing via streaming, youth culture, touring, licensing, and cross-genre…15 Apr 2026 · 55 min · 19 chapters
How Coachella Became America’s Biggest Music Festival w/ Katie BainHow Coachella grew from a 1999 Southern California punk-promoter event into America’s biggest music festival, focusing on business decisions, booking strategy, live streaming, reunions,…8 Apr 2026 · 53 min · 28 chapters
How Music Catalogs Became the Smartest Investments in Entertainment w/ Golnar KhosrowshahiWhy music catalogs became high-value, “smart” entertainment investments; how catalog rights (masters vs publishing) are valued; and what drives price, licensing, and long-term returns through 2026.1 Apr 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 23 chapters
How The Founders of Chaotic Good Make Songs Go Viral on TikTok — Live at SXSWHow Chaotic Good’s founders explain modern TikTok “virality engineering” for music and artist campaigns, including “trend simulation” (volume seeding) and narrative/discourse tactics to drive…25 Mar 2026 · 31 min · 14 chapters
How Mark Cuban Sees The Music Business — Live at SXSWIn this special live episode of "Billboard On The Record" recorded at SXSW, host Kristin Robinson interviews investor and entrepreneur Mark Cuban.18 Mar 2026 · 34 min · 15 chapters
How Suno's AI Is Disrupting The Music Industry w/ Mikey ShulmanMikey Shulman (CEO and Co-founder of Suno)11 Mar 2026 · 1 h 8 min · 36 chapters
How Middle Class Songwriters Disappeared w/ Ryan Tedder & David IsraeliteA deep dive into the music business featuring discussions with industry executives, artists, and music innovators.12 Feb 2026 · 1 h 11 min · 25 chapters