Former Capitol Records President Talks Industry Shifts on The Manager’s Playbook

In a candid conversation on The Manager's Playbook podcast, the former president of Capitol Records UK opened up about a deeply personal turning point in his career and health. In 2013, a severe illness triggered by hypothyroidism led to a breakdown that paused his momentum and shook his identity. Reflecting on the experience, he admitted that the road to recovery was sparked not just by treatment, but by what he called the "drug of a hit." Major successes in 2014 helped him regain his footing, ultimately reaffirming the transformative power of music—not only for audiences but for executives who live in its pulse.

This period of recovery coincided with a major career milestone. Having led successful signings of artists like Sam Smith and 5 Seconds of Summer at London Records, he was asked by Universal Music’s Lucian Grainge to rebrand the label into Capitol Records UK, expanding EMI’s footprint rather than shrinking it after Universal’s acquisition. That request set the stage for the speaker to helm Capitol from 2013 through 2021, a span that would see seismic industry shifts.

Streaming and the Collapse of Traditional Gatekeeping

The conversation soon pivoted to what the former executive called a "world-changing moment" in 2016—the year he believes the music industry tipped irreversibly toward streaming. Prior to this point, major labels held near-complete control over distribution, thanks to longstanding relationships with brick-and-mortar retailers like Walmart in the U.S. and Tesco in the U.K. These stores had limited shelf space, and most of the new releases featured were from major label rosters. For independents, breaking through was nearly impossible.

With the advent and mass adoption of platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and later TikTok, that model crumbled. The executive recalled how in 2014, Sam Smith's and Adele's teams withheld their albums from streaming platforms to prioritize physical sales—an approach that already felt antiquated just two years later. By 2016, artists could release music directly and achieve visibility without gatekeepers. New channels of discovery like TikTok and Instagram made it possible for independent acts to bypass traditional marketing and build global audiences organically.

As he noted, artists could now go from complete obscurity to selling out 2,000-capacity rooms—often with little or no streaming presence—thanks to their social media following. For executives steeped in the pre-digital model, this was nothing short of a revolution.

The Rise of Independent Leverage

That democratization wasn't just theoretical. The podcast guest detailed how his artist Jessie Reyez released the single “Figures” in 2016, which went viral with no major label involvement. Within 30 days, digital distribution statements showed tens of thousands of dollars in revenue. That financial independence gave Reyez and her team unprecedented leverage in label negotiations.

Ultimately, they struck a 50/50 profit-sharing deal—one of the first of its kind within a major label system. This early example of modern artist-label partnerships foreshadowed a broader shift in deal structures, as artists brought not just music, but audiences, content pipelines, and brand equity to the table.

These success stories, the former president emphasized, are no longer anomalies. He and his partners at the newly formed NWS Music Group have replicated this model across markets—from South Africa to Nigeria to Latin America—releasing platinum records via independent distribution channels while retaining ownership and creative control.

Superstardom in the Digital Age

Despite the rise of independent power, the speaker doesn’t reject the role of major labels—especially for those aiming to reach superstardom. He argued that true global stars still benefit from the infrastructure majors provide: access to international offices, relationships at streaming platforms, and robust marketing networks.

Citing the careers of Beyoncé, Drake, and Taylor Swift, he stressed that while their deals may differ from legacy contracts, they all still run through major label systems. These companies offer the scale needed to break records internationally—especially once an artist has built the initial ecosystem themselves.

He acknowledged, however, that many newer artists focus too heavily on ownership and rights without recognizing the tradeoffs. "No artist is a success on their own," he said, explaining his theory of concentric circles: the artist at the center, surrounded by a manager, then a team of specialists—lawyers, PR agents, merch experts, and booking professionals—many of whom are trained within or supported by major infrastructure.

Mentorship and the Team Factor

The discussion touched deeply on mentorship and the power of building the right team. From personal relationships with legendary executives like Clive Davis and Rob Stringer, to fostering emerging managers by giving them office space and access at Capitol, the speaker underscored the importance of collaborative growth.

He called out examples like Sam Smith’s managers, who operated from desks inside his office and made day-to-day decisions in real time. That kind of closeness, he said, was critical to their mutual success. While mentorship can come from within or outside major systems, having people who’ve "been there before" is indispensable when building a career in music.

Artist Development and A&R Philosophy

When asked about his unusually high artist success rate compared to industry norms, the former president credited one word: focus. He signed no more than two acts per year, aiming to break one every 18 months. By focusing resources and attention on a small roster, he avoided the industry’s common trap of chasing volume.

He also spoke candidly about cutting ties early when a project didn’t work. His view was that sitting on an artist with no clear plan is more damaging than walking away. This pragmatic approach to A&R—combined with a willingness to double down when he believed in a project—helped him maintain a strong track record.

That approach, however, wasn’t always well received. He recounted a time when consultants from a major label group interpreted his insistence on "focus" as arrogance. Still, the results proved the strategy's value over time.

Legacy and Lessons

Looking back on a 30-year career, the former Capitol president remains committed to evolving with the times. From signing Jay-Z during his early days to helping build the modern blueprint for artist independence, he has consistently balanced tradition with innovation.

In his current work at NWS Music Group, he's building a business designed for the digital era—lean, global, and artist-centric. He’s also paying it forward through the NWS Academy, a program aimed at identifying and mentoring the next generation of A&Rs.

Whether through major labels or independent routes, his central message remains the same: success in music is built through teamwork, mentorship, adaptability—and above all, consistency. "It’s not about having one moment," he said. "It’s about building something that lasts."