Welcome to The Manager’s Playbook, my personal newsletter where I share insights from Music Executives and Artists for aspiring and emerging music managers, executives and artists on how to navigate the music industry. This newsletter is brought to you by Mauricio Ruiz.

Ruiz’s Note:

Health is up. Head is down.

Let’s get to it.

-Ruiz

THE MANAGER’S PLAYBOOK PODCAST

(FEAT. Hit-Boy and Nima Nasseri)

Hit-Boy’s career reads like a case study in both the power and the pitfalls of the music business.

Hot 100 #1 song, multi Grammy award winning producer, Platinum plaques across multiple genres, scoring Madden 23 AND 24, 6 albums with the prolific Nasir Jones, and much more.

Yet for most of his career, he was trapped in a brutal publishing deal so restrictive it took 18 years to escape. On July 25, 2025, he finally broke free thanks in part to the intervention of powerful music moguls. Without them, he might still be living that nightmare.

In this episode, we unpack the full story, not just of the deal itself, but of the mindset shift and infrastructure he’s built since.

This episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast is about 3 things:

Survival.

Leverage.

Autonomy.

The Publishing Deal Nightmare

Hit-Boy signed his first publishing deal as a young producer. Like many deals of that era, it was structured around MDRCs (Minimum Delivery Release Commitment) that were tied to physical CD sales. On paper, it might have seemed like a path to security.

In practice, it became a trap.

Here’s the catch: even if you had a #1 record, if it wasn’t pressed on CD, it didn’t count toward your delivery. In addition, you would have no end term outside of delivering the full requirements of a song and/or project, keeping you locked in for decades. Now, factor in a new streaming era, multiple writers on a song and a world where where CD’s become antiquated, that MDRC meant years of work didn’t advance him toward completing the deal.

It was ugly.

The structure made it nearly impossible to reach the end date, keeping him locked in perpetuity. Advances were withheld unless the requirements were met, and the definition of “met” was frozen in an outdated format.

Lawyers told Hit-Boy it was the worst deal they’d ever seen.

And yet, like countless producers and songwriters before him, he was expected to keep delivering.

The turning point came when Roc Nation, specifically Jay-Z and Desiree Perez, stepped in to help him get free. Their involvement wasn’t loud or public. It was quiet, strategic, and ultimately life-changing.

What a Fair Publishing Deal Looks Like Today

The business has evolved. An equitable publishing deal in 2025 looks very different from the CD-era contracts.

• Co-Publishing Deals give the writer a share of ownership in the copyright itself, not just the income it generates. To be fair, these deals also have their fair share of nay-sayers. From my perspective, if you have NO MDRC, an end term bound by recoupment, no options (1 term only), reversion clause and minimal or no post retention, it ultimately comes down to whether you believe your writing pen is strong enough to recoup your advance.

• Administration Deals allow creators to keep 100% ownership, while a publisher simply handles collection and licensing for a fee.

Bottom line, the terms are shorter. Deliverables are realistic. And the value is tied to market realities, not outdated formats.

The best deals today start with leverage. And leverage comes from output, momentum, and data. Without those, even the fairest terms on paper may not translate into true control.

* If you read this and know of even better, more equitable pub deals for songwriters please send through. Would love to know so I can publish.*

The Business of Ownership & Autonomy

Getting free was only step one. The real story is what Hit-Boy built after.

With his independence intact, he’s created a self-contained ecosystem. Up until his recent deal with The Orchard, all distribution was in-house.

His release schedule is dictated by creative momentum, not by label timelines.

He has a team, most importantly his manager Nima Nasseri, that understands his vision, can move quickly, and can execute across multiple mediums; music, visuals, and beyond.

This autonomy isn’t accidental. It was created out of necessity and built on a few key principles for longevity:

1. Own the assets: masters, publishing, and the creative IP that drives the brand.

2. Control the channels: from distribution to marketing, so no one can slow you down.

3. Protect the momentum: release while the energy is high and the algorithm is algo-ing , instead of waiting for a gatekeeper’s green light.

World Building Beyond the Music

What’s most striking about Hit-Boy’s current chapter is that music is just the foundation. He’s directing videos, shaping visuals, and expanding into film. He’s involving his family in the creative process, integrating his personal life with his artistic one.

It’s about building a world that can’t be reduced to a single revenue stream or controlled by a single deal.

Every project feeds the other.

Every release adds value to the whole.

Watch Episode 34 with Hit-Boy & Nima LIVE NOW

1:1 CONSULTATIONS WITH RUIZ

I’m now offering 1-on-1 strategy sessions for artists, managers, and execs serious about navigating the music industry with clarity.

Fully tailored to you.

Whether it’s building the right team, scaling your brand, or making your next move with confidence, I’ll help you cut through the noise and turn ideas into a clear, actionable plan.

With 16+ years working across artist management, artist development, brand, content, and marketing strategies that are proven, I’ll bring honest insight and practical frameworks that can move your career forward.

If you’re ready to invest in the long game, let’s get to work.

PODCAST WRAP UP

Hit-Boy’s journey is a masterclass in how the wrong deal can delay you and how the right mindset, team, and infrastructure can make you unstoppable once you’re free. It’s a reminder to know your worth early, fight for equitable terms, and build systems that let you create without compromise.

Full episode is out now on YouTube and your preferred streaming platforms.

If you care about artist empowerment, building sustainable music businesses, and breaking free from outdated industry models, this one’s for you.

Check out the full conversation with Hit-Boy, his manager Nima Nasseri and Ruiz for all the insights.

Share your thoughts with me on IG @mauroisruiz

Watch the episode with Hit-Boy & Nima NOW

DON’T FORGET to Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE

You can also listen to ‘The Manager’s Playbook’ Podcast on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and several other platforms HERE

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

-Ruiz

THE MANAGER’S PLAYBOOK DISCORD IS LIVE!

We’re Hosting Real Conversations, Live.

No gatekeepers. No fluff. Just straight talk with artists, managers, and guests who’ve actually done the work.

Nearly every week in our Discord, we’re going live for Q&As, pulling back the curtain on how the industry really moves.

This Thursday at 5pm EST/2pm PST, the iconic Natalie Prospere will be hopping on for an in-depth discussion.

You never know who might pop in and drop game.

Get in early.

Bio

I’m Mauricio Ruiz, the Founder/CEO of 8 Til Faint, an Artist Management company with over 5 billion audio streams worldwide. Our past and current clients include Grammy nominated, Juno Award winning multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Jessie Reyez, Skratch Bastid and more.

I am also the Co-Founder of Mad Ruk Entertainment, a content agency with over 3 billion long form video streams worldwide. Our client list includes The Weeknd, Eminem, and Celine Dion, along with renowned brands like Nike, Pernod Ricard and the NBA.

Follow me on IG @mauroisruiz

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