What does a manager do for an artist? What do the best managers do? This post reviews the background, skills, and special sauce of four of todays top managers.

Artist management is complex and can take many forms. Managers handle a wide variety of tasks for artists. A list too long to even start here and this is because each artist is different and at a different stage of their career. Some artists are established musical talent, some are online content creators, some are writers/composers/producers, and others might be predominantly performers and celebrities.

With so many considerations of what a Manager does, I thought that looking into some of the best managers in the business would be a good place to start in a quest to clarify what makes a manager good and what a manager should focus on for an Artist.

I compiled this project with my colleague entertainment lawyer Shreeps Zala https://www.instagram.com/shreepslaw/ so make sure to check him out.

We picked four managers, each in different areas, three in various areas of music and one in digital media. Each has carved out significant success for themselves and their clients.

What they have accomplished and how they have done it speaks volumes, so if your interested in upping your management skills check out the following profiles and the interviews associated with each.

A recurring theme is build your network and keep developing your skills and artists. There is no magic shortcut, just like reading this post won’t help nearly as much as committing the time to listening to the interviews.

Finally, let me know your thoughts and top takeaways in the comments, and like and share this content if you find it useful.

1. Steve Lobel (IG: @weworking)

https://www.instagram.com/weworking/

“You’re either growing or you’re dying” 

Steve Lobel got his start in New York working as a record label A&R representative who helped with the success of early hip-hops groups like Run-DMC.

Steve found mentorship at the time under legendary hip-hop icon Russell Simmons, who was the brother of Run-DMC’s Rev Run.

Lobel also helped the career of another young famous rapper at the time, Easy-E, who in 1993, had signed and debuted rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. 

Lobel has successfully ventured into other pursuits like TV licensing, reality TV production, a hip-hop clothing line, a cannabis dispensary franchise, and music publishing ventures

The list of artists he’s worked with from there is a who’s-who of hip-hop: Missy Elliott, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Scott Storch, Three 6 Mafia, Sean Kingston, Common, Iyaz, Nipsey Hussle, and more.

Lobel’s interview on Global Grind is a great place to start understanding what a manager does:

2. Scooter Braun (IG : @scooterbraun)

https://www.instagram.com/scooterbraun/

“Failure means you’re on a pit stop to success. Success means you’re aware.”

Scott “Scooter” Braun was born in NYC and moved to Atlanta, GA to attend Emory University, where he played basketball.

While at Emory, he started organizing parties that caught the attention of Jermaine Dupri, director of So So Def Records. Because of Braun’s hustle and attitude, Dupri made Scooter So So Def’s executive director of marketing at the age of 20.

In 2007, Scooter, still So So Def’s marketing director, stumbled on an internet video of a young Canadian singer, Justin Bieber. Scooter alongside Atlanta-artist Usher, signed the young singer. By 2011, Justin’s single “Baby” had skyrocketed the young artist’s career with Braun squarely at the helm.

The roster of artists he has since managed expanded to other superstars like Ariana Grande & Kanye West. He’s become the most successful music managers of all-time.

In addition, his holding company, Ithaca Holdings, has seen enormous success across the music, film, and TV worlds making Scooter one of today’s de facto entertainment moguls.

His interview on Complex gives his blueprint to discovering and leveraging talent:

3.  Moe Shailizi (IG : @shalizi)

https://www.instagram.com/shalizi/

Moe Shailizi is considered among the most influential managers in EDM.  He has had particular success guiding the career and growth of electronic artist Marshmallow.  

His skills are largely credited for a variety of groundbreaking deals particularly placing dj and producer talent in digital games like fortnight and nba2k etc. 
His interview on Long Story Short is a solid look at what it takes to make it as a manager and how to be ahead of the trend curve instead of chasing what’s currently popular.   

4. Reed Duchscher (IG : @reedjd)

https://www.instagram.com/reedjd/

Reed JD as he is known got started in sports agency but quickly pivoted into influencer and creator management.    
While still a relatively new name, his success with Mr. Beast and his roster of talent at Night Media speaks for him.  His company manages a who’s who of you tubers from gamers, to beauty and fashion bloggers, to competitive eaters.   

His interview on the Iced Coffee Hour Podcast is a great listen for aspiring managers, particularly those interested in digital talent.  

Thanks for checking out this content. If you know a artist manager feel free to share it with them, and if you or your team needs help with Management Agreements or Talent business strategy reach out and lets link up.