Former Spotify Exec Explains Why New Music Isn’t Breaking Like Before

Before playlists became leverage, before algorithms decided reach, before “release strategy” became a guessing game, there was New Music Friday. In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mike Biggane, creator of New Music Friday and former Global Head of Curation at Spotify, breaks down how one idea, born during a drive from Boston, helped reshape modern music discovery and quietly rewired the music industry. Mike walks through Spotify’s early days, when human curation battled algorithmic programming, and how acquisitions like The Echo Nest changed everything from playlist strategy to market share. We unpack how streaming platforms shifted power, how personalization replaced mass listening moments, and why labels, A&R teams, and DSPs were forced to rethink artist development and marketing spend. The conversation also touches on how TikTok and user-generated content accelerated fragmentation, why traditional release cycles stopped working, and how corporate pressure inside music streaming platforms reshaped programming decisions. This isn’t nostalgia. It’s a breakdown of how the modern music business was actually built. Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap. Chapters: 00:00 How Spotify Disrupted the Music Industry 00:26 The Origin of New Music Friday (Spotify Playlists Explained) 01:54 Spotify Acquisitions: The Echo Nest, Tgo & Algorithm Strategy 02:42 Human Curation vs Algorithms in Music Discovery 04:31 How Spotify Built Editorial Playlists 05:13 Inside Spotify Strategy & Music Programming Decisions 05:57 Challenges of Music Programming at Scale 12:47 Personalization, TikTok, and the Shift in Music Consumption 19:52 How Streaming Changed A&R and Artist Development 24:41 Corporate Influence on Spotify and the Music Business The opinions shared by our guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or The Manager’s Playbook. Book a 1:1 Strategy Session with Mauricio Ruiz, host of The Manager's Playbook, with over 16 years of experience for tailored advice for artists and managers. Consultation Fees Apply https://calendly.com/themanagersplaybook Follow The Manager's Playbook Newsletter https://www.the-managers-playbook.bee... Instagram   / mauroisruiz   TikTok   / managersplaybook   Facebook   / mngrsplaybook   X   / mngrsplaybook   LinkedIn   / the-managers-playbook   Snapchat   / bcaz8cvw   Website https://mngrsplaybook.com Host: Mauricio Ruiz Executive Producer: Mauricio Ruiz Director of Photography: William Dobak On Location Sound: Francisco Sabio Editor: Madison Lair Co-Editor: Mauricio Ruiz Colourists: William Dobak Sound Engineer: Madeline Currie Project Manager: Erica Kongvongxay Marketing Coordinator: Melanie Letra-Frade Production Company: 8 Til Faint #themanagersplaybookpodcast #musicbusinesspodcast #musicbusiness #musicindustry #artistmanagement #musicbusinesstips