Inside the Playbook: Omar Grant on Why Record Labels Don't Develop Artists Anymore
Inside the Playbook: Omar Grant on Why Record Labels Don't Develop Artists Anymore  
Podcast: The Manager's Playbook
Published On: Thu Jun 25 2026
Description: In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Omar Grant breaks down why artist development no longer lives only inside record labels.As Rihanna’s longtime A&R, former Roc Nation co-president, and founder of Chapter A.R.T. Music Publishing, Omar has seen how real development actually happens: through time, trust, taste, honest feedback, and the right people around the artist.Omar explains why producers, managers, and trusted creative partners now often play the role traditional A&Rs used to own. He also gets into building trust with artists like Rihanna, hearing great records in rough demos, why trend-chasing is not real A&R, and how songs go from good to great.A sharp conversation for artists, managers, producers, songwriters, aspiring A&Rs, and music executives trying to understand how long-term careers are really built.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/Listen to the full episode here -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6V9sf8DiDrf8EmOspp48OH?si=7iM5Mi76QAKBwVyzQc8zeQWatch the Episodes On Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook