Trapital

Is “Artists vs. AI” the wrong way to think about music’s future?

At HumanX, I hosted a conversation with Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava and Universal Music Group’s Michael Nash on how AI can become a creative force multiplier for artists, not a replacement.

We discussed why music’s supply problem existed long before generative AI, how artists are using new tools to reduce production friction, and why authentic connection still matters more than infinite output.

The conversation also breaks down Splice and UMG’s partnership to build AI-powered music creation tools with artist control, copyright respect, and more.

CHAPTERS

01:24 Artists vs. AI

04:27 Splice Tools

06:14 UMG x Splice

08:04 Ethical AI

12:42 Artist Control

14:31 Better Music

17:07 Five-Year Vision

TRAPITAL

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SoundCloud is at a turning point, and CEO Eliah Seton takes us inside the strategy shaping its future.

In this conversation, we break down how SoundCloud evolved into a two-sided marketplace for artists and fans, why it moved on from potential sales, how it's embracing AI, and doubling down on the moves that work best for both creators and fans.

CHAPTERS

03:34 Update on a Potential Sale

08:23 How SoundCloud is Structured Today

21:20 AI Principles

33:23 Financial Health and Profitability

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Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more

TRAPITAL

Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

In part two, you'll hear Clive Davis reflect on strategic decisions made when running a record label and career revivals he helped shape that defined another chapter of his run.

He discusses the balance of control and economics in label joint ventures, why hitmakers are not always great talent scouts, and how LaFace became a powerful force through artists like Toni Braxton, TLC, and Pink. Davis also shares how he revived the careers of timeless artists, including Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Santana, and Luther Vandross. It’s a conversation about instinct, patience, and the discipline it takes to build lasting success in the music business.

CHAPTERS

02:51 LaFace, Label Deals, and Joint Ventures

09:42 TLC, Toni Braxton, and P!nk

12:37 The Cost of Breaking Artists

17:05 Aretha, Rod Stewart, and Santana

21:14 Catalog vs. Career Revival

25:30 Follow-up Call

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Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more

TRAPITAL

Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

I sat down with the legendary record executive Clive Davis. We looked back on the career-defining moments that made him one of the most influential figures in music.

He shares memories from the Beverly Hills Hotel, where we recorded the conversation. We also discussed the evolution of his famed pre-Grammy gala, and the philosophy behind honoring artists in the room. Davis also revisits being pushed out at Columbia, Arista, launching J Records, and the story behind Whitney Houston recording “Why Does It Hurt So Bad.” It’s a conversation about instinct, reinvention, and what it takes to keep going at the highest levels in business.

CHAPTERS

04:21 Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala

11:30 Lessons Learned at Columbia

15:38 From Arista to J Records

23:41 When Whitney Houston and Clive Disagreed

SPONSORS

Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week

Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more

TRAPITAL

Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

Coachella sold out in five days after announcing Justin Bieber as headliner. That's the good news. The bad news? It tells you how hard it's become to book a headline act who can actually move 250,000 tickets for the one of most premiere music festivals in the world.Dave Brooks, a music correspondent at Puck and host of the Decibel and Docket podcast, joins the show to break down the business of festival season 2026. We get into why the biggest artists no longer need Coachella, which festivals are actually profitable, and what's ahead for live music.CHAPTERS07:46 The Bieber Effect08:02 Stadium Money11:50 Why Stagecoach is Different21:13 Lollapalooza23:43 Chris Brown and Kanye WestSPONSORSAll People Powered is a live concert and pitch competition on Saturday, April 11 where three Bay Area founders pitch on stage for $30,000 in real funding. Get your ticket here.Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your , TikTok, YouTube, and more