From late-night studios in Uganda to a top-streamed independent station across Africa, Mark Xtreme’s journey is a masterclass in building culture from the ground up. In this episode, the veteran DJ unpacks how a childhood obsession with music magazines, a homemade mixtape, and a single radio break sparked a global platform for indie artists. We dive into discipline, discovery, and the quiet power of taste-making in an industry obsessed with numbers. It’s a story of patience, integrity, and why supporting the unheard might be the most radical act in music today.

The Music Business podcast, and his episode features Scott Nathan, the LA-based bestselling author, photographer, director, and podcaster behind The Big Book of Bad Decisions and the Bad Decisions podcast, known for turning tragicomic Hollywood moments into unforgettable stories. In this episode, follow along as Scott reflects on his path from promoting nearly 1,000 concerts in Chicago to landing in LA as Napster disrupted the music business and iTunes reshaped it. He shares chance-driven stories born from creative spaces and unexpected encounters, along with the beginnings of a long-running creative collaboration. Additionally, the conversation continues with how unfiltered moments shared online unexpectedly sparked a new storytelling path, rooted in messy, deeply human experiences and unforgettable bad decisions.

This week on Music Business breaks down the latest chapter in Taylor Swift’s ever-expanding era, touching on her recent 36th birthday, a reported online smear campaign involving bots, and the release of her Disney+ docu-series alongside The Eras Tour concert film. The conversation explores the addition of The Tortured Poets Department to the live show and how Swift’s performance style and vocal delivery continue to evolve, while the docu-series offers rare behind-the-scenes insight into her creative process, personal reflections, and relationship with her team. The episode also looks ahead to what may come next, including the possibility of a live album or Reputation (Taylor’s Version).

In this episode of Music Business, we break down the cultural waves created by 50 Cent’s new Netflix documentary and what it means for his long-running feud with Diddy. We explore the documentary’s impact, its use of archival footage, and how public narratives shape power dynamics in the music industry. Music Business also inspects the broader cultural significance of the rivalry, the reactions it’s sparked, and how moments like this influence the business behind the music. Plus, we dive into Spotify Wrapped—why it dominates every year, how it affects artists, and the unique way it drives engagement across the platform.

This week Music Business in collaboration with special guest Suz Control dives into Suz Control's upcoming single “You and I,” releasing December 6 which feature Shitty Princess. She talks about her artistic shift from EDM remixes to creating original music, comparing the energy of her new track to the vibrant, bouncy feel of her “Love Fool” cover. Inspired by personal experiences and her deep connection to music, Suz shares her unique songwriting process—starting with melodies and using Reiki to spark creativity. She also reflects on recent performances at venues like Beaches in West Hollywood and Hotel Café, and opens up about the importance of authenticity, intention, and mindful marketing in her musical journey.

This week Music Business dives into the not so glamorous life that celebrities live. Many times, the world that is presented to us by celebrities is so curated that we forget they’re human beings themselves. Tangents this week include family members mooching off of celebrities, the small economy a major music artist produces, and the changing landscape of the paparazzi.

In this episode, Music Business dives into the explosive rise of AI music artists—breaking down the real advantages like speed, scale, low costs, hyper-targeting, and infinite creative personas, alongside the downsides: no soul, no story, legal chaos, and a growing listener backlash. We unpack how indie artists can harness AI without losing their authenticity, using it as a power tool for content, strategy, and even song creation. Plus, we hit the latest industry headlines, from indie musicians suing to Warner Music’s new SVP.

Music Business takes a deep dive into the industry of streaming this week. Key topics include breaking down how streaming giants like Spotify stack up against competitors like Tidal when it comes to paying artists, the influence of major labels on playlists, and the power of user-generated playlists for indie artists. Additionally, Music Business highlights how Spotify combats bot-driven streams.