No Privacy in the Age of Google

Can You Handle Going Viral?

In this episode of FYM, Yoh & Ty explore the business lessons behind artist ownership, viral marketing, and long-term brand growth. The conversation begins with music legend Curtis Mayfield's transition from The Impressions to building his own record label and producing the iconic Super Fly soundtrack, leading into a discussion about Sam Cooke's pioneering ownership mindset, independent label strategy, and lasting impact on the music industry. The discussion then shifts to the power of virality in today's digital economy. Is going viral the modern-day "open sesame" for artists, entrepreneurs, and brands? Ty and Yoh break down how viral moments can create massive opportunities for growth, using examples from Kountry Wayne, celebrity-driven music boosts, Chicago child artist Young Roddo, and Honey Pot's viral brand breakthrough. They also examine why virality is difficult to manufacture, how authentic storytelling helps businesses convert attention into revenue, and why preparation matters when sudden success arrives. From a former tech employee's cake business exploding after a viral post to the financial realities of managing a hit record, this episode reveals the hidden business mechanics behind growth, momentum, and sustainability. Topics covered: • Curtis Mayfield and artist ownership • Sam Cooke's independent label legacy • Music industry business strategies • Artist independence vs. record labels • How viral marketing impacts business growth • Kountry Wayne's viral success formula • Honey Pot's viral controversy and sales surge • Why hit records can create cash flow challenges • Record label funding and artist development • Content marketing, storytelling, and brand building • Entrepreneurship lessons from viral success If you're interested in music business, independent artists, entrepreneurship, marketing strategy, brand growth, content creation, or the economics of virality, this episode delivers practical insights and real-world examples. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Make Sure to Stay at the Table

On the FYM Show, Yoh and Ty break down Drake’s surprise three-album release and the growing speculation around “Iceman,” independence, and the future of the music industry. The episode explores Drake’s comments about wanting freedom from his label, theories that the “I” in Iceman stands for independent, and what a potential independent Drake era could mean for artists, record labels, streaming platforms, and music business strategy. They compare Drake’s rollout to industry-changing moves by artists like Frank Ocean and Usher, discuss whether multi-project surprise drops can still dominate streaming culture, and debate if fans will view the trilogy as artistic expression or a calculated business play. Yo and Ty also examine Drake’s viral marketing tactics, including the mysterious glove imagery, plus how his collaborations, features, and production choices continue to elevate emerging artists, producers, and songwriters. The conversation expands into larger discussions about oversaturation in streaming music, the economics of album releases, social media marketing in hip hop, and the challenges artists face in staying culturally relevant in today’s fast-moving entertainment landscape. The episode closes with reflections on being “back outside,” upcoming travel and events, entrepreneurship, faith, and Ty’s approach to purpose-driven decision making. Topics include: Drake, Iceman, independent artists, music industry news, hip hop business, streaming strategy, album rollouts, Frank Ocean, Usher, viral marketing, Spotify, Apple Music, music production, artist development, entertainment business, rap culture, and music marketing. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to FYM 00:29 Drake Drops Three 00:57 Where Were You 02:15 Independent Iceman Theory 04:08 Drake Started Indie 05:21 Beef Versus Business 06:28 Frank Ocean Chess Move 08:16 Fans Love The Surprise 09:04 Can Anyone Repeat It 10:54 No Leaks Big Rollout 11:48 Outside Is Back 12:47 Summer Life Outside 13:45 42 Songs For Everyone 14:38 Drake Boosts New Talent 15:51 Mac Dre Sample Debate 16:40 Producers Need The Bag 17:53 Streaming Has No Limits 18:34 Too Much Music Era 20:10 Golf Trips And Playlists 20:52 Jay Z Roots Picnic Talk 25:03 Skipping Crowds Following Spirit 27:19 Quiet Time And Faith 28:30 Vision Being Too Early 30:58 Staying At The Table 31:03 Independent Iceman Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The “M” In May Means Mental Health

Ty and Yoh mark Mental Health Month and Malcolm X’s birthday by asking, “Are you more Malcolm X or Martin Luther King” in how you protect your mental health. They compare a more aspirational, unity-focused approach with a more “by any means necessary” boundary-setting style, discussing how protecting peace can affect relationships, public approval, and vulnerability. They touch on why Black men historically avoided discussing mental health, how nightmares and disrupted sleep can signal deeper issues, and the idea that some mental health struggles may connect to spiritual crisis. Ty shares that reducing work travel, keeping a steady routine with workouts, and dedicating August as his personal wellness month helps calm his nervous system and support long-term mental health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

What Are You Choosing: World Peace or Good Music?

Ty and Yoh return on the FYM show—an “ignorant conversation about wellness”—with a special episode celebrating Stevie Wonder’s birthday and discussing his iconic, culture-embedded catalog. They debate Michael Jackson versus Stevie Wonder in terms of “cool” versus musicianship, and whether Stevie was the last artist who could sing about happiness without seeming corny, touching on Pharrell’s “Happy” and how pain often drives popular music. The conversation expands into a studio question: would you trade great music for world peace, with Ty choosing peace and imagining a safer, calmer world where much of hip-hop and many classic artists wouldn’t exist. They end by discussing how to protect joy amid negative news by setting boundaries on what you consume mentally and socially, and shout out Pusha T’s birthday, Taurus season, and Colture Playbook. 00:00 Welcome to FYM 00:47 Stevie Birthday Talk 01:10 Stevie Catalog Respect 02:09 Michael vs Stevie Debate 04:06 Happy Without Corny 06:12 Snoop Tells Mike Story 08:40 Warmth of Piano 09:37 Stevie Imagination Theory 11:39 Peace or Great Music 12:49 Peace World Scenario 13:38 What We Lose Without Hits 16:07 Is Music Worth It 16:39 Great Music vs History 17:22 Rappers Start Disappearing 17:45 Pharrell and Kanye Fallout 18:12 Trading Music for Peace 19:03 No Hip Hop Timeline 19:28 Cinema Replaces Music 21:16 Pain Makes the Hits 21:53 Happy Songs Debate 23:15 Peaceful Music Future 25:27 Joy in Dark Times 29:11 Choosing Peace Over Profit 33:02 Final Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Founder Lessons + The Economics of Streaming Music

In this episode of FYM with Ty and Yoh, the hosts explore the intersection of business leadership, entrepreneurship, and the modern music industry. Inspired by The Five Temptations of a CEO, they break down one of the most critical leadership pitfalls: choosing personal success over company progress—and how that mindset impacts founders, executives, and growing businesses. Ty shares real-world entrepreneurship insights, including why he avoids the CEO title, lessons from leaving Delta, the moment he realized he could finally make payroll, and how keeping overhead low helped him survive the uncertainty of building a business. The conversation then shifts into the business of music and streaming economics. They unpack how platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube have transformed artist revenue, why music catalog valuations are rising, and how private equity firms are investing heavily in music rights. Ty explains why catalogs have become high-value assets, how they’re evaluated, and what this means for artists, producers, and independent creators navigating today’s industry. If you’re interested in CEO mindset, startup strategy, music business insights, or how streaming impacts artist income, this episode breaks it all down. Topics Covered: CEO leadership mistakes and The Five Temptations of a CEO Entrepreneurship lessons and startup survival strategies Leaving corporate jobs to start a business Managing overhead and making payroll as a founder Music streaming economics (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube) Why music catalogs are valuable assets Private equity investment in music rights How artists can maximize revenue in the streaming era 00:00 Welcome to FYM 00:41 Walking and a Book Find 01:30 Fable on the BART 02:32 First CEO Temptation 03:32 Ty on Being CEO 05:31 Leaving Delta Leap 08:23 Low Overhead Discipline 11:30 Unknowns of Scaling 11:57 Has Streaming Devalued Music 15:12 Data and Catalog Gold Rush 19:50 Artists Pay vs Asset Value 25:43 Catalog Strategy for Artists 30:42 Selling Companies vs Lifers 35:11 Streaming Platforms to Use 35:45 Wrap Up and Takeaways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]