Tapped In with Tom Flies - Ep 4: Inside the Music Business with Omar T

In this episode of Tapped in with Tom Flies, Tom and co-host Bang welcome special guest and music publishing executive Omar T to the studio. Moving past the internet commentary, the crew sits down face-to-face to break down the hard business realities of the music industry—from the truth about streaming payouts to how strategic relationship-building can dictate your career longevity.As Philadelphia natives, the guys dive deep into the city's infrastructure, the legacy of the Roots Picnic, and debate their highly personal Top 5 Philadelphia and New York rapper lists. Omar also shares invaluable wisdom on the weight of responsibility that comes with giving out career-changing opportunities and what it truly takes to make it inside major label buildings today.Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to keep tapping in with us every week!📍 Chapter Breakdown📱 Introduction & The Roots Picnic Energy00:42 | Welcome Back & Checking In Tom and Bangs kick off the episode, welcome special guest Omar T to the podcast, and discuss the collective energy of Philadelphia during the iconic Roots Picnic weekend. 01:54 | The Hustle of Sneaking Backstage The crew shares nostalgic stories about interning for Live Nation and making fake tickets just to rub elbows with media giants like Elliot Wilson. 💿 The Rap Landscape & Music Industry Realities02:42 | Wrapping Up Kendrick vs. Drake Reflecting on their previous week's opinions, the guys analyze the cultural and commercial fallout of the Kendrick and Drake battle following their respective album releases. 03:16 | The Economics of Streaming & Publishing Omar T pulls back the curtain on music publishing, explaining exactly how splits work and why 90 million streams doesn't translate to as much money as artists think. 04:36 | A&R Instincts: Discovering Ice Spice Omar T recounts his early days in the major label system and how he recognized the star power of Ice Spice when she only had ten monthly listeners. 05:07 | The Long Game: Signing Mariah the Scientist A lesson in dedication—Omar details chasing a publishing deal with Mariah the Scientist for three years by attending shows across the East Coast. 🤝 Networking, Access, and Added Value05:54 | The Nature of Real Relationships Tom, Bangs, and Omar break down why treating the industry like a transaction fails, emphasizing that "thorough is universal" and value must be demonstrated long-term. 07:44 | "Somebody Always Puts You in the Room" Omar reflects on learning from veteran executives, securing access to rooms with LeBron James or Beyonce's team, and navigating industry gatekeepers. 08:35 | The Cultural Shift: Philly vs. Atlanta Ecosystems The guys contrast the guarded, isolated nature of Philly's music culture against Atlanta’s hospitable, collaborative, and studio-rich environment. 📊 The Great Rapper Debates10:09 | Reacting to Complex’s Top 50 NY Rappers The studio reacts with heavy skepticism to Complex's New York rap rankings, debating placements for Fabolous, Jadakiss, and where Cardi B sits all-time. 11:54 | Drake vs. Lil Wayne All-Time A quick sidebar on legacy—who ranks higher on the all-time list? The crew evaluates Lil Wayne's selflessness as a team player vs. Drake's dominance. 12:12 | The Official Philly Top 5 & Honorable Mentions The hosts lay down their strictly personal Top 5 Philadelphia rap lists, paying homage to Mac, Meek Mill, Joey Haded, Eve, and Lil Uzi Vert. 🎯 Mentorship & Outro13:24 | The Duty of an Executive & The Power of Internships Omar shares the heavy responsibility of holding keys to the industry, using a hungry intern's journey as proof that work ethic beats elite school backgrounds. 14:42 | Wrap Up & Subscribe Tom closes out the episode by thanking Omar T for coming through and reminding the audience to drop their comments and subscribe weekly. Support the show#TappedinwithTomFlies #BlackCloverStudios #TomFlies