Merging the Music Industry with the Metaverse with Jeff Burroughs and Jeff Vaughn

In this episode, hosts Jay and Sue Marks speak with Jeff Vaughn, Founder and CEO at Signal Records, and Jeff Burroughs, Co-CEO of WHTWRKS Inc. and former Senior Vice President of Marketing & Brand Partnerships at Def Jam Records. Vaughn and Burroughs share their incredible career journeys and how web3 could solve many of the current distribution and royalties issues for artists, through smart contracts and NFTs. They discuss how the music industry and the metaverse are creating immersive and accessible experiences and the need to optimize hardware for mass adoption to occur. Burroughs and Vaughn also talk about the potential for AI to help augment human creativity and help songwriters and producers make even better music. 

 

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Guest Socials:

Jeff Burroughs’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-burroughs-265b6a5/ 

Jeff Vaughn’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffvaughn/ 

 

About Guests

Jeff Burroughs integrates brands and award-winning superstars into the cultural conversation, but he also champions social justice and equity at every turn. As SVP of Marketing & Brand Partnerships at Def Jam Recordings, he magnified the impact of roster artists throughout the marketplace, working with the likes of Justin Bieber, Kanye West, and Jhené Aiko. Simultaneously, served as Chairman of the Universal Music Group's Task Force for Meaningful Change-subcommittee on Policy Legislation and Voting. His ability to effectively communicate with both inspiration and empathy drives him as an executive and industry change agent.

 

Jeff Vaughn is a Virginia native and Duke University graduate. He began his music career in the mailroom at UTA and eventually joined Artist Partner Group. During his time at Artist Partner Group, he signed and worked with artists Kehlani, Kevin Gates, Rico Nasty, and many others. After two years at CMG, he advanced from president of Capitol Records to CEO. In 2021 he was featured in Billboard’s annual 40 Under 40 list. In the same year, Vaughn launched Signal Records, a joint venture with Columbia Records, where he is now nurturing the next generation of creative and executive talent. 

 

You’ll learn about:

 

• How web3 could solve current distribution and royalties issues for artists through smart contracts and NFTs
• Why smaller entrepreneurs are more adventurous in adopting web3 technology
• How NFTs can build communities and unlock experiences
• AI and the music industry 

Timestamps

[0:41 - 1:54] Jay’s intro

[1:54 - 3:00] Sue’s intro

[3:00- 7:34] Jeff Vaughn’s background

[7:34 - 12:00] Jeff Burroughs’ background

[12:00 - 22:07] The music industry and web3

[22:07 - 28:17] Use cases

[28:17 - 40:00] Web3 and communities

[40:00 - 45:33] The music industry and the metaverse

[45:33 - 50:26] The music industry and social media

[50:26 - 54:32] Supporting emerging artists and social issues

[54:32 - 1:00:50] Using AI for discovery

[1:00:50 - 1:05:48] Outlook on the future 

[1:05:48 - 1:07:41] Sue’s takeaways

[1:07:41 - 1:08:40] Jay’s closing remarks

DISCLAIMER: yWhales is not affiliated with YPO but at this time only allow for YPO, YPO Gold, and YNG members due to privacy & confidentiality. Support and production for today’s episode was done by Truth Work Media. Nothing in the podcast constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information on the podcast constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto.