Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers explains how modern electronic artists can build deep cult followings and huge live demand that outpace standard streaming metrics.
“The stars of, the new stars of dance right now, that are doing like, blowing out Madison Square Gardens, or doing the basically festival sized crowds for their own shows, If you looked at them on their Spotify monthly listeners, like we were talking about earlier, like, oh, this is an emerging artist. Like, this is an opening act, you know.”
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More from Drew Taggart
Disclosure
Taggart: We do not care if AI trains on our music catalog
“We don't care about our music either.”
Drew TaggartJun 24, 2025▶ 0:38The Chainsmokers’ Journey from DJs to VCs · Invest Like The Best
What-if
Taggart: Forward-thinking record labels could have built Spotify themselves
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Taggart: AI tools expand access rather than entrenching incumbent musicians
“I think what it does is actually kind of the opposite, is like, it just allows more people to be able to make music, and perform music, and create an experience that other people connect to. Like, I think music is just, you know, is my personal favorite form o…”
Drew TaggartJun 24, 2025▶ 4:36The Chainsmokers’ Journey from DJs to VCs · Invest Like The Best
Insight
Taggart: Product visionaries should hire a CEO rather than be CEO
“Like you don't have to be the CEO of your business. You know, hire someone that's great at that. That's going to deal with that. If you're the best product person, you're the best visionary at the company, don't be the CEO.”
Drew TaggartJun 24, 2025▶ 40:52The Chainsmokers’ Journey from DJs to VCs · Invest Like The Best
Insight
Taggart: There is no formula for writing pop or dance hits
“You'd think that we'd have a formula now on how to, like, write a dance song at least, or write a pop song. Forget about trying to write, like, the truest song for you at that moment, but, like, it's still, it can come from anywhere, and it's so difficult, and…”
Drew TaggartJun 24, 2025▶ 6:06The Chainsmokers’ Journey from DJs to VCs · Invest Like The Best
PredictionNot checkable as stated
Drew Taggart: World-building will become increasingly important for musical artists
“The world building of the whole thing is something that, you know, doesn't come naturally to every artist, which I think will be just be more and more important.”
Drew TaggartJun 24, 2025▶ 15:42The Chainsmokers’ Journey from DJs to VCs · Invest Like The Best
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