Lola Plaku Talks Hustle, Strategy & Legacy on The Manager’s Playbook
Toronto’s own Lola Plaku has built a career on persistence, vision, and the ability to turn raw opportunity into lasting momentum. In her recent sit-down with Mauricio Ruiz on The Manager’s Playbook, the music executive stripped away the industry’s myths and delivered a masterclass in what it really takes to last in the business.
From Journalism to the Stage
Before she was managing tours and artists, Plaku was shaping stories. Her career started in Toronto’s music journalism scene—most notably as an editor for HipHopCanada.com. That newsroom grind, she says, sharpened her instincts for narrative, structure, and the behind-the-scenes systems that still guide her today.
The Realities of Hustle
The interview highlights the gritty, often overlooked side of building careers in music. Plaku recalls hustling to book shows for French Montana, and how assembling a street team for Big Sean required more than enthusiasm—it demanded real results. For Plaku, these moments weren’t glamorous milestones; they were blueprints in how resourcefulness, persistence, and teamwork translate into momentum.
Streaming, Strategy & Survival
She didn’t shy away from the technical side either. Plaku broke down how artists often miss crucial details in their streaming strategies—details that can quietly cost them exposure, time, and revenue. For her, longevity is about combining creativity with precision.
Balancing Egos & Building Communities
One of the strongest takeaways from the interview is Plaku’s dual focus: tough love and empathy. She describes a manager’s role as part translator, part air-traffic controller—keeping artists inspired while making sure the business runs smoothly. Her mentorship platform Girl Connected embodies that philosophy, offering women in music not just encouragement but infrastructure—“community as scaffolding, not slogan,” as she puts it.
Honouring Bishop Brigante
The most emotional moment of the conversation came when Plaku reflected on the passing of Bishop Brigante, the Toronto artist, actor, and entrepreneur who was integral to the city’s hip-hop fabric. She spoke candidly about his legacy with HipHopCanada and how his passing at just 46 was a reminder of the fragility of life—and the urgency of building with intention.
Lessons in Longevity
By the end of the conversation, one message stood tall: longevity doesn’t happen by accident—it’s engineered. For artists, managers, and builders alike, Plaku’s insights are less a victory lap than a survival guide for anyone chasing a career that lasts longer than the internet’s attention span.
If you’re plotting your own path in music, this is one episode of The Manager’s Playbook you’ll want to replay—pen and notebook in hand.