# Logic: Logic & Chris Zarou

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2019-03-11
- Length: 1h 11m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-03-11-logic-logic-chris-zarou

## Summary

Rapper Logic (Sir Robert Bryson Hall II) and his manager Chris Zarou explain how they built a multimillion-dollar business by releasing free music to build a loyal fanbase before signing with Def Jam Records. They discuss the strategic use of social media, the financial risks of touring in a minivan, and the critical decision to turn down a $1.5 million record deal to maintain creative control. The episode also covers Logic's mental health struggles, his breakdown on stage, and the creation of the hit song '1 800 273 8255' dedicated to suicide prevention.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-03-11-logic-logic-chris-zarou#t=0) Introduction: Logic and Chris Zarou
- [3:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-03-11-logic-logic-chris-zarou#t=238) Logic's Childhood and Early Music Career
- [17:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-03-11-logic-logic-chris-zarou#t=1060) Chris Zarou's Entry into Music Management
- [24:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-03-11-logic-logic-chris-zarou#t=1495) The Partnership and Free Music Strategy
- [34:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-03-11-logic-logic-chris-zarou#t=2060) Touring, Accounting Failures, and Def Jam Deal
- [45:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-03-11-logic-logic-chris-zarou#t=2759) Building the Brand and Social Media Strategy
- [54:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-03-11-logic-logic-chris-zarou#t=3273) Mental Health, Breakdown, and '1 800 273 8255'
- [1:03:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-03-11-logic-logic-chris-zarou#t=3822) Future Business Plans and Legacy

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Def Jam Records (company)
- Visionary Music Group (company)
- Elysium (company)
- Bobby Boy (company)
- Sony Music (company)
- Visionary Records (company)
- DatPiff (other)
- Adobe Audition (tool)
- YouTube (other)
- Snapchat (other)
- Instagram (other)
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Fatco (company)
- Target (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 029: How to be a sellout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-23-episode-029-how-to-be-a-sellout) (Making It)
- [375: $52,000,000](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-10-28-375-52-000-000) (Making It)
- [How Liquid Death is Murdering Lame Marketing with Hamid Saify (2023)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-09-19-how-liquid-death-is-murdering-lame-marketing-with-hamid-saify-2023) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature - Fane He and Kyle Nguyen of  The Lucky Ox](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-06-20-founder-feature-fane-he-and-kyle-nguyen-of-the-lucky-ox) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [BONUS: Your Cat's Not Part of the Band](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-06-18-bonus-your-cats-not-part-of-the-band) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-03-11-logic-logic-chris-zarou. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to How I Built This.