# Logic: Logic & Chris Zarou (2018)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2021-08-16
- Length: 1h 10m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-08-16-logic-logic-chris-zarou-2018

## Summary

Rapper Logic (Sir Robert Bryson Hall II) and his manager Chris Zarou discuss building their careers from scratch, starting with free mixtapes on DatPiff and leveraging early social media like Twitter and YouTube to build a loyal fanbase before signing with Def Jam Records. They detail the financial risks of their first tour, including a lost accounting system, and the strategic decision to reject a $1.5 million deal to maintain creative control. The conversation covers the massive success of the album 'Everybody' and the hit song '1 800 273 8255', as well as Logic's mental health struggles and the evolution of their business, Visionary Music Group, into a diversified brand.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-08-16-logic-logic-chris-zarou-2018#t=0) Introduction: Logic and Chris Zarou
- [4:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-08-16-logic-logic-chris-zarou-2018#t=295) Logic's Early Life and Musical Origins
- [18:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-08-16-logic-logic-chris-zarou-2018#t=1123) Chris Zarou's Entry into Music Management
- [25:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-08-16-logic-logic-chris-zarou-2018#t=1559) Building the Brand with Free Music and Social Media
- [39:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-08-16-logic-logic-chris-zarou-2018#t=2350) The First Tour and Financial Risks
- [46:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-08-16-logic-logic-chris-zarou-2018#t=2784) Def Jam Deal and Album Release Strategy
- [55:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-08-16-logic-logic-chris-zarou-2018#t=3344) The Success of '1 800 273 8255' and Mental Health
- [1:04:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-08-16-logic-logic-chris-zarou-2018#t=3895) Future of Visionary Music Group and Diversification

## Topics

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

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Def Jam Records (company)
- DatPiff (other)
- Visionary Music Group (company)
- Elysium (company)
- Bobby Boy (company)
- Sony Music (company)
- Visionary Records (company)
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car (other)
- Adobe Audition (tool)
- Wu-Tang Clan (other)
- Kill Bill (other)
- RZA (other)
- Nas (other)
- Jay-Z (other)
- Drake (other)
- Rick Ross (other)
- J.J. Abrams (other)
- Supermarket (other)
- This Bright Future (other)
- Under Pressure (other)
- Everybody (other)

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## Citing this page

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