[…] Artists still need to build a team to be successful. The 2010 Future of Music Coalition Artist Revenue Streams project concluded that high earning musicians ($100,000+ per year) were two times as likely to have certain paid or contracted team members.⁴ The results of the study suggest that while the Internet has enabled access to the market by anyone, revenue is still significantly affected by the presence of a team.

In the case of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, the duo actively handle much of their non-musical productions, including graphic design and video, but several key figures have enabled their growth into the mainstream. Zach Quillen has managed the duo since 2010 and has played an integral role in shaping their ascent alongside Peter Schwartz, also of the Agency Group. Macklemore’s long-time girlfriend Tricia Davis is heavily involved too, aiding with tour management and merchandising. A regular roster of musical collaborators completes a powerful team with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis at the helm.