Podcast
Middle Row w Coco Mocoe
Hosted by Coco Mocoe · EN
Interviewing your next favorite celebrity & dissecting the trending topics đż
Instagram: @cocomocoe
TikTok: @cocomocoe
YouTube: Coco Mocoe
44episodes
Episodes
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The Biggest Marketing Myth Rebecca Black Proved Wrong
5d ago00:41:53Summary readyWATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR "HOT WET DELIRIOUS" BY REBECCA BLACK HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX6ZbnN0z6E&list=RDMX6ZbnN0z6E&start_radio=1Today's episode of "Middle Row w Coco Mocoe" podcast features Rebecca Black! Such a special guest. She started music over 10 years ago but has really honed her craft in the recent years after opening for Katy Perry, releasing her previous projects "Let Her Burn" and "Salvation" and now becoming one of the most sought after DJ's. Now, she is gearing up to release her third studio album, "Age of the Exhibitionist". I wouldn't call this a rebrand. I would call it something else. We talk about that marketing myth in today's episode. Enjoy, coconuts! đ„„ TOPICS & TIME STAMPS:0:00 - Coco Mocoeâs Marketing Analysis of Rebecca Black 7:00 - Watching music video 11:59 - How to find a good stylist 13:10 - What is different about this era and album roll out versus her last14:55 - The album cover was initially a mistake17:23 - What was it like working with Katy Perry on the Lifetimes Tour19:52 - What is one of the most difficult things about being a DJ that people donât realize 21:50 - How she got into DJâing24:20 - How did broiler room come about27:35 - Being a female DJ in a male dominated space 29:50 - How chaotic is it in a booth when DJâing39:00 - How has being a DJ helped her with creating her own music40:50 - The ârebrandâ strategyIf you made it this far, you're already a Coconut â so make it official. đ„„ Subscribe to the channel and drop a comment below telling me which artist you think is about to take off. I read them all and it might just land them in the Middle Row seat.Follow me for more:Instagram | @cocomocoeTikTok | @cocomocoeEmail | cocomocoe@gmail.comAdd the official Middle Row playlist to your library on Spotify to hear what songs and artists I think are going to break big next:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9Watch previous episodes of the podcast hereCharli XCX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HwNYv1VOpo&t=34sAdela: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDhjDJybhsM&t=299sSlayyyter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0CCuvFUHX0&t=29sKylie Cantrall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNBYiEpNwB4&t=1062sExecutive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna TracyVideographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Coco MocoeCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify Theater, Los Angeles
SummaryAdéla Wants to be Polarizing
2w ago00:41:22Summary readyFilmed in November 2024. AdĂ©la's first-ever podast interview. WATCH THE "SUPERSCAR" MUSIC VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn6ey6HOkP4 In this episode of "Middle Row w Coco Mocoe", we are joined by AdĂ©la as she breaks down her music video for "Superscar". This was her second single, ever, and it already has over 1 million views on YouTube and she is building a cult-like fandom, as a result. We discuss her background growing up Slovakia, her USSR ballet training, her time on "Pop Star Academy" on Netflix, her current relationships with castmates (including the KATSEYE girls), how she found her producer, Liam Benayon, how Grimes discovered her and more. AdĂ©la is going to be a huge star! I am so lucky to say that I got the first-ever, sit down interview with her. Her music, vision, athleticism and artistry is something huge labels would pay for even their biggest artists to have even a slice of. Recently, she put out "Aint in LA", toured with Demi Lovato and performed at Lollapalooza 2026, and gearing up to release her debut album, PRIMA. To make it an easier viewing experience for you, here are the time stamps for the episode:0:00 - Introduction0:51 - Snacks4:00 - How Adela learned English 6:41 - The storyline of âSuperScarâ music video7:40 - The executive auditioning symbolism 8:51 - The Ashley O hair9:49 - Little sister in the video 12:20 - Adelaâs favorite shot of the video 12:57 - How she decided on pink hair 15:06 - How Adela came up with the title âSuperscarâ 17:45 - How she came up with the scar imagery for the cover art18:22 - âIâm not in the business of being likedâ 19:30 - Adelaâs background & USSR ballet growing up 21:20 - What it was like appearing on âPop Star Academyâ on Netflix24:30 - How she handles online hate 26:40 - Who Adela is still close to from the show & KATSEYE group28:16 - The filming schedule of âPop Star Academyâ over the course of two years 31:26 - How she met her producer, Liam Benayon32:00 - âHomewreckedâ storyline34:00 - Adelaâs next song âMachine Girlâ 34:50 - Industry interest in Adela since her first singles as an independent artist36:05 - How Grimes discovered Adela and reached out to her37:40 - Adelaâs big three in astrology Where you can find more of AdĂ©la: Spotify: â https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qanRMyA5bNuTvz1dK45OPâ Instagram: â https://www.instagram.com/adelajergova/â YouTube: â https://www.youtube.com/@AD%C3%89LAJERGOV%C3%81â TikTok: â https://www.tiktok.com/@adelajergova?lang=enâ Where you can find more of Coco Mocoe:Instagram: â https://www.instagram.com/cocomocoe/â TikTok: â https://www.tiktok.com/@cocomocoeâ Follow the official "Middle Row" playlist on Spotify: â https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9?si=e4dc55829d754ad0&nd=1&dlsi=d97fc2d2e8c64f95â Executive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna Tracy Videographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Coco MocoeCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify LAEmail: cocomocoe@gmail.com
SummaryHow Kylie Cantrall became Disney's next golden child
3w ago00:24:20Summary readyWATCH "BOY FOR A DAY" MUSIC VIDEO HEREâ â WATCH "DENIM" MUSIC VIDEO HEREâ Kylie Cantrall talks about going from Disney Channel to pop star, her viral âHollywood Hair Theory,â and the stories behind her music videos like âDenim,â âBoy for a Day,â and âRaised by Rihanna.â She shares hidden easter eggs, growing up in LA, and what itâs like creating music for Gen Z.Watch the full interview on Middle Row with Coco Mocoe now.Follow me! Instagram | â @cocomocoeâ TikTok | â @cocomocoeâ Email: cocomocoe@gmail.comFollow the official â "Middle Row" playlistâ on SpotifyExecutive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna Tracy Videographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Sammi Social | Comfort CreatorPhotographer: Chase HanssenCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify LAComment below what music artist you think is next to take off!#KylieCantrall #DisneyChannel #PopStar #DenimMusicVideo #BoyForADay #MiddleRow #HollywoodHairTheory #GenZMusic
SummaryChristopher Nolan's Blind Spot
3w ago00:37:16Summary readyDoes Christopher Nolan have a pattern when it comes to writing women? In this episode of Middle Row with Coco Mocoe, we analyze Nolanâs adaptation of The Odyssey through a feminist film lensâexamining how his female characters often act as emotional vessels, plot catalysts, and symbols of male regret. Drawing from Sverre Sigfussionâs thesis, "Noir Guilt Complex: The Death of Women as a Catalyst for Character Development," we look back at films like Inception, The Dark Knight, The Prestige, and Oppenheimer, and map those character tropes onto The Odysseyâs key female figures: Penelope (Anne Hathaway), Circe (Samantha Morton), Calypso, and Athena. Read the thesis herePlus, we break down standout performances and the controversial casting of Travis Scott as the Bard. CHAPTERS: Introduction â 0:00 The 2015 Thesis â 5:03 The Prestige â 5:44The Dark Knight â 6:28 Inception â 6:42 Oppenheimer â 7:44Other male directors portrayal of women in the storyline â 11:40 SPOILERS AHEAD Penelope in the Odyssey â 17:09Circe â 19:16 Calypso â 24:16 Athena â 27:18 The making of the odyssey -- 30:54 If you made it this far, you're already a Coconut â so make it official. đ„„ Subscribe to the channel and drop a comment below telling me which artist you think is about to take off. I read them all and it might just land them in the Middle Row seat.Follow me for more:Instagram | @cocomocoeTikTok | @cocomocoeEmail | cocomocoe@gmail.com
SummaryWhy "Spamming Content" Actually Works (The Love Island USA Strategy)
Jul 1300:34:23Summary readyDid you know that Love Island USA was originally considered a "failure to launch" during its first three seasons on CBS? From strict broadcasting rules to sanitized episodes, the show almost came to a complete close. Cut to today, and Love Island USA is running laps around major scripted drama series like Bridgerton and House of the Dragon to become the biggest show in the country.In todayâs solo episode of Middle Row with Coco Mocoe podcast, Iâm breaking down my marketing theory on the exact decisions that catapulted this franchise into a cultural phenomenon. We discuss the massive impact of the Bravo fandom, why Ariana Madix was the ultimate tipping point, and the logistics behind the real-time "war room" editing in Fiji.Most importantly, we explore the "Firehouse Effect" in marketingâthe strategy of drowning out your competition through sheer volume of contentâand how you can apply this to your own brand, music, or content creation journey (plus the dangerous risks of the 2020s digital surveillance state).I want this to be a discussion rather than a lecture, so leave a comment below: why do you think Love Island USA became the #1 show in the US? What blind spots did I miss?If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help us climb the charts, and subscribe for more pop culture marketing deep dives!If you made it this far, you're already a Coconut â so make it official. đ„„ Subscribe to the channel and drop a comment below telling me which artist you think is about to take off. I read them all and it might just land them in the Middle Row seat.Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 3:10 - The History of Love Island USA 6:25 - Why they replaced Sarah Hyland as host with Ariana Maddix 10:10 - Why Ariana Maddix was the tipping point for the show 13:35 - How love island use has remained the most watched show in the U.S. for three years16:30 - The firehose method 20:32 - The risk of the firehouse method: CBSâs Big Brother28:48 - How to apply the firehose method in marketing to yourselfFollow me for more:Instagram | @cocomocoeTikTok | @cocomocoeEmail | cocomocoe@gmail.comAdd the official Middle Row playlist to your library on Spotify to hear what songs and artists I think are going to break big next:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9Executive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna TracyVideographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Coco MocoeCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify Theater, Los Angeles#LoveIslandUSA #ArianaMadix #MarketingStrategy #TrendForecasting #MiddleRowPodcast #PopCulture #ContentCreator
SummaryHow Ella Langley became bigger than pop music
Jul 600:30:22Summary readyElla Langley has been putting out music for almost 10 years now, with her first song "Clear the Clouds" coming out in 2017. But what branding and marketing decision did she make a few years ago that turned her into the biggest artist in the world, with "Choosin Texas" being one of the longest standing #1 songs on the Billboard charts of the year?Let me know in the comments what other trending topics, artists and celebrities you want me to cover in the "Middle Row w Coco Mocoe" podcast. New episodes every other Monday!f you made it this far, you're already a Coconut â so make it official. đ„„ Subscribe to the channel and drop a comment below telling me which artist you think is about to take off. I read them all and it might just land them in the Middle Row seat.Follow me for more:Instagram | â @cocomocoeâ TikTok | â @cocomocoeâ Email | cocomocoe@gmail.com
SummaryHow to get 200M streams before signing to a label (ft. Mad Tsai)
Jun 2200:48:57Summary readyWATCH MAD TSAIâS MUSIC VIDEO FOR âBITEâ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GevLw6cqBI&list=RD2GevLw6cqBI&start_radio=1How does a bedroom pop artist cross 200 million streams entirely on their own before signing to a major label? Today on Middle Row, we are joined by the artist Mad Tsai to break down his rise in music while finishing his degree at UCLA. From the viral, LGBTQ+ fan-edit momentum of "Boy Bi" to the 100-million-stream milestone of "Stacyâs Brother," Mad Tsai explains how activating niche fandoms can activate internet subcultures to pull an artist's music into their world.We dissect the fundamental shift in listener psychology; such as, contrasting traditional, forced record label marketing with the organic power of TikTok fan edits (ex. BookTok, anime edits, and viral Love Island clips). We also look at the data behind Alex Warrenâs 134-post pivot for his hit "Ordinary," how Mad Tsai leaned into online friction and critics to fuel his rollouts for "DA DA DA" and "STRAYS," and the deep personal storytelling of culture and queerness that is a through line in his music. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 9:46 - Why his name is Mad Tsai13:32 - Why artists have alter egos15:20 - How to get 200-million+ streams before even signing to a record label16:26 - Being a UCLA student while videos are going viral17:57 - The personal challenge that made him viral19:46 - The fan edits that made his songs viral23:26 - The niche online that made his music viral24:54 - Turning online drama into massive roll-out moments25:46 - The online hate that kept him from posting music for 2+ years33:13 - Madâs ethnic background (Peruvian, Canto, Taiwanese)36:18 - Madâs queer identity39:01 - Songs that explore his sexuality41:20 - Where is the best spot to eat in LA43:46 - Madâs sun, moon and rising44:31 - Madâs upcoming tourSubscribe to get notified anytime a new podcast episode of âMiddle Row w Coco Mocoeâ drops every other Monday!Follow @ cocomocoe on socials: instagram.com/cocomocoetiktok.com/@cocomocoe cocomocoe.substack.com
SummaryThe Katseye Kurse: The Marketing Strengths & Blind Spots of the World's Biggest Girl Group
Jun 800:40:59Summary readyKATSEYE got Grammy nominations, a viral Gap campaign, a sold-out tour, and one of the best-selling albums in America, all in under two years. So why can't the girls escape criticism? In this episode of "Middle Row with Coco Mocoe", I break down what I'm calling the "Katseye Kurse," the collision between HYBE and Geffen's K-pop machine and a Western fandom that plays by completely different rules. I get into the Manon hiatus and the silence that followed, the Dream Academy contestants who got recycled into HYBE's next global group, Saint Satine, the Mickey Mouse Club blueprint with dropped artists being launched into stardom, and why the label's biggest marketing win might also explain its biggest blind spot.This isn't bad luck. It's a system that was built for impact. But who pays the price of the whiplash? Chapters 0:00 - Introduction 7:54 - Pop Star Academy on Netflix12:03 - Mickey Mouse Club14:12 - Who didn't make Katseye but have since launched music careers?16:08 - The Introduction of Saint Satine aka Prelude17:48 - The moment KATSEYE became a household name19:32 - The Manon Hiatus20:24 - Why doesn't Hybe address the Manon rumors?21:33 - The importance of fan accounts24:26 - Why the K-Pop infrastructure failed in western media26:48 - The Gen-Z Vs. Gen Alpha Dilemma30:03 - Can the "Katseye Kurse" be broken?New episodes of Middle Row every other Monday. If you made it this far, you're already a Coconut â so make it official. đ„„ Subscribe to the channel and drop a comment below telling me which artist you think is about to take off. I read them all and it might just land them in the Middle Row seat.Follow me for more:Instagram | @cocomocoeTikTok | @cocomocoeEmail | cocomocoe@gmail.comAdd the official Middle Row playlist to your library on Spotify to hear what songs and artists I think are going to break big next:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9Executive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna TracyVideographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Coco MocoeCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify Theater, Los Angeles
SummaryWhy You Have To Win Over This Country To Become a Pop Star (ft. flowerovlove)
May 2500:31:46Summary readyHow do you break a global pop star in 2026? Forget New York, Los Angeles, or London. The biggest paradigm shift in the music industry is happening thousands of miles awayâand it all relies on a secret framework known as "Trigger Cities."In this episode of Middle Row, trend forecaster Coco Mocoe sits down with gen-z pop prodigy flowerovlove right after her historic Coachella set to unpack the exact viral trajectory that took her track "Breaking News" to #1 in the Philippines, racking up an astronomical 4.5 million creator videos on TikTok.We dive deep into the business mechanics behind international music marketing, why Manila is the hidden gateway to Western chart success, gatekeeping your creative vision, and how independent artists can build global power houses from a home garage.What We Cover (Timestamps):0:00 â The "Trigger Cities" Paradigm Shift changing the music business2:15 â Why Manila, Philippines is the ultimate algorithmic launchpad4:32 â Behind the Visuals: Deconstructing the "Breaking News" Music Video7:45 â The Accidental Tipping Point: How a muted TV clip created a 4.5M video trend10:14 â Reclaiming Pop: Why Black British artists get unfairly boxed into alternative genres13:10 â The Independence Blueprint: Learning from Billie Eilish & Finneas15:45 â Creative Control & Gatekeeping: Why flowerovlove refuses to use stylists18:22 â Coachella Secrets: Bringing out BINI and Niana Guerrero24:35 â Album Soon? Decoding the hidden Easter eggs in her fashionListen on the Go:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zIXuFH...Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Substack (Ahead of the Curve Newsletter): https://cocomocoe.substack.com/Follow flowerovlove:Instagram: @flowerovloveTikTok: @flowerovlove#MusicIndustry #TriggerCities #flowerovlove #BINI #Coachella #MusicMarketing #PopMusic #TikTokTrends #IndependentArtist
SummaryHow Holly Humberstone Got Noticed by Taylor Swift
May 400:39:04Summary readyWATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR "BEAUTY PAGENT" BY HOLLY HUMBERSTONE â HEREâ đș Holly Humberstone grew up doing ballet in a small English town and somehow ended up walking the runway at Wembley Stadium in front of thousands of people while nearly having a wardrobe crisis in real time. She is telling us everything.In this episode of Middle Row, I sit down with BRIT Award-winning singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone fresh off her Coachella return and the release of her sophomore album Cruel World. This conversation goes deep. We cover family grief, childhood nostalgia, and why this album era feels so different from everything she has done before. Holly breaks down the exact cinematic references shaping her new visual world, the vocal production tricks behind tracks like Blue Dream, and what creative burnout actually looks like when you are a rising indie-pop artist with the whole industry watching.Plus the Taylor Swift Eras Tour call. She tells us what it was really like getting that surprise invite to open for Taylor, and the split-second decision she had to make while walking the Wembley runway that nobody knew about until now.We also do a full birth chart breakdown because obviously we do. And if you are someone who studies music marketing, artist branding, or the business of going from bedroom pop to festival headliner, this episode is genuinely essential listening.Holly Humberstone is one of the most interesting artists in music right now. This is the episode that explains why.Time Stamps: 00:00:19 Holly Humberstone Ballet Background00:01:34 Last-Minute Wardrobe Crisis00:03:59 Wembley Stadium Runway Panic00:04:41 Taylor Swift Eras Tour00:07:11 Cruel World Album Lore & Family Grief00:12:31 Birth Chart Analysis00:18:45 Music Marketing & Artist Branding00:24:12 Cinematic Visual Era Inspiration00:31:05 Vocal Effects & Studio Production Secrets00:36:50 Creative Burnout & the Reality of Rising FameThank you coconuts for making it this far! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts with a recommendation for what artists or topics you want next on the show âïž Instagram: â @cocomocoeâ TikTok: â @cocomocoeâ YouTube: â Coco Mocoe
Summary