Why are hip-hop producers killing their own careers by undervaluing their own talents and allowing others to take advantage of them? Read more below:
When a producer gives a beat to a rapper/manager/label “for the love,” that entity can:
1. Sell the song for a profit and never pay the producer
2. Build his/her brand and boost his/her career
3. Monetize online plays/streams (even on your Youtube and Soundcloud pages)
4. Book shows/tours based on this original music
5. ETC.
The producer loses. Where’s “the love?” It’s not unreasonable to expect some type of fair compensation for your talents and efforts. Making a living doesn’t ruin your art.
Ideas for producers:
1. 50/50 album partnerships with recording artists
2. Trades (beats in exchange for verses, etc)
3. Set a floor and ceiling for beat prices and stay consistent
4. Production deals
5. Releasing instrumental music (create a demand for yourself)
6. Monetizing your own streaming music (Content ID, Adsense, etc)
7. DJ for artists you produce for to split show fees
8. LEARN. The more you know, the less you can be taken advantage of.
