Downfalls Of A Good Producer 

By: Beat Pimpa

Yesterday I was at a get together with a bunch of local Atlanta hip hop producers who were all asking questions, sharing ideas, and playing their music.  A lot of the questions were about why big superstar hip hop artists weren't showing them any love and why their tracks weren't selling for as much and as fast as other hip hop producers.  After listening to a lot of tracks and demos these were the base reasons why I felt that they were having such a hard time.  First of all, I would like to say that I think the main thing that you have to show as a hip hop producer is that you know how to produce (which would be shown in demos and other projects you have done before).  Why would anyone pay you for your services as a hip hop producer, especially top dollar, if they don't have a good record of what you are capable of doing?  These hip hop producers at this gathering had a record of what they were doing but there were some problems that I saw that, if corrected, would maximize their chances.
    
    The first one that stuck out to me was the quality of their recordings.  How can someone hear your great hip hop production if it's full of static, muffled, degraded, and distorted...right??  Find a GOOD engineer!!!      
    
    The second problem I saw was the track placement; either the hip hop artist sucked or the track wasn't for them.  As a hip hop producer, whether you make beats or get them from someone else, you must make sure the track fits the artist.  It could be the greatest hip hop beat you and the artist have ever heard in your lives but if it doesn't fit their style, voice, and flow it's a waste of time unless you are just out to get money from them... and that to me would be bad business.  It's your job as the hip hop producer is to let them know if you think that track doesn't fit them.  
    
    The third thing I heard in a few of the hip hop producers songs was that they didn't sound current.  They were great songs but they sounded like they would have been a hit in 1997 or something.  If you are trying to maximize your clientele and profit you must understand that most hip hop artists out there want their songs on the radio, t.v., satellite radio, and other venues to gain exposure and make money.  Most of these venues are only interested in playing songs that are current as far as fitting or sounding similar to songs that they are already playing in rotation.  It's sad and it sucks but it's reality.  Listen to the radio and newly released big name hip hop albums.  Stay current AND one step ahead of current.  

    The next one I saw was the same sounds and styles being used.  This can either hurt or be beneficial to you, but I think it's only beneficial to you when you have been widely recognized and praised for it.  If you haven't been recognized or gotten A LOT of good feed back off of your style and sound don't stop making those kinds of tracks because one day... hopefully soon you might.  So don't stop, but explore some other styles.  If you are into snap music, load some other sounds into your Fruity Loops and leave the sounds you were using alone for awhile.  If you keep loading the same drum kits into your MPC hide the disk from yourself and try some new ones.  If the hip hop studio musician you use plays the same chords and progressions every time try out a new player.  

    The last big thing I heard was how few hit songs or attempts at hit songs I heard.  Your main job as a hip hop producer, in order to make a lot of money, is to make hits.  Like I said before, most hip hop artists want their songs to get air time to get exposure to make money.  Radio and t.v. for the most part only play hits.  Artists want hit songs to promote their album.  If they don't have a hip hop hit how will they effectively promote it?  Your chances of success are widely increased with the amount of hit songs you make.

    Above all else - keep grinding, keep promoting, keep hustling, and definitely keep working on your craft.  Good luck to all of ya'll - keep doing your thang!