Why Do You Need A Music Producer?

 When I was growing up, hip hop music was coming into play, and I was all for it. The first song I heard was Sucker MCs by Run DMC. I can still hear that Boom Bap sound in my head. So simple yet so intoxicating. As hip hop became more and more accessible, I took in everything I could.

Over time, I became a DJ for several MCs in the neighborhood. We created a little crew, created skits and all those things, and went out and began doing parties. I would DJ block parties, basement parties, you name it. During that time, I was the guy who was borrowing turntables from another DJ in the neighborhood. I didn’t care so long as I could DJ. Over time, I got my turntable (yes, singular) after working the whole summer to buy one turntable and one needle to go with it. They were so expensive at the time.

Over the years, I became a rapper and a music producer. I got my first keyboard, my Roland W-30 (thanks, mom for getting me the music store loan), and I was in business. But as things progressed, I gravitated more and more to production.

Learning from great music producers

I was the guy who would buy the Public Enemy album and flip the album over and read all the credits – the Bomb Squad, Hank Shockley, Keith Shockley, and many others.

I did that with every album, whether it was produced by DJ Jazzy Jeff, Marly Marl, Rick Rubin, Pete Rock, Dr. Dre, et cetera. I enjoyed understanding the producers and how they worked and gained a good perspective and respect for them. I also appreciated the collaboration that could happen across a team of people to bring us all together.

Again, I enjoy rapping, but when I thought I needed to make a choice as to where I’d spend more time, I felt like I wasn’t gonna be Michael Jackson, I’d probably be more like Quincy Jones and be able to help a “Michael Jackson” a “Diana Ross,” etc.. And we all know the rest of Quincy’s legacy as times have progressed.

How technology is impacting the creative process

So obviously, with technology and the ability to create in today’s DIY world, it’s easier than ever to conceptualize and develop your musical masterpiece from end to end. What sometimes took weeks and traveling to recording studios can now be done in a day in the corner of your bedroom.

Just because technology allows you to do it all yourself, the question is, “should you?” When you do, you wear many creative hats, in addition to what happens after the fun part. Setting up distribution, promotions, ongoing marketing, sales, booking shows, etc. I’m sorry, this is not meant to depress you, but to give a dose of reality. Technology clearly has its advantages, but it can also lead to unintended consequences that include less than optimal songs, prematurely released music, a suboptimal catalogue and even a dismal career.

The roles a producer might plan

More specific to the producer, what can get overlooked is the various roles that a producer can play. They can, of course, obviously be a beat maker and create the foundation of the song, the atmosphere, sonically, et cetera. But they can also be an arranger, helping structure the song for flow, impact, and replay value. They can also be a vocal producer and coach, helping pull the best out of the artist and helping the artist think through the delivery and cadence – – I like to say, “Does the milk flow through the cereal?” They can also be a sound designer. And a mixer liaison, somebody who’s helping shape the texture and the sonic work.

I used to have a friend who used to say that mixing a song is almost like painting. “You would never have the sky on the ground, the grass in the air above the trees.” Every sound must be placed, through panning, depth, and instrument complement.

The producer can also be a creative partner offering vision, direction, and sometimes, honestly, spiritual and mental encouragement. As an artist, you can easily hit low spots within a song or outside of the music, and producers can be that person who’s walking alongside you to help you get through those moments.

Last but certainly not least, they can also be the executive producer, helping fund a project or its lifecycle.

You will have to decide

You know, as I mentioned. Back in the day, it was clear that people came together in many cases, if not most cases, and sometimes what brought them together was the big studio environment, working in a location. In today’s DIY world, you could do it in your basement with a keyboard or a computer, and get it all done. The question is, should you? Or should you allow yourself the chance to create something much more significant by incorporating a producer (and potential others) to create bigger pieces of work?

To be clear, I’m not suggesting you can’t create those things alone. However, I am suggesting that collaborations and such often create greater works.

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