Although producers are 50 percent of the song and get their fair share of the royalties, most of the credit in a song tends to go to the artist rapping or singing on the beat. While the artist is on the road making all kinds of tour money, producers are left at home working on their next placement. Producers are not making the extra coins that artists make on tour or from merchandise.
By re-branding themselves as artists, they are able to step from behind the soundboard and out on the big stage.
Producers Sonny Digital and Metro Boomin are perfect examples of the shift.
Both producers, while continuing to progress in their craft, have learned the art of DJ-ing and are now touring the world performing DJ sets.
These producers turned artists are now opening for major artists on tour as well as turning up crowds at music festivals such as SXSW and Coachella.
Merchandising is another way that many artists make their money. Popular producers are now able to launch merchandise to sell online and at their shows around the country just like any other artists. And they’re doing very well.
Tags are an important way for producers to make a name for themselves. Back in the day, famous producers were far and few, but in the digital age anyone can make beats. By putting more prominent tags in their music, producers are able to become more recognizable on popular songs, increasing their notability in hip-hop.
In the digital age, it is not hard for producers to be put in the background due to an abundance of music throughout our everyday lives. In order to claim their artistry, they are setting themselves at the forefront of the songs they produce. They’ve made their presence known in the hip-hop industry as producers, but will soon show they can be so much more.
Producers are now branding themselves as artists in order to increase revenue, fan base and credibility in the music industry. There would be no hip-hop music without hip-hop beats, and no hip-hop beats without hip-hop producers.