How Do Producers Make Money In The Streaming Era? | For The Record

Last month, several songwriters and producers spoke out against Spotify for appealing a controversial ruling that would increase royalty rates for songwriters by 44 percent. The open letter, which was signed by big names like Murda Beatz, Babyface, T-Minus, and Ludwig Göransson, reignited a discussion about how the creative forces that work behind the scenes in the music industry make a living in the streaming era.
On this week’s episode of 'For The Record,' Genius' Head of Artist Relations Rob Markman sat down with Grammy-winning producer !llmind and Shade 45 DJ Statik Selektah, who has collaborated with Eminem, Freddie Gibbs, and Joey Bada$$, to delve into the specifics of how producers make money in 2019. Both Statik and !llmind agreed that the days of receiving large upfront fees for a beat are long gone.
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TOPICS::: 2:38 !llmind explains how he has set up multiple revenue streams as a producer 4:50 Statik Selektah on how he generates income as a DJ and producer 6:11 Why selling beats isn't enough to make a living these days 6:44 Why producers don't receive large upfront fees anymore 12:38 Why up and coming producers shouldn't rely on mechanical royalties and should try to be paid upfront 15:58 Statik explains the complicated business side of sampling 18:11 Why samples can be so expensive to use 19:42 !llmind on why producers shouldn't only source samples from the internet 29:12 How streaming has changed how we calculate sales 33:17 Rob explains how the medium through which we deliver music changes how the music is made 35:09 Why !llmind collaborates with other producers even if it means splitting the publishing

[@67fs]

ay that's what's up

[@TheGiftof7PRESENTS]

Genius Dap👊🏽🎶

[@acharich]

Thanks man..! ✊🏾

[@roryriches3404]

Genius - Y’all should do “unknown hype producer edition” series . Where you find a producer with low followers but makes amazing beats and has a great image . Shit’d be dope

[@OwolabbyAzeez]

Ayy your personality is lit 🔥💯. Ya whoever is scrolling through the comments I hope you have a phenomenal day. Get ya bread and all the crumbs too. Stack and act broke 😤🤟🏾🤟🏾😤.

[@pregotbeats8023]

A union is needed. This is BS, how you the first one to start the product and then the last to get paid if you even get paid.

[@jacksonkeeting5270]

This comment is gold

[@jacksonkeeting5270]

I've never thought of it like that I literally couldn't scroll past without telling you

[@kyleog17]

its unreal right

[@lostwoodproduction1411]

For real. I'm tired of hearing "will you work for free?" from artists. I'm trying to build with other musicians but it's like most artists don't want to invest in themselves and they end up trying to devalue all the hard work I put in as a producer.

[@casimiran]

agreed

[@Big-yh8wz]

Rob, unfortunately the producer community isn't THAT big so these topics wont get as many views as say, covering a controversial topic but please keep creating producer content, we need it and its valued, thanks for the interview and do more for us producer we love it !

[@toomonthebeatfool]

Big 1400 !!

[@rabissenseicomprende7994]

Ain't that big but if producers can all come together it would be huge

[@styl1ssttt]

The producer community toxic sometimes, that's the main problem we don't support each other

[@Xolin11]

It is actually pretty big these days. Big enough for these issues to come up.

[@AnotherVGN]

Hey I know you

[@SteveLionProducer]

Playing producers like this is the biggest disrespect in the music industry. You want a product you pay for it before you walk away. PERIOD!

[@DJPain1]

Yikes... at 8:56 -- this could confuse people because I believe Rob just misspoke and said "publishing royalties" instead of "royalties from the sale of the master," i.e. traditional album sales/single sales.. You don't have to recoup your advance in order to receive "publishing royalties" unless you signed a publishing deal. But if you're just selling a beat to a label, you start collecting the mechanicals, microsynchs and the performance royalties right away, theoretically.

[@overflowbeats6965]

I heard the same thing and was a little like "that seems extra". Good catch.

[@Deco_2k]

yeah they was confused me too a bit with that, thank for clearing up that DJP1

[@kmelodic4545]

Yep I thought that sounded strange

[@younginchriso]

DJ Pain 1 thanks 💯💯💯

[@RRAREBEAR]

Nice catch Pain. Just watched this and thought the same thing - came to the comments to see if I was mistaken. Appreciate the clarification!

[@pgsmedianetwork]

23:40 I don't think unreleased music is wasted man. You've successfully created something. As long as you manifest your feeling in the music it doesn't matter if you're the only one(s) to hear it.

[@yourboiaids4098]

He means wasted from a financial standpoint

[@rabissenseicomprende7994]

Truth

[@TheSpidy98]

Yeah alright lemme know when you get that check lmao

[@velo9542]

It’s crazy how much these guys help out the producer community. Salute to y’all 🙏🏼

[@inviitewiicka]

Velo Beats fax

[@acharich]

🙏🏾

[@ZToure]

blapchat is gold

[@stampboel9535]

“You guys getting paid?”

[@LA-mi5up]

The “Vinyl is selling more than CD’s right now” really surprised me

[@SilentSlider]

We need another ep. 2 of these 2 producers or different producers giving game, knowledge & gems to help other producers understand whats going and keep each other informed to create a formula for the whole thing that !llmind spoke about.

[@Beatstars]

Salute Rob Markman, Statik and Illmind 🙏 Great convo, fellas.

[@openaudio4432]

Womp womp

[@QazCwalk]

@nPlatin well if you would work hard enough you would not be making this stupid comment

[@SteveLionProducer]

@nPlatin with this mindset you are blocking your own success, you should be a realist but also stay optimistic and yes be productive AF every day of the month if you really want to make it

[@WeLuvTrap]

Yeah. 2 amazing producers.

[@20Bangerz]

TRAKTRAIN>Airbit>beatstars

[@GARZA_ICMG]

if you make beats for free and are building with the artists just put them out for free on Stem etc and split the master,s register on BMI/Ascap etc. It's not hard and if the artist acts weird for asking for half of the song and they aint paying for beats they're the type to develop that entitlement habit and are likely not gonna look out for you in the end. They need us and it should be split down the middle. For major labels, make sure you get your points, pub and the advance, most of all LAWYER UP!

[@rabissenseicomprende7994]

Man I need knowledge

[@styl1ssttt]

I don't put free on my titles, if ppl want beats they need to buy them period

[@Laysmoov]

Sometimes it seems like it's gonna be a shady rocky road ahead of me hearing this but I know it's not gonna be easy but it's like damn I only wanna make beats and it's not all about profit. But I want fruits of my labor.

[@DWBE_HAPPY]

Same g

[@uncledrew7633]

Facts bro I’m aspiring and I feel the same

[@bossthemessiah409bigron6]

I’ve learned over the years that money/success/fruits/profits go hand-in-hand with Greatness! Simply strive for absolute excellence and work on being the greatest producer beat maker musician you can possibly be and your talent will give you leverage. You get 50%! Simple as that! If for some reason people don’t want to pay you 1/2, then you automatically know they are shady and would see you broke while they get rich. It’s truly that simple!

[@at_msk]

Soon as he said only 10% of records are on the internet I took down my turntable and hooked it up to my computer. Now I have to go on a safari to a record store.

[@LukeNintyFive]

for me its very simple. you either pay for the beat up front Or if you don’t have the money Just give the producer a piece of publishing, the percentage is negotiable. Just make sure the producer is compensated in some way.

[@RobFrank22]

50%

[@LukeNintyFive]

@@RobFrank22 not for everyone unfortunately. when youre starting out, dont expect 50% out the gate unless the artist really fucks with you. its all about building relationships. this producer game is about show and prove. worry about getting your art out there and proving to people you can produce quality, thats why i said the percentage is negotiable. if kendrick used a my beat today and said youre only getting 10%, i wouldn't be angry at all.

[@rabissenseicomprende7994]

Great fuckin advice now where there producers I need to build with

[@CT_92]

I’d say get it up front for the most part because it’s unlikely that all or even most of your dealings will be with major placements. I’d say you should lease most everything and leave your exclusives unavailable unless it’s a placement. Getting even half the publishing off a record won’t mean anything for most of the records you’d wind up doing.

[@robbieraps9161]

rob markman is for the culture...in a way that most people will never understand...

[@dgayle2348]

Shoutout to Static, but I be clearing my throat when he start talking.

[@KYDUH]

D Gayle 😂😂😂

[@zerohd6090]

To make money in Long Term as a producer all you need to do is find artists & network with them..

[@yeezybeats5142]

This is the truth if you want to make money in next 5+ years

[@alexporter5579]

Hell yeah bro.. Random traffic sales are not that long.. You have to maintain the artist..

[@prod.yungdurk5591]

Music is not a product.. Its a feel cs always artists need to feel your music constantly as a producer..

[@larosko4523]

For real broo.. best advice..

[@deejnonsense3561]

Facts

[@PRNCEXP]

Yo this ones gold for all us producers hustling out here! Genius always keepin it real 💯

[@DJPhanaticWorld]

Dope interview fellas! Love this, very informative. Appreciate y’all 🙏🏾🙏🏾 Salute!

[@1stclassent.341]

Crazy how much Statik and Just Blaze sound alike

[@swssws14]

Very useful would love to see this again with some different producers to hear their views as well

[@5518sw]

To be honest no one is getting paid from streaming properly that includes artist , producers , engineers etc..... 1500 streams is 1 album sale that’s the first problem there. Then artist aren’t even getting 20 cent per dollar on streams. That’s why a billion stream only equals a million dollars basically. This stream shit is fucked up

[@user-xo4xb7pk3n]

Good Producergrind inspired convo

[@mvzbeats2350]

Thnx this is exactly what i needed. keep up the good work!

[@Datsunn]

Big ups to !llmind and Statik... droppin' gems!!

[@christhizzzle]

The Music industry is probably the biggest unregulated industries in the world which is dope because anyone can become a millionaire on paper but who's there to hold these huge companies accountable

[@acharich]

Catch 22.. 😅

[@mccannproperties3650]

Great interview. Love the guys being open to sharing so much.

[@warnutztheloser]

Amma start sellin' cassettes again on da corner

[@onehunnidbeatz7605]

THIS INTERVIEW IS LIFE

[@RyanMoran]

Sooo good! I don't produce but am insanely grateful for you to have put this together. Your interview skills are some of the best I've seen. Thank you thank you thank you!!

[@deltamack]

Wow! I’ve been sleeping on some things. Mad props to the host and the guest artists/producers on offering this educational and valuable information. I really appreciate it. Thank you!

[@d_man_beats]

This is a great interview and there is a lot of great information shared. Thank you!

[@Infinty_Jug]

Great interview. Excellent content and conversation with both of these intelligent brothers and amazing men.

[@formula1facebookfan]

Great episode Rob. Wish it were longer!

[@gocrazyentertainment9244]

This is the information the people need!!!!!

[@JordanMahaffey]

Great listen, thanks Rob, Static and illmind!

[@soulintent4129]

I enjoyed every second of the discussion, i hope Genius can do more like these

[@maticca]

great interview, thank yall for this

[@jcsmooth70]

The key thing they said in the interview is the artists looked out for the producers as well as the artist that were sampled and made sure they got hooked up. Simple concept@ Take care of your people and make sure everyone eats. Much love for this interview!! Get MADLIB up in here! Get Danger Mouse in here!

[@rabissenseicomprende7994]

Alchemist. Cookin soul

[@BeatsByCed]

Dope ass convo. One of the best interviews so far.

[@Eng.Creation]

i always appreciate these segments

[@Bisclavret.]

Thank you so much for this video. It really gave me insight into how producers make business and stay sustainable. It answered so many questions I've had for years.

[@bigbro4266]

That was a dope interview 👌

[@mannyfuego]

Thank you guys for this interview 💯🙏🏻

[@Synsere_Lyfe]

Thank you, very insightful eye learned alot as an artist.

[@selah_benjaminb7990]

Dope Interview!!!

[@Dkap8303]

really enjoyed this! MORE MORE MORE!

[@marvothedeejay621]

Dope conversation! Very much needed!

[@DamonBlack_Media]

Jeez. That set is gorgeous. 👌🏽

[@OmoiSenpai]

IllMind is a dope homie ^_^ Met him last week from my friend inviting me to go see him, and I barely knew much about him. Definitely has Nice Producer skills, especially when it comes to connecting with the Artist.

[@acharich]

💣

[@passpace10]

Justin Omoi why did you fall off???

[@KamosMusic1]

Great discussion, slowly we are becoming a focal point on the business side and public eye. Times will soon change.

[@blackl1steddrums]

Im really interested in this stuff, keep these interviews coming!

[@sonnybrasco9735]

Love this interview

[@sonatowgs]

This is great!!! Thanks 🙏 #Genius

[@maxhei]

thank you for this interview!

[@jumlahmusicjumlahbeats7796]

Really great insights with this interview!

[@Equilibrium36936]

This is such great education for any aspiring producers like myself 💯

[@YSuniverse856]

You a real one rob always been

[@smokescreenFromThe6ix]

Great video!! I agree with illmind in regards to the union!!

[@raf6366]

This has opened my eyes a lot into the world of beat making and producers in general. This motivates me more to start uploading my beats and building a career off of it.

[@rabissenseicomprende7994]

If you make hmu

[@giftedsha]

Good Talk, thank you for all the advise

[@DjMiflyn]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge

[@victorkoyama1914]

Thanks Rob for real content

[@mbf6160]

I knew to the producer side of things so these buds been helping me understand the business a lil better but the turnaround on producers getting paid is insane I'm old skool you pay for the service you want I'm like a artist who's signed wanta my beats the artist needs to pay me up front sense they got the advance from the label then you go back and chase the lable for your money I shouldn't have to do that and to here you ain't getting paid until months later for stuff that's crazy smh

[@mflugo9082]

Good Ep.

[@twoisdistrict3030]

Yeah Rob!!! we needed this!!!!

[@israeldeve]

Great interview

[@mattygalaxy]

This was very dope! 👌🏾

[@blackjazz619]

very helpful information

[@theundetectedmusic1631]

Good convo

[@erikhashem9635]

Dope conversation 💯🙏

[@thomasturner6980]

They don't get money nowadays they just get weird comments like the stuff below

[@Danielavilaaudio]

Where can I find the podcast? Someone got a link

[@bmeproductions5926]

The first 5 seconds I press liked

[@djtanikgotbeatz]

Great interview for us producers 💯

[@lancegolden8190]

Thanks for this content.

[@purgekeros]

Loved this

[@ianbarcelos]

Exactly! Streaming services like Tidal and Apple Music are the only options for getting paid, at least fairly. I really don't know why people don't f** support them more rather any other option. Spotify and KZbin claim that they are the saviors of the industry, but the truth says otherwise: they're just IT companies getting rich upon artists. That's why I'm not on Spotify Premium anymore. Just got Tidal this week and it's been great. Spread the world people!

[@sylantproductions7074]

Ian Barcelos Tidal doesn’t pay indie artist. Apple does.

[@prodbytytaan]

Not today Wayno

[@KmelBeatz]

Thanks for the love 🙌🏾

[@rodolpheduval5224]

Incredible dudes u gotta loved it!

[@kennykenny757__]

Thank you

[@aaronvalentinleo]

Thanks for the interview

[@patrickgarrity5529]

On the flip side. W streaming U don’t need a radio hit “like in the past” to become successful. U could develop a fan base and do it ur own way.

[@shanebaileycreates]

great convo yall

[@alwayshere5718]

i was very interested in what !illmind was going to say at 16:00 I wish statik did not cut him off

[@rabissenseicomprende7994]

Yeah it's tough but I need more knowledge on how I can overcome that. From my First to my Last song has to be "serious" music. Yeah I can have fun with the shits but it has to be good quality soundings music with a great beat and great lyrics and that's all Im trying to do. And I have writings for months and can freestyle. Mann 💡💡

[@YizzleYakumDown]

Great conversation for the culture

[@gitemjay2331]

Dropped gems all the way through

[@dafingaz]

Blapkits all day!!! Shout out to !llmind! Statik!

[@newkey2daworld865]

Timeless

[@zislec]

Two of my favorite producers. 😌👌🏾

[@sherwinkhojane1536]

loved this! awesome!

[@101DaExclusive]

great value

[@thetyphoonzrecords]

producers, think of yourselves as artists, move as an artist, then you’ll get paid.

[@STILLSLAPSPRODUCTIONS]

Shout out to the companies out there that are trying to make it compensated for the many talented producers out there. It's a hard fight for real artists these days.

[@rabissenseicomprende7994]

What are these companies?

[@lindagabela182]

Insightful.

[@chilisamonyatsi]

❤️Love the show

[@SOUNDINTHECITY]

Appreciate the video.

[@johnnychong44]

Find like minded individuals to grow and build together!

[@rabissenseicomprende7994]

Where they at though. All email me