How Much Money do Hip Hop Producers ACTUALLY Make?

🔥🔥Watch the "The Top Artists of 2022" and more for less than $15/year: curiositystream.com/volksy 🔥🔥
Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: nebula.tv/volksgeist
More here:
/ volks.geist
/ volksgeist_
/ volks.geist
[e-mail] for business
It seems like in order to be a rapper youre required to own a fortune worth of expensive jewelry, cars and clothes. The image of a rapper is fundamentally dependent on the idea that rapping is a high paid career - they put on a persona like they’re so rich they don’t have to work at all. But the truth is, behind the scenes, rich and famous rappers don’t exist without countless hours of work from all the different people on their teams to turn their persona into a profitable brand. Video directors, photographers, social media managers, booking agents, stylists, audio engineers and writers are all important jobs that can turn a rap career from a dreams to reality - and there is no part of an artist’s team more important than the producer.
Having a producer that knows your sound and can build beats around your strengths as a rapper as well as elevate your sound with their own unique style is what separates amateur artists rapping over $30 KZbin from cutting edge, forward thinking musical pioneers. Producers are so essential that there simply is no such thing as a great rap song without good production while I think we can all see that good rapping isnt necessary at all to make a song go viral. And with rappers seemingly making so much money from their songs, it’s only logical to think that their producers, who provide 50% of the DNA of a rap song, would also be raking in piles of cash at the same time. But it turns out that being a hip hop producer is much more of a thankless job than you might think.
00:00 Intro
01:52 How do producers make money?
06:32 the top money making producers
08:00 Outro
if you see this request $10 on cashapp, $volksgeist, first 5 people to do it get $10
#volksgeist #producers #hiphop #popmusic #musicessay

[@Volksgeist]

Producers feel free to share stories on how you first made money!

[@SuperHoeCakes]

Working at the grocery store

[@shricharansriram5722]

working in a pyramid scheme

[@nigelmwangi9260]

Was Mandingo's trainer

[@donotoliver]

robbing a bank

[@charlesedwardmusiclbc]

sync licensing

[@Bartholomule01]

Definitely why it's pretty common to have producer tags. You hear the same tag on a number of songs you really like and then you look them up and they become a producer you know

[@TheCrogun]

Too bad streaming platforms actually encourage this. Just because the producer tag is there, doesn't mean that that song is going to show up on the producers page or that the producer is getting a cut of the revenue.

[@e_bak]

Recently Spotify started putting a "credits" section that you can look at when you tap the three dots next to a song, and it lists the artists, writers, and producers of the track. Certainly a good thing for producer recognition, and opened my eyes to how prevalent songwriting was among popular artists.

[@theoneandonlybright6145]

has been there for a long time

[@prodbyiof]

Deals are usually like this: Fee (fully/partly/non recoupable) Master/ Net song royalty % (paid by label every 6-9 months) Publishing % (pretty standard 50 goes to music 50 to lyrics, paid by PRO's by ASCAP, BMI etc) So it's not you either get paid upfront OR you get royalties. Usually it's both and terms are always negotiable so both sides are happy.

[@Z3in_]

I'm a producer in a country that doesn't even use trap beats or listen to deeper roots of rap other than mainstream radio hits. Thanks to videos like this - I keep grinding

[@HellaBeatsOfficial]

What country bro?

[@AsteroSloth]

Yeah, what country

[@ucopiedyibo1959]

Ya know what i keep in the lining

[@beriznoluv]

some arab country

[@SIMONREMISH]

I’m from Moldova - now in Romania. I have the same fucking issue. I KNOW I have talent and i make amazing beats, but idk how to sell them online.

[@tome882]

Looking forward! Super interesting content as always. You're like the mate I never had, to talk about music in it's complete detail and also see whats behind... Keep it up :)

[@benlebeh]

I think OZ is a good example for a successful and famous producer. Through his production for Drake plus the work he does for German artists like Shindy, he became one of the biggest names in German rap.

[@onlineayran]

finds krank das er mit travis und rin zusammen gearbeitet hat

[@rug6857]

Who’s that on thumbnail ?

[@benlebeh]

@@rug6857 Pharrell Williams?

[@henrylam92]

Producers will always have the short stick in this business especially when working with the big labels. They will steal your beat and reverse engineer it if you don’t come to an agreement. My friends have produced for a lot of up and coming artists’ debut albums. Often times not get paid and when the album pops off then the team is trying to lowball them knowing they have leverage. Want to take it to court? They will try to drag it out until you go broke. So most producers don’t have the money or connections to get a good lawyer to represent them so instead they will take the small payment. Music industry is just shady in general and about every producer who signs to a label regrets it. It’s best to stay independent and have your own studio. This way you get to charge studio time as well. Protect your art and integrity, don’t let money dictate you and keep pressing. Little tip for aspiring producers, if you want to work with a famous or up and coming artist. Make friends with the sound engineer. Even become a sound engineer and apply yourself at one of the studios. You have constant cash flow and in the free time you get to use the studio. Meantime you get to network. Networking is the key and just stay true to yourself. Don’t try to pretend and you will find a circle

[@justinhenryrebel]

I did that

[@nikostephen510]

this is an amazing video, thank you for this insight. producing is so much more than making beats to be successful, you have to be privy to what works for the artist, and once you find the set of people you want to work with ((without making sacrifices of what you want to make)), you're set. but that takes so much more time and dedication to do so.

[@prodnikos]

I just want to clarify on the 30$ beat for Lil Nas X. The producer behind it actually got paid way more. The 30$ dollar beat is a license by Beatstars - the beat was actually still 100% owned by the producer. Later on a different deal was negotiated. But the point you are proving is still there. As a producer myself - I've seen people in the community who have been ripped off - one example was ASAP Ferg Plain Jane - the beat was sold exclusively for 200$ and I'm sure the producer probably didn't get paid anything more...

[@dominiquewilson]

That’s not a rip off. If you sell an exclusive for $200 then I own that beat now. You can’t call it a rip off if I made it viral. What happens if I don’t make a hit? Then what? I’m out $200. Imagine buying a car from someone, fixing it up, selling it for way more and the original owner says I owe him money. Lol

[@prodnikos]

@@dominiquewilson I get it. My point is that you have to insure yourself when selling music. Because imagine if you wrote a hit song and got paid 200$ while the record label and the artist are bringing back hundreds of thousands. Even if I do sell exclusives I'm getting myself by a publishing % on that deal. If you'd offer me 200$ for an exclusive I'd just laugh and offer a non-exclusive license. But I'm sure there's thousands of producers out there who are hungry for the fast money.

[@vonlionwav]

@@dominiquewilson If you buy a beat exclusively trough beatstars. the rapper do not now own the beat. The producer still own the beat! But it all depends on whats in the contract and always have a third party lawer go trough your contracts!

[@kond1]

@@prodnikos the value of a dollar is not the same everywhere. While $200 might not be much in one place it may be a large amount elsewhere. Remember on the Internet there are people who live in places like Switzerland where $200 may not be much and others who live in places like Somalia where that amount can help the producer greatly. So if they want to sell an exclusive for $200 it's their prerogative so long as they don't whine and cry about it after their beat goes big. Realistically though, most music that's released is not profitable so it's a risk either way for the buyer and the seller. You just choose what you think is best for you

[@eddieescobar5955]

DAMN PHILIP! I really LOVED this video dude, for real. Everything you said is the shit that I think about almost every day, it’s kind of crazy. Let me explain. I’m a 16 year old producer, and nobody where I’m from really know what that is, or is really INVESTED into music as much as I am. The processes you explained, the things you said, are perfect because they helped me find a way to describe what’s actually going on, to somebody who has no clue what all this is. So from creator to creator, thank for your poetic and simple qualities. Much love from IDAHO, Eddie Escobar

[@IanPlug]

as a producer i need this

[@TomekZylMusic]

I've been living full time off music for 5 years now, leasing and selling exclusive rights to artists/labels makes an income but isn't sustainable long term. Like stated in the video, the royalties are just pocket money compared to the upfront fee. Unfortunately this isn't sustainable long term so need to figure out how to tilt the scales as artists who used my beats are buying new cars, houses etc whilst I'm renting a roof over my head and just got food in the fridge. I'm grateful for being in such a position but there are levels to this that don't add up for what we as producers bring to the table.

[@Enginerosemusic]

If you must make it as a producer you need to be an artist at the same time, you need to feature artists and drop songs like artist, am an artist but I want other artist to use my beats, so other talented artist would be more than happy to use my beats so at the end of the day, I'll have a hit even as a producer and as artist.

[@TomekZylMusic]

@@Enginerosemusic you're correct, the evolution is in the works. all the best with your venture as the artist! I'm trying my one this year.

[@REAL.T0AD]

Excellent video. I was always curious about this.

[@eeryskies]

really great video !

[@Whotfisliko]

You nailed this one brudda 🧘🏾

[@danielbastron7462]

Im just wondering. OZ (drake producer from Switzerland since like 2016) said in an 2016 interview that he charges a six figure fee for a Beat + 50% off the royalties, Taz Taylor also said he sold single beats for 100k. Pvlace also said in a workshop that Producer and Songwriter/Artists split everything 50/50 in the US (Not meaning every producer get the same cut, bit it adds up to 50%). I'm just curious cause the way pvlace says it does not include no Labels. I also remember Hitboy talking about getting around 2% of a track. It's just so weird for me that even producers at the top of the industry seemingly vary so much in their payment

[@danielbastron7462]

In the Pvlace case: most likely the labels get their share taken from the initial share, let's say 50%, their artist makes

[@DiamondWav]

There are different royalties on songs. The two main ones are the master and the publishing. The 2% Hitboy was talking about was most likely the master. Generally, the artist and label own over 90-95% of the master and the producers get 1-3% each. For the publishing, it's split 50/50 with the artists and producers. The artist always own 50% and the remaining 50% is split for the rest of the producers (so if you have 2 producers, they both get 25% each and the artist has 50%) Normally you are supposed to have a flat rate for the beat you are selling, plus a few % on the master, and your share on the publishing. But it might depend on whether the artist is signed to a label or not, if they aren't, you can easily get more percent on the master, but you'll generally get less on the beat sale itself.

[@edner5432]

As producer you should expand your production make music for commercial,movies, different genres of music besides hiphop .

[@CompaIMR]

Look at Metro Boomin

[@RoqueBeats]

Thank you. Perfect timing

[@kenjitheshadow7447]

Didn't expexct it, but since I'm a producer I really need it. Big thanks 🙏

[@markwolf6681]

This is honesty such an amazing breakdown

[@NaqiAli]

Phillip, you’ve made 3 thumbnails already but please stay with this one. 😂

[@atticusfinch1457]

volksgoat coming back w another banger video

[@drsmokealot.]

That’s why most producers end up being rappers themselves here are a few examples Pi’erre Bourne Kanye West KanKan Dr Dre Pharrell & many more

[@Nick337307]

needed this thank you

[@tiarastreetfilms7089]

Just listened, I’m a music producer that placed records with major artist. When you place a record you still get your producer fee and and still get points. You do what’s a called a producer deck and then the producer agreement

[@nadeemabdelmohsen3788]

great content man!

[@ICreateShit]

Tbh there's so much nuance in how to get paid in music. Lil Nas buying the beat for $30 doesn't necessarily the producer isn't making money on royalties. Also, producers get a small % of the master recordings but they should be getting a decent chunk of the mechanical royalties so its kinda convoluted.

[@burn1gotbeats]

U gotta been in it for the love 💯

[@ScottThePisces]

Scott Storch should defo have been mentioned, as he's a generally well known producer for all the hits he made in the 00s

[@reason2look]

Yeah he missed Timbo,Dr Dre, Rick Rubin smh

[@icytrap]

yeah he missed a lot of greats he kept mentioning the same people like cmon bruh did we really need to know about the alchemist 5 times

[@perrykbeatz]

P

[@DillyDGIB]

Great video!

[@emiel333]

Great ❤ video. I’ve subscribed.

[@danielbastron7462]

6:12 it's not completely right, every producer has the decision to sell their beats with whatever rights they want to, also selling non exclusive beats to top tier artists like with juicy J and takeoff who both used the same beat by buddabless. It's essentially the same with people do artworks, they can also not sell their rights to the Cover and capitalise on the popularity by selling Prints for example

[@prodbypreet]

Ayo, we all gonna make It. Keep Grindin'

[@otari_villain_badazzz]

As Producer I just want to say Thank U So Much 🔥 wish you lotta success in your career 💴

[@ofridavid1670]

*can you make a video on how you edit?* Especially i want to know how do you do the pixels filter in the kendrick Lamar life's video

[@Volksgeist]

My editing class is available included with Nebula!

[@haze7879]

Can’t wait

[@SamHigo]

this was great

[@souls1lver]

Also, a lot of placements never drop or are in limbo, and some labels just drop a song without paying the producer(s)

[@chrisbullock6477]

Now I'd like to see you do a video comparing "Hip-Hop" even though honestly they produce more that rap music if you're educated on it, to producers of other music like Country, POP which hip-hop producers also do. And EDM.

[@Whodnl]

Volksgeist is just amazing

[@swoognotswag]

Do a video on music video directors!

[@tracksphantom540]

Happy New years new goals for 2023 here we come.

[@QuePlays]

That ken yeat diss 😭

[@Bongani_Maqoboza]

@volksgeist ,can u pls do a video on photographers and videographers next pls thank you

[@TimBeatsProductions]

I approve this message 💯

[@JustinCarnitas]

I remember watching a video on a producer who has worked with Taylor Swift and other huge artists but I had never heard of him before. He'll work on the mixes of his car while driving around and listening to it. insane how nobody talks about those kinds of producers that much.

[@treblanco101]

I like it when you talk music.

[@Denkomir]

On 9:02 you are saying that one beat can be sold countless times to different artists. Is that legal ?? Like isn't the whole point of selling, that when you sell it to one person, he is the one that owns it and can release a song with that instrumental ?

[@DrTomb]

I can;t find who produces certain songs, How do you find out the producer for a song

[@NME_MND]

There are two main types of royalties that are paid out. You talked about royalties from the master (the sound recording) but not really about publishing royalties (the composition). Labels usually own the sound recording and producers may get a small cut, but the producers generally get 50% of the publishing royalties. Also, most producers on BeatStars and other such platforms are leasing beats to artists non-exclusively, not selling them directly. In other words, the producers still own the rights to the beat and are only giving artists a limited right to use the beat. Usually many artists lease and use the same beat at the same time because they are just paying for a non-exclusive license. This is a massive difference in terms of the $ a producer can make off a single beat.

[@Simon-dr8yq]

well you should always do something because you like/love to do it and not because of the money. same applies to your job. if you earn 150k a year but hate every minute of your work then its a really hard earned 150k...

[@flux202]

I just want y'all to know Pharrell had over 40% of the songs on radio in 2003. That's 2 people(him and his partner, Chad Hugo, as the Neptunes) owned the charts in 2003. And he also unfairly owns Kelis' masters. The dichotomy of people. I love him though.

[@shakenblake4533]

Having nearly 50% of songs on the radio in a year is really mad....2003 was really the Neptune's prime...and don't forget they also released an album in the same year that had the hit song frontin

[@lezmez-qk2bb]

1:15 " there isnt a single producer on the list" *proceeds to show eminem j cole travis scott dj khaled and kanye west*💀

[@reason2look]

You forgot the SoundClick producers. THey are actually well known. Johnny Juliano, Superstar O.

[@LordOfAurum]

I signed up to watch you top artist video on Curiosity but I can’t find you on there, help?

[@Volksgeist]

It’s on nebula! The bundle has two services. Check your email for the Nebula signup info.

[@korbiniannn]

Yess i can confirm all the stuff :)

[@jazzylamel]

As a G in the game the bottom line is this: own your masters and you will never be broke for the rest of your life.

[@sunnyboystorage]

Hey, I just wanted to comment on somethin. As a producer we don't exactly sell the beat. The instrumental is ours and will be ours forever. We sell a license to use the beat. When talking about big names, they'll probably buy an EXCLUSIVE license, which means them and only them can use the beat.

[@fredirie]

A lot of young producers selling beats online make more than billboard producers. The future for producers is bright

[@SIMONREMISH]

what’s the best way of selling beats online in your opinion?

[@fredirie]

@@SIMONREMISH make the best music that you can, make it unique so people remember you, and pick a genre/niche that is upcoming

[@martinwalters8677]

You'd need to put in way more work though. It's not as easy as it sounds

[@martinwalters8677]

@@fredirie I guess. You also dm beats or strictly youtube?

[@fredirie]

@@martinwalters8677 strictly YT. It is hard work you’re absolutely right, but it highly depends on the market you’re in

[@tehBrunoFTW]

Its easier to sell a beat with the daw open in front of the artist then online btw

[@DichterbijdichterNl]

your hired for the producer union job, see you on monday

[@Narokx]

This is going to hurt my feeling isn't it?

[@whiteace_t.k.o8060]

So true the production in todays music carries 60/40

[@brandonmcdowell1147]

Do you have any tutorials on how to do those 2d motion transitions like you did at 0:23 ?

[@Volksgeist]

Yea. I have an animation class that is included with nebula.

[@brandonmcdowell1147]

@@Volksgeist Can you point me to particular video?

[@Volksgeist]

@@brandonmcdowell1147 it’s under “classes” in the creator economy section

[@shamanic_nostalgia]

Kendrick Lamar has had some of the best producers working for him at TDE for years and they are all relatively unknown. He gets fed so much good production he has to pass on most of it and give it to Baby Keem.

[@tbj4855]

No he doesn’t he has sleepy beats and boring ones at that there so damn basic

[@norbylive]

Producers, if you produce for a major artist you’re entitled to an advance (money upfront for the price of the beat), publishing and royalties (points on the record). Get a good lawyer and focus on the music!

[@theambience6247]

How about doing both, getting records with major artists and selling beats online

[@prod.radical720]

YoungKio didn't just get 30USD for OTR beat. That's misinformation. He has some royalty shares. The only thing is that he sampled Nine inch nails. That’s going to dig into his cut immensely.

[@-Scrapper-]

Looking at Kanye, we can assume every producer is an unstable billionaire

[@wehateswavae6929]

Does Volksgeist respond?

[@OhhExohh]

Mad money bro

[@StandOwtPhoto]

Bruh how many times you gon name drop the Alchemist?? We get it…. Damn

[@b0unce1]

no mention of scott stortch?:)

[@ParisLawLess]

My small problem with this video and trust me I'm not trying to be that guy but it is basically that..... when it comes to rap and hip hop people assume the producer is just simply to beat maker. Just because you're a beat maker doesn't mean you can exactly produce a song past making instrumental. Think of the producer of a song as a director. This person's job is to oversee the production of this particular song or album. But basically if I'm the producer I'm trying to direct polish this song as much as possible. If you're only a producer in the sense of making beats then that could be problematic If you are all around producer that means you can arrange vocals, oversee the mixing process along with the engineer and dictate changes and things you want to bring the sound out but important of all some producers are also songwriters or they might modify the lyrics to the song and get writing credit. Most people who are known as super producers got that title basically because they did more than make a beat or maybe they didn't make a beat at all if their Direction and rewrites to songs but give them the notoriety of making hits.

[@chikaayo8904]

No, its not their beat now, the ownership rights to an instrumental remains with the producer, labels most of the time only want the master recording rights, which means the producer still owns his share of the composition rights which contains the right to perform, unless he sells off all his composition rights, a beat bought does not completely leave the producers catalog

[@sazq]

an example of artist and producer growng together is juice wrld and nick mira for sure

[@M.H.Paperstacks]

I saw 4 producers on that list

[@whoozyyy]

Had no clue what Metro Boomin looked like until this video 🥳

[@Enginerosemusic]

If you must make it as a producer you need to feature artists and drop songs like artist but have the artist do all the vocals too.

[@jaysantanaofficialmusic]

So producers gotta start rappin

[@dexless]

producer gang wya

[@justinhenryrebel]

Producers have always did albums..that's been happening since the early 90's

[@ReelNicePics]

Tech N9ne being on the highest paid artist list is wild, did I miss something ??

[@luca6991]

Hey Phillip, great video, just one minor caveat: Most beat sales are advances, meaning that the producer still gets the accumulated streaming revenue after he recoupes his advance. Other than that your on point as always!

[@malumeuyalumana9954]

Love your channel man. Keep it up. Would give $thanks but unemployed.

[@Volksgeist]

I appreciate that!

[@drakehasbula5557]

u forgot lirical lemonade they are killing the game

[@thebeatsauthority5316]

This is not very accurate. What you’re saying is correct in some scenarios, but it’s not it. Most of the cases (major or small artists) for exclusives, whatever money you get is an upfront payment recoupable against your future royalties. Beatstars deals are mainly leases, they’re not being « sold » as exclusives.

[@thebeatsauthority5316]

It’s rare that producers just « sell » their beats as work for hire and give away their songwriting publishing, masters and other type or royalties… And it all becomes owned by the artist or their label.

[@Bartholomule01]

Yup, don't get into music for fame or $$. If you aren't making stuff you actually want to listen to, stop.

[@SwishMajor]

i make Majid Jordan Type Beat mostly, to Travis Scott Type Beats

[@bellawaifu3296]

Next time choose a better phrase than "Washed Up Rapper". But solid video.

[@BRAVOPAPAECHO]

At 1:15 you said there weren't any producers on the top list but Kanye and Diddy are producers.

[@wavydane]

volx 🐐

[@johnburrell]

When you finna make a new brockhampton vid?

[@exelbeats]

Wait. But the producer of Old Town Road was compensated later on I hope?

[@Volksgeist]

Yes he was! But still, he was able to make that song for just $30 at first

[@exelbeats]

@@Volksgeist ok good just making sure. I recently started selling leases for $30 on Beatstars so that story is definitely motivation. Thanks for the great content bro!

[@coolguysupb6184]

Pharrell Williams after missing out on millions of dollars that would’ve come from dollars and diamonds

[@traplover6357]

They can't tour unless you're an EDM producer

[@Jarrylune]

Every million streams is $5000-7000k a billion streams is 5-7ms

[@Cedrus_]

I'm also philip

[@DG-rb7bo]

2000-2010 these lists were full of producers , Christ, Scott storch was worth about 100m at the height of his career