Why artists use ghost producers

One of the major talking points in the EDM industry is the role of ghost producers. When it comes to producing your music, many of you spend days, weeks, or even months trying to perfect your musical vision. So, why not use a ghost producer to help you? Today, Guest Blogger Remko de Jong from Moon Jelly Agency will shine his light on the question whether you should or should not hire a ghost producer, and how the use of a ghost producer can influence your music career.

Why artists use ghost producers

Benefit or Burden

People often argue that the use of ghost producers destroys the spirit of music, as fans are tricked to believe that their favorite artists are responsible for the music they release. Proponents of ghost producing, however, argue that it can help established artists to release a steady stream of new and relevant music. It enables artists to anticipate on the ever-changing listening tastes of fans. The long-term value of superstars is considered to be of more importance than the actual music they release. The artists that have kept up with the latest trends tend to stay successful for a longer period of time, making the competition within EDM even fiercer.

Genre Shifting

Many successful artists and DJs have shifted away from the sound they once made. Just think of Marshmello moving from trap to pop, Tiësto shifting from trance to big room, or Kanye West transforming his soulful rap sound into electro pop and later into industrial hip-hop. Some artists are able to effortlessly shift between genres, but it’s a tough task for the most. Hiring a ghost producer can definitely help you shift your sound. Some producers master the art of producing big hits within certain sub-genres, which – if released under your own name – can help you stay relevant in the ever-changing musical landscape.

The Vorwerk Factor

Maarten Vorwerk is a Dutch dance music producer who has been active in the scene for decades. His initial success came into existence when he started releasing jump and hardstyle productions. After producing under many different monikers and genres, he shifted towards making music for EDM DJs, such as Quintino, Major Lazer, and Like Mike. His most notable productions are Jeckyll & Hyde – ‘Freefall’ and Quintino – ‘Epic’; these are the only two instrumental tracks that reached the #1 spot in the Dutch Top 40 since 1989.

Credits

In an interview with We Rave You, Maarten stresses that everyone who contributes to a track should be properly credited for it. Back in the days you could just check the back of a CD for the credits, but nowadays, it’s a bit harder. Maarten also mentions that people can get confused or feel betrayed when they find out their favorite artists don’t produce their own music. However, he adds, you also have to realize that superstars like Rihanna don’t (always) produce and write their own records.

Helping Hand

Ghost producing is seen as a consequence of the demanding and ever-changing music industry. DJs and artists are constantly pushed to release new records that live up to their fans listening tastes while also maintaining a strict touring schedule. Hiring a ghost producer can definitely help to ease some of these burdens. In a time where it’s much harder to stand out from the crowd, artists often get help with mixing, songwriting, or additional production. So, isn’t it in everyone’s best interest to work with ghost producers and writers, if it helps make the final record sound better?

Interested in ghost producing? Also read our next article: How to be a ghost producer to raise capital for your career

What are your thoughts on hiring a ghost producer? Let us know in the comments!

Remko has been working for the big (inter)national ad agencies and brands in Europe, Asia and the US for more than 20 years – you could say he’s a true advertising veteran. Remko specializes in marketing within the music industry, travelling the globe as a marketing director for the likes of Nicky Romero and Protocol Recordings in the past few years. In 2017, Remko founded Moon Jelly Agency, the international marketing agency for artists, record labels and promoters with offices in Amsterdam, New York and Seoul.