That Club Banger Wasn't Produced By Diplo
Wut, mind blown dude!
I know! Right!
How is that even possible?
Well let me just tell you Fictional Reader... Ghost Producers. Yeap that's right, just like your favorite author.
I don't read dude, I just listen to sweet tune, bro.
Ok ok, but if you did read, and you found a book you liked, there is also a chance that that book was actually written by what's known as a "Ghostwriter", this is actually very common when celebrities "write" a book. Matter of fact you know how Donald Trump talks about the book "The Art of the Deal" that he wrote?,
"It's great, I write great, I write great things" - Donald J. Trump
Ok he actually didn't say that, but I could imagine him saying something like that and let's be honest so could you. But, yeah actually an author named Tony Schwart's actually wrote the book.
Hey Fugly, I thought you were talking about music?
I am but I had to use an example to explain what Ghost Producing is, why do you always have to be nagging me Fictional Reader?
Because you talk so long just to get to the point.
Fair enough, fair enough.
Anyway so yeah just like in the book world, in the music world there are ghost producers. It's actually not that uncommon in Hip-Hop and Pop music. But, in the last few years with the growth of Electronic music and especially the popularity of EDM. There are a number of reasons, why someone would hire a ghost producer to create a track for them. But in my opinion it really seems to break this illusion of authenticity, one of the key things that I personally tend to find appealing in my favorite artist.
In 2015 Mat Zo spoke out against the practice, and since then names like Timmy Trumpet, Steve Aoki, Tiesto, and even Diplo have all been known for using ghost producers. All four of the previously mentioned artist, I have tracks in my playlists by them. Songs I love and there was actually one song called "Freak" by Steve Aoki, that I played on repeat trying to figure out some of the sound design. I remember one day driving around telling someone, I honestly don't know how he did that.
Now I'm not saying that song was ghost produced, maybe Steve produced that track himself, but I wouldn't know. You see the common practice of hiring a ghost producer is having them sign a NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). This, means that the person that ghost produces a track for that they not only will not get credit for it, but they also can never say they produced it. Simply put they get paid, upfront typically and then that's it.
I myself have considered trying to do some ghost productions, to be honest I still do at times, especially in times when I'm broke as fuck, and bills are due. I think to myself, you know if I started ghost producing I could at least make some money. The problem is for me, I want more out of my work. I feel like if I ghost produced a track for someone, and they ended up blowing up and became known for a specific sound, that then I would be seen as copying them. But, in reality this would not be the case but I could never say otherwise.
Anyway maybe someday, I'll be able to pay my bills with the art and work I'm putting out without selling myself short. Until I'll just stay focused on my goals, and keep putting out these silly articles.
-dj FUGLY
Electronic Music Producer
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