The Rapper VS The Producer

While many up and coming rappers are sitting behind the boards and playing the role of producer. It’s still many that are not, and rely on an actual producer to occupy that seat adjacent from the booth.

It’s always seemed to be an unspoken discussion regarding who is of more importance, the rapper or the producer. I mean the producer does set the tone and emotion through the sounds in which he/she incorporates in his/her beats but the rapper gives what would be just an instrumental a story, a narrative, a voice. Both are equally important but who is MORE important? I think of this situation in terms of a movie. When a sad scene is taking place, it’s always music that plays in the background creating an emotion for the viewer, and the script recited by the actors are what paints a vivid picture all together. Although what if you watched a movie with no dialogue but an incorporation of music, or a movie with dialogue but no music in scenes where it was necessary, would that be enough to captivate you?

Many producers get annoyed with putting time and effort into making a quality beat and have rappers complain about how they can’t afford the price its listed for. At this point I am one of those rappers. While I try to not be biased I believe many of these producers coming up are overpricing beats to those they know cannot afford it and are not putting themselves in the role of the artist. 100 dollars a beat (typically the price im usually offered) is not particularly expensive and in the realm of the music industry would be considered cheap, but its expensive to the up and comer who is on a tight budget. I don’t know if producers take into consideration that it doesn’t stop at purchasing a beat, from there its paying for studio time, and then getting that song mixed down, well exceeding 100 bucks. I truly believe that if you are an up and coming producer beats should not be priced at that height. Im not saying to become a charity, but as a producer blessed with a musical ear you should be able to know when someone dope comes across your presence. The greatest artists seem to be the ones who lack the funds and resources to get their voice heard, and rely on having someone show belief in them and help get the attention of listeners. I feel as if it’s only a win win to work with at least one artist and build songs, which only helps a producer, get their name out there. I have never heard of a producer who hasn’t gotten recognized without the help of a rapper blending incredible lyrics time and again to an amazing orchestrated instrumental. We all know of Timberland because of Missy and Missy because of Timberland and most recently know of Jahlil Beats because of Meek Mill and vice versa.

I understand the nature of a producer wanting to get paid…who doesn’t? But I believe that with sitting and working with a few quality artists, building their sound, and giving them background music that only enhances their lyrics is what will bring in that BIG check for you in addition to them. I believe as a producer an excessive amount for a beat should not be expected if you as a producer are still climbing the ladder right along with the rapper trying to get your name out there, and so the question I posed earlier is one of a rhetorical nature. It’s pretty obvious that unless you can play both sides of a song, a rapper is in need of a producer just as much as a producer is in need of a rapper, although what it boils down to is each of them realizing this.

Alano