Definition and Basics of Ghost Production

Ghost production is when a music track gets made by someone who doesn’t take credit. They let another artist put their name on it and release it like they made it themselves. This happens a lot in the music world.

Ghost production can involve a few different things. A ghost producer might make a full track from scratch. Or they might just add some parts to a mostly-done song. They could work on the beats, the melody, the arrangement, the mixing, or all those things.

One key part is the ghost producer stays secret. Their name doesn’t go on the track credits. The artist who releases it takes all the fame. The ghost usually gets paid a flat fee and that’s it. They don’t get royalties or a cut of what the song earns.

There are a few main reasons an artist might use a ghost producer:

• They’re too busy to make all their own tracks
• They want to release music in a style they can’t produce themselves
• They need help to make their music sound more professional

From the ghost producer side, they often do it for the money and experience. Making tracks for big artists can pay well. It also helps them hone their skills and build industry connections. But they have to be okay with not getting public credit.

The Process of Ghost Production

How ghost production actually works can vary a lot. It depends on the artist, the producer, and the track. But there are some common steps in the process.

First, the artist and ghost producer usually sign a contract. This lays out stuff like the fee, deadlines, and confidentiality terms. The ghost has to agree to keep their work on the down-low.

Then the real work starts. The artist might give the ghost an idea of what they want. Like a certain style, vibe, or reference track to build off. Or they might just turn the ghost loose to create whatever.

The ghost will make a draft of the track in their studio. This could take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. They’ll use their expertise in stuff like composition, sound design, and mixing to craft something solid.

Once the draft is done, the ghost sends it to the artist for feedback. The artist will usually have some notes and change requests. There might be a bunch of back-and-forth to get the track just right.

When everyone’s happy with it, the ghost producer hands over the final files and parts ways. The artist takes it from there. They might add their own vocals, tweak the mix, or mash it up with other tracks. Then they release it under their name like normal.

So in a lot of ways, it’s like the ghost is an invisible studio partner. They help shape the music but don’t stick around for the credit or glory. And the artist gets a great track without having to make it themselves.

The Evolution of Ghost Production

Ghost production has been around for a long time. But it used to be even more hush-hush than it is now. Back in the day, having someone else make your music could really damage an artist’s rep. Fans wanted to believe their faves did everything themselves.

As electronic music and DJ culture took off, ghost production became more common. A lot of those artists were more like performers than traditional musicians. They focused on playing live shows, not crafting tracks in the studio. So ghost producers became a key part of the scene behind the scenes.

These days, ghost production is a huge business. There are online marketplaces where you can straight up buy tracks from anonymous producers. Some ghosts have made whole careers out of working with big name artists.

The rise of social media and streaming has also changed the game. Artists are under a lot of pressure to put out tons of content. They need to drop constant singles, remixes, and features to stay relevant. That makes ghost producers even more valuable. They help artists keep up with that crazy pace.

At the same time, fans have gotten more savvy. They know a lot of their fave DJs and rappers don’t really make their own beats. So the stigma around ghost production has faded some. But most artists still like to keep it on the DL. It doesn’t fit with the “musical genius” image a lot of them are going for.

You can even see ghost production expanding into other genres besides electronic music now, like hip-hop and pop. The behind-the-scenes specialists are becoming a bigger part of the industry across the board. As long as artists need to keep putting out lots of polished tracks, ghost producers will have a role to play.

The Ethics of Ghost Production

Ghost production can be kinda controversial. It raises some tricky questions about artistry, credit, and honesty. So it’s worth looking at the ethics of the whole deal.

One view is that ghost production is misleading to fans. When they vibe with a song, they think it’s a window into that artist’s skills and style. But with ghost tracks, they’re really connecting with the ghost’s musical vision, not the face on the album cover. Some people feel like that’s a form of lying or tricking the audience.

There’s also the question of creative ownership. Even if a ghost producer gets paid, they still put their heart into those tracks. They might pour mad time and energy into crafting something dope. So is it right for the artist to take all the glory? The ghost is a key part of the creative process but ends up invisible to the public.

On the flip side, ghost producers go in with eyes wide open. They know what the deal is. They agree to trade credit for cash and connections. If they wanted to be in the spotlight, they could release music under their own name. Working as a ghost is a choice they make.

Plus, you could argue that the artist does bring value to the collab. They have the vibe, the image, the fanbase. Their brand is part of what makes the track a hit. And they put in work too, even if it’s not banging out beats. They’re out there performing, promoting, dealing with the biz side. It’s a partnership, even if it’s not an equal one.

At the end of the day, ghost production is a reality of the modern music industry. As long as artists need to keep feeding the content machine, there will be a market for behind-the-scenes beat makers. Is it an ideal setup? Maybe not. But it doesn’t have to be shady if everyone goes in with clear expectations.