Encomium
The Nigerian music industry has grown greatly over the years and our music has been embraced and loved worldwide.
Every day of the week, new music is produced and put out for our listening pleasure and entertainment, and almost all the time, we appreciate the artiste and forget to acknowledge the brain behind the beat of the music. Nigerian producers get better with each day and aside the music artistes they are the reason why we enjoy good music.
ENCOMIUM Weekly had a chat with some of the top music producers in the Nigerian music scene and they shared with us the secret to producing hit songs.
SAMKLEF
What does it take to produce a hit song?
It depends on the tempo, rhythm and good progression plus a very simple and catchy beat.
What are the challenges of producing a hit song?
There are no challenges basically, it mostly depends on the client or artiste you are working with.
Why do you think there are a lot of one hit artistes?
It depends. Some artistes cheat producers a lot so, the producers have chemistry with them, they do not have them around so they end up not having the right person to direct them
Do you think producers are as relevant as artistes?
I don’t think so. Producers are underrated, they are not well appreciated.
What measure should be put in place so that producers could be as relevant as the music they produce?
Every producer should work on himself, think outside the box and be creative at all times. The moment you can do all of these always, staying relevant wouldn’t be a problem.
MALEEK BERRY
What does it take to produce a hit song?
There’s no formula. You just have to follow what your heart/mind is saying at the time. Hits are always genuine stories too. At least almost genuine enough so people can relate.
What are the challenges of producing a hit song?
The only challenge is when you try to make a hit. You just have to be creatively free.
Why do you think there are lots of artistes that are one hit wonder?
This happens because most times the artistes don’t link up with producers or songwriters that can consistently make good music.
Do you think music producers are as relevant as artistes?
All I will say is that music producers will always have a job. We do not have an expiry date.
What measures should be put in place so that music producers can be as relevant and popular as the music they produce?
It’s all about branding and having a story behind your music too. Some just have to connect to the fans, I believe.
SARZ
What does it take to produce a hit song?
It takes a good producer, a good song writer or artiste, a good sound engineer and the skill to be able to make music people can connect to or identify with. With that said, hit songs have been made without some or all of these elements (laughs) God decides eventually.
What are the challenges of producing a hit song?
The same challenges when producing a hit song can vary from not getting the beat right or the mix of the song right to absence of chemistry between producer and artiste.
Why do you think there are lots of artistes that are one hit wonders?
People become one hit wonders for various reasons. Sometimes, it’s just because the artiste fails to keep his/her fans engaged so the fans get bored and move on to someone else and other times the artiste could just be a fluke.
Do you think music producers are as relevant as artistes?
Not as relevant because most producers are at the background. If a producer decides to be in the limelight then with the right team he can be even more relevant than music artistes. Relevant or not, where there’s a successful music artiste, there is always a great producer behind.
What measures should be put in place so that producers can be as relevant and popular as the music they produce?
They just need to work with the right people, Build a team so strong that you can be rest assured they would get work done even in your sleep.
KIDDOMINANT
What does it take to produce a hit song?
I would say the right mindset is what it takes and of course with a good knowledge of music creation.
What are the challenges of producing a hit song?
The challenges are minimal but generally speaking, I’d say ideas are the biggest obstacles when trying to create hit songs. That’s what any creative person needs. Some are blessed with a lot of it while some strive so hard to get it. That’s what makes us different.
Why do you think there are lots of artistes that are one hit wonders?
Just like in every other field, there is an element of luck attached to music. Some people get lucky and have a hit song. Those who are consistent are those who understand the mechanism. So, it’s basically because there are lot of artistes who get lucky. And only a few understand the mechanism.
Do you think music producers are as relevant as music artistes?
As far as afrobeat is concerned. I don’t think producers are as relevant as they are supposed to be. But I think it all boils down to individual producers and what level of fame everyone wants for himself.
What measures should be put in place so that music producers can be as relevant and popular as the music they produce?
I don’t think it’s about measures. I think it’s about we producers ourselves. If you want to be relevant, do the relevant things. Make sure every work you put out has your name attached to it somehow, be in music videos of your songs. Get on stage if you have to. Do everything you can to place your brand out there.
DEE TUNES
What does it take to produce a hit song?
To produce a hit song is all God’s grace, skill, experience, a good artiste and a good team of publicists and promoters to get it heard. You would agree with me that this world is full of potential superstars with potential super songs, some of them recorded, some not. In the end it’s all about who gets promoted the most, but in all the good music would always prevail.
Why do you th
ink there are lots of artistes that are one hit wonders?
Sometimes it is the artiste that becomes complacent and rest on what has been achieved. Some other times it’s the management or record label as the case may be that run out of funds to effectively promote the artiste’s music. In all, a lot of factors come to play.
Do you think music producers are as relevant as the artistes?
if you are going by relevant then you would realise that music producers are so much important that we wouldn’t have anything called a music industry without them. What we have as an industry, from the music down to artiste development, in the absence of A and R’s, Nigerian music producers are almost responsible for the nurturing of almost all the artistes big or small. Same applies to our day to day music which the music producer accounts for 50 percent of, but if you are asking if they are being appreciated or celebrated enough the answer is obviously NO.
What measures should be put in place so that music producers can be as relevant and popular as the music they produce?
In all as I would advise that one has to first work on the skill and also work on the presentation of the skill, that is, the brand. If you do both, you will always be relevant. Life is full of ups and down, but through hard work and dedication to one’s chosen field would surely be relevant.
