If you’ve been to any conference (or on Clubhouse lately) you’ve likely heard the phrase: The music industry is 20% music and 80% business. And while it sounds a bit cliche, the panelists are usually right in that this is the music business. Beatmakers & producers live to express themselves but in order to create a lifestyle that allows one to do so, you have to understand the business of music. Here are 5 books that help lay that foundation for you.
1. All You Need To Know About The Music Industry By Donald Passman
All you need to know is the standard music industry book that every artist, manager, producer, etc. should have on their shelf. Lawyer Donald Passman breaks down the very minute details of how publishing works, how royalties are calculated, and what percentages you should be paying your team. His perspective is invaluable given his experience in the legal field, and the book is great starting point for learning the basics of the music business.
As a producer, All You Need To Know About The Music Industry comes in handy when dealing with parties who want your production, espcecially if your work isn’t available online for leasing. It’s important to know what a standard royalty rate is, and what you’re entitled to. If you don’t have a copy or you’ve never read this book then I highly advise you to pick it up asap.
2. The Beat Game by Darrell “Digga” Branch
Digga jumped onto the scene in the early 2000s and is widely known for the work he did executive producing Cam’ron’s first album and producing Many Men for 50 Cent. While production is still a major part of his life, Digga has transitioned into being an author and college professor. Although we typically don’t buy books from unknown authors too often, this was an amazing book specifically focused on the ins & outs of music production and how to navigate the industry as a producer.
Darrell talks about everything from the different types of A&R’s you’ll encounter in the game (the good ones, the flashy ones, the bad ones etc.) to the real-life scenarios that come with shopping beats (like sharing publishing to get access to an artist) and when it’s okay to take a step back to make a giant leap forward. This book has been in the Drum Machine Addicts library for years, get this one!
3. The Plain & Simple Guide to Music Publishing
Publishing is complicated. Generally speaking, when a song is released, the artist owns the master recording and the producer retains ownership of their share of the copyright and a piece of the publishing. If that sounds confusing, then you definitely need a guide on your shelf that can show you what you own, what you’re owed, and who to collect it from. If you don’t own the other books listed above, at least pick up this one. Getting up to speed on publishing, especially as a producer is key.
4. Music Marketing for the DIY Musician
The market for music is more competitive than ever. Being able to create solid business/marketing plan is important for a few reasons.
A. For Investors: Occassionally throughout your career you’ll run into high networth individuals who are looking to invest. Knowing how you’re going to differentiate yourself in the market is
B. Grants/Loans: If you’re looking to borrow money to further your music career then the bank/foundation/company ,etc. is 100% going to need a business plan to justify writing you the check. And while business plans are a bit more robust in the way they paint your business, at the very least a marketing plan can show that you understand who you’re community is and how you intend to carve out your space in the market.
I’ve personally used this book for crafting a marketing plan and as part of a proposal for a loan for my business. It was great in providing a general overview of what each section of my plan should be about and how it should be formatted. Although by today’s standards the book might be a bit dated (referencing CD sales and the like), it’s still a great addition to every producer’s library.
5. A to Zay by Zaytoven
A to Zay is a quick read but an important one for a ton of reasons. Zaytoven gives the keys to being a producer that the business books above leave out. He tells you about the importance of the softer details like attending networking events, and even buying jewelry to make sure you look the part. While some producers would gloss over the advice mentioned above, especially in regards to the jewelry, Zay’s outlook on how to make it in the music business is grounded in years of (continuing) success. You should pick this one up asapington.
– Drum Machine Addicts
