Focus…, Mark Byrd, & CJ Plays on the future of producers, how to survive in the streaming age + more

Episode 114 of the Free Game Producer Podcast features a round-table discussion with Focus…, Mark Byrd, & CJ Plays. We delve into the current state of the music industry and how producers, songwriters & artists can position themselves for success.

Topics discussed include:

• The rise of producers and how they’re no longer invisible

• The struggle of working with no promise of payment

• Understanding your value as a producer or songwriter

• How being independent is the only way to stop being undervalued

• How streaming is killing musicians income

• How not ‘breaking’ an artist has hurt Focus’s career

• Working with Q-Tip & Dr. Dre on the Anderson Paak record ‘Cheers’

• The importance of mixing for the music and not just for the industry

• The importance of ‘pocket’, and how a track is rounded off by the drums & bass

• Producing 3 tracks on Little Brother’s album

• The importance of collaboration and working with the right people

• Mark Byrd’s journey from having $7 in his pocket to making the best music of his life

• Producing “Nina” on Rapsody’s album Eve

• Byrd’s upcoming work with Dante Higgins & Matt B

• The future for producers & songwriters in the music industry

• How producers can position themselves in the current landscape

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