Calvin Harris Schools Twitter User Who Questions How Producers Make Money On Their Albums

BY Erika Marie 5.8K Views
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Someone wanted to know how producers like Harris and DJ Khaled make any money on their star-studded projects.

The release of God Did has music fans once again debating the role of producers. DJ Khaled's star-studded album arrived in all of its glory at the top of the morning (August 26), and it has been on heavy rotation ever since. Hip Hop is dissecting each song with precision, especially Jay-Z's stellar appearance on the title track that has blown fans out of the water. 

Recently, Calvin Harris completed a similar feat with his Funk Wav Bounces Vol 2 release that may have settled into a different genre, but it still packed a punch with his list of hitmaker features.

Eamonn M. McCormack / Stringer / Getty Images

God Did reignited conversations about producers, and on Twitter, a user asked, "I always wonder how DJs like Khaled and Calvin Harris make bread. Like all of their songs are other artists. Just production revenue?"

Harris caught wind of the question and used it as a teachable moment as he explained that his money comes from doing just about everything behind the scenes.

"Because I write, produce, mix, play every instrument and sometimes vocal," he said. "We found love, Summer, Feel so close for example 100% publishing because I did everything. Only reason I got Frank Ocean feature was he told me we found love was one of his favorite songs. I wrote that song."

There's much to learn about the ins and outs of producing, beat-making, publishing, and owning the rights to music. Revisit both God Did and Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming the Co-Head of Original Content. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, and Amy Luciani—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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