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Ever notice how the A-list DJs are continually able to get hit song year after year? Whether its Guetta, Diplo, Tiesto, you name it, these guys stay on top with consistent big tunes over the years.
They are doing ONE major thing you aren't doing as an upcoming producer.
This industry secret is going to sound so basic but yet its so important.
The big secret is the A-list hitmakers in dance utilize pop songwriting on their records.
Pop songwriters are some of the most talented songwriters out of any genre of music. They're responsible for some of the most listened music ever. The way they are trained to write is different than strictly electronic music. Pop music is designed to be memorable and extremely hooky. The common misconception by new dance producers is that pop is 'corny' and 'basic', but it's really quite the opposite.
Now you combine high level pop songwriting but with dance music production and you have a lethal combo. Since the big DJs are utilizing big pop songwriting on a lot of their records, it's not coincidence they continually stream and chart higher than the rest of dance music. They just have access to a higher tier of writer.
So what can you do to stand out the same way without access to this same level of songwriters and topline vocals?
The first thing is to study pop songwriting. The greats, like Max Martin. Study the techniques, dive into songwriting, and learn what makes good pop records catchy. If you want to write big records having good songwriting skills on top of production will make you a beast. Exercise this muscle.
Next I would try to network with more publishers and topline companies, and slowly work your way up and level up the tier of songwriters you get on your dance records.
Lastly, this never fails. Sample. If you don't have access to songwriters, you can in a way get this by sampling! That's why you see a lot of DJs blow up with sample/flipped tunes. It kinda makes sense now right haha?
I hope this newsletter really helped you guys unveil a top industry secret. I feel this is a very underestimated and unexplained topic as a new upcoming producer. Focus on building your topline sensibility and songwriting skills and you won't regret it.
-Henry
PS, I teach DJs and electronic artists how to take their music careers to the next level in my Artist Mentoring and Development Program, and you can apply here!
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