Ghost Producer
A producer who creates music that is credited to and released under another artist's name.
Definition
Ghost producers create tracks that other artists release as their own. They're paid upfront (typically work-for-hire) while the credited artist maintains the public identity. The practice is common but rarely acknowledged publicly.
Ghost production ranges from enhancement (polishing an artist's ideas) to complete creation (delivering finished tracks). Rates vary from hundreds for emerging producers to tens of thousands for hit-making ghosts.
Why It Matters
Ghost production enables artist output at scale. Touring DJs can't spend months in studios between shows. Ghost producers maintain release schedules while artists focus on performance and brand.
Understanding ghost production demystifies the industry. Many admired producer-artists use ghosts. Recognition doesn't always reflect creation—a useful perspective for aspiring producers and industry observers.
Examples in Practice
Several major festival headliners are widely known to use ghost producers, releasing tracks that maintain their brand sound while they spend 200+ days per year touring.
A ghost producer earns $15,000 per track for a chart-topping DJ, signing away all rights and credits. The ghosts identity remains confidential per industry norms.