Should All Artists Learn to Produce Now?

In 2025, more artists are going independent, budgets are tighter, and the tools to make music are cheaper and more accessible than ever. The question that used to be “who’s your producer?” is now turning into: “do you produce yourself?”

So let’s get into it:

Should all artists learn to produce now?

The short answer: no.

The better answer: if you can, it changes everything.

The Old Model Is Fading

For decades, the standard model was clear:

• Artist writes or performs

• Producer builds the beat

• Engineer mixes it

• Label funds it

But that system depends on access. And most artists don’t have label backing. Many can’t afford to hire top-tier producers or book a studio every time inspiration hits. Waiting on someone else to build your sound slows everything down — and in today’s attention economy, speed is leverage.

Why Production Skills Are Power

Learning to produce doesn’t mean you need to be the next Rick Rubin. It means:

• You can create on your own schedule

• You can build demos that don’t suck

• You can experiment without permission

• You can speak the language of collaborators with confidence

• You don’t have to split every dollar three ways

In a world where time, money, and attention are scarce — having even basic production skills gives you control.

It’s a Creative Weapon, Not Just a Utility

Self-producing isn’t just about saving money. It opens creative doors.

Artists like:

• Tyler, The Creator

• Grimes

• Steve Lacy

• Billie Eilish

• Tame Impala

…aren’t just performers — they shape their sound from the ground up. Their production is the artistry. And that doesn’t just give them identity — it gives them staying power.

When you produce yourself, you’re not chasing a trend. You’re building a sound that’s yours.

But It’s Not for Everyone — And That’s Fine

Not every artist is built to produce. Some are visionaries with zero interest in DAWs or mixing plug-ins. Some thrive through collaboration. Some are better off focusing on writing, performance, or live execution.

The goal isn’t to make everyone a bedroom producer. It’s to decentralize power. To make sure artists aren’t dependent on gatekeepers or middlemen just to get ideas out.

If you don’t produce, your job is to find collaborators who align with your vision — not to blindly hand it off and hope it clicks.

So, Should You Learn to Produce?

If you’re serious about music in 2025, the answer is probably yes.

Not to do it all yourself forever — but to understand how your own work is made. To move when inspiration hits. To make a full song without asking anyone for permission.

Even knowing just enough to build a vibe, arrange a demo, or flip a loop puts you ahead of most.

Production is no longer optional tech knowledge. It’s a creative language. And artists who speak it fluently? They don’t wait for a studio to make music.

They are the studio.