Those days with an artist who waits for a producer to make music are long gone. There is a big list of artists who produces their own music. I am going to list the famous 20 artists who have made it big.
There is still those rising artist who actually produces their own music, for this article I am only going to be listing out the mainstream ones.
Let’s dive in to see who they are:
Artist Who Produces Their Own Music
Keep in mind that this list is not in any order. They are all just listed out.
1. Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young also known by his famous stage name “Dr Dre” is a world-famous artist who makes his own music. You might already know this by now but songs from “Emimen’s My name is” to “50 Cent – In Da Club” were all produced by Dr Dre.
There are a lot of videos online where you can see Dr Dre producing and making some beats. Below is one of those videos.
That definitely puts him in the list of artists who produces their own music.
2. Travis Scott
We all know who Travis Scott is but if you don’t then just know he is a mainstream artist who produced one of the greatest sounding songs out there. Travis Scott primarily focuses on drums and then comes everything else for him. Another artist who grew from the bottom with his skills.
The point is that he produces his own music and also makes music for other big artists. If you are a fan of Travis Scott then you will love the below video.
3. Tinashe
Tinashe is an American singer and one of the biggest YouTubers too. She makes fresh-sounding sounds all by her and there are even a few video tutorials of her making music. You can check out her website.
Tinashe uses Pro Tools and with her home recording studio. I personally love this video where she shows her process of how she makes a song. Give it a go if you are curious.
The above video is why she is on the list of artists who produces their own music.
4. Grimes
Grimes is an amazing artist and makes different kinds of music. She is multi-talented and produced songs such as Genesis, REALiTi. She was taught by her friends to use GarageBand and that is how she began.
She is another artist who’s on the list that makes her own music.
5. J Cole
J.Cole is a Rapper, Singer, and Producer. Very good at his skill who has produced songs such as “MIDDLE CHILD”, “No Role Modelz”, “Work Out”.
J.Cole uses Logic Pro as his primary DAW and a combination of his own synths and 808s. You can watch the above clip to see him in action.
6. Kanye West
Kanye West is probably one of the biggest mainstream artists even today. He is known to be making his own production and also produces music for other big mainstream artists.
Below are a few of the songs he produced for other artists:
- Drake – Find Your Love
- John Legend – Used To Love U
- Alicia Keys – You Don’t Know My Name
- Talib Kweli – Get By
- Common – The People
- The Game – Dreams
- Ludacris – Stand Up
- Monica – Knock Knock
- Pusha T – Numbers On The Boards
- Mos Def – Brown Sugar
He doesn’t just produce, he also writes songs.
7. Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift with Networth of almost 390 Million is one of the biggest mainstream artists who is a singer, songwriter, and record producer. She usually writes most of her songs for herself.
Watch the below video where
She has co-written and wrote many other famous songs such as:
- Calvin Harris – This Is What You Came For
- Little Big Town – Better Man
- Kellie Pickler – Best Day of Your Life
- You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home – Miley Cyrus
- Sugarland – Babe
She has won about 10 Grammy Awards.
8. Charlie Puth
Charlie Puth was a YouTuber way before becoming a mainstream artist. The “See You Again” Singer is known to make his own music and also writes for other big artists.
I suppose the pitch-perfect ability he has also helped him a lot while coming up with melodies. He mainly works with Pro Tools and even though he can’t play the guitar he knows how to very well manipulate sounds. In the song Attention, he just used the sound of the guitar playing one note and created an entire arpeggio.
Charlie Puth loves to make his own synths but he’s also known to use the stock sounds and turn it into hit songs. He loves the idea of keeping people entertained in his music just like other big artists do. Hence, making him into the list of artists produces their own music.
9. Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars is a tremendous singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is known to have to make crazy hits way before he became a mainstream artist. Bruno Mars is a Grammy Award winner.
Songs he wrote for other artists:
- Flo Rida – Right Round
- Far East Movement – Rocketeer
- Alicia Keys – Tears Always Win
- Sean Kingston – Tomorrow
- Travie McCoy – We’ll Be Alright
- Florida Ft. Akon – Who Dat Girl
- Adele – All I Ask
- The Vamps – Can We Dance
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_written_by_Bruno_Mars
10. Jon Bellion
Jon Bellion rocked the world with “All Time Low” but he was making hits way before the world knew. Jon Bellion can play instruments, sing and produce great music.
Jon Bellion is a great artist who makes good music and still is underrated. If you have ever listened to his music then you will love to watch him in action. The way he produces his music is such a beauty to watch.
Some famous songs that were written by Jon Bellion for other artists:
- Camila Cabello – Liar
- Camila Cabello – Shameless
- Maroon 5 – Memories
- Jason Derulo – Trumpets
- Eminem ft. Rihanna – The Monster
11. Lauv
Lauv is another new artist who rose to fame via SoundCloud. He worked hard on his vocals, track, and music. He has a few videos where he shows how he made his tracks and they are fun to watch.
Lauv’s first song that went viral was “The Other” in 2015 which also topped in Global Top 100 on Spotify.
12. Tori Kelly
Most of you know Tori Kelly when she got famous for the song “Nobody Love” which straight-up peaked at Billboard Top 200. BBC even said that “She makes awful songs sound beautiful”. She is an artist who loves to show others how she makes her art.
She started making and producing music in her bedroom. She starts usually with her guitar and then puts it in her DAW.
The above is a video where the show shows her step by step process.
13. Omarion
Omarion has over 3.6 Million monthly listeners on Spotify. His highest streamed song on Spotify is “Post To Be”. He is a multitalented person who sings, songwriter, produces, and also dances.
14. T-Pain
T-Pain isn’t just known for using AutoTune in a creative way. He can really sing, songwriter, and produce all by himself. T-Pain is one of the biggest mainstream artists. Making him to the list of artist who produces their own music.
He is still going strong since 2004. T-Pain is a wonderful artist who co-wrote and wrote some of the most famous hits. Some of the songs he wrote are below:
- DJ Khaled – All I Do Is Win
- Drake – The Real Her
- Snoop Dogg – Boom
- Bruno Mars – Straight Up and Down
15. Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake is an Idol for many members who are in a band. He grew his solo career to great success and became one of the best artists out there. He is not only a songwriter, producer, and singers, he is also a great actor.
Watch the below video where he is in action in a studio.
Below are some of the famous songs he co-wrote:
- Beyonce – Blow
- Beyonce – Rocket
- Madonna – Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You
- Rihanna – Cold Case Love
- Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love?
- Halsey – Without Me
16. Pharrell Williams
Pharell Williams started off as a producer before he became a mainstream artist. The multitalented artist made his hits with great success. Produced a lot of good music for a wide range of artists.
Below is a video by VOGUE in which Pharell Williams is seen to be producing his songs.
Some of the songs he made for other artists:
- Gwen Stefani – Hollaback Girl
- Madonna ft. Kanye West – Beat Goes On
- JAY-Z – I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)
- Justin Timberlake – Señorita”
- Kendrick Lamar – Alright
- Ed Sheeran – Sing
- Britney Spears – I’m A Slave 4 U
- Frank Ocean – Sweet Life
- Nelly – Hot in Herre
When I was researching artists who produces their own music, I was surprised to see that Pharelll was a producer before he rose to fame.
17. Ryan Leslie
Ryan Leslie is a self-made artist who has produced songs for many number one artist on the charts. He is been making music since 1997 until now. On his journey, he has made his own hits and also written hits.
Songs he co-wrote with other artists:
- Jim Jones – Pray IV Reign
- Fabolous – Loso’s Way
- LeToya – Lady Love
- Chris Brown – Graffiti
- Britney Spears – In the Zone
18. Finneas O’Connell
Finneas O’Connell is a singer, songwriter, and producer and has produced almost all of Billie Elish’s songs. The thing about Fnneas is the art of how he makes unique songs and that sounds really fresh and relevant to his music.
He uses Logic Pro X as his Primary Daw and manipulates his sounds to make it unique to his production and his song. There are quite a lot of videos of him producing. Below is one.
Below is the list of songs produced by Finneas:
- Selena Gomez – Lose You To Love Me
- Camila Cabello – Used To This
- Billie Eilish – Ocean Eyes
- Billie Eilish – bad guy
- Billie Eilish – lovely
19. Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris is an amazing producer and one of the tops in the list of the best DJs as well. Calvin Harris has a great number of hits on the charts which puts him in the list of artists who produces their own music.
If you are interested in learning more about Calvin Harris’ music process I have written an article on Calvin Harris DAW & Plugins.
Songs Produced by Calvin Harris for Other Artists:
- Kylie Minogue – In My Arms
- Chris Brown – Yeah x3
- Rihanna – Where Have You Been
- Cheryl – Call My Name
- Rita Ora – I Will Never Let You Down
20. Russ
Russ the Rapper is a self-made artist who came from nothing and made it. He’s been active since 2007 and has been making his own music. He is been making music since childhood and his inspirations are 50 Cent, Eminem, and Dr Dre.
You can see in the above video where he’s making a beat and he uses Omnsphere VST. Russ loves to write melodic tracks and the fact that he is self-made puts him in the list of artist who produces their own music.
Conclusion
I am aware there are many other artists out there and who does deserve to be on the list, let me know who you want me to add to the list and I will. Feel free to comment below.
Also read: What DAW and Plugins Do Martin Garrix Use?
