I Get by with a Little Help from My Friends? Talent Mixing in Popular Music Production

Strategy & Business Policy

Speaker: Giacomo Negro

Professor - Emory University

Conference  Jouy-en-Josas T017

Abstract

Artistic production faces a tension between securing prominence in a stable social structure and exploring new ideas amidst uncertainty. In response to this tension, we expect to see artists mixing collaborators of varying prominence and tenure. To study collaborations, we examine the albums of music artists after they receive Grammy nominations and awards. This design leverages the difference between winners and others based on an artist’s appeal as a partner and their negotiation power. Using data from 1967-2018, we estimate fixed effects regressions to demonstrate distinct patterns of talent mixing in music production. Whereas post-award albums by Grammy winners are more likely to include talent with high artistic prominence, these albums also include more industry novices. In contrast, the albums of Grammy-nominated but non-winning artists display almost the opposite pattern: less collaboration with Grammy winners and more collaboration with other winless nominees. This study provides insight into careers in cultural production and demonstrates how major awards influence artists’ creative trajectories