Producing Music over 40 Years Old... The Facts versus Myths 

50’s club right here

Quincy Jones was 50 years old when he produced Thriller. It only takes 1, no matter the age in production.

Just turned 53 this month. I went into album mode too. Producing, writing, rapping, singing, recording, mixing and mastering on my own. I felt old in the early 2000s running my studio in Orlando. Now, I don't care. Don't have to worry about what people think of my age in relation to my music. I'd rather just produce, but artists have to know you can do a project. So, I write and record as well as produce to stay sharp. Old, young. Doesn't matter. If its in you, its in you.

I'm 58....I follow good music, ears are ears. My fav plug in rn is Arcade output. Started on eps in 1990.

I’m 40 and had my first commercial releases only a couple of years ago. Never too late or too old to chase your dreams kings 👊

49 year old producer here and I cosign everything Bolo said! You're still alive, so keep producing!

45 years young here and recording, producing, mixing, mastering my own projects and putting them out independently 🎶💯

I just turned 49 and I am just as inspired to create as I was playing the drums at 3

I'm in the 50 club.. music has no age. Keep going!

I feel that and it the reason music is timeless! I took a break because music wasn’t the bread winner at the time. Now it’s on and I have passion to create! Kudos to all. Music is many of us continued heartbeat! 56yrs here!

I'm 45 and I finally motivated myself to get back into producing last night. Then to see this appear on my suggestions was an instant click. You definitely made the stars align on this one. Thanks my dawg, BOLOOOOOOO

I'm 38, and every year, my beats and songs get harder and harder, and doper and doper💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿

48 yrs old, producing for a while now, and gonna continue to regardless, this is straight motivation, thanks Bolo for posting this!!! 🔥

Mane. . 48 and needed to hear this. I stopped for a year now just because I let the little stuff get in the way and forgot the most important part I make music which was a get away from stress.

Bruh I’ll be 50 in October and just getting back into production after being 20+ years away. I appreciate this one. I felt like my stuff wouldn’t be relevant in today’s music.

I'm 56 and still in the game as an artist and producer. My first record was nearly forty years ago and it still plays to this day and gets an even better response than it did when it was first a hit. The OGs who inspired me are even older than I am, and I'm seen as an OG. Music is a lifelong pursuit. If you are serious then it's something that you do until your last breath. I give thanks that I still tour and I still make music as well as I've recently added acting to my repertoire

51 and Still Chucking Away.... I've been doing this since 1987, I turned DJ n2 Producer/Remixer

BoLo you have so much great music knowledge and experience. I'm 67 and love producing.

Bolo! 41 year old musician here.. brotha thank you for the compassion, thoughtfulness and encouragement in this video. This is a special message that can only come from someone with great heart.

33 and still going! My day is coming!!! Some of the top producers and engineers in the industry are 50 and 60+ years old!

Needed to hear this and I’m only 32 🙌🏾 I’m still on my path but I’ll get there soon! Love this video! I hate when people put age limits on life and especially creativity

42 here and just re kindled my passion for making music as a teenager, much respect big man 💯

This is inspirational. 39 turning 40 this year. Getting into production for the love of the music. Great video

This was a needed conversation, appreciated

I'll be 40 next year, I'm dating a woman I'm interested in long term and having kids with. My goals and priorities have changed because I know I have a limited time on earth. I still love music and I am making room for other things in my life. Growth and change everyday!

Good music is timeless and ageless! I really appreciate this type of material BOLO. This is powerful and motivational knowledge!!

Great video BOLO!! 52 and still doing it and love it.

Man I appreciate videos like this.

I'm 41, I got a channel but I'm always working. Still love doing it and always inspired by all producers and musicians in general.

I am 52....and you are absolutely right. ;-)

I came in right at the end of analog when ADats & 8track tapes were still in use.(patchbay) It was when computer used to sound “computer” & once the program’s & processors got better it was really amazing to see how it all happened.

46 years old as of June 2024, yes I use Reason (still). 0 placements but more than 30 years experience in music, former rapper and knowing various LA rappers (known and unknown). Got a whole family, a whole job but still loving to make music for someone...anyone to rap/sing on. Hell, even sync placement will make me happy.

Best video by far. The biggest problem is older folks following younger folks instead of standing on your truth to provide guidance to the young folks.

Bro! I’m 51. Started on an ASR10. Truncating my life away! I love FL and just got the Mpc key37 and the evolution is crazy! It doesn’t end!

Dear Bolo. One of the brightest things about the globalisation is that I could find you. This video is the best in-depth and overall in one for me from all the stuff I have seen on You Tube for last three years, since I have decided to have more fun from the music. Thanks for the inspiration and positive kick in the butt to move on. Cheers from Poland.

This one was right on time and spot on my guy I'm 47 been producing since 15 and have had this conversation several times with all age groups great video we rockin wit you down here in San Antonio TX

I'm 48 and I still make hip hop beats, and I'm not stopping NO TIME SOON!!

Quincy jones didn’t produce Michael Jackson thriller album until he was 50! The greatest selling album of all time

Double Nickel club here and a Grandpa!!! 😊

Im 44 and still rocking bro! Nothing but creativity and love. Quincey Jones is my mentor and he did it well after 40.

Thank you, we still here & Making 🔥🔥🔥!!! 45 and very well seasoned.

Bolo you’re under appreciated. Even the way you speak it’s almost as if there is no screen in between those that listen. That’s a talent that doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you.

That was great food for thought! I'm 60, and even though I've dabbled in making music for a long time, I'm able to spend much more time doing that. I have a great mentor who I'm doing one-on-one with who has been a music producer and DJ and is known in the music scene I supported for over three decades. As a DJ for over 20 years, and also a radio DJ for a 15-year period, I relish using my lived experience to finally get to create, both with software and hardware. I'm starting my second year in a music technology certification program at a community college, and will soon enter a music technology program at the the local university, my alma mater. I'm not bragging at all, but just want to encourage folks that it's never too late. Indeed, technology has made both music production and DJing so much more within reach. I know pros going in their 50s and 60s who are still at it, and I know a few who plan to retire. In the end, if it's something you want to do, I say do it before you have regrets about not doing it. Thanks for this, Bolo; speaking from the heart, like you did, is always a public speaking asset. Do it, to it! Peace.

There s a beatmaker here in France, he had his first placement at 40 for one of the biggest rapper in the french rap today who s 24. Then that beatmaker had placement for a lot of artists in a Quick time after his first placement. He started make beats at 30. So the most importanr as a music producer is your music not your age.

I'm glad I'm not the only old beatmaker 😂..I'm 50 been making beats since before computers and still use mpc stuff to this day

51 and still going!

Keep doing what you do. Bolo I like your page.

I’m in the 40s club and I’m just starting trying to learn all of this

Brooooo! Thanks for this! I stopped making music at 29 because I felt I was too old at the time. Got my doctorate, started a family. I’m now 43. In 2020 I bought a Tuff Shed and built a bad ass studio, slowly getting back into music. Even if I get nowhere, my kids now have an in house producer, ready to support their dreams if they choose that route.

i started in 1988 with radio shack keyboards and wires. i played and learned the sounds and how they sit in the mix. then got professional keyboards like Korg X Korg M1 yamaha DX9 Alesis Mirrage SQ10 Korg Kronos Roland flagship keyboards. started with 4 track cassettes laying tracs one at a time. mixing to not to distort the sounds. then went to DAT then there were sequences keyboards to stand alone Digital recorders to finally to DAW in 2004 thats my history. It comes down to your Ears and if it sounds great. or good to you. You have to live with it the rest of your life. Its born from you and grows along your journey

45 & fully live

52 and still getting it! End of the day, creativity doesn’t have an age limit to it! As long as you stay studied and tuned in to what’s happening you can and will continue to get work!

I’m about to be 53 and I’m still making bangers just released my first artist/super star

just turned 47 june 19th

2005! I was 42 years and just starting my home studio. Almost 20 years later (now), I'm still getting my groove on and growing while I'm at it. I have a very young ear when I need to. I enjoy mixing old and new (techniques) for added flava!!!

There’s actually an advantage to being older, if you have use the time. I am a formally trained multi-instrumentalist in Los Angeles and I play guitar, bass, keyboards and do drum programming for many “producers” who are half my age. The only reason why they consistently hire me is because I can play in 15 minutes what sometimes takes them all night to figure out. The Hiphop and R&B music of today is basically a very basic version of the music from the past, with added effects, reverse effects and filters. And the beats are the simplest ever. I just programmed 6 beats for a very well known Hiphop artist and it only took me a few hours. Everything is much easier now than it was in the past.

44 and I’m still in the future when it comes to these tunes ! Always keep ahead of the trends instead of catching up

The Alchemist has been making dope beats since the 90’s and look where he is now. Working with Kendrick, Drake, etc as an underground producer and I would argue making even better beats than his work in the 90’s. Could say the same about Premo and many more older producers.

The amazing Rick Rubin started using reverse drums on record.

Nuff respect youngster If it's okay, can I add one thing? Don't sleep on those old ass beats you may have forgot. I just checked my old Dropbox from the 2000's and there's 10 tracks I completely forgot about, and I ain't gonna lie, I kinda like them. They may not fit into my type beat 'niche' but I'm still going to upload them to my beatstars, youtube, tik tok, and the rest of my socials.

I’m 44 and I’m only getting older and I’m not stopping 🤷🏾‍♂️

37 year old here! Been a songwriter all my life and started my production career last year ❤️

42 years old and getting better with time.

I’m 30. I’m a producer but not for artists, I just want my music to stand on its own merits. I’ve been dealing with a lot of existential dread because I haven’t had that one song go crazy yet. Thank you for dispelling my fears, thinking that my career is going to come to a close in the next year or two. I’m going to continue to pursue this career with everything I have!

51 year old producer here and about to drop my biggest and dopest project yet... Straight up

This is a great message brother! Totally taking this your vision and message in for sure!

Nothing wrong with the age bro. Being in touch with the pulse of good music is ageless and timeless. When you’re older, you’re wiser in your approach and don’t think that you know everything. I’m in my 50s and still learn. I know the history of the styles someone thinks is new and know the hardware that was used to create it. Keep doing what you’re doing and keep sharing wisdom!

There’s no age limit to great Music. Never have a limiting belief

Thanks for this! 44 Y.O. on deck!

33 here. I feel like a lot of the theory of boom bap is lost on the 20 somthings out there

Raleigh Simmons. I am over 60 and you just go with the flow. Encourage each other and as a older player producer you let the Artis / Musicians express themselves freely. They’re expressing emotions through Sound/Song/Words to be used to help someone in this world. Don’t let the money RULE YOU. I agree with you Bolo. Music is LOVE and LOVE is God.

I got into sound engineering and production back in 1995. I’m 45 years old still evolving with my creativity whether if I’m producing music or on the turntable. If you truly love music, the love of music and your passion to create music keeps you ageless. Don’t put time limitations on your gift.

For Years And Tears In All Genres Of Music Have Had Older Producers Audio Engineers Mastering Engineers It Is Called Being Seasoned And Experienced We Took Years To Learn This Stuff We Just Supposed To Stop Because We Are a Certain Age They Should Want Someone That Know What They Are Doing Good Video Man

64 here. Still playing instruments and making tracks with Ableton. Music It's my life..!!

I think some of us oldheads digging in the crates type are reluctant to use splice, tracklibs, and loop kits, similar to how a bunch of us wouldn't touch those dusty fingers releases. Getting over our old hang ups is a journey

44 And still inspired by anything that sounds Hard. Much Love 2 the new generation but grew up on 90’s & 2000’s music. Had to subscribe Thanks BOLO, keep making that Heat! 🙏🏽💯✌️

I am in South Africa 55 Yrs Old been a DJ for a long time hehehe because of your Positive VIds I am thinking about getting into Producing.Keep The fires Burning Young Man.Wishing you Love and Light.

Bolo, thank you for always being inspirational while also keeping it real!

Bolo I’m 44 I took a 14 yr hiatus and started a new company and I feel like I’m in my prime now: producing, writing, rapping, and just grinding

I’ll be 44 this month. It’s the music that beats my heart! You’re only as old as you allow yourself to be!

i love these kinds of talks bro keep this going .. i feel like a podcast is coming 🔥🔥🔥

For me, I'm 52.. So right now I'm at this R&B Thug sound. And I ask myself if WHEN I get a placement, do I really wanna be in the studio full time with some of these younger artist. I just truly enjoy making music. Its how I clear my mind.

Just hit 50 years old and I'm still at it ....heavy co-sign on the video!

I can do sign this video. I'm 34 and I rap, produce, DJ, and engineer for other artists as a side job. I'll never stop, and I use everything from vinyl samples, splice samples, create the melody myself, whatever. The day I can't make music is the day I can be escorted to my grave.

Jermaine Dupri, Babyface, Kanye, Jimmy Jam an Terry Lewis, Timbaland, Scott Storch, Swizz Beats, etc are all over 40. JDdis 52 and still putting numbers up on Billboard. Fuck the ageism, make music. Have fun. It's art and art should be fun. Who cares about age?

I’m 52 and still producing for the young artists. There’s no limitations to what I can do. Being well seasoned is an advantage that I take advantage of. I’ve been doing this when digital recording wasn’t even a thing. Give me a stick of gum and a paper clip and I’ll make a banger that’ll stand the test of time on some Mcgyver ish. Talk that talk Bolo!

This was a DOPE video, Bolo! Highly relatable!

Great segment! Repping 38 yrs old, started beat making-producing publicly a year ago yesterday but was always creating starting back in 1995 with keyboards and drums ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Thanks for making this video and shedding light on producing at a old age it doesn’t matter how old you are to all the real producers watchin this video now how much music calls you it’s really like your first lover that u never can get enough of I just turned 40 and I been making music playin the drums since I was 8 💯

Lol when someone hear a nice beat they don't ask themselves "I wonder how old the producer is?"

I remember hiring instrumentalists for jam sessions to build up my loop catalog back in the early 2000s.

I'm loving these monolouges on music production Bolo...They really feel the mind

Just turned 39 this month. Still waiting for that day

I'm 59 and doing sync film/TV music, games NOW, using Studio One. I have used MpC DAW FL Studio Also. After a life of touring, Playing guitar, Doing Sync music works for me and I'm so Interested in the art.

My grand kids love being with me while I'm playing with Ableton. First thing they ask when they come over is "can we do music?" Bringing up a new generation of musicians makes me feel better than actually producing tracks.

I'm 41, was on the digital wave early making Midi & wave beats on Magix (FL wasn't even thought of yet) I always caught it from other producers about not carrying a triton and mpc with me everywhere not knowing I had all the sounds from both on drives in my pocket

I been using reason since 2003 and making beats since 95 ...I’m 45 and still love producing music i can’t get enough of it tbh

I'm glad to hear someone like you say this. Keep grinding!

Yo Bolo I Love This video man. You touched on a very very important topic. I’m 54 out of Nyc. Always realized this fact. A producer can create music for artists well into elder years. It’s the quality and relevance of the production that counts. Just have to continue the road of reinventing one self. Bless on your career in your family and success in your speaking engagement. “Buzz”-NYC

Hey Bo there’s an engineer from back in the 90s classic era that has a channel. Tony Black NYC. He knows his stuff. Too many artists to name. Too many hits. MPC knowledge. He knows how the records were really made. And also the myths. Good stuff. Rare find.