Unmasking the 'Hitmakers': the unsung heroes of your favourite pop songs

IOL News

4 days ago

"Hitmakers" shines a spotlight on the talented individuals behind some of the world's biggest songs.
Image: Instagram.
Songwriters, who are often overlooked and underappreciated, are the true heroes of the pop music industry.
Thanks to Netflix's new reality show, "Hitmakers", viewers get an inside look at the creatives behind some of the biggest songs on the planet.
The series opens with a catchy phrase that perfectly encapsulates its premise: "You may not know us, but you definitely know our song."
The show is produced by Done and Done Productions, the same company that gave us "Selling Sunset" and "The Hills".
The aim is to shine a light on these talented individuals by showcasing their mastery in crafting songs for some of the biggest names in music, including John Legend, Usher, Shaboozey and Lisa from Blackpink.
The show offers plenty of creative chaos, emotional stakes and personal breakthroughs from the featured songwriters, which include Jenna Andrews, who wrote on BTS's "Butter", Tommy Brown, who wrote on Arianna Grande's "Thank U, Next" and Trey Campbell, who has worked with Legend on "U Move, I Move".
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Other notable contributors include Ferras Alqaisi, who wrote for Dua Lipa, Sevyn Streeter, who has worked with Chris Brown, Bernard Harvey, who wrote on Justin Bieber's "Forever" and Nova Wav, who have written songs like Beyonce's "Cuff It".
The songwriters are transported to luxurious locations like the Bahamas, Nashville and Cabo, where they engage in an intense songwriting camp, sipping champagne and enjoying gourmet meals as they attempt to craft the next big hit.
As the show kicks off, viewers are quickly introduced to each songwriter's unique strengths and creativity.
One would think that these masterminds would be rolling in money; however, off the bat, viewers quickly learn about the financial struggles many songwriters face when Campbell confesses that he still drives for Uber, despite being a Grammy-nominated writer.
Although this theme is introduced, it fades into the background as the series progresses.
During each writing session, songwriters engage briefly with the featured artists to gain insights into their visions for the new tracks.
Then, divided into groups and with only six hours on the clock, these creative minds must come out with songs that can potentially scale the Billboard charts.
While the show captures the essence of these high-pressure creative sessions, it leaves viewers wanting a more in-depth understanding of how these hits evolve from concept to completed work.
At the end of each episode, the teams showcase their songs to the entire group at a listening party.
Each team plays their song for the group and at the end of the season artists pick, chose and refuse which songs they will lend their voice to.
Image: Instagram.
While "Hitmakers" has the potential to deliver a gripping exploration of the music-making process, it often prioritises style over substance. The unique stories and struggles of songwriters deserve more attention.
However, the series still manages to celebrate the artistry behind the scenes of pop hits, providing a visually engaging experience for viewers.
Other interesting music shows to stream:
"Beyoncé Bowl"
The iconic Beyoncé takes the field for a special hometown halftime show on NFL Christmas Gameday from Houston, Texas.
It features songs from her most recent album, "Cowboy Carter" with guest appearances from Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Shaboozey, and Post Malone.
"Building The Band"
This reality competition combines elements of dating shows with singing competitions. Contestants must select bandmates without seeing each other first, relying solely on musical compatibility before meeting face-to-face.
The show features guest judges and mentors, including Kelly Rowland and the late Liam Payne of One Direction.
"Rhythm + Flow"
This reality series features up-and-coming hip hop singers vying for a chance at stardom. Chance the Rapper, T.I. and Cardi B are looking for new talent from their hometowns of Chicago, Atlanta and New York.
Thirty selected contestants go on to compete in several elimination rounds, and the ultimate winner will win $250k and the opportunity to perform at Spotify's RapCaviar Live event.
"Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE"
The unscripted series features young women from around the world training and competing for a chance to form part of an international all-girl K-pop-styled group.
It's a compelling portrayal of the journey to global stardom, including insight into the unique training and development program from HYBE and Geffen Records.
"The Greatest Night in Pop"
Directed by Bao Nguyen, the documentary is about the creation of the renowned pop song "We Are the World" and its recording in 1985.
The film features new interviews with various people involved in the song, including Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis, Dionne Warwick and Cyndi Lauper.