people are overstating the democratizing element of digital production here. it's not a matter of artists "discovering" that decent beats can be had on the cheap -- they've been up to their ears in tracks from unknowns forever.

the appeal of paying a big name wasn't because they couldn't find good beats elsewhere: it was that a collaboration was both a co-sign and a way to generate buzz. but now, labels simply aren't putting that kind of money into production costs when they know they can't recoup it. for super-producers, it's a vicious circle. dudes won't pay their rates, they don't get placements, and their name dwindles.