Terrace Martin: Do’s & Don’ts for Musicians | Kendrick Lamar, Herbie Hancock, Snoop Dogg, Interview # 96
Episode Overview
This episode of Go With Elmo features a deep dive with Terrace Martin—an influential producer, musician, and mentor whose name is synonymous with some of the biggest acts in music today, including Kendrick Lamar, Herbie Hancock, and Snoop Dogg. In this refreshing, no-holds-barred conversation, Terrace Martin opens up about the keys to success in the ever-evolving music industry, focusing on professionalism, mindset, and the often overlooked interpersonal side of music.
The episode doesn’t just cater to working musicians: it’s packed with practical advice for aspiring producers, writers, and even music lovers who want an insider’s view of what it truly takes to succeed and stay relevant in the music world. Terrace Martin candidly shares his life lessons—some learned the hard way—about surviving gigs, negotiating deals, and what separates lasting legacies from fleeting talent.
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About Terrace Martin
Terrace Martin is widely recognized as one of the most dynamic and influential contemporary musicians. He’s left his mark as a producer, arranger, and instrumentalist, working with giants like Kendrick Lamar on genre-defining albums such as To Pimp a Butterfly and DAMN., and lending his talents to Herbie Hancock, Snoop Dogg, and countless other legends. With roots growing up in a musically-rich but often challenging environment in South Central LA, Terrace Martin brings a perspective that is both street-smart and soul-deep. His career bridges worlds: jazz virtuosity, hip-hop authenticity, and a relentless drive to innovate and uplift those around him.
Key Points and Highlights
1. Professionalism: The Unsexy Key to Longevity
Terrace Martin emphasizes that professionalism is a “non-negotiable” for anyone serious about their music career. No matter how gifted someone is, being late, unreliable, or disrespectful costs more opportunities than a lack of talent ever will. He laments seeing phenomenal musicians sidelined by poor habits: missed rehearsals, gossip, and failing to learn the ‘people side’ of the business. Show up, be on time, do the job, and treat everyone with respect—these, he says, are the real keys to sustained success.
Quote:
“Being great on your instrument is really easy—you just gotta play every day. Being great as a human is the challenge… The reward for being a great human is much more rewarding than being a great musician.”
2. The Dangers of Ego and Short-Term Thinking
Mixing hard truths with humor, Terrace Martin warns that ego is music’s silent killer. Musicians who see themselves as too important to support an artist, or who can’t adjust to the demands of a project, quickly burn bridges. He shares stories of seeing not just peers, but himself, lose gigs to ego and poor attitude—sometimes only understanding the real reasons years later. The most valued collaborators are those who set their egos aside and invest in the long-term success of the team.
Quote:
“Ego keeps you away from the bank. That’s the difference between confidence and ego.”
3. Making Yourself Indispensable: It’s More Than Just the Music
Being the best technician or having chops is great—but it’s not enough. What keeps Terrace Martin coming back to the same musicians time and time again isn’t just talent; it’s reliability, positive attitude, clear communication, and an ability to “read the room.”
He shares that in sessions with big names (Kendrick, Snoop, Herbie), sometimes what he brings to the table isn’t even musical: it could be energy, jokes, or homemade enchiladas for the label staff to keep morale up and earn goodwill while working through challenging creative blocks.
Quote:
“It’s not always music you bring to the session. Sometimes I bring energy. Sometimes I bring a laugh.”
4. Negotiation: Know Your Value, Know the Timing
Negotiation is a complex dance, and young musicians frequently get it wrong. Terrace Martin stresses the importance of reading who you’re talking to, understanding the value you bring, and—crucially—not leading with money unless you know it’s the right time. Over-negotiate or revisit terms after a deal is struck, and you’ll likely be placed on the “do not call again” list. Instead, consider the long-term value of association: sometimes, taking less upfront leads to more opportunities and connection down the line.
Quote:
“If your name isn’t on the marquee, you can be replaced. Don’t ever forget that.”
5. The Importance of Investing in Relationships
Long-term investment in relationships is a thread throughout Terrace Martin’s story—from staying “down” with Kendrick and TDE before anyone was famous, to learning life lessons on the road with Snoop Dogg, or spending unpaid years absorbing wisdom from Herbie Hancock. Trust, loyalty, and mutual respect create opportunities that outlast any single check.
6. How to Get—and Keep—the Gig
The episode is packed with actionable advice for anyone hoping to break in or stay relevant:
- Be on time.
- Be easy and fun to work with.
- Support the leader; don’t make it about you.
- Dress well and carry yourself like a professional (“they see you before they hear you”).
- Learn how to communicate: confirmation, thank-yous, and owning mistakes go a long way.
- Stay loyal, but don’t be afraid to set boundaries when people don’t meet your standards—a lesson learned with some pain from Dr. Dre and Snoop themselves.
7. Giving Back: Mentorship and Uplifting the Next Generation
Now in a mentorship phase of his career, Terrace Martin pours into the next wave, hoping to break the cycle of bitterness, gossip, and missed opportunities that sidelined so many brilliant musicians he grew up with. He encourages seasoned artists to be honest with younger musicians and help them, but also warns them not to be negative influences—“Stop spreading this. Don’t get little mentees around you if you’re messed up.”
Final Reflections
This episode of Go With Elmo is both a masterclass and a heartfelt call to arms for musicians and creators everywhere. Terrace Martin pulls back the curtain on what makes someone truly indispensable in any high-level creative field: mastery of their craft, yes, but also mastery of themselves, their energy, and their relationships.
Aspiring to be more than just a “bad” musician, he models the lifelong pursuit of being a great human—and challenges the next generation to do better, be better, and lift each other up along the way.
Recommended for:
- Musicians and producers at any level
- Anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes realities of the music business
- Creatives seeking insight into longevity, success, and meaningful collaboration
Listen to the full episode to catch more stories, practical advice, and hard-earned wisdom from Terrace Martin and Elmo Lovano.
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