How Do Artists Find Beats?

As a musical artist, beats are the canvas on which you paint your art, which is music.

These compositions are what accompany the lyrics to the music and will complete the description of the overall song.

You need to be able to use beats that can well align with your lyrics and deliver the message you wish to convey because at the end of the day you want to make music that can resonate with people.

There are a variety of sources from which artists get their beats and this post will discuss some of these sources.

Having been exposed to various music industry dynamics, I’m a unique position to discuss how artists are able to get beats.

Lets get into it:

YouTube

Believe it or not, YouTube is one valuable tool that helps artists find beats.

My favourite part about using youtube is that you can search for very specific terms that can yield very specific results.

This makes it the perfect online platform to search for beats.

Beat selling platforms

The rise of beat selling platforms has made it easier for any artist to find beats and connect with music producers.

Artists are able to go to various platforms like Beatstars and Airbit to listen to various instrumentals and be able to pick out which ones they feel they can turn into a full fledged song.

The major advantage that comes with online beat selling platforms is that one can find good beats at very affordable prices. Rather than looking for industry producers that may charge hefty prices because their brand is a well recognized one.

Social Media

Social media is another way in which artists are able to find beats.

Most indie music producers post their work on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram which makes it easier for the artists to simply connect with the producer to buy a specific beat or hire them to work on something completely new.

Social media allows the artist to be exposed to various producers which makes it easier for them to find one that they can work with.

Furthermore, working with a producer that has an established following can help you as artist to reach new fans and clientele.

In-house Music Producers

For artists that are signed to record labels, they have the perk of having to work with in-house producers.

This can be a great advantage because the label doesn’t have to worry about outsourcing production which can be costly.

The advantage of working with in-house music producers is that the artist can build a more in depth relationship which can help them build a unique sound with the producer.

Mutual Acquaintances

The inner working of the music industry has become well revealed to the public now.

In the 80s or 90s musicians never had a lot of insider information about the music industry unless they signed to a label.

The story is different now. Through various ways of networking, with the help of the internet, musicians and creators are able to connect, interact and exchange ideas.

Nowadays, knowing a friend of a friend is one of the ways in which artists are able to find beats.

Mutual acquaintances can be artists that know certain producers or beat makers that can help you with beats.

This is very common now that a lot of music producers are in the lime light.

A&R’s

These are representatives of record labels that operate on behalf of the record label to scout for talent or new artists for the record label or publisher to sign.

This is not the only role that A&Rs play, they are also responsible for artist development and can act as the bridge between independent creators and the record label.

They are also able to secure beat makers and music producers that can provide their artists with beats.

Most of the time A&Rs don’t work formally, but work through referrals and mutual Acquaintances that are able to put them in a position where they can easily find talent.

Most beatmakers and music producers like Metro-Boomin’ credit their success to A& Rs that helped them connect to various artists.

Management

Artists will have a manager that will manage their day to day affairs and their long term goals.

Most producers these days are able to get to artists through their managers.

Managers can simply procure beats for the artists under their management because and they are able to pick the music on behalf of the artist.

The role of a manager is to basically locate opportunities, manage the brand and over see the music being made. This therefore puts them in a good position to acquire some beats for the artist.

Record labels

Sometimes, record labels can organize producers that can provide their musicians with beats.

In such situations record labels will use their go-to producers that can easily work well with their artists to ensure that quality music is created.

The artist in this case will look to the label to provide them with producers that they can work with. But this doesn’t happen quite often for musicians that have been in the industry for long.

For newbie musicians that don’t know a lot about music, the label will want to get them working with a producer than can help them discover and nurture their sound.

Furthermore, this can be a great way for the artist to work with various producers and get well acquainted them and their music.