Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Couldn't have said it any better...
WORDS OF CHUCKBEATS OUT OF BC....
Reasons why producers charge $300+ for beats (*note* I don't charge that much)
01. Asking for money is a natural screening process
If you’re an emcee and you’ve met some of the following criteria you probably wont have to pay the full price for the beat(s) you want…
a) you have created a respectable buzz for yourself
b) you are unarguably one of the most talented emcees in your area
c) you have your business in order, this means you have pressed and released at least one album in the past (not talking about burned CDs), or generated some income via CD and/or merchandise sales, or you have an active tour schedule, or radio play (at least at the college level), or a government grant $$$, or distribution, or a website that can be taken seriously (myspace doesn’t count).
If you have any business sense at you’ll probably be able to get the track for free.
Many producers say their starting price starts at $300.00, but you’d be surprised how often you‘ll be able to pick up a track for half the price (maybe even less). The average goofball will be scared off by the initial cost, but a dude with smarts will use his head to get the track.
02. Equipment + Vinyl isn’t free
Beat makers are expected to be up on the latest technologies. Beat makers want to have the newest and latest gear, but this shit is expensive! Any additional source of income helps. Records can be cheap, but dudes like me go thru a ton of crap to get the good shit, it all adds up.
03. Expect the unexpected
a) Often times albums / projects / songs are not released, it doesn’t matter if the artist is at top of the line or bottom of the barrell. What’s the point in hooking up a dude with hot beat for free if it never gets put out?
b) Too many artists take 6 to 2 years to finish songs. Gotta love that.
04. 75% of the emcees out there are flakes
From my experience more than half of the “up and coming” emcees (I use that term loosely) seriously lack essential life + business skills. Skill’s and traits like work ethic, promptness, accountability + responsibility, honesty, common sense and common courtesy.
How many times have you fellow beat makers volunteered to record the artist for free and he didn’t have the courtesy to have his lyrics finished and/or practiced? It’s awesome how a 1 hour recording session can turn into a 3 hour recording session because the artists is a dick. There’s nothing I hate more than helping a dude write his verse when you told him you’re pressed for time.
I’ve been lied to so many time’s that it’s changed my whole perspective on life. I’ve had so many dudes lie about who they know and what they’ve done it’s ridiculous. Beat makers don’t want to hear about “what you’re going to do”. Do it and talk about it after.
Emcees are waaaay too broke. You can’t even lend them money cause you wont get it back haha.
8 out of 10 emcees are assholes; you guys put us through hell and you expect us to bear it with a grin.
05. Most beat makers are looking for that special group or someone that they can work with a develop (for free).
Trust I’d rather give away all my shit to dope/consistent/reliable emcees, but these emcees are hard to come by. I give away way more beats than I sell, so if you see a dude selling tracks for $300 then you will know that he has given away tons of beats in the past and he probably still gives away free instrumentals
Summary
If homey is selling dope beats for $50 don’t sleep. Pick them up while they last cause when dude gets tired of how artists act the price will go up.
If you can’t find a producer to work with you for free it means you either have really bad luck or you're whack and you really need to step your game up.
posted by The Beatsmith at 3:52 AM
