Today’s music climate demands that recording artists have access to a wide selection of beats and instrumentals. In the past, a rapper or singer may have been able to get away with having a couple of CD’s worth of instrumentals.
In 2012, however, that is simply not the case. Recording artists need 1000 beats yesterday and another 1000 today, not to mention an additional 500 tomorrow.
Why? The answer is the internet.
The internet has transformed the way we think about the world around us and is the driving force behind the current changes in the music business
Buying Beats Vs. Music Marketing Strategy
Think about this. Let’s say you choose to buy beats online and select a “hot” beat to purchase and download. Your instrumental choice has a direct correlation with the marketing strategy and promotions behind the song created, especially if you are purchasing beats with hooks.
Example
Fabolous ft. Drake “Throw It In The Bag” (Remix)
The instrumental in this song samples the R&b singer, The Dream, for its chorus. Following closely on the heels of the original “Throw It In The Bag” song, Fabolous strategically released this single with a feature from Canadian rapper, Drake.
Fabolous could’ve easily just downloaded any old instrumental online and paid to license the track, however he chose otherwise. His choice allowed him to tap into the fan bases of Drake and The Dream, while riding the success of his hit single.
The Thought Process
If you’re a rapper or singer who buys beats online, you’ve got to think of your purchase as a strategic investment. The beats you select to put your lyrics to will ultimately determine your “sound” and how people perceive you as a recording artist. This plays into your brand image.
Examples:
Waka Flocka Flame, Gucci Mane
These two rappers often buy hard hitting, bass heavy trap or club beats.
Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller
Wiz And Mac often choose melodic, smooth hip hop beats to appeal to their fan bases (Weed smokers and back pack rapper fans).
Odd Future
The rap group, Odd future, tends to choose unorthodox sounding hip hop beats to match their “weirdness”.
Music Marketing
