If you’re a Rap/Hip-Hop beat producer hoping to sell your beats for a living, the most important skill that you can develop, is the ability to create consistent demand for your product. While technical music skills and a general knowledge of the Rap/Hip-Hop industry are necessary and must not be overlooked, neither of these abilities will generate a consistent income for you, if you don’t know how to create a “buzz” or a “name” for yourself. Below are 5 effective ways to go about generating demand and ultimately, dollars, for your rap instrumental beats.
1. Get familiar with your local music scene. Unless you’ve already generated relationships with some of the bigger named artists in the rap industry, it would do you little to no good at this point to simply drop a sampler disk in the mail addressed to a major label or artist. This business is all about relationships and who you know, therefore, you need to get to know artists who have money and are accessible to you right away.
Go to local rap shows/concerts and network with the artists and promoters at these venues (simply reading the entertainment portion of your local newspaper will list upcoming hip-hop shows in your area). Introduce yourself and what you do, and leave them with a sampler disk. Make sure the disk is neatly labeled and includes your name, email, and phone number so that you can be easily reached. Continue reading →
