"The New Beat Market Exchange" |BeatTips.com

[Sa'id]

In my latest article for BeatTips.com, I discuss the emergence of a "new market" for soliciting and selling beats. Read the article, and let's build about it in our community.

"The New Beat Market Exchange"| BeatTips.com

— Sa'id

[dkelloway]

I agree with the article. I find that the new system has many advantages and disadvantages. For example, if I wanted to get a beat to Raekwon it would be much easier for a newcomer like me when he posts his email up on twitter. However, if I did build up a name for myself, I would be upset that artists could get quality beats at a much lesser price instead of going to a household name and paying $25,000 per beat.

[Sa'id]

Originally Posted by dkelloway

I agree with the article. I find that the new system has many advantages and disadvantages. For example, if I wanted to get a beat to Raekwon it would be much easier for a newcomer like me when he posts his email up on twitter. However, if I did build up a name for myself, I would be upset that artists could get quality beats at a much lesser price instead of going to a household name and paying $25,000 per beat.

dk,

I hear you, but did you ever consider the fact that $25,000 might have always been too much to pay for a beat in the first place? Beatmaking is a new musical phenomenon, as such, the price parameters and ceiling was being set—in real time—in the 1990s. And what was the price parameters and ceiling for beats based on? Well, in many ways, the model for previous music producers.

But after while, it became clear that not all beatmakers were actually in the studio with rappers "producing," helping out song ideas, vocal coaching, mixing, etc. As such, beat prices necessarily had to go down. Think about it: If a beat goes to a rapper, without the beatmaker's presence, well, then what you have is a situation were the "building materials" (the beat) are being bought wholesale. That is to say, the beat, without the beatmaker's input, should be less expensive. Add to that mix the fact that the number of able beatmakers grew exponentially over the pass 10 years, and what you get is a dramatic drop in beat prices.

Hence, the notion of you being "upset," if you built up a name, because an artist could get quality beats at a lower price isn't reasonable. In an competitive environment, it's usually those persons with the highest quality products, at the best prices, who are the most successful.

Thus, the only thing that can assure decent beat prices and pay parity in the new beat market exchange is a beatmakers' union. I've been calling for the creation of a union for beatmakers for the past seven years. And now that the bottom-lines of some of the most well-known beatmakers are getting pinched, I think now is the time. As you know, in 'The BeatTips Manual,' I breakdown exactly what I think such a union should stand for and look like.

— Sa'id

[GeeWiz86]

yeah but also with so much technology that makes beat making "easier" or should I say more accessible to the public, it's driving down the value of true beatmaking producers. I think we all have come across a $20 beatmaker peddling crappy as beats. So until this influx of bedroom beatmakers evens it self out, we just gotta grind harder at getting at rappers and singers directly thru facebook or like dk said combing thru twitter looking for email addresses

[Sa'id]

Originally Posted by GeeWiz86

yeah but also with so much technology that makes beat making "easier" or should I say more accessible to the public, it's driving down the value of true beatmaking producers. I think we all have come across a $20 beatmaker peddling crappy as beats. So until this influx of bedroom beatmakers evens it self out, we just gotta grind harder at getting at rappers and singers directly thru facebook or like dk said combing thru twitter looking for email addresses

GeeWiz,

Of course there's an influx of lesser quality beatmakers, due in large part to a number of reasons, including widespread accessibility to music production tools. However, you can't keep anyone what out of the competition—whack or not. Hence, the only solution is to solidify the beatmaking trade, and organize a union, wherein membership isn't that easy to get into. In a scenario like this, where the union contracts with labels (major and indie), beat prices get guaranteed, across the board, for all quality beatmakers.

By the way, Gee Wiz, please read my article, "The New Beat Market Exchange." I used the article to set off this thread.

— Sa'id

[dkelloway]

I hate that $20 a beat business. What does that say about the beatmaking craft? seriously...

And Sa'id, the more I think about it, the more I understand where you're coming from about that quality product. It's kinda like a Mercedes car, people would be willing to spend that extra $20,000 on that brand name since they know that the suspension and handling will be top notch quality-- much like a producer like DJ Premier if offering a product with top quality drum programming which offers a dope groove for an artist to rap over.

[sonray]

Originally Posted by GeeWiz86

yeah but also with so much technology that makes beat making "easier" or should I say more accessible to the public, it's driving down the value of true beatmaking producers. I think we all have come across a $20 beatmaker peddling crappy as beats. So until this influx of bedroom beatmakers evens it self out, we just gotta grind harder at getting at rappers and singers directly thru facebook or like dk said combing thru twitter looking for email addresses

I agree....It definitely crowds the scene...Its not like before cats could make beats on a laptop with a bootleg program. At one time a brother with a real machine was a rarity especially if he has legitimate skills...so he could sort of write his own ticket. But of course if an artist wants the prestige of having a well known producer with a name attached to his project in the hopes it will increase sells or garner more attention, then I feel he should pay a premium for that. But a union is also a good ideal, its done in other industries and with the revenue this business generates now cats who are really serious about their craft should come together.....egos aside.

[KingdemBros]

Originally Posted by sonray

I agree....It definitely crowds the scene...Its not like before cats could make beats on a laptop with a bootleg program. At one time a brother with a real machine was a rarity especially if he has legitimate skills...so he could sort of write his own ticket. But of course if an artist wants the prestige of having a well known producer with a name attached to his project in the hopes it will increase sells or garner more attention, then I feel he should pay a premium for that. But a union is also a good ideal, its done in other industries and with the revenue this business generates now cats who are really serious about their craft should come together.....egos aside.

So with the influx of these bedroom beatmakers...does it not incorporate competition? Technology will always allow for us as humans to do things easier and more effcient. It was just a matter of time before "bedroom beatmakers" emerge...but then again who didnt start out making beats in the retrospect of their solitude...? I'm loving the term "bedroom beatmakers" because I started out making beats on FL studio in my bedroom... It is the love for making music that seperates the crappy quick $20 beat sellers from someone that go's for broke and put their all in this business!

[KingdemBros]

Originally Posted by Sa'id

dk,

I hear you, but did you ever consider the fact that $25,000 might have always been too much to pay for a beat in the first place? Beatmaking is a new musical phenomenon, as such, the price parameters and ceiling was being set—in real time—in the 1990s. And what was the price parameters and ceiling for beats based on? Well, in many ways, the model for previous music producers.

But after while, it became clear that not all beatmakers were actually in the studio with rappers "producing," helping out song ideas, vocal coaching, mixing, etc. As such, beat prices necessarily had to go down. Think about it: If a beat goes to a rapper, without the beatmaker's presence, well, then what you have is a situation were the "building materials" (the beat) are being bought wholesale. That is to say, the beat, without the beatmaker's input, should be less expensive. Add to that mix the fact that the number of able beatmakers grew exponentially over the pass 10 years, and what you get is a dramatic drop in beat prices.

Hence, the notion of you being "upset," if you built up a name, because an artist could get quality beats at a lower price isn't reasonable. In an competitive environment, it's usually those persons with the highest quality products, at the best prices, who are the most successful.

Thus, the only thing that can assure decent beat prices and pay parity in the new beat market exchange is a beatmakers' union. I've been calling for the creation of a union for beatmakers for the past seven years. And now that the bottom-lines of some of the most well-known beatmakers are getting pinched, I think now is the time. As you know, in 'The BeatTips Manual,' I breakdown exactly what I think such a union should stand for and look like.

— Sa'id

WOW, well spoken...it is only natural that time would produce a cheaper more accessable way to make music. Its the way of the world. Young creative minds will always prevail!

[anomaly]

This Idea Is Interesting Enuff, Only Thing Is You Would Need Somebody Who Wiill Dedicate Themselves To Administering The Union. I Would Definitely Join,Just So They Can Guarantee Work & For The Benefits Ergo Pension,Health Plans etc... But This Would Only Apply To Those Who Are Seriously In The Biz. Not For Up & Coming Beatmakers Who Are Just Hobbying It.