Everyone knows I've used quite a few free-to-download beats for my (non-profit) mixtapes. Some are industry beats (i.e. Beats to well known songs like "A Milli" or "Black and Yellow" or "Started From The Bottom"), some are beats that aren't as well known or have not been sold yet. I have never profited from them, and make it a point to try to list the producers at all times.
Artists, realize this, without producers, you'd have an album full of Acapellas. Don't nobody want to hear a fuckin' Acapella. Period. Whenever you fail to credit the beatmaker to the track you just hopped your happy ass on to rap over, that beatmaker gets no love whatsoever. That track may get bangin' ass respect, and that may lead you to being in a position to get signed or to actually make big cheese off of your raps....but that producer is still living at his momma's crib because you didn't wanna share the spotlight. How hard is it to write
MC Fly-By-Nyte "Bankrolls and Bitches" [DJ Lunchtable]
That's all. And if the producer is completely opposed to letting you rap over a free beat (some producers could give a fuck about props if the money ain't coming with it), that's their right. If money is that big of an issue either (Find a producer who doesn't have a problem with you spitting over their beats) or (learn to make your own damn beats! You'll never have that problem again!) If you can't afford that equipment, then put your mic down, and pick an application up. Get your weight up...just a little. (Chances are that if you really wanted to, though, you could afford it, you're just bullshitting. Alot of dudes lease beats for under 25 dollars...leave the weedman alone this pay period, and ante up! You'll be able to commercially sell your song, and make your money back! Everybody wins!) Alot of us (me included) like to use free tracks for promo purposes, and not invest until it's a definent that we can capture attention (well, first off, make sure it's not just because....you're wack.). Fair enough, but just remember until you pay the producer, the ball is in their court, and if they wanted they could shut you down. Could you imagine finally getting a hot song, and then you gotta take it down or get sued? Shit will burn the ectoplasm out your soul!
I always credit the producers of the beats I use, because they allow us to spit over their tracks! It's the least I can do!
Now Producers, a tip, if you don't want people downloading and freestyling over your beats with out throwing you any type of compensation, stop making your shit available for free download. That simple. Just make it available for stream. If somebody's interested in purchasing, then let them contact you and you work from there. Simple. Oh, and be willing to "adopt" a rapper, make a deal or something like "I'll give you ex beats for free if you release a mixtape with all of my beats" or some shit. Use that rapper as your promotional vehicle. Only people who like instrumentals are artists, and the instrumental is a part of a song. If a bunch a people like a song from an artist, then that artist is going to be more inclined to buy beats from a producer....the best promo for a producer is a finished song by that producer and that artist. In Hip-Hop, the Producer-Rapper Tandem is our equivalent of a Rock Band, so let's Band Up and get our Bandz Up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-The Daimyo
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