10 Things Broke Rappers Say to Get Free Beats (Repost)

This re-post was worthwhile sharing with my fellow producers as it is realistic and it is inevitable for producers to encounter "rappers" whom are too tight to make money with money. 

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#1 – “I know Jay Z, I can get you a shout out on his new album!”
Really? You know Jay Z? Wow, you deserve to have access to my whole catalogue right away!
I believe I was 13 at the time when I got this message over AOL. It was based on my 3rd beat ever made, which of course was complete booty cakes as far as a good production goes.
Obviously I didn’t fall for it, and told the guy:”Nice try, but no.”.
Which lead to the classical bail out sentence from his side :”You’re wack anyway!”

2# – “When I blow up, I’m taking you with me!”
And when do you expect that to happen? You are 28, rapping about how long you have been doing this thang, but we should already know what it is…right?
This is a common one, and for some reason, everytime I got this, the rapper had 2 or 3 songs online, used a computer microphone to record and never had more than 20-30 fans/likes or something similar. Don’t get me wrong, I will still listen to maybe 1 or 2 tracks, but if your music can’t convince to produce for you, than you should stop talking about taking me with you, because I don’t see it happening.

3# – “I’ll pay you once I get signed by a Major Label!”
And till then how am I supposed to pay rent? Should I tell my landlord that MC WUTZHISNAME is gonna blow some day and I’ll pay rent then?
The over confident rapper who is pretty sure he will make it big, but is not making moves. We have all encountered this guy. Maybe last week, maybe last year, maybe last decade.
Chances are, if he said it last decade, he still hasn’t blown up…

4# – “I don’t pay for ma boys beats, why should I pay for yours?”
Hmmm, let’s see…Because I want to be paid for my work?
You want to be paid for a verse, paid for a show, paid for everything artistically you do, but you can not afford music? If “ya boy” believes in you and is willing to sponsor you free music all the time, why are we even talking?

5# – “Lets first release the song, then go 50/50 on the profits!”
What profits? Who promises me there will be any profits to begin with? Why would I spend hours on making beats, revisions, probably recording you, mixing and mastering the track, assisting you in getting it on Itunes, explaining to you that loud is not always good etc… only for you to sell next to nothing? You will probably hand out free copies to your friends,  and some friends will find ways to download it somewhere anyway. This in no way benefits ME!

6# – “Let me get some free beats and I’ll send more artists your way!”
Great, awesome! Exactly what I need! More people looking for free beats!
How about you just pay for the beats, and have me worry about finding customers.

7# – “Let me have this 1 for free, I’ll pay you for the 2nd one!”
Nope, not happening. Just pay for the first, and I might throw you a deal on the 2nd one.
Most of these rappers magically disappear forever after they get 1 beat.
I shamelessly admit falling for this one before…Many many years ago though so don’t try nothing!

8# – “Let me get this beat and I got yo’ back!”
Ok, cool, how about money, dinero, cash, benjamins. Start to see a pattern here?
Thats right, all I want from you is cold hard cash for my work.
Did you offer the guy at the shoe store the same thing when you got those new kicks?
I’m sure he loves the fact that you have his back.

9# – “It’s not like I’ll use it for something important…”
Then use something else! I find my own music to be very important to me. It’s almost an insult to me as a creative person to say you want to use my art for something no one cares about. Not a very smart approach.

10# – “See it as an investment bro!”
Honestly, if you are not willing to invest in your own future, why would any stranger do so?
You have now set an image of yourself that shows no will power at all. Nobody is investing in something that is not certain, especially not as far as music is concerned. How about you invest in yourself first, and things look like they are working out for you, contact me again.
I actually never expect you to return at all.

This all being said there are still plenty of artists out there paying their producers what they are worth, and I salute all of you! Free beats is something a producer should offer to you, not something you should ask for. If you find yourself as a rapper asking/begging producers for free beats with all kinds of excuses, chances are you still do not have what it takes to be successful.

Original Blog Post by Toni P
Direct Source: http://www.tonipproductions.com/broke-beats/

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