Home Beatmaking & Production BUY HIP HOP BEATS CHEAP! | Thoughts on exchanging value!

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Hey friend and Welcome aboard!!

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. The concept of two people exchanging value. I used to think that

What is value?

there was something wrong with trying to sell my beats to people and give them something of value while they in return gave me something as well (we will call this $ for the sake of clarity).


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But then I thought of something.

We live in a capitalistic society. There’s nothing wrong with having someone pay you for a service. We all pay for stuff that we want every day!

For a long time, I gave away free beats. I still do to this day, just not as many. I feel as though I have been making music and paying my dues long enough, and am experienced enough to justify charging people when they come to me inquiring about a beat.

I’ve been sampling since 2009 and making beats overall since 2007.

I have come to the conclusion (and it took me a while) over these years that some people simply aren’t all that serious about music. This may sound a bit harsh, but hear me out.

I’ve been “approached” online hundreds of times by artists looking to collaborate. I am not saying this to brag but rather to make a point. The majority of these people will never get back to you, even if you give them something for free. It got to the point where I was getting so frustrated that I thought about quitting my craft on many occasions. I also became bitter towards these people in my mind and felt like calling them out.

But I never did…

because it wasn’t worth it…

I have never been the type of person to hard sell someone. It is simply not in my blood or my soul. I make music because I love doing it first and foremost. That will never change. I have always believed in myself and my abilities, but had trouble marketing and promoting them. Although I’ve gotten better at this..

I still have a long way to go.

The love for beats and music has always prevented me from quitting, even when getting recognized (at all) was a struggle. I have a good number of credits to my name, and have collaborated with some artists who I felt were (and are) serious about their craft. I am truly grateful to have found these people. The only thing better than playing back a beat that you know is sick is someone else rapping over it! (or using it in some way).

I’ve always been serious and have 100% put everything into my beats. By the time I’m really finished with one, I’m exhausted. But the feeling I get from hearing something that truly makes my heart skip a beat, (even for just a second) is what keeps me going, and coming back to the studio.

As I thought about all this today at work, something came to mind…

My 96-year-old Grandmother..

Yes, I know it’s crazy ..

But my grandmother is a warrior. She will be 97 in February 2016 (God willing) and even though she’s slowed down considerably, she is still with it.

Getting around is a lot tougher for her these days. She needs help doing everyday basic tasks like cooking, cleaning, doing the dishes, and doing laundry…

My point?

There is someone who helps her with all this.

And that person doesn’t do it for free.

She exchanges value. She gives my grandmother a good service in exchange for compensation to improve her livelihood. This concept shouldn’t be foreign to people, but for some reason when it comes to beats, it is!!

Just the other day someone messaged me through youtube about one. I asked him for his email and sent him a message outlining my prices. I even offered him the beat for half off the original price, or buy 1 get one free. He didn’t even respond back.

But that’s okay.. because I’m using him to make a point. He wasn’t serious about the beat.

If you’ve made it this far and have read my blog to this point, I know you ARE serious. So cop a beat today!


Thanks for reading and I hope you guys enjoyed!! If you have any comments or questions about where to buy hip hop beats cheap, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or Contact me!

All the best and God bless,

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

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24 comments

Shirley January 7, 2015 - 9:22 pm

You are so right, your work is worth something and people need to acknowledge that and not expect you to give it away. Nice article with great points. Shirley

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Stu January 7, 2015 - 11:22 pm

Appreciate the comment Shirley!
-Stu

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Katie January 7, 2015 - 9:56 pm

enjoyed reading your articles, though I have to confess I have never heard of the term of buying hip hop beats, guess I have never thought of the way music is sold etc but you are right the beats you create are your time and work so it is only right you should earning a living from this to

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Stu January 7, 2015 - 11:22 pm

Thanks Katie!! 🙂

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JP January 7, 2015 - 10:32 pm

Hey Stu, great post. Good points about value exchange. It really is as simple as that when you look at it from that perspective. Value for value.

People somehow get scared and run away when talking about money – but as you said, they’re not serious if they do. I think the key is to find the right people and stick with them, because they are the ones that truly value you and your work.

Cool to see another audio guy here, never too many of them. Keep up the good work!

-JP

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Stu January 7, 2015 - 11:22 pm

Thanks JP, I will have to check out your site!
-Stu

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Antonio January 7, 2015 - 10:33 pm

Stu you make a great point. You deserve to be paid for your efforts. I listened to some of your beats. And I have to say my friend you have an amazing talent! Don’t ever give up.

I heard the late Dr Myles Munroe say something a while back that really resonated with me. And I want to share it with you.

He said:

“The wealthiest place in the world is not the gold mines of South America or the oil fields of Iraq or Iran. They are not the diamond mines of South Africa or the banks of the world.

The wealthiest place on the planet is just down the road. It is the cemetery. There lie buried companies that were never started, inventions that were never made, bestselling books that were never written, and masterpieces that were never painted.

In the cemetery is buried the greatest treasure of untapped potential.”

We have to share our God-given gifts with the world; we can’t give up on them and let them die with us. Stick with it my friend, I wish you great success in all your endeavors.

Oh yeah I have to ask. Your 1994 beat, that’s a Donkey Kong sample, right? I loved that game.

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Stu January 7, 2015 - 11:28 pm

Wow Antonio, what a thoughtful reply! That quote definitely made me a bit teary eyed. I can’t thank you enough for this. I will have to copy and paste that somewhere on my computer, or just write it down and put it where I’m always looking.

As for the beat yeah it’s a donkey kong sample for sure. It was from one of the first levels of the game, “Cave Dweller Concert”. The interesting tid bit (that I love telling people) is, when I was younger it took me a long time to hear the part of the song that I sampled. I always finished the level too fast. If you just chill out and wait for a little while, the song progresses into that beautiful melody at the very end. 🙂

I’m getting nostalgic now. Thanks for your comment again! I will have to check out your site..
-Stu

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Walt Deal January 7, 2015 - 10:38 pm

Hi
Well you do have a problem but am glad to see you are looking for help
If you are good at something you should get payed for teaching someone else how to do it. Look WA is not free I don’t think they run this training just for the money they also love helping other people but if you are just looking for something for free you are less likely to use the training no matter what field it is in I better stop

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Stu January 7, 2015 - 11:19 pm

Hey Walt, I think you are agreeing with me but I’m not sure? Lol. I think you are trying to make an analogy between WA and beat selling. I would be more likely to use a beat that I paid for as opposed to one that I received for free. And as for WA, I would be more likely to use the service (which I pay for) as opposed to their free options.
-Stu

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simon watson January 7, 2015 - 11:02 pm

Very interesting and honest article keep up the good work you’ll go far with literature like this!!!!

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Stu January 7, 2015 - 11:15 pm

Thank you Simon!!

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Jenny January 8, 2015 - 2:17 pm

I think this internal dilemma is something that plagues many artists! I know I’ve struggled with what to charge my own clients. Many people just expect creatives to give away their work for free or pennies. I lost count of how many times someone asked me just “do them a favor” and create something quickly for them. Mind you, this is something they could never create on their own, so my work definitely had value to them. But it’s so insulting to constantly be undercut or asked to give away work. I just decided I don’t want to deal with those types of clients anyway!

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Stu January 8, 2015 - 3:27 pm

Perfect point Jenny. I just may say that to someone next time they ask me for a design or a beat. It is very insulting, and can make you feel like your work doesn’t have value, even when they showed all signs to the contrary. I thank you for your thoughtful response. Keep in touch!
-Stu

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Evelyn January 19, 2015 - 7:24 am

I don’t understand people. I’ve met some people who really have everything to offer, they have the time, the money, they have every quality to take advantage of an opportunity, but for some reason they don’t.

Are people just lazy these days or are they just comfortable in their ways? This is the thought I had when reading your article.

Then it brought me back to me and when I was young. I missed so many opportunities because I put stupid things first. It’s amazing how many people do this.

I hope people realize when they read this article that they should take advantage and pursue what they want in life. We are on borrowed time and things can change in flash. It’s always better to die trying. 🙂 Great article.

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Stu January 19, 2015 - 9:08 pm

Thank you Evelyn for your thoughtful comment! It seems people are serious about their music unless there is a price tag on it. I don’t walk into the grocery store expecting free food. Just as the cashier doesn’t think twice about scanning my groceries. It should be the same with anything of value that you have to offer.
-Stu

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Henry Koperski January 19, 2015 - 7:32 pm

Hey! I’m a musician– I totally know the feeling of deciding whether to do work for free or not…. it can be a great networking opportunity.. but then again, if people get used to you working for free, they might not take you seriously. The analogy of the worker who helps your grandmother is great. There’s so much that can be said about this.

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Stu January 19, 2015 - 9:01 pm

For sure Henry! That’s a great point and something that I was reading about recently. If someone comes to you expecting to have to pay, then they will pay. If you have a reputation for giving stuff away for free, then they will expect free beats. Thanks for the comment!
-Stu

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Zoe January 21, 2015 - 1:07 pm

HEy Stu – great post!! I used to do a lot of hip hop dancing, and would constantly be asked to do shows/events etc for free, just so the organisers can pocket the profits… so many people seem to think that just because you do something for the love of doing it, you don’t need to be paid!! Artists have a living to make too!!!
Good luck with your beats!! =)

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Stu January 21, 2015 - 3:59 pm

Thanks for your comment Zoe! Yes as artists we are in a constant dilemma of trying to figure out how to market ourselves and our work. It is a complex process, but also something that I have come to enjoy and see as a challenge. Hope to hear from you soon!
-Stu

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Cathy January 21, 2015 - 4:10 pm

Hi Stu,

I don’t produce beats but I have a friend who shares the same enthusiasm as you. I think he’s very talented and I keep telling him that he should go out there and show of his skills.

When people pay him peanuts, sometimes I think he sees himself that way which I disagree completely. I am going to share this article with him so that he’ll realize that he is worth a lot more. Sames goes to you too, Stu 🙂

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Stu January 21, 2015 - 4:49 pm

Thank you so much Cathy! Yes sometimes we develop this perception of ourselves and it can manifest in ugly ways when we are networking or communicating with people. It starts to become habit to see ourselves a certain way and it’s hard to change and dig out of it. This is something I am working on everyday. Thanks for your insightful comment!
-Stu

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A. Marc January 21, 2015 - 5:25 pm

What up Stu,
Great post again my dude. We now live in a world of exchange. And like 50 says we are at a point where we consume music like Cable TV. Pay a monthly fee and get it all! So you gotta find profitable ways to exchange music and make it known to the world for a reasonable price.
How about you put send me your best beats and we’ll promote it at Urban Store 420?

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Stu January 22, 2015 - 2:14 am

Sure man, I have that beat player under “sampled beats for sale” It has around 121.. Of course they are not all my best.. but you could use that if you wanted? I don’t know, let me know what you think. It’s just easy to paste that link

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