Who's making loot in the beat game?

[Philaflava]

I wanna say Exile lives off of beats..but what the hell do i know?

I'll bet my entire Philaflava fortune (which is about $500) that Exile is living a different lifestyle than what most of us who have this grandiose idea of what living off beats really is.

[mike eagle]

I wanna say Exile lives off of beats..but what the hell do i know?

I'll bet my entire Philaflava fortune (which is about $500) that Exile is living a different lifestyle than what most of us who have this grandiose idea of what living off beats really is.

I dont believe that he's doing anything grandiose either, but I dont think he has a day job.

[Philaflava]

I wanna say Exile lives off of beats..but what the hell do i know?

I'll bet my entire Philaflava fortune (which is about $500) that Exile is living a different lifestyle than what most of us who have this grandiose idea of what living off beats really is.

I dont believe that he's doing anything grandiose either, but I dont think he has a day job.

Well in all fairness a lot of folks don't need a day job to actually survive but I think the point of this thread is who is caking off beats (i.e. Jim Jonsin, The Runners, Cool & Dre, ALC, J.R) where they don't need to be working for the man.

Again lifestyles. If you live in a 2 BR apartment in San Diego with another dude. Have zero family and eat p-n-j sandwiches at least 5 times as week then sure you can live off your beats but you ain't living life right.

[Kno@qn5.com]

You guys are sleeping on dopeboy money. If you have the right type of beats and aren't morally opposed I can tell you a handful of spots/studios in Atlanta you can sell a shitload of beats per night to 'the next big rap mogul'.

?

according to this thread the only way to make money is major album credits or $25 myspace beats in bulk to Benefit clones.

I understand the aliases and blockheads and flying lotuses don't make southern music so maybe my view doesn't count, but ghostproducing and selling beats to the next gucci/jeezy is very lucrative here for a lot of people.

[Huldrich Bullsh!t]

I wanna say Exile lives off of beats..but what the hell do i know?

I'll bet my entire Philaflava fortune (which is about $500) that Exile is living a different lifestyle than what most of us who have this grandiose idea of what living off beats really is.

I dont believe that he's doing anything grandiose either, but I dont think he has a day job.

Well in all fairness a lot of folks don't need a day job to actually survive but I think the point of this thread is who is caking off beats (i.e. Jim Jonsin, The Runners, Cool & Dre, ALC, J.R) where they don't need to be working for the man.

Again lifestyles. If you live in a 2 BR apartment in San Diego with another dude. Have zero family and eat p-n-j sandwiches at least 5 times as week then sure you can live off your beats but you ain't living life right.

you have a very narrow mind in that regard. i know alot of people who live from their music, sure not many of them are ballin but there are many different reasons why one would go that route. not everyone wants a family and a house with a nice front lawn in a suburban area of Florida.

because he was brought up earlier, I've met Oddissee 1 or 2 years ago, i dj'd before his set. ive talked to him and he seemed pretty contented with his situation. he gets to travel through his job meets many people, does what he really likes and is his own boss.

[Philaflava]

But that doesn't mean he is making "loot." He gets to nosh at industry events for free and travel when shows are calling. It allows him to get "by" without having to work a real job because he has minimal obligations but by no means does that mean he's making "loot." Come on now.

And narrow sense isn't me comparing my life choices to that of a producer. I am not producer and by no means living such a glorious life myself, I just know by speaking to many whether it be 9th, Jim Jonsin or CHOPS who is making "loot" in this industry.

There is nothing wrong with the doing what Oddissee does but I wouldn't classify that as making "loot" like the thread title suggest. Seems to be a lot of defensive "indie" artists in this thread though.

[Kno@qn5.com]

Seems to be a lot of defensive "indie" artists in this thread though.

seems like all the artists essentially agree with you.

[Philaflava]

I think everyone should move to ATL and see beats to Gucci Mane.

[Huldrich Bullsh!t]

nah hes probably not making loot. i wouldnt call it that either. but your assumption seems to be that the only thing that matters is making loot. and that the only way to live a quality life is by making excessive loot.
and you basically were talking down on those producers lifes wich i imagine you made up and dont know for a fact, but whatever.

most people dont make loot, if youre a lucky individual who earns a lot congrats but then you're in the minority. this is the same in the music business and in regular jobs.

[Philaflava]

nah hes probably not making loot. i wouldnt call it that either. but your assumption seems to be that the only thing that matters is making loot.

Did you even bother to read the thread title or the 3 pages that came with it?

[Huldrich Bullsh!t]

yeah i read the title.

i was only adressing your statement about the supposed lifestyles. living in parent basements etc.


as for your question in the first post; i know one guy who lives strictly off making beats though he isnt selling them to artists but to libraries who sell it for adversaries. and of course its n ot only hip hop beats.
but that guy makes pretty good money.

[mike eagle]

Seems to be a lot of defensive "indie" artists in this thread though.

(raises hand)

indeed, because not having to have a day job is like the gold standard in this racket. You're crushin' dreams around here

[dirtybird]

I don't think that too many are making "loot" in the beat game...at least in the realm of independent/underground producers...but honestly, it's not too hard to pay rent (or even mortgage) by selling beats...and I know this is contrary to the thread title/topic...but making excessive amounts of money isn't really the aim of a lot of producers

[Mansfield Status]

That's the trade off Gloss.. Living a moderate lifestyle on moderate money whilst being able to do whatever you want whenever you want is the trade off. You go to work day in and day out and work for "the man" as you put it so you're afforded some stability. Nothing more nothing less. Success is a state of mind. What you call losing because exile may or may not have to eat peanut butter & jelly I call winning... whens the last time you got paid to go to europe? I play tecmo super bowl for 2 hours every morning before the mail comes, while dodging pesky paper cuts I open and see what the day has offered by way of choice premium vinyl selections.. which I use for myself, or resell to supplement my modest peanut butter & jelly rap salary. Most people should be so fortunate.

[Philaflava]

That's the trade off Gloss.. Living a moderate lifestyle on moderate money whilst being able to do whatever you want whenever you want is the trade off. You go to work day in and day out and work for "the man" as you put it so you're afforded some stability. Nothing more nothing less. Success is a state of mind. What you call losing because exile may or may not have to eat peanut butter & jelly I call winning... whens the last time you got paid to go to europe? I play tecmo super bowl for 2 hours every morning before the mail comes, while dodging pesky paper cuts I open and see what the day has offered by way of choice premium vinyl selections.. which I use for myself, or resell to supplement my modest peanut butter & jelly rap salary. Most people should be so fortunate.

I don't believe for a second people aspire to be that. Not one. People always want more, especially in this hip-hop industry where that makes up most of what we listen to today. You don't think Blu wanted that Warner Brothers deal? You don't think Kno wants to rid himself of that guy who once made that dope Jay-Z Black Album remix? People always want more, always. And if you don't then you're content and chances are you aren't really a player (or sub) in the game.

Slice you've been very adamant about telling us for years how you don't work and you just sit at home and do nothing. You sell beats here and there and slang some records on eBAY. That is fine and I can't knock that because thats your life. But that doesn't mean your idea of success is realistic.

I mean who are we kidding here? You think Mike Eagle wants to be at the level he is today without advancing? Not everybody needs/wants a Bentley or a few mortgages under the belt but surely nobody wants to just become this nomad and just gets by on the minimum.

[Philaflava]

And just to play devils advocate with you Slice, what are you going to do that one day you decide you wanna get with a chick? You gonna bring her back to your place that you share with your pops and uncle? How you going to drive her around? How you going to take her out to LeBec Fin? You gonna slang some shit to a few peeps in Tokyo? What happens when you to move out? Put some $ down on your own place? Maybe buy a new car? Buy some fresh gear or just take a trip outside of the US?

Things change DRASTICALLY when you realize you want more in life and being that you're in your late 20's I don't think you'll want to stay in your lifestyle until your dying day, am I right?

[blastmaster]

Acceptance is happiness. This fat fucking slob is content with being a hermit because its a whole lot easier than getting an education, job, getting into respectable human shape and having a social life beyond talking to a cardboard cutout of Kool G Rap and AOL sessions with HustleCrowe. You can force the justification on yourself that living in your grandmas house and eating Cup O Noodles everday is fine because you can wear your pjs all day and weigh 400 lbs. Pitiful and delusional, but "happy"...

[Solo45]

You guys are sleeping on dopeboy money. If you have the right type of beats and aren't morally opposed I can tell you a handful of spots/studios in Atlanta you can sell a shitload of beats per night to 'the next big rap mogul'.

?

according to this thread the only way to make money is major album credits or $25 myspace beats in bulk to Benefit clones.

I understand the aliases and blockheads and flying lotuses don't make southern music so maybe my view doesn't count, but ghostproducing and selling beats to the next gucci/jeezy is very lucrative here for a lot of people.

this is very true. my dj actually does very good with this.
plus if they are looking for hooks & rhymes, thats a nice paycheck as well.

[Blockhead]

You guys are sleeping on dopeboy money. If you have the right type of beats and aren't morally opposed I can tell you a handful of spots/studios in Atlanta you can sell a shitload of beats per night to 'the next big rap mogul'.

?

according to this thread the only way to make money is major album credits or $25 myspace beats in bulk to Benefit clones.

I understand the aliases and blockheads and flying lotuses don't make southern music so maybe my view doesn't count, but ghostproducing and selling beats to the next gucci/jeezy is very lucrative here for a lot of people.

not only is that great way to make money but , if you make those kinds of beats, it's a great steppingstone to getting more work with higher profile artists.
maybe i don't know the right people, or maybe it's not done as much in nyc but i've never had a ghost production opportunity in my life. if i did, i'd very likely take it.

[sean]

Seems to be a lot of defensive "indie" artists in this thread though.

who the fuck you calling artist, son?


this thread is all over the place.
i think all of the questions have been answered.


mods?

[chump change]

playa n skillz

S1

Carnival beats all make pretty good bread

[blastmaster]

I havent seen Salih or Carnival Beats attached to anything in a while. I know they were working with some bands. Update me.

[DLG]

Acceptance is happiness. This fat fucking slob is content with being a hermit because its a whole lot easier than getting an education, job, getting into respectable human shape and having a social life beyond talking to a cardboard cutout of Kool G Rap and AOL sessions with HustleCrowe. You can force the justification on yourself that living in your grandmas house and eating Cup O Noodles everday is fine because you can wear your pjs all day and weigh 400 lbs. Pitiful and delusional, but "happy"...

[Sankofa]

ant didn't quit his job until he started touring with me.

Seriously?

I remember Dave/Agape telling me that Ant actually enjoyed his job well enough to keep it though.

[sean]

ant didn't quit his job until he started touring with me.

Seriously?

I remember Dave/Agape telling me that Ant actually enjoyed his job well enough to keep it though.

true.

[Mc_I-mar]

I don't believe for a second people aspire to be that. Not one. People always want more, especially in this hip-hop industry where that makes up most of what we listen to today. You don't think Blu wanted that Warner Brothers deal? You don't think Kno wants to rid himself of that guy who once made that dope Jay-Z Black Album remix? People always want more, always. And if you don't then you're content and chances are you aren't really a player (or sub) in the game.

Slice you've been very adamant about telling us for years how you don't work and you just sit at home and do nothing. You sell beats here and there and slang some records on eBAY. That is fine and I can't knock that because thats your life. But that doesn't mean your idea of success is realistic.

I mean who are we kidding here? You think Mike Eagle wants to be at the level he is today without advancing? Not everybody needs/wants a Bentley or a few mortgages under the belt but surely nobody wants to just become this nomad and just gets by on the minimum.

I'm a new poster so i'm just gonna keep it simple this time,
but in light of all that, where does it stop? when is enough enough? Do we, not only as artist but as humans in general, have to keep accumulating more and more until we are consumed with rabid commercialism and crass materialism? I understand that basic needs have to get met and it never hurts to have some grip in the pocket and a stack in the bank, but when do we "arrive" as individuals within our own personal standards and criteria? Do we just keep accumulating and climbing the ladder? keep the hamster wheel running until we die and our kids jump on the wheel?

And just to play devils advocate with you Slice, what are you going to do that one day you decide you wanna get with a chick? You gonna bring her back to your place that you share with your pops and uncle? How you going to drive her around? How you going to take her out to LeBec Fin? You gonna slang some shit to a few peeps in Tokyo? What happens when you to move out? Put some $ down on your own place? Maybe buy a new car? Buy some fresh gear or just take a trip outside of the US?

Things change DRASTICALLY when you realize you want more in life and being that you're in your late 20's I don't think you'll want to stay in your lifestyle until your dying day, am I right?

now this i can truly relate, as a former diehard backpack emcee, I can attest that while women in that scene put money on the secondary, it wasn't by any means out the picture. Money ain't cultural, money supports basic human needs.No matter how enlightened a shortie may be, she ain't trying to see a life of eating restaurant day olds, bus tokens and "shhhhhh...my mom might hear you...be quiet".

[HomeSkillet]

I don't believe for a second people aspire to be that. Not one. People always want more, especially in this hip-hop industry where that makes up most of what we listen to today. You don't think Blu wanted that Warner Brothers deal? You don't think Kno wants to rid himself of that guy who once made that dope Jay-Z Black Album remix? People always want more, always. And if you don't then you're content and chances are you aren't really a player (or sub) in the game.

Slice you've been very adamant about telling us for years how you don't work and you just sit at home and do nothing. You sell beats here and there and slang some records on eBAY. That is fine and I can't knock that because thats your life. But that doesn't mean your idea of success is realistic.

I mean who are we kidding here? You think Mike Eagle wants to be at the level he is today without advancing? Not everybody needs/wants a Bentley or a few mortgages under the belt but surely nobody wants to just become this nomad and just gets by on the minimum.

I'm a new poster so i'm just gonna keep it simple this time,
but in light of all that, where does it stop? when is enough enough? Do we, not only as artist but as humans in general, have to keep accumulating more and more until we are consumed with rabid commercialism and crass materialism? I understand that basic needs have to get met and it never hurts to have some grip in the pocket and a stack in the bank, but when do we "arrive" as individuals within our own personal standards and criteria? Do we just keep accumulating and climbing the ladder? keep the hamster wheel running until we die and our kids jump on the wheel?

gawd save us all when you decide to really break it down complex

[Philaflava]

Mc_I-mar, care to upload any of your work?

[Mc_I-mar]

Mc_I-mar, care to upload any of your work?

yeah I will do that within the hour.I had/have/had and have again a myspace profile.Me and that website have a dysfunctional relationship to say the least.
but to answer the thread question, I know a few producers that are doing pretty good.Dnea for one, they stay 3 blocks from my dad's crib.there's a cat named doc max from berkeley, that guy only has a few credits to his resume but the ones he has are pretty significant.his case is a quality over quantity rule.Then there's the gangsta market, in frisco producer/rappers like cellski and JT made pretty good chunks back in the day, and many on here probably never heard of either.I don't follow that crowd so I can't tell how good they're doing nowadays.but I personally think as a producer, you can make as much or as little cake as you want.the above mentioned musicians are a good example.I for example have a good friend in my camp that's a producer, has lots of time and money to spend on his career but little to no drive on that tip.it all depends on how hard you want to work, much like being a small business owner.

I find it perplexing that in this day and age, where all that stands between you and a career in hiphop is a computer, a mic, a mixer, flstudio-reason and adobe audition(all of which can be scored for under 3k); that people are still 80% clueless as to all the ways you get paid from music.

[step one]

i was under the impression that those producers/rappers who werent high profile but didnt have a day job supplemented their income with side hustles like A&R, DJing or promoting club nights, engineering or recording for artists from other genres etc