Tag: Rap

  • Music is Meant to be Enjoyed

    Music is Meant to be Enjoyed

    Hello. For many years, I was convinced that the only way to make a living through music was to sell beats. I believed that to succeed in the beat selling business, it was necessary to decide on a theme, create a brand, and consistently produce beats with a unified feel. However, that approach took away the joy of music from me.

    Problems with the Beat Selling Business

    In the beat selling business, you need to create music that follows a certain format to make it easy for artists to sing or rap over. The instrumentals should not stand out too much. However, when you keep making music in that style, it becomes less enjoyable and more painful. It was frustrating to be bound by a format when I wanted to create various types of music.

    In the end, rather than making music while imagining the feelings of customers you’ve never met, you should follow your heart and express what you want to create based on your feelings. When that happens, it becomes difficult to continue the beat selling business as a professional.

    Furthermore, with the rise of AI, if artists start directly producing beats using AI, the scale of the beat selling business may drastically decrease or even disappear. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be more joyful to try what you want to do rather than being bound by the beat selling business?

    How Encountering Music Generation AI Changed Things

    However, my way of thinking greatly changed after encountering music generation AI. I realized that there was no need to do the beat selling business through music in the first place. I realized that music is originally meant to be enjoyed. For me, music is a lifestyle, and it’s something I will continue regardless of whether I can make money from it or not.

    The world is a strange place. When you try to approach something as a business, it can be difficult to succeed, but when you focus on enjoying it, somehow things work out.

    I feel like generative AI has loosened my rigid mindset.

    AI is Just One Means of Music Production

    AI is just one of the means for music production. Whether I directly create beats or use AI by writing prompts, in the end, my unique style is expressed by passing through the filter of “me”. That’s why I have no resistance to utilizing AI.

    Music is Not a Business for Me

    I have been writing business-like blog articles until now, but I am now questioning the meaning of that. Music is not a business for me. Music is meant to be enjoyed. I will continue to enjoy music and express my individuality.

  • In Today’s World, Beatmakers Can Thrive Without a Major Label

    In Today’s World, Beatmakers Can Thrive Without a Major Label

    In today’s era, beatmakers have a chance to succeed even without being signed to a major label. Especially in today’s environment where music can be released via the internet and connections with fans can be strengthened online, the tools needed to promote one’s own music are within reach. Let’s consider some specific ways beatmakers can succeed without a major label.

    Start your own indie music label

    Today, it’s very easy to start your own indie music label. By utilizing music distribution platforms and social media, you can send your music out to the world. Having your own label allows you to have decision-making power over music production and promotion, giving you more freedom to develop your musical activities.

    Utilize music generation AI

    In recent years, music generation AI technology has rapidly advanced, enabling beatmakers to create a large volume of music in a short time. By utilizing music generation AI, you can mass-produce music that fits your own musical style and leverage it in your music production. Also, by adding your own arrangements to AI-generated music, you can create music with originality.

    Utilize image and video generation AI

    AI technology is being used not only in music production but also in the creation of artwork and music videos. With image generation AI, you can easily create artwork that matches your music. And with video generation AI, producing music videos becomes easy too. By utilizing these AI tools, beatmakers can focus on music production while also realizing high-quality visual expression.

    Promotion on music platforms

    Beatmakers can distribute their music and gain fans by using music platforms like Bandcamp, Audius, and Spotify. These platforms are places where music fans from around the world gather, and beatmakers can advertise their work there and raise their reputation.

    Utilize social media

    Beatmakers can promote their music by utilizing social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and X. These platforms are places where beatmakers can directly interact with fans and gain fans through communication.

    Distribute blogs and email newsletters

    Beatmakers can deepen their connection with fans by distributing blogs and email newsletters about their music. If you distribute information about your music production process, live events, collaborations, etc., you can likely attract fans’ interest.

    In conclusion

    The above are specific ways beatmakers can succeed without a major label. By starting your own label and utilizing the power of AI to streamline music production and promotion, you can deliver your music to more people. For beatmakers, now is an era full of opportunities to send your music out to the world.

  • The Importance of Expressing Your Musical Identity in Words as a Beatmaker

    The Importance of Expressing Your Musical Identity in Words as a Beatmaker

    As a beatmaker, being able to clearly express your musical identity in words is extremely important. Although music is not typically expressed through words or text, being able to articulate your musical identity can deepen your own understanding and facilitate smooth communication with those around you. It also plays a crucial role in collaborative productions. In this article, we will explain in detail the importance of expressing your musical identity in words as a beatmaker.

    Deepening Your Own Understanding

    First, by expressing your musical identity in words, you can deepen your own understanding. Music is sensory and may be difficult to explain in words. However, by organizing in words what kind of music you want to create and what elements you want to incorporate, you can clarify the musical identity and direction you are seeking. By expressing it in words, you can also establish your own identity. By clarifying what kind of music you want to create and what elements you want to incorporate, you can differentiate yourself from other artists. By clearly expressing your musical identity in words, you can deepen your self-understanding and approach music production with more confidence.

    Facilitating Smooth Communication with Others

    Next, by expressing your musical identity in words, you can facilitate smooth communication with those around you. Communication with others is extremely important when working as a beatmaker. For example, in meetings and collaborative productions with record companies and producers, it is necessary to clearly convey what kind of music you want to create.

    Making It Easier for Fans to Discover Your Music

    Expressing your musical identity in words is also very important for making it easier for fans to discover your music. In today’s music industry, artists are required to widely disseminate their music using music distribution services and social media. By clearly conveying what kind of music you want to create and what elements you want to incorporate, it becomes easier for fans to find your music.

    For example, if you are producing hip-hop or electronic music, by explaining in words what kind of sound your music has and what kind of beats you are creating, you can approach more fans who are knowledgeable about that genre. Also, by conveying in words what kind of message you want to convey through your music, it becomes easier to gain fans who empathize with your music.

    Furthermore, expressing your musical identity in words is also related to search engine optimization (SEO). In today’s music industry, disseminating music on the internet is extremely important. However, there is a vast amount of music on the internet, and it is very difficult for fans to find your music. Therefore, by clearly expressing in words what kind of music you want to create and what elements you want to incorporate, you can raise your search ranking on search engines and make it easier for more fans to find your music.

    Deepening Communication with Fans

    In addition, explaining your musical identity in words is also important in communicating with fans. Fans listen to your music and support you by empathizing with your musical identity. However, if you do not explain in words what kind of music you create and what kind of commitment you have, fans cannot deeply understand your musical identity. Therefore, by explaining your musical identity in words, you can deepen communication with fans.

    Facilitating Collaborative Productions with Other Artists and Producers

    Furthermore, expressing your musical identity in words is also important in collaborative productions. Music production can be done alone, but in many cases, collaborative production with other artists and producers is necessary. By expressing in words what kind of music you want to create, collaborative production can proceed smoothly. In collaborative production, it is required to exchange ideas with each other and create a single musical work. Therefore, by clearly conveying what kind of musical identity you have and what direction you are aiming for, you can maximize the results of collaborative production.

    Accurately Including the Image of the Song You Want to Create in Prompts for Music Generation AI

    In recent years, music generation AI technology has been rapidly developing and has become an important tool for beatmakers as well. When using music generation AI, it is very important to accurately include the image of the song you want to create in the prompt. A prompt refers to instructions or requests to the AI. If you can clearly express your musical identity in words, you can accurately include the image of the song you want to create in the prompt.

    For example, by including a specific image in the prompt such as “I want to create a track with a nostalgic atmosphere like 80s synth-pop and a sad melody,” you can generate a song that is close to your desired musical identity. Also, by including an image that combines multiple genres in the prompt such as “I want a groovy beat that fuses jazz and hip-hop and uses soulful vocal samples,” you can generate unique music.

    If you can clearly express your musical identity in words, you can choose accurate words when creating prompts. This allows you to efficiently generate songs that are close to your image when using music generation AI.

    Conclusion

    As described above, it is clear that expressing your musical identity in words is extremely important for beatmakers. Not only can it deepen your own understanding, facilitate smooth communication with those around you, and play an important role in collaborative productions, but it can also give you an advantage in search engines. By expressing your musical identity in words, fans who are searching for your music can find your music more accurately. Also, by clarifying your musical identity, you can use keywords that match your genre and theme and implement SEO measures.

    Furthermore, when using music generation AI, it is important to be able to clearly express your musical identity in words. By accurately including the image of the song you want to create in the prompt, you can efficiently generate songs that are close to your desired musical identity.

    Therefore, it is important to clarify your musical identity and approach music production with confidence.

  • AI is Revolutionizing the Music Industry: From Lyric Writing to Vocal Generation

    AI is Revolutionizing the Music Industry: From Lyric Writing to Vocal Generation

    The utilization of AI technology in the music industry is no longer a thing of the future. It is a transformation that is currently happening in real-time. Particularly, Korean artists have already begun actively incorporating AI into their work. They are training AI with their own voices and using it for lyric writing, singing, and rapping.

    AI-Generated Lyrics and Vocals

    Artists are feeding their past works and favorite artists’ songs into AI, allowing it to generate highly original lyrics. By training AI with their own voices, artists enable AI to learn their vocal qualities, singing styles, and rap flows, creating vocals that sound as if the artists themselves are singing. Furthermore, by having AI sing in multiple languages, artists can now deliver their music to listeners worldwide.

    YouTubers Being Replaced by AI

    The use of AI is not limited to the music industry; it is also progressing in the world of YouTubers. Some YouTubers are creating AI versions of themselves by training AI with their voices and movements. This allows AI to create and distribute content on behalf of the YouTubers without their direct appearance in the videos.

    Democratization of Music Production

    The use of AI lowers the barriers to music production, enabling more people to enter the field. Even those with limited musical knowledge and skills can create their own music using AI. This is expected to lead to a more diverse music industry.

    Challenges and Possibilities

    On the other hand, there are concerns that the rise of AI may lead to a loss of artists’ uniqueness and creativity. However, AI is ultimately a tool that complements artists’ sensibilities and expressive abilities. It will be crucial for artists to effectively utilize AI while showcasing their own individuality.

    The AI-driven transformation of the music industry has already begun. The efforts of Korean artists and YouTubers are just a few examples. In the future, we can expect an era where AI and human artists collaborate to create unprecedented musical experiences. We need to look forward to these changes while keeping an eye on the new possibilities brought about by AI.

  • The Role of Beatmakers in the AI Era

    The Role of Beatmakers in the AI Era

    In recent years, AI has been rapidly penetrating the world of music production. Particularly in the field of beatmaking, AI-powered tools and platforms have emerged one after another, bringing significant changes to the production style of beatmakers. In such a context, what exactly is the role of beatmakers in the AI era?

    Streamlining Beatmaking with AI

    AI-powered beatmaking tools come with vast sample libraries and presets, allowing beatmakers to create high-quality beats in a short amount of time by simply combining them. Additionally, AI-driven automatic mastering functions have also been enhanced, significantly reducing the time spent on mixing and mastering.

    As AI has dramatically improved the efficiency of beatmaking, beatmakers can now allocate more time to creative tasks. In situations that require human creativity, such as ideation, arrangement, and collaboration, which AI cannot imitate, the power of beatmakers comes into play.

    The Curatorial Power of Beatmakers

    Beats generated by AI are created by analyzing vast amounts of data, ensuring a certain level of quality. However, it is also true that there is a certain uniformity unique to AI. In such a context, beatmakers are required to have the curatorial power to select truly valuable beats from those generated by AI.

    Relying on human sensibilities such as musicality, originality, and trend-setting, finding diamonds in the rough among AI-generated beats is one of the crucial roles of beatmakers in the AI era.

    Facilitators of Collaboration

    With AI-powered beatmaking, an environment is being created where creators from around the world can collaborate without being constrained by location or time. By sharing projects on the cloud and conducting real-time editing and feedback, there is a growing possibility for new chemical reactions to occur.

    Beatmakers are expected to have the leadership to promote such collaborations. Bringing together creators with diverse backgrounds and leveraging AI tools to create unique works is the essence of being a beatmaker in the AI era.

    Creating New Beat Cultures

    The emergence of AI has significantly lowered the barriers to entry for beatmaking. We have entered an era where anyone can create beats with just AI tools, even without equipment or knowledge. In this context, beatmakers are expected to pioneer new beat cultures.

    By actively incorporating AI not merely as a tool but as a part of expression, and proposing a new form of beatmaking where humans and AI collaborate, the resulting music will likely possess unprecedented novelty and universality. Beatmakers have the mission to create such future beat cultures as pioneers.

    Conclusion

    The role of beatmakers in the AI era is to leverage the efficiency brought by AI while demonstrating human creativity and pioneering new possibilities in music. Armed with curatorial and collaborative skills, beatmakers are tasked with creating a new beat culture where AI and humans work together. This is the mission required of beatmakers living in the AI era.

  • Creating Rap Beats with AI

    Creating Rap Beats with AI

    In recent years, AI has had a significant impact on the world of music production. Particularly in the creation of rap beats, utilizing generative AI such as Udio and Suno has made it possible to produce beats efficiently and creatively.

    Benefits of AI-Assisted Beat Production

    1. Speed
      By utilizing AI, you can generate a wide variety of beat ideas in a short amount of time. Compared to manually creating each pattern, AI offers an unparalleled speed, allowing you to experiment with various variations.
    2. Originality
      By harnessing the unique patterns proposed by AI, you can create beats with unparalleled originality. AI can provide innovative ideas that human imagination alone might not conceive.
    3. Inspiration
      Listening to the beats generated by AI can spark a flood of new ideas. As a creator, your creative drive will be stimulated, enabling you to elevate your own musicality.

    Tips for AI-Assisted beatmaking

    However, to make the most of AI-assisted beatmaking, setting appropriate prompts is essential. To accurately convey the desired image of the beat to the AI, you need to specify details such as the music genre, tempo, and atmosphere.

    Moreover, if the AI-generated beat differs from your vision, it’s crucial to modify the prompt and regenerate. The key to AI-assisted beatmaking lies in repeatedly adjusting prompts and regenerating until a satisfactory beat is obtained.

    AI tools are ultimately meant to support production, and the source of creativity remains in the creator’s own sensibilities. Setting prompts and selecting from the generated results require showcasing your own sense and taste.

    Conclusion

    With the advent of AI, rap beat production has become more accessible. Even beginners can now create professional-level beats by leveraging AI.

    However, to fully utilize AI, setting appropriate prompts and selecting from the generated results are crucial. Engaging in dialogue with AI while pursuing your own original beats is the skill required of beatmakers in the future.

    Making AI your ally and creating your own unique sound – establishing this new style of beatmaking and sharing it with the world may be the role of creators leading the rap scene in the AI era.

  • 10 Tips to Regain Creativity When Tired of Making Music

    10 Tips to Regain Creativity When Tired of Making Music

    Making music is an incredibly rewarding activity, but sometimes it can lead to feelings of exhaustion or creative block. When this happens, it’s essential to take a step back from music and seek new sources of inspiration. Here are 10 tips to try when you’re feeling tired of making music.

    1. Take a break
      Instead of forcing yourself to continue working, take a proper break. Go for a walk, meet up with friends, or engage in activities that help you feel refreshed.
    2. Explore new hobbies
      Find new hobbies outside of music that you can pour your passion into. Try painting, photography, cooking, gardening, or any other activity that sparks your interest.
    3. Participate in volunteer work
      Engage in local volunteer work to experience the joy of contributing to society. Participating in activities outside of music may provide you with new perspectives.
    4. Travel to new places
      Visit new locations to break away from your daily routine and refresh your mind. The experiences and encounters during your travels may inspire new ideas.
    5. Read books
      Read books from various genres, not just music-related ones, to expand your knowledge and stimulate your creativity. Self-help books or biographies may also help boost your motivation.
    6. Start practicing meditation or yoga
      Meditation and yoga can help calm your mind and reduce stress. Taking time to connect with your inner self may allow you to listen to your inner voice.
    7. Exercise regularly
      Regular exercise is an effective way to relieve stress. Join a gym or start jogging to get your body moving. After exercising, you may feel more clear-headed and open to new ideas.
    8. Connect with nature
      Spend time in nature, such as parks, forests, or beaches. Experiencing the beauty and vastness of nature can be healing and stimulate your creativity.
    9. Attend concerts of your favorite artists
      Attend live performances of your favorite artists to reaffirm your passion for music. The excitement and inspiration from the concerts may boost your motivation for your own music production.
    10. Reevaluate your goals
      Take a moment to reassess whether your current goals align with your desires. Set realistic and achievable goals for yourself. Ensure that you can approach music at your own pace and in an enjoyable manner.

    When you’re feeling tired of making music, it’s crucial to take a step back and spend time reconnecting with yourself. Embrace new challenges and expand your horizons. By doing so, you’ll likely gain new insights and rediscover your motivation for music production.

  • AI has made it easy to mass-produce beats. So what kind of genre or concept would you use to create songs and albums? That is the question.

    AI has made it easy to mass-produce beats. So what kind of genre or concept would you use to create songs and albums? That is the question.

    In recent years, the use of AI in music production has rapidly advanced, particularly in the field of beat-making. With AI, producers can now easily generate beats in large quantities, allowing for more efficient music creation than ever before.

    However, simply being able to mass-produce beats with AI does not necessarily result in good songs or albums. The crucial question is: what genres and concepts will be used to create the music?

    The Importance of Genre Selection

    When using AI to create beats, the first thing to consider is the genre. There are various genres such as hip-hop, R&B, electronica, and rock, but it’s essential to choose a genre that you excel in or one that aligns with the worldview you want to express.

    Once you’ve decided on a genre, it’s important to understand its characteristics and teach the AI to learn those features. For example, with hip-hop, you need to teach the AI about kick and snare rhythm patterns and how to create basslines that are specific to the genre.

    Establishing a Concept

    Next, establish a concept for the song or album. A concept is the theme or message you want to express through your music. For example, “the loneliness felt amidst the hustle and bustle of the city” or “the beauty of nature and human activity.” It’s crucial to have a specific image in mind.

    By setting a concept, the direction of your music-making becomes clear, and the beats generated by the AI will align with that concept. Additionally, selecting songs based on a central concept will give your album a sense of cohesion.

    Pursuing Originality

    In an era where AI can mass-produce beats, originality becomes more important than ever. Instead of using AI-generated beats as-is, adding your own arrangements or combining them with other sound sources can create a unique sound that stands out.

    Moreover, it’s possible to use AI to create entirely new genres and styles. Rather than being confined to existing genre frameworks, the collaboration between AI and human creativity can explore new possibilities in music.

    Conclusion

    The ability to mass-produce beats with AI has dramatically increased the efficiency of music production. However, to create truly valuable music, genre selection, concept establishment, and the pursuit of originality are essential.

    AI is ultimately a tool, and how it is used depends on the human behind it. While leveraging the power of AI, pursuing one’s own expression is the approach that will be required of music producers going forward.

    Creating your own unique music while utilizing AI – this is the new way of music production that we must explore. The revolution of AI-generated beats has only just begun.

  • The Evolution of AI Beat Generation and the Changing Role of Humans

    The Evolution of AI Beat Generation and the Changing Role of Humans

    In recent years, the use of AI in music production has been rapidly advancing. Particularly in genres like hip-hop and electronic dance music (EDM), using AI to generate beats has become increasingly common. As AI capabilities improve, the role of AI in beat creation is undergoing a significant change.

    In the past, AI was used as a tool to create beats from scratch. However, currently, AI is taking on the role of generating a large number of beats, from which humans select the most appropriate ones. This shift is due to the tremendous improvement in AI capabilities, enabling it to generate high-quality beats in large quantities.

    Benefits of AI Beat Generation

    There are several advantages to AI beat generation. Firstly, AI can work 24/7 without breaks, allowing it to generate a vast number of beats in a short time. Additionally, AI can analyze past hit songs and learn from their patterns to generate beats that align with current trends.

    Moreover, AI also plays a role in stimulating human creativity. The beats generated by AI may include unique patterns that humans might not have thought of. These beats can serve as a new source of inspiration for human producers.

    The Changing Role of Humans

    As AI takes center stage in beat generation, the role of humans is also evolving. Humans are now tasked with selecting beats that fit the concept of the song and the artist’s individuality from the pool of AI-generated beats. This work requires musical sensibility and experience.

    Furthermore, humans play a crucial role in editing and arranging the AI-generated beats. The beats created by AI may lack refinement in their raw form. Human producers fine-tune the beats and combine them with other musical elements to create polished, high-quality songs.

    Collaboration Between AI and Humans

    Even in an era where AI is at the forefront of beat generation, the role of humans is by no means diminished. Rather, the collaboration between AI and humans enables more efficient production of higher-quality music. A division of roles is being established, with AI generating a large number of beats and humans selecting and editing the most suitable ones.

    This collaborative model can be applied not only to music production but also to other creative fields. The flow of AI generating a vast array of ideas and humans choosing the best ones from among them can be utilized in areas such as design, art, and literature.

    Conclusion

    The advancement of AI has significantly changed the way beats are created. AI has taken on the role of generating a large number of beats, while humans are responsible for selecting and editing the most appropriate ones. This collaborative model is expected to contribute to the increased efficiency and quality of music production.

    However, even as the use of AI advances, the importance of human creativity and sensibility will never be lost. AI is a tool that complements human creativity, and it is through the collaboration of humans and AI that better music is born. As the nature of collaboration between AI and humans continues to evolve, new possibilities for music will undoubtedly be unlocked. The future holds exciting prospects for the continued evolution of AI and human collaboration, opening up new frontiers in music creation.

  • Why You Can’t Go Back Once You Start Making Beats with AI

    Why You Can’t Go Back Once You Start Making Beats with AI

    In the world of music production, the use of AI is rapidly expanding. Particularly in beat-making, more and more people are being captivated by the convenience and possibilities that AI brings. However, once you start making beats with AI, many find it difficult to return to the old manual methods. Let’s explore the reasons behind this.

    1. Increased Efficiency

    Making beats with AI is significantly more efficient compared to manual work. Since ideas can be instantly brought to life, the speed of production increases dramatically. Once you experience this convenience, it becomes challenging to go back to the tediousness of manual work.

    2. Endless Possibilities

    AI has a vast database, which stimulates the user’s creativity. Many producers are fascinated by AI’s ability to propose patterns and sounds that humans alone might not think of. When faced with these endless possibilities, creating beats using only your own resources may feel inadequate.

    3. Learning and Growth

    By utilizing AI, you can also enhance your musical knowledge and skills. Analyzing the beats proposed by AI and arranging them in your own way leads to new discoveries and learning experiences. After going through this process of learning and growth, you may find it unsatisfying to create beats without AI.

    4. The Joy of Collaboration

    Making beats with AI can be seen as a kind of collaboration. The fusion of your ideas and AI’s suggestions can lead to unexpectedly interesting results. Once you experience the joy of this human-AI collaboration, working alone might feel boring.

    Of course, this doesn’t mean that all producers should rely on AI. The value of making beats manually will never be lost. However, it’s true that many people find it difficult to return to their original production style after experiencing the convenience and possibilities of AI. Whether to start making beats with AI or not is a decision that each producer must make by confronting their own style, but there is a significant possibility of being captivated by its charm.