The Two Types of Beatmakers: Business vs. Creative Purists

In the dynamic world of music production, beatmakers come in all styles and approaches, each with their unique motivations and aspirations. Yet, at the core, they generally fall into two categories: those who craft beats to sell to artists, labels, or the industry and those who create purely for the love of the craft, with little regard for commercial success. While both types contribute to the soundscapes that shape modern music, their paths and experiences within the industry differ significantly.

Whether you’re a beatmaker, an artist, or simply a fan, understanding the distinctions between these two groups offers insight into the art, culture, and business of beatmaking. Here’s a closer look at each approach, the motivations driving them, and the value they add to the music world.

Type 1: The Commercial Beatmaker – The Hustler

For many beatmakers, selling beats is more than just a hobby—it’s a business. This type of beatmaker focuses on crafting beats specifically designed to attract artists, labels, and production companies. Their goal is clear: create beats that not only resonate with listeners but are also marketable and profitable.

What Drives the Hustler?

1. Financial Motivation: They see a viable income source in their talent. With the rise of online platforms like BeatStars and Airbit, this type of beatmaker has a marketplace at their fingertips, opening up opportunities to monetize their work without a traditional record deal.
2. Industry Networking: These beatmakers are often networking pros. Building connections with artists, A&Rs, and labels is as critical to their success as their skill. They understand that who you know can open doors just as quickly as what you create.
3. Understanding Trends: Since they’re trying to sell, they need to stay current with trends. Whether it’s a trap beat, boom-bap, drill, or lo-fi, commercial beatmakers tailor their creations to what’s popular and in demand, often mastering multiple genres to appeal to a broad audience.

Challenges of Being a Commercial Beatmaker

• Creative Constraints: To make beats that sell, they often must adhere to industry standards, which may limit their creative expression. This can sometimes feel like “painting by numbers” rather than true artistry.
• High Competition: The beat-selling market is saturated. This creates pricing pressure, as competition often drives down the price of beats, making it harder for individual beatmakers to command high rates.
• Constant Promotion: Selling beats is a business, and business means marketing. These beatmakers spend significant time promoting their work on social media, collaborating with influencers, and experimenting with advertising.

The Payoff

The commercial beatmaker can reach financial success and fame when the stars align. Landing a placement with a big-name artist or scoring an industry contract can catapult them to a new level. And for those who succeed, the rewards—both monetary and professional—can be substantial.

Type 2: The Creative Purist – The Artist

Then there are those beatmakers who focus purely on the artistry of beatmaking. This type of beatmaker is driven by a love of the craft and a desire to create unique soundscapes. Their beats aren’t always commercially polished or designed to follow trends but instead reflect personal expression and experimental innovation.

What Fuels the Creative Purist?

1. Artistic Freedom: These beatmakers cherish the freedom to make whatever sounds resonate with them, regardless of whether they fit the mainstream. They’re less likely to follow trends, often inventing new ones instead.
2. Personal Fulfillment: For this beatmaker, the satisfaction comes from creating something meaningful. The process of crafting sounds that speak to them—and possibly to others—is the real reward.
3. Experimental Spirit: The creative purist isn’t confined by genre or convention. Their beats might blend multiple styles, use unconventional samples, or be layered with obscure influences. They’re in it to push boundaries, test possibilities, and break norms.

Challenges of Being a Creative Purist

• Limited Financial Gain: Since their focus isn’t on selling, these beatmakers may not see significant financial returns. Many end up balancing beatmaking with other work to support themselves, keeping their craft separate from their income stream.
• Niche Audience: Creative purists tend to attract a smaller, niche following. While their work may receive critical acclaim or a dedicated fanbase, it often doesn’t reach the same level of mainstream exposure as commercially-driven beats.
• Risk of Isolation: The freedom to create without boundaries can sometimes feel isolating, especially if they’re far removed from industry circles. Many of these beatmakers produce on their own, spending hours perfecting a sound that might not find mainstream appeal.

The Payoff

For the creative purist, the reward is often intangible. The joy of creating, the thrill of pushing sonic boundaries, and the knowledge that they’ve made something uniquely their own fuel them. In some cases, these beatmakers do find an audience who appreciates their originality, gaining a small but loyal following and contributing to underground music scenes.

Why Both Types Are Essential to the Music Industry

Both commercial and creative beatmakers add value to the world of music. The commercial beatmakers keep the industry fed with fresh, accessible sounds that artists and listeners can connect with, ensuring music remains relevant and responsive to trends. On the other hand, creative purists push the boundaries, introducing innovative concepts, genres, and techniques that often inspire future trends. Many of the genre-defining sounds we love today—like hip-hop, lo-fi, and trap—have roots in the bold, experimental work of beatmakers who prioritized creativity over marketability.

In reality, most beatmakers fall somewhere along the spectrum, blending their passion with a desire for recognition or reward. But understanding the motivations and mindsets of these two types of beatmakers sheds light on the different paths to success and fulfillment within music production.

Conclusion: Finding Your Path as a Beatmaker

Whether you’re just starting or already established, knowing what drives you as a beatmaker is crucial. Are you motivated by the hustle, hoping to carve out a name in the industry and secure a lucrative placement? Or is your heart in the artistry, with no pressure to sell but a deep need to create?

Both paths are valid, and each has its rewards. The key is to recognize your passion and pursue it—whether that means selling beats to the industry or crafting them purely for the love of music. After all, it’s the diversity of voices and intentions in beatmaking that gives music its richness and variety.