Rapping Beats

Getting distribution for your music (mixed and mastered vocals on Rapping Beats or R&B Instrumentals) is an important step in the music business. In this Rap Beats and Instrumentals support article I’ll show you how to get your music in stores everywhere! This article is part of a series on how to become a successful Rapper or Singer. You can view all the articles in this series on the author’s page.

So you’ve got actual product – your mixed and mastered songs on the hot rapping beats and R&B instrumentals you’ve bought. You know you need to be in stores across the country but a lot of people trying to become a rapper or singer don’t know how to do this.

Q: How do I get my album/mixtape/single in online stores like iTunes, Rhapsody, MP3.com and retail stores like HMV and CDPlus?

A: Selling CDs out the trunk of your car can only go so far. And before you can properly promote your music you need distribution – people need to be able to find and purchase/download your music. But as a rapper or singer you can’t just call up HMV or ITunes and ask them to carry your music. They won’t even take your calls. You need a distributor who already has a relationship with these stores. Distributors are companies that take your music product (your mixed and mastered vocals over rapping beats or r&b instrumentals – your finished songs – either on CD or as an MP3) and put it in retail and online stores for you. There are a few different options available to you as an independent rapper or singer.

If you are not manufacturing a lot of physical CDs and just want digital distribution (MP3 Downloads) a good option for you would be a company called TuneCore. They offer digital distribution to all the major online music stores like ITunes, Rhapsody, Mp3.com and a huge list of others. They charge you $9.99 for a single and $49.99 for a full album. If you want both digital AND physical (CD) distribution to actual retail stores like HMV or CDPlus you want to go with a company called CDBaby. CDBaby offers digital distribution to all the major online stores but can also put your release on catalog in 2,500 different retail stores. This means that people can special order your CD to their favorite music store anywhere in North America. Their prices are very similar (possibly cheaper for albums) to TuneCore. You can also try sites like ReverbNation who have their own distribution system (but I think they’ve just partnered with one of the companies I’ve mentioned earlier).

It can take some time for it to get in stores. They usually say 4 – 6 weeks but I’ve had experiences where it’s taken a lot longer and they don’t contact you or let you know what’s happening until it’s approved. And make sure you keep an eye on it and follow-up. Just because a company is doing this for you doesn’t mean you can forget about it. I’ve also had cases where my music still hasn’t shown up in stores. But once you have your CD in stores where people can find it, you’re ready to get your promotion grind on. Oh one last thing, don’t forget about selling your music DIRECTLY from your own website (www.yourartistname.com). This is huge! All the companies like iTunes take a cut when they sell your CD or songs. But on your own website, you get to keep EVERYTHING! That’s the best type of distribution. Hope this was helpful…

Holla @ ur boy!

DatPaki

Producer/Songwriter

PBE Music