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Tandem Music Group, established in January of 2016, is an independent management, music publishing and entertainment company distributed through Warner Music Group and founded by Orlando "Jahlil Beats" Tucker, Dave "Doobie" Elliot and Ra-Tah Johnson
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1926 Arch St. Suite 4R 19103
Website: https://www.tandemmusicgroup.com/
Stay Beat Studios is the premier destination for Hip Hop and R&B in Ohio, conveniently located in the center of downtown Columbus. Stay Beat has a reputation for quality recording and production at an affordable rate, not to mention an environment that will get your creative juices flowing.
Where: Columbus, Ohio, 35 E Gay St. 43215
Website: https://www.richcitystudios.com/
Heartland Creative Studios is a professional music studio and media lab near downtown Dayton, Ohio. They specialize in recording, mixing, mastering and management.
Where: Dayton, Ohio, 47 Potomac St. 45403
Website: https://heartlandcreativestudios.com/
Black Marigold Pro is Austin's leading multimedia studio that equips local artists with the proper tools and services to get a professional jump start on their career without breaking the bank. They offer a plethora of services that include HD Recording Studio Rentals, Pro Photography Studio, Street Team Promotions, Media Kits, Mixing & Mastering, Music Production and much more!
Where: Austin, Texas, 10603 Metric Blvd #108 78758
Website: https://blakmarigold.com/
1 SoundVibe Studios is a private facility that caters to the craft of Artistry whether you are a recording engineer, producer, writer, artist, photographer, film-maker, or music or dance instructor. Their 1200 sq foot facility includes 3 recording studios, 2 booths, a restroom with shower, a green screen wall, and a photography and rehearsal area.
Where: Houston, Texas, 4306 1/2 Lillian St. 77007
Website: https://www.1svstudios.com/
Patchwerk Recording Studios is a recording studio located in Atlanta, GA. It was established in 1993 by former NFL offensive tackle Bob Whitfield of the Atlanta Falcons, and is currently owned and operated by Curtis Daniel III and Mike Wilson.
Where: Atlanta, Georgia, 1094 Hemphill Ave NW 30318
Website: https://www.patchwerk.com/
Pink Cloud Studios is a professional recording studio located in Mid-City, Los Angeles that delivers an exceptional audio experience in pristinely built and treated rooms. They currently book out 3 studios, including Studio A, Studio B and their exclusive Podcast Studio.
Where: Los Angeles, California, 5374 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Website: https://www.pinkcloudstudios.com/
Gold Ink 's Recording Studio & Podcast Studio "The GOLD Room" is located in the East Williamsburg - Bushwick section of Brooklyn. Their staff includes talented New York City music producers, songwriters, and studio engineers who are all there to support you in crafting your music and/or show.
Where: Brooklyn, New York, 600 Johnson Ave. 11237
Website: https://www.goldinknyc.com/
Big Homie Gwap, owner of 49 Keys, started his career as a Producer and Artist. Following in his father's footsteps he became involved with as many aspects of the music industry as possible. Intrigued by technology, he instantly took to his computer learning various programs and mixing techniques. For the past 5 years, Big Homie Gwap has focused his time and efforts towards building his brand and perfecting the quality of his music and the music of the artists who he engineers.
Where: Dorchester, Massachusetts, 314R Bowdoin St. 02122
Website: https://49keysllc.com/
Rich City Studios is located inside of Richmond's historic Market Square Mall and uses up to date industry standard products & software and offers both recording studio and podcast recording studio for clients to rent. Head audio engineer ChuckT uses his years of training & experience to give clients professional quality audio engineering at affordable rates with quick turn-arounds.
Where: Richmond, California, 322 Harbour Way 94801
Website: https://www.richcitystudios.com/
WOLFGANG PANDER is a beat maker who grew up in the '90s and enjoys making Pop beats of varying styles such as Bedroom Pop, Pop Rock and Anti / Alt Pop. We connected with Pander to learn more about his journey to one million streams on BeatStars.
I have no idea what I'd be doing if it wasn't producing, but what I'm doing now is all I know and what I love. My genuine love for creating music is what keeps me motivated.
Through BeatStars! Before BeatStars, creating music was always a hobby (and it still is!) As a young teenager, I remember being fascinated by pop music that would play on the radio. I would listen to these tracks and think to myself, All that music going on behind the vocals sounds really intriguing! How has somebody done that!? I want to do it!
From there on, I remember picking up a guitar and playing around with it until it made the sounds I wanted it to make! I then realized (much later), that you could actually get a computer to help you create these sounds you were hearing on the radio in pop songs! It was ALWAYS a hobby however - just something on the side that I'd do in my free time, or after work. BeatStars changed that.
Right now? I'm very much into the whole early-2000s American teenage aesthetic that's taking over pop music. Some of my current big inspirations are The 1975, No Rome, Francis and the Lights, Bleachers and Dirty Hit! (Big fan of some of the artists on that label).
BeatStars is everything. Abe and the team have worked tirelessly to remold the music industry. Suddenly, any kid with a laptop and a love for creating music now has the opportunity to showcase to the world what they've got to offer! Reaching the one million streams milestone on this platform is a chance for me to reflect on where it all began, where I am now, and where I may be in the future God willing. It's also a chance to once again give thanks to each and every individual at BeatStars who makes this dream that I, and countless other beat-makers are currently living.
I don't believe in five year plans. Waking up each day, being able to do what you love, working on yourself and cherishing your loved ones is all part of the one day plan. That should be enough of a plan. I believe, if you get those things right, then the rest can fall into place.That's my plan for now. If along the way, I find added success in the music industry, I will be incredibly grateful for it!
Through being able to work full-time on music, I learned an important lesson from it which is difficult to articulate but it's something like this: "Ensure that you are intrinsically motivated to create what you are creating" - It basically means, make things that you love. Make things that you feel a connection to, things which excite you, things that you would like to hear in the world! It's not an easy lesson to learn. It takes time and a confidence in what you are creating! I'm by no means one to be giving advice, but this works for me in a powerful way.
A better question would be who shouldn't you thank? There isn't a single person I've interacted with in and outside of the music who hasn't taught me a lesson - be it good or bad. Some individuals in particular do get a special mention however, as they have gone above and beyond to help me be able to do what I love for a living! First and foremost, my parents. It wasn't a case of them encouraging me as such, but rather never discouraging me from pursuing a hobby which intrinsically motivated me to my core!I'd also like to thank the handful of fellow beat-makers on BeatStars whom I have the pleasure of speaking to on personal terms regularly, both about work and life itself! Knowing that someone else is on the same journey as you helps immensely. Lastly, I'd like to thank Abe and everyone at BeatStars. Abe for having the vision and mastery to give birth to the platform and no doubt create a powerful legacy which will change not just the industry, but the lives of countless musicians!
It all started with a YouTube video of J. Cole. Music has always been a major part of Pilotkid's life, but everything changed when the rising BeatStars producer watched J. Cole's breakdown of his 'Power Trip' beat. Shortly after, a lightening bolt of inspiration struck, production equipment was bought, and the rest is history. Pilotkid is now sitting with over one million streams on BeatStars, over 35,000 subscribers on YouTube, and over 19,000 followers on his beat store. We connected with Pilotkid to learn more about his successes, his inspirations, and where he's headed to next.
To influence someone else's emotions through music is singlehandedly the greatest feeling, it's one of my main goals as an artist. To make someone feel exactly what I was feeling in my head, to translate that through music is the most rewarding thing in the world, it's an addiction and keeps me in love with music.
- Pilotkid
Congratulations on reaching one million streams on BeatStars! How are you feeling about reaching this milestone?
Reaching one million streams is a signifier of how much people resonate with my music, and to me, that is the greatest feeling. One million streams means my music had the power to create feelings in all of those listeners, and that is the reason I love making music.
What does your next milestone look like? Where do you see yourself progressing in the music industry?
The next big goal is a gold and platinum plaque, along with creating music with some of my favorite artists in the world. My current progression is advancing past the internet and transitioning into the music industry world, and to bridge the gap between internet and industry producer. My growth has been 100% organic, and because of that, I want to help others achieve the same thing.
That's really amazing to hear. We'd love to know - how did you first become interested in music production?
Music has always been a huge part of my life, for as long as I can remember. I got involved in band in 6th grade, and was a huge music nerd until high school when I discovered production. Initially I saw a video on youtube of J. Cole making the power trip beat, and bought every piece of equipment, which happened to be a Macbook pro, Logic, and an Akai mpk49. It's been about 6 years since that day and I still love it like the first day. Music has always just been something that I've been involved in and once I learned how to make my own music I just ran with it and never stopped.
You're clearly extremely gifted in music, and you're doing incredibly well when it comes to the business side of your music. How important is entrepreneurship to the vision of your career?
Entrepreneurship is important, and BeatStars makes it easy to have this in the music industry. Most producers rely on a signing advance from a publishing deal to make money; because of BeatStars, i never had to do this. BeatStars puts the power back in the hands of producers, because from a financial standpoint, this platform gives independence and leverage to producers to make the smartest decisions for their careers, whatever their goals might be. This is huge because this eliminates the starving artist stage that many people have to go through, and allows every producer to make the best decisions for themselves, to negotiate with who they want, how they want, and however they want. In short, BeatStars makes it very easy to have ownership over you career, and because of this, it's one of the best platforms for artists and producers alike.
What equipment do you consider essential to your setup?
Laptop, Speakers, and Water! Midi keyboard is always nice too, but I need monitors because I hate producing on headphones. All the extra toys and gadgets are fun and all, but for me, the essentials and not having much in the beginning is what forced me to get creative, so I try not to rely on too many things unless it's truly necessary.
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What is the most rewarding aspect of being a producer?
I would say the most rewarding aspect of being a producer is creating something so captivating that it makes other people feel EXACTLY what you felt making the music; for me, this is the mark of an artist, the ability to make the intangibles (feelings, emotions) tangible. To influence someone else's emotions through music is singlehandedly the greatest feeling, it's one of my main goals as an artist. To make someone feel exactly what I was feeling in my head, to translate that through music is the most rewarding thing in the world, it's an addiction and keeps me in love with music.
Is there a particular moment in your career where you felt like you truly "made it"?
I think once I moved to Los Angeles for the first time and realized that all my bills were paid and my only job was making music. To me, that is true success, and all i've ever wanted, the rest is just playing with house money at this point. To be able to sustain yourself off doing what you love is my definition of success and making it, and although I am never complacent and am just getting started, I would say the fact that I get to do this for a living makes me feel like i "made it". I think I'm most proud of my most recent placement with $not and Joey Badass, because these are people I've looked up to and listened to everyday and to make music with them now is so surreal.
That's a huge placement! How has your life changed since gaining that success?
Life has become ten times faster since gaining success, there's really no blueprint for success in this industry so the biggest difference in life for me is that everything is within my control. There is no paycheck every two weeks, no deadlines, no boss and no one telling you when and where to do things, for how long to work, everything is really learned on your own. I love it though because it is teaching me more about myself than any job ever could, understanding that everything in my career is a direct result of my actions doesn't frighten me, it excites me because I know that there is no limit to my success other than how hard I want to work, there is no ceiling in this industry and that keeps me motivated. Also remembering the struggle and working a regular job, that definitely keeps me motivated to keep what I have and never have to go back to that ever again. I think my life has changed in the fact that I broke free of every conventional way of living, and that in itself proved to me that whatever I choose to do I can succeed and accomplish it, literally making music for a living has taught me that I can do anything I want. It sounds like the cliche answer, but once you achieve what you've been working so hard for, it just clicks that you really can do whatever you put your mind to.
Do you have any creative or music inspirations that you really look up to?
Kanye West has to be my biggest influence, along with Tyler the Creator and Kevin Parker. In my eyes, these artists are the epitome of fearlessness, to be able to create something that has never been done before and to make it last and to have the impact the way their albums have inspires me to create something so unique but so captivating. The music and feelings that these artists have created and inspired within me is the same feelings that I try to convey to others with my music, in the same way that all of my favorite music has resonated with me, it's the main reason I make music and why I started to begin with.
We'd love to know - how has BeatStars played a role in your production and beat-selling business?
BeatStars is the sole reason my business exists! I uploaded my first beat on here and haven't stopped two years later. If it weren't for BeatStars, things in my career would not have panned out the way they did, so I greatly attribute a large part of my success to BeatStars and their platform.
Aqyila was busy twisting her hair the night her TikTok went viral, triggered by award-winning artist Lizzo singing along to a version of her song called ‘Bob For Me’, which has garnered more than 14 millions views and 3 million likes.
“TikTok honestly is one of the greatest tools we have now for social media, because since it’s so easy; like you’re just sitting on the screen scrolling, you’re bound to pop up on somebody’s page,” Aqyila shared with Atlanta Black Star.
Her views on TikTok are quickly melding into digital streaming success. As of June 2021, 'Vibe For Me' has almost 6 million streams on Spotify, translating to roughly $26,000 in current earnings. Aqyila has mentioned that it's important to her that everyone involved with the creation of 'Vibe For Me' get the credit and pay they deserve. Producers PDUB and Thomas Crager crafted the beat for 'Vibe For Me', and Aqyila shared that "[she] made sure to credit them and make sure they also got their payment because without that beat, it wouldn't even exist."
BeatStars A&R and Live Show Host Cammy Tabb, came across 'Vibe For Me' and realized it was produced by BeatStars Publishing clients PDUB and Thomas Crager, sparking the beginning of a relationship between BeatStars and Aqyila.
"We're her day-to-day management," Cammy Says. "We helped her with all of the label calls, which eventually led to her signing with Sony Canada. In addition, we handle her emails, brand deals, scheduling, and anything additional with Sony Canada."
When asked about her experience working with Aqyila, Cammy noted it as being "...an incredible experience. Aqyila is not only talented but the most down to earth and kindhearted soul. She cares about her music and craft deeply and doesn't take anything for granted, which shows when working with her."
Aqyila has recently been signed to Sony Music Canada, joining artists like 404Vincent, Celine Dion, Famba, and more. Her song 'Vibe For Me' is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music and other digital platforms.
"There is so much success headed Aqyila's way and BeatStars is excited and honored to be along for the ride," Cammy says. "Stay tuned!"
Denis Lesjak, known by his producer name 'Gold's House', has spent the past five years working to achieve his goal - becoming a full time music producer.
Hailing from Zagreb, the northwestern capital of Croatia, Gold had an unlikely start with his music production career.
"When I started using FL Studio for the first time, I couldn't imagine where it would take me. Today, I'm doing music production as my legitimate full time job."
Gold had just finished law school and was traveling the world as a full time model before trying his hand with music production. He had always been in love with music, and had always been curious about expanding his music making beyond playing chords on a guitar or singing. "I decided to try out music production and beat making," shares Gold. "After my first year of learning FL Studio and making terrible, and mean terrible stuff, I deleted all of it and decided I needed to start somewhere." That same day, Gold launched his YouTube channel and published his first instrumental.
"My first instrumental is still online and will never be removed so I can look back and see how far I've gotten from that point. I can tell you that it hasn't been an easy road and that you need to work hard to become what you want, but you all know that already. Trust me, anything is possible."
We connected with Gold's House to dive deeper into his one million streams milestone, how he became interested in music production, and what his next steps are in his production journey.
Congrats on your one million streams milestone! What does this milestone mean for you?
In some way, I consider it a confirmation of all the work and effort I've put into music production over the last 5 years. At the same time, it's also a motivation to work even harder and reach the next milestone.
What is that "next milestone" or big goal for you? Where do you see yourself progressing to in the music industry?
Well, my biggest goal is already achieved - I'm a full time music producer and I can live off something that I love doing. That was always the ultimate goal from the beginning. I don't like to have "big goals" in terms of placements or collaborations with big named creators as they often eventually lead to dissatisfaction and disappointment, specially on the business side of things where a lot of things are out of your control. I'm ultimately doing my best every day and enjoying the process. Great things are happening on a daily basis - some are major label artist placements while others are manifested with totally unknown or upcoming artists. I believe it's always important to not forget why we started what we're doing, which is it make music and do what you love.
Those are totally valid points. Speaking of "not forgetting why you started", how did you first become interested in music production?
I've always loved music and I have played guitar since primary school, but in my mid 20s Producer Def Starz told me about FL Studio. That is how I started producing my own music.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a producer?
I believe that it's the fact that you can choose what you wanna do, when you wanna do it, and how you wanna get it done. Being your own boss gives you the freedom to express yourself in a way that wouldn't be possible if you were working for someone else and obeying their rules and restrictions. There's no better feeling and reward than hearing a great song when you know that the foundation for it was your idea, or that you helped someone to make their dreams into a reality.
You're clearly dominating both the production and entrepreneurship side of your beat business. How important is entrepreneurship to your vision of your career?
If I'm being honest, entrepreneurship is something I really have fun with. I'm in my early 30s now, and up until last year I solely was focusing on making music. Today I want to be involved with everything - ads, email marketing, special deals, collaborations, and more. I like to joke on my own expense and say that I'm a real control freak because I like to have full control over my business. Running my business has never been difficult for me because it's something I love and enjoy.
Is there a particular moment in your career where you felt like you truly "made it"?
I would say that moment was the day I bought my own apartment. That was something really "real", and I realized that I'm a good enough producer and business person that I can make a proper living doing something I truly love. That was definitely my "you made it" moment.
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We'd love to know - how has BeatStars played a role in your production and beat-selling career?
BeatStars made everything easier and simplified the process of delivering beats and licenses to my customers. With the BeatStars Marketplace they've opened another platform for finding new customers, and with the BeatStars Pro Page they've helped producers create their own website - having everything in one place is amazing.
We're happy to hear that! Is there anything else you'd like to mention or point out before we go?
I would love to collaborate with other producers! If anyone is interested, please hit me up and we'll figure out what we can do.
David Bolarinwa, known by his producer name BEATZBYDB, is a producer and singer-songwriter residing in London, England. Bolarinwa's bounce and tropical beats have accelerated his music career, landing him over one million streams on BeatStars.
We connected with BEATZBYDB to celebrate hitting the one million milestone and talk about his journey to success on BeatStars.
In 2016, Drake dropped 'Controlla' and 'Work', and I had just discovered Ramriddlz, an artist from Toronto, Canada. I was in Florida at the time, and I remember how amazing the music made me feel. I wanted to learn how to create similar music - music that makes you want to move. That moment of discovery really inspired me and my sound.
Who are some of your creative inspirations?
PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake's Record Label 'OVO Sound' are my inspirations! My favorite producer is Noah James Shebib (better known as '40'). The way he makes music and the chords he uses are very inspiring. What he's doing with his music is really unique, and I love it.
Well, I don't have much of a set up besides my Razer Laptop, but one piece of gear that's super important to me is my mic. I use it to create a lot of vocal chops for my music. I also use Arcade, which is a great plugin that I use for my voice pretty frequently.
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I have a Business and Accounting degree from University so I'm very business minded. I feel like this has really helped me understand how brands are built and how important marketing yourself is. I like having full control and the ability to dictate my next steps.
Well, I was able to quit my 9-5 job and focus on making music. This really motivated me and allowed me to get even more inspired because i have more time now. Financially, my life has changed a lot, and it's been a huge blessing.
For me it's just building on melodies and creating quality bounces that make you feel like you're on a tropical island. Mixing that down and hearing what you created is the most rewarding feeling.
It means a lot! I can't believe that that amount of people have heard my music and love what I do. I remember starting from nothing, so it feels amazing and motivates me to work even harder.
My next big goal is to start working more with industry artists and producers. I'd love to discover some new talent and ultimately just keep developing my sound.
My advice is to keep learning and working on being more creative. Focus on mixing and developing the ear for good sound selection!
How has BeatStars played a role in your production and beat-selling business?
BeatStars is a great platform, and it really helped push my music out to many people. It's also easy to use and it allows artists that are looking for a particular sound to find the right producer for them. Thank you, BeatStars!
Black people created all of your favorite music genres.
Jazz. Hip-Hop. Soul. Rap. Ska. Calypso. Neo-Soul. Swing. Bluegrass. Pop. Funk. R&B. Reggae. Afropop. Techno. Country. Rock n Roll. House. Trap. Doo-Wop.
Yeah, so basically all of them.
Black creatives are continually paving the way to new music discoveries, worldwide trends, and cultural movements. Without them, our world would be a dull, lifeless place.
BeatStars is proud to be the home for thousands of incredible black creators that are disrupting the music industry and making positive changes every day. Here are 10 ground-breaking black BeatStars creators to get you started on your journey to discovering even more of them.
All of american music is black music. When you say "Black Music", understand that you are talking about Rock, Jazz, R&B, Reggae, Funk, Doo-Wop, Hip-Hop and Motown. Even Salsa Music stems back to the motherland. It's what gives America its swag.
- Bruno Mars
Othello Kwaidah, better known by his stage name Othellobeats, is an American hip-hop record producer and DJ from Philadelphia. In 2018, he started an online beat store and has worked with many artists/producers since then. He’s produced for artists such as Pop Smoke, Lil Tjay, Pnb Rock, Tory Lanez, Polo G, and more. Othello frequently guests on MEC (Music Entrepreneur Club) and has even hosted exclusive BeatStars events like ‘Master the Beat’.
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, UrBan Nerd has garnered over 2.4 million plays with his diverse discography of beats. Finding inspiration from artists like SZA, Kanye West, J Cole, and Isaiah Rashad, his beats are clean and crisp, with delicate hits of sweet nostaligia.
Retro1 is a music producer, sound designer & owner of Early Nineties Music Collection residing in Phoenix, Arizona. Retro1 is an active member of the BeatStars Fam, participating in multiple Challenges (including our active FL Studio Cookup Challenge) and blessing the community with a stellar mixtape reminiscent of a day trip he took to sunny California.
PDUB the Producer is an American violinist and producer, crafting up music in multiple genres while maintaining a Hip-Hop emphasis. With over 1.7 million plays on BeatStars and a publishing deal with Sony/ATV, PDUB is on the come up to becoming a household name.
If you’re ever streaming a BeatStars Live Show or attending a Community Meet Up, chances are you’ll have the pleasure of meeting KloudNine, a multi-genre producer, arranger, and composer, and one of BeatStars’ most active community members. Coming off his production for Multi-Platinum artist Cupid with the new record ‘Dance For Your Love’, KloudNine aims to redefine the sound of the music industry.
Giana Major is breaking barriers and making moves as a successful female producer on BeatStars and beyond. Major has produced for a multitude of talented artists including J. Sinn, Cedd-O, Prez Harris, Ayla Theia, and dozens more.
With over 11 years of producing experience, Angel Ray has worked with an array of different artists and producers, crafting up a soulful yet refreshing energy in today’s music scene. With a focus on neo-soul and trap, she creates tracks with an aim to move your spirit. Angel Ray is not only a talented producer, but performs and writes songs and hooks as well. artist as well, not just performing songs but also writing them.
Love Pulse is a California-based boutique music library/collective with a roster of artists scattered worldwide. Their carefully curated team of songwriters and producers currently supply music for various TV/ FILM projects, sound kits to sound libraries, and license beats with hooks to thousands of indie artists all over the internet. Their mission is to give aspiring artists and musicians a new approach to the music industry - make a living doing what they love and become a part of an uplifting and educating community.
Holding 14 years of production experience, Dar’rell Banks is a seasoned music producer from Virginia, producing records for artists like I-20, Pizzle, Dolo Dollaz, Shaheed Flow, and more. He specializes in Hip-Hop and R&B beats and finds inspiration in producers like Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, and Timbaland.
DeeMarc is a published producer residing in Illinois. With over one million plays on BeatStars, DeeMarc’s high-quality trap, hip-hop, and rap beats have accumulated over one million plays on BeatStars. You can find him producing for artists like Yungeen Ace and Lil Tecca.
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