Creator Spotlight: Meet 30HertzBeats, the R&B Producer with Gold and Platinum Plaques

Every producer’s journey is unique, but few are inspiring. From humble beginnings with a basic DAW to achieving gold and platinum records, 30HertzBeats exemplifies the power of persistence, creativity, and adaptability.

What started in 2005 as an experiment with loop-based software soon evolved into a full-fledged career as 30HertzBeats honed his craft, embraced cutting-edge tools, and built a sound that helped him land placements with artists like Tink and Queen Naija.

In this Q&A, 30HertzBeats shares insights into his creative process, the challenges he faced on his journey, and the role that BeatStars played in his success. 

What year did your journey as a producer start, and how did you get that start? 

My journey as a producer began in 2005 when I purchased the Magix Hip Hop Music Maker from an electronics store. It was essentially a basic DAW packed with loops you could arrange to create tracks. At the time, I was heavily inspired by U.S. rap and wanted to push myself to improve. To take things to the next level, I upgraded to Cubase and invested in a keyboard, synthesizer, and drum machine. Along the way, I also learned the fundamentals of music theory, which laid the foundation for my growth as a producer. 

At what point did you realize you could make a living from being a producer? ‍

I think it was around 2010, after I completed my education in foundry mechanics, that I realized I could pursue a career as a producer. I moved to Berlin and began independently producing and mixing for local artists. However, it took me another seven years of hard work and dedication before I was finally able to make a living solely from music.

How do you balance creativity with the business side of being a producer?

Balancing creativity with the business side of being a producer requires careful attention, especially since the music industry can be quite complex. Music lawyers play a crucial role in navigating this landscape. It’s important to take the time to network with the right people, but when it comes to agreements, always have an advisor or, ideally, a lawyer to guide you.
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At what point did you find BeatStars in your journey? What do you believe you did that caused you to find success?

I discovered BeatStars in 2017 after learning about it from other popular type beat producers. It inspired me to create my own YouTube channel, and I signed up for the professional plan, which included a Pro Page. BeatStars allowed me to offer all my beats on a widely recognized platform while also benefiting from additional sales through their marketplace. This exposure and accessibility played a significant role in my success.

The album artwork you create for your tracks is extremely unique and consistent. How do you feel like that helped you with your branding as a producer, and how has your branding approach evolved over time? 

My female artwork designs align perfectly with the essence of R&B because the dominant themes in R&B songs often revolve around love. The female illustrations complement the emotional and intimate vibes of my music, which is mostly categorized as Slow R&B. Over time, this consistent visual style has become a key element of my branding, reinforcing the mood of my tracks and helping me establish a strong, recognizable identity as a producer.

You’ve had two gold records and a platinum record with Tink and Queen Naija. How did those placements come about?

That’s correct, both of those placements came directly through my YouTube type beat channel. Queen Naija and Tink discovered and chose specific beats because they were not only popular but also strong sellers on BeatStars. It’s a testament to the power of having a consistent online presence and making your music widely accessible.

Were there any specific BeatStars products that helped you in your journey, such as ProPage, MailChimp integration, Publishing, etc.?  

The Pro Page and Mailchimp integration have been incredibly helpful in my journey. However, I feel that the platform itself has been the most impactful. Based on my sales analytics from the past 12 months, around 30% of my sales have come directly from the BeatStars marketplace. While I haven’t signed up for BeatStars Publishing since I handle that elsewhere, I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback about it from other producers.

What’s your creative process like when making a beat? Do you start with a melody, drums, or something else?

I always begin with the chord progression, which sets the foundation for the track. Once I have that in place, I add basic drums to establish the overall vibe and rhythm. The melody comes last, as it takes the most time to perfect. I’m confident in my sound selection and drum work, but crafting a great melody can be challenging, it’s a fine line between it being too simple or too overdone.

Do you have any favorite tools or plugins that you swear by when producing?

My go-to tools are UVI Falcon with some carefully selected sound banks and a solid collection of one-shots. Keyscape is fantastic for rich, authentic keys, and Arturia’s Analog Lab is my top choice for synth sounds, it’s perfect for creating a wide range of textures and tones.

Are there any additional things you’d like to mention, like your R&B type channel and/or any new music? 

I’m currently working on new music that’s hard to categorize, it’s a blend of R&B, House, and a touch of Pop. It’s an exciting direction that pushes my creative boundaries. 

Also, I had the opportunity to co-produce Teo Glacier’s “close with desires” which is another slow R&B song that comes with a 6/8 rhythm.

Looking back, what were some of the things you wish you had known that would have better prepared you for your journey?

Looking back, one of the things I wish I had known is the importance of going to the States to network with the right industry people. Building trustworthy connections is key to getting others to listen to your music. Unfortunately, the email game is pretty much dead, even though I still share my work occasionally. Another piece of advice would be not to follow music trends too closely, it’s better to produce what you truly love and resonate with, while possibly matching it to a popular main genre. Staying authentic is what ultimately helps you stand out.