Understand Beat Licences

Download my FREE eBook 'Beat Leases Explained': shorturl.at/cFY28
If you're new to selling beats, or buying beats as an artist and never had beat leases explained to you, then this video will help you understand all about beat licences.
I've been selling beats since 2015, I've picked up a good bit of knowledge that I wanna share with you. I've learned a lot by making mistakes, so if I can help you from making these same mistakes - I will, although making mistakes is part of the process.
Drop a comment below and let me know if you're still unsure about Beat Leases.
_______________________
Let's Connect on Social Media:
🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.c...
🎹 Instagram: / kcsounds
🐦 Twitter: / kc_sounds
📲 Facebook: / kcsoundsmusi. .
_______________________
🎚️ Mix and Mastering Enquiries: [e-mail]
(SERIOUS ENQUIRIES ONLY)
🔌 Subscribe: goo.gl/2m6OSn
🎤 Buy beats instantly - kc-sounds.com
📩 Sign Up for 3 Free Beats - goo.gl/O9fRAF
Equipment I use:
Logic Pro - www.apple.com/...
Monitors:
KRK VXT6 - amzn.to/2IXoa8G
Interface:
Apollo Twin Duo Interface - amzn.to/2NtjafJ
​Headphones​:
ATHM50 - amzn.to/2zeKpaH
About Me:
I'm KC, a producer, beatmaker and mix engineer. I've been doing this for over 10+ years, and I've got a Degree in Music Production. On my channel you'll see me making beats in Logic Pro X, mixing beats, mixing vocals, mixing full songs, product reviews, tips on how to market/promote your brand and how to be your best version.
I hope my videos inspire you :)

[@kcsounds]

Download my FREE eBook 'Beat Leases Explained': shorturl.at/cFY28

[@soldiermarvinbackup]

1:36 where the video starts 👌🏾

[@Offtheradarrr]

Recently started selling beats online, and I must say this is very valuable information. Thank you! I definitely hit subscribe!

[@kcsounds]

Congrats on starting up your Beats business, I hope it does well, and I appreciate you for Subbing. All the best bro

[@user-ss1cs2nb9e]

Dude thankyou this is so helpful while I’m trying to make a living producing

[@kcsounds]

Glad to help. Hope it all goes well for you. Thanks for watching

[@user-ss1cs2nb9e]

@@kcsounds you got my sub

[@kcsounds]

@user-ss1cs2nb9e Preciate your support 🙌🏾

[@user-ss1cs2nb9e]

@@kcsounds I also have question, I hear a lot of people say to send my beats to artists, for example it’s not like Drake is gonna see an email from someone who has no following and no platform like me. Plz reply I get so confused bc how tf Dk I send my beats to them bc they won’t even see it

[@kcsounds]

@user-ss1cs2nb9e Reach out to someone in his team, that could be an easier way to get your Beats in front of him. Or, find another creative way to reach him directly

[@MacousticMusic]

great content man! just starting out trying to sell my first beat, have alot to learn in terms of making better beats but this is exactly what i needed to see for better understanding! got my sub!

[@kcsounds]

Thank you bro, preciate your feedback and support. Let me know if there’s any specifics you wanna know and I’ll make a video on it. Cheers for watching

[@2004_si]

thanks man, for the video and for the help given to other prods in this comment section. as young producers with basically 0 economic knowledge we appreciate it

[@kcsounds]

Glad to help bro. I know what it’s like not having much knowledge in the beginning, so I’ll always share what I know to help. Thanks for watching

[@zzz3493]

Yo thanks dude this has helped a lot!

[@kcsounds]

My bad on the late reply bro. Glad my video helped you. Cheers for watching

[@kcsounds]

Hope this video clears up some confusion with understanding Beat Leases. If not, drop a comment below

[@masterminddjs]

Just found this man! Disregard my question to post this. However, in terms of contract. Did you have an attorney draft one up or did you use a service? Just wondering since I'm getting started. Thanks man!

[@kcsounds]

@@masterminddjs I used the template off Airbit and adapted to my seller preferences. Hope that helps and thanks for watching

[@masterminddjs]

@@kcsounds Thanks man -- I'm thinking about signing up with them as well. Thanks! Keep up those great videos man!

[@themainhurricaneshane3430]

@@masterminddjs I know I'm probably late on this, but Beatstars also has free template documents/contracts just for these instances

[@kcsounds]

Thanks for sharing

[@FLEYGIK]

Respect!

[@kcsounds]

Respect for watching

[@johnathanbeats]

Thank you so much. Im not goina comment on every video but ill watch all of them over the next few weeks.

[@kcsounds]

Hope you find some value from them. Your support is appreciated 💯

[@lordworld-wyde6076]

Looooong story short… Subscribed and liked 👍🏾

[@kcsounds]

Preciate you brother 🙌🏾

[@tommyraystaleyjr.2773]

Nice music business page on KZbin. It’s cool.

[@kcsounds]

Preciate your feedback. Thanks for watching

[@nated4182]

Love this video bro! Thank you for the insights

[@kcsounds]

Glad to hear that bro. Thanks for watching

[@KS-lu9lu]

Legend

[@kcsounds]

Preciate it. Cheers for watching

[@Positivelymimi]

Loving the consistency 🙏🏽

[@kcsounds]

Coco Brxwn Cheers for the support 😎

[@senseisscroll6189]

Smashing info, Value as always 🙏🏾🥶

[@kcsounds]

Thank you my bro. Preciate your support 100% 🙏🏾

[@Ki55yface]

Thanks so much! Def. took notes! 💕

[@kcsounds]

You welcome. Thanks for watching 🙌🏾💯

[@scejaytracks297]

real informative g thanks

[@kcsounds]

Glad to help bro. Thanks for watching

[@prodjr_]

this is helpful thank you so so much!

[@kcsounds]

Glad to help. Thanks for watching

[@JasonPhantom]

Hey man I have some questions. So let's say I bought a basic mp3 lease or whatever. I somehow overdo the streams. Can I go back and just renew the lease for unlimited streams (if I see that it's going up pretty fast)? And second question: How do I set that my song appears in the description without enabling content ID? Like that it's in the description with the image of the album cover and everything? And last question: If I buy the basic lease can I still make tweaks to the beat? Like let's say just add I don't know a second guitar for example. I really don't want to get sued or something haha I'm so scared of all these agreements and contracts. That's it man, thanks in advanced. Great video and have a lovely day! P.S. - I still don't have a producer I just want to know approximately how things work :) thanks again

[@daaamn001]

Thxs a lot KC:)

[@kcsounds]

You welcome bro 🙂

[@miasimone1874]

Thank you!

[@kcsounds]

You welcome. Thanks for watching

[@ANDREONTHEBEATENTERTAINMENT]

I just started and I don't have a clue someone ask me how much I sell one for and I can't answer them 😭

[@kcsounds]

I’ve been there. Hopefully the videos I put out will help you with this. Overtime your confidence will grow, and you’ll name your price without flinching 🙌🏾

[@sushitruck]

QUESTION: If I buy a basic lease and a different artist purchases an exclusive license afterwards, is my license provoked and unusable? Can I not profit from my songs that releaed BEFORE that artist anymore? Would I get copyrighted on platforms like KZbin TikTok and Instagram? This was a long lasting question because an example was "Here With Me" by D4VD, where a different Korean Artist purchased a non exclusive license before D4VD and D4VD bought an exclusive afterwards. They seem to coexist without any problems so I was confused.

[@kcsounds]

I always say check the Producers agreement to be sure. But, I don’t see why the 2 can’t co-exist

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

I'm pretty sure it's time-specific, exclusivity just means the producer will not sell the rights to the beat to anyone else, after the contract is started, it doesn't guarantee that the artist will be the exclusive owner of the rights, even the producer remains an owner of the rights, for example. I think anyone else who has been given rights to use the beat, still has those rights, unless explicitly outlined in both contracts. That would be my take - but I don't know and am not experienced enough to say for sure.

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

You might get claimed but you should be able to appeal it as long as you are within the rights of your contract.

[@honeyjalafofficial]

Top stuff! Bud can I ask you, I am buying a beat on Premium License, which includes everything unlimited from audio streams, live profit performance, music videos, copies and radio channels. Does that mean whatever money I am make from all the above, belongs to me? Or will I have to share with the producer? Thanks for your help

[@kcsounds]

Thanks bro. Best thing to do is check the agreement that you got when you purchased the Beat. If you’re unsure then reach out to the producer who’ll be able to answer your question directly. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching

[@marsexalted]

What happens when you go over the stream limit of the lease? Do you renew it by buying another lease or do I have to reach out to the beatmaker?

[@kcsounds]

You should be able to just renew it by buying a new Lease. Or, hit up the Producer and see if he’d sell you the Exclusive, especially if you’re doing good numbers. Have you reached the stream limit?

[@marsexalted]

@@kcsounds Thanks for the quick response! Yes unfortunately I have gone over and am going to reach out to the producer, but didn't know I could just keep buying leases? I thought the leases could only be bought when you're first releasing the new composition

[@lanenewman6251]

I'm here 3 years later bro lol so I could buy a lease, and if the song does well, I could buy the exclusive??

[@kcsounds]

Good to see you come back bro! Yea, that’s what I’d advise, and also check with the Producer to see if that’s an option

[@Yatus_Beatz]

it's interesting but when we sell the trackout or unlimited license, we still get our royalties?

[@kcsounds]

Depends whats in your agreement

[@_NEW3RA_]

I just want to lease beat for my KZbin intro video and background music. Will not sing or rap or sale cd’s. Will the $40 lease be fine?

[@kcsounds]

Should be. Check with the producer, to make sure it’s fine. I don’t see why not tho

[@_NEW3RA_]

@@kcsounds can’t get him to respond. I’ve sent 100 emails lol. This is he description on purchasing a lease from this particular producer: description - Receive Files Immediately After Purchase - Distribute Up To 2,000 Copies - 2,000 Online Audio Streams - 1 Music Video - 1 Paid Performance - No Radio Broadcasting Allowed I just need it for my videos to play in the background and intro music.

[@kcsounds]

@_NEW3RA_ Doesn’t say anything about using it for videos, so not sure what to suggest. Your call bro

[@_NEW3RA_]

@@kcsounds what about yours? Will the $40 lease cover me for what I’m trying to do? If so, where can I hear your beats?

[@kcsounds]

@_NEW3RA_ Yea, it’ll cover it on my Beats. Beats: www.kc-sounds.com/beats Let me know if you hear anything you vibe with

[@frankm3]

I have a question once i get the lease do i just go to distro kid and upload my song

[@frankm3]

I know thats not right

[@kcsounds]

You mean release your track through DistroKid? Sure, why not

[@frankm3]

@@kcsounds yes but how do i distribute it through distrokid the right way abiding the beat lease contract

[@kcsounds]

Check the agreement on what you can and can’t do. Follow the steps and upload your track to DistroKid

[@jacksonpacked2347]

If you buy the exclusive what happens to the other people that have previously used the beat can they continue to profit from it now that its yours? Also if you buy the exclusive can you resell the beat if you dont end up using it?

[@kcsounds]

Good question. As far as I know, they can still profit from their music. They won’t be able to renew the Lease once the Exclusives been sold. Don’t think many producers allow resales of their Exclusives, unless they say that you can in their agreement. Hope that helps, and cheers for watching

[@aj_chapo]

What happens if i sell more streams than the lease allows? Am i gonna loose the license?

[@kcsounds]

Depends what it says in your agreement

[@gamelacemob7085]

If I lease a beat then post my music up on distrokid with that beat do I get paid more for my quantity streams ? Could someone let me know please

[@kcsounds]

Depends what’s in your agreement. Check the Producers agreement from who you bought the Beat from

[@Morgzedwards]

Helpful vid man. So says if you leased it for 3k views and you surpassed it what happens then usually? Is it the producers responsibility to keep track?

[@kcsounds]

Glad to hear bro. Yea, it’s up to you as the producer to keep track, but like I said in the vid, it’ll be hard, especially if you’ve got a few artists using your beats. But, I’m sure if a track blows you’ll hear about it

[@Idk-uk5sm]

How much is it to renew a bwat

[@kcsounds]

Depends on the Producers Beat price

[@Alien-vu4bt]

Thanks really wanna take rap serious and wanted a beat with a lease

[@kcsounds]

Go for it. Thanks for watching

[@Alien-vu4bt]

@@kcsounds thanks man , I subbed

[@ezjackson6325]

Hey, this might sound like a stupid question, but when I get a beat license and release my song I always submit to Spotify, Apple Music, and Itunes obviously, but is it fine to also upload to Instagram music? I didn't know if submitting to Instagram was any different as far as content ID goes.

[@kcsounds]

Hey, you should be fine to upload to instagram. I always say check the agreement just to be 100% sure, or contact the Producer of the Beat. Hope that helps and thanks for watching

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

4:20 Exclusives are still leases, you're not selling the beat to the artist, you the producer still owns the beat, the artist just gets the exclusive rights. It's still a lease! You sell exclusive rights to the beat, you don't sell the beat. You ain't giving someone the project file and giving them all the credit, very rarely anyway. Right? *scratching my head* 😅

[@kcsounds]

That’s right. Exclusive means you’re unable to re-sell the Beat, which I said in the video. Calling an Exclusive a Lease confuses things. Hope that helps 🙂

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

@@kcsounds Yeah, thanks again man! Stuck in analysis paralysis over here lol, trudging through.

[@kcsounds]

@@KiraPlaysGuitar Trial and error my friend. You’ll learn as you grow

[@damientrujillo4470]

Hey so I found a couple of beats I really want to buy exclusively , but don’t know if it’s the right move. I’m the contract it says the produce owns 50% of publishing rights and I own the other 50% does that mean he gets 50% of what I make/get? And also when it says Artist will pay mechanical royalties at one hundred percent (100%) of the minimum statutory rate, subject to no cap of that rate for albums and/or EPs. What exactly does that refer to?

[@kcsounds]

That’s good you’ve found some Beats you wanna buy. As I say to all artists, double check the agreement to be sure of what you’re gonna get, which you have done. If you buy the Exclusive, it should just mean the Producer can’t sell the Beat to any other artist. However, the Producer still owns the Beat. Not sure about the mechanical royalties part. If you’re still unsure, reach out to the Producer so you know exactly what you get once you buy the Exclusive. Hope that helps and thanks for watching

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

So an artist buys a basic lease, releases a song on Spotify, what are they expected to do once the song hits 3000 streams (assuming one stream equates to one unit sold). Is the artist supposed to take the song down? Does this get automated? If the artist wakes up to 5000 plays, are they in breach of contract? What happens?

[@kcsounds]

Depends on what the agreement says. But, if they’ve gone over the amount stated, or passed the time limit in the agreement, they’d have to renew their Lease.

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

@@kcsounds Makes sense, thanks man. I'm thinking what if the artist comes back and says they don't want to blah, blah, but in the real world it's probably less of an issue and you just deal with it in the moment (let it go or pursue it)...

[@kcsounds]

@@KiraPlaysGuitar If they say they don’t want to then they’re out of contract. You’ll hold all the power to have their music removed. Never heard of a situation like that before tho, hopefully it it’s not a thing that happens 😩

[@joebou-daher2100]

if i buy a trackout unlimeted, and dropped a song on spotify, nd someone exlusively buys it later, do i have to take it down? btw thanks for your vids they are really great i subscribed

[@kcsounds]

Nah, not necessarily - unless, your agreement says any different. Preciate your Sub and support

[@Toneka100]

Hi so what if there are just lease options and no Exclusive options if you want the beat for yourself?

[@kcsounds]

Hi. You’d have to ask the Producer direct if they’ll sell the Exclusive. A lot of Producers don’t like to sell Exclusives. Hope that helps, and thanks for watching

[@ItsThias]

QUESTION: I currently use SoundOn to publish my songs but they have been giving me an issue because I have a limited license. I am hesitant on wasting my money on the Unlimited Lease because I have a feeling they'll deny that as well and say I need the Exclusive rights to publish on Apple, Spotify, etc. Any advice?

[@kcsounds]

My advice is to try. Get the Unlimited Lease, and look at it as an investment. If it doesn’t work out, then put it down to experience. Hope that helps and thanks for watching

[@Pray2Leo]

I’m so confused and I just need a simple answer that I can’t seem to find. I just leased a mp3 beat because I got copyrighted on SoundCloud so I re uploaded it after I leased the beat and it still got tooken down I’m confused

[@kcsounds]

Best thing, is to hit up the Producer of the Beat. Let them know the issue, hopefully they can put you straight

[@everyone_knows7525]

Can you essesntially release an ep or tape with leased beats?

[@kcsounds]

Yea, you can. Just make sure to read the agreement from the producer so you know what you can, and can’t do. Hope that helps, and cheers for watching

[@ljholliday2010]

so if someone buys the exclusive beat no one else can use it ?

[@kcsounds]

Depends if they’ve bought a Lease before the Exclusive was sold. It’s not good business to continue selling a Beat that’s been sold Exclusively. Hope that helps, and thanks for watching

[@pedrol8234]

So you can keep selling a lease over and over but when someone buys the exclusive you have to remove the beat?

[@kcsounds]

Yea, that’s correct. Some platforms remove the Beat automatically, like on Airbit

[@pedrol8234]

Do you use Airbit & BeatStars? What steps do you take to protect your copyright & publishing? I want to start posting but I feel like they make everything confusing on purpose 🤦🏾‍♂️💨✨

[@kcsounds]

@@pedrol8234 I use Airbit. I don’t bother with “protecting” Beats. Once it’s made in your DAW it’s time stamped, whether or not that’d stand up in court is a different thing. However, if my Beat is doing well from an artists song then I’d be on their case lol

[@pedrol8234]

What do you think is the difference between Airbit and BeatStars? How long after posting beats did it take before you quit your job and started producing full time?

[@zacsnow]

Hey brotha how does leasing it to multiple artists work? Don't they content Id it the second they upload it on streaming platforms?

[@kcsounds]

Hey bro. Thats a good question. Not sure exactly how it works if multiple artists have content ID. I guess, if the Producer has Content ID from the 1st upload then any revenue will go to them. I’m gonna see what I can find. Cheers for watching

[@MEISMEWHOISU]

so i can't lease my beat to another person untill the first one who did lease it reach my limit of streams in the terms? Do i understand it right?

[@kcsounds]

The beauty of Leasing Beats is: you can Lease it to as many different Artists as you want. Cheers for watching

[@prod.emayex]

If I sell multiple leases for a beat, and then a new customer buys the exclusive rights do I then have to contact the rappers who already leased the beat or do I just stop leasing/selling the beat from that point?

[@kcsounds]

Depends what you’ve wrote in your agreement to those who’ve purchased the Beat. By rights, you should stop selling the Beat if it’s been sold Exclusive. Thanks for watching

[@prod.emayex]

@@kcsounds Ok thanks, I appreciate your videos

[@kcsounds]

I appreciate your support

[@TheRealMarzDaDon]

@@kcsounds

[@Lostfiles13]

how would I monitor the amount of streams of the artist's songs on my beat

[@kcsounds]

Don’t think you can. If the song blows, you’ll know. Cheers for watching

[@Trilly4Really]

So ive bought several beats , the mp3 wav and track outs, not exclusive, so if i rap on em, and post them to youtube , if the producer has content id registered on youtube (as they should) , will i get a copyright strike if i upload the song to youtube without trying to register my song with content i.d.? it doesnt make sense to me how youtube would know that i bought the right to make a song over the beat

[@kcsounds]

You’ll probably get a copyright strike, but if I’m correct it shouldn’t go against you, meaning if you’ve purchased the Beat lease, you should be able to dispute it. I’m not 100% up on how content ID works with artists, but I know it’s for us Producers to keep an eye on who’s using our Beats. Gonna do some research and make a video using your question. Stay tuned, and thanks for watching

[@simonasgudavicius]

You would just get a copyright claim and you still can upload the derivative work you made with the beat, just that the youtube moneys will go to the producer. I think.

[@ItsChel]

@@kcsounds this will be really good to know as an artist.

[@JObennett]

So if I get a lease for a beat and I can use it for 10 years then does my song get taken down from streaming platforms? Or does it stay up regardless

[@kcsounds]

I’d double check your agreement to make sure. I don’t see why it’ll get taken tho

[@Bbb3b2024]

One beatmaker say that the leases is for limited years thats true?

[@kcsounds]

All beatmakers have different agreements. If that’s what that particular beatmaker has said, then that’s true for them

[@younganthony7084]

is he saying wife or wave

[@kcsounds]

Just trying to think where wife would come into the conversation of explaining Beat Leases lol. Thanks for watching bro

[@younganthony7084]

@@kcsounds and i subscribed too

[@kcsounds]

Preciate your support my bro, means a lot

[@Sanchez-cb4jj]

Wav

[@younganthony7084]

@@Sanchez-cb4jj ah u noticed my joke from last year😇

[@damientrujillo4470]

Hey, do you have an Instagram by any chance? If so could you maybe help with a couple questions I have about this exclusive license. I’ve notified the producer, but haven’t got anything back. Thank you in advance!

[@kcsounds]

Sure, @kcsounds

[@arnulfoperez534]

Couple tips mate. If I have questions about leases, I don't wanna see you looking it up on Google. Second. Don't explain what I'm about to see when that's exactly what I searched for

[@kcsounds]

Couple tips mate. If you don’t like my videos - keep it moving. 2nd, if you’re having a bad day - have a word with yourself. All the best.

[@arnulfoperez534]

@@kcsounds I did keep it moving, and I wasn't having a bad day at all. I just noticed something I thought you should know. You know, like to help YOUR content. It's sound advice don't get butt hurt about it

[@kcsounds]

Far from “butt hurt” mate. I’m always learning, and open to feedback.

[@arnulfoperez534]

@@kcsounds sorry if i sounded a bit bitchy, I honestly respect your grind. You've got more grind than me. Take care brotha

[@kcsounds]

All good brother. The only way for us to get better is by taking feedback, whether it’s good or bad. I appreciate your apology, and honest feedback. I hope everything works out well for you