TAXI.com

In the latest Taxi listings, under "Instrumental," there is this entry:Quote:Huge Production Music Library/Publisher looking for master quality URBAN/REGGAETON/RAP/HIP HOP INSTRUMENTALS/BEATS in all styles for use in corporate videos, TV, film, radio, and commercial productions. Solid performances are needed. Please submit one to three pieces online or per CD; 60 seconds to 3 minutes is the recommended length for this pitch. They offer a very fair exclusive deal with a 5-year reversion clause. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than July 27, 2007.TAXI # S070727URI've actually had the following question for awhile, because I've seen listings like this before. What exactly are publishers looking for when they're asking for "beats?" Are they looking for just a 4-bar loop? Or are they looking for something more along the lines of a song form, in which you have a 16-bar verse, followed by an 8-bar "chorus," and it follows something along the lines of AABABB, or something like that? Do they want breaks, fills, etc. combined together? Or do they just want the separate elements so they can assemble everything the way they want?Signed,Curious Taxi memberaka Kevin

For "beats" I think it's more a song form thing... though, maybe it's not completely "produced". Maybe there's a verse section that's stripped down from the chorus, or a break with no drums, or whatever combinations. Generally "beats" are the same chord progression throughout, it's the combination of elements that delineates the sections. Though, for this listing, I'd probably make the tracks more library styled with different sections (not necessarly different chords though) and a clear ending. Hmmm... I should do a couple for that one... heh heh!

Cool. Thanks for the reply, Stick! I sort of thought that's what was wanted, but you know what they say about just assuming something without verifying it...

In the parlance of the genre, the "beat" is what people rap over - so if you sell "beats," you're selling a pre-made track that the rapper will record their vocals over. Hook, breaks, fills, verse-chorus-verse form, the whole shebang.As for the Taxi listings, good question - I'm submitting to this one too, and I generally interpret the "60-second" phrase to be a keyword for library-style. Good luck!

Quote:In the parlance of the genre, the "beat" is what people rap over - so if you sell "beats," you're selling a pre-made track that the rapper will record their vocals over. Hook, breaks, fills, verse-chorus-verse form, the whole shebang.As for the Taxi listings, good question - I'm submitting to this one too, and I generally interpret the "60-second" phrase to be a keyword for library-style. Good luck!Thanks! That's good to know. I have to admit that Hip Hop is a bit out of my comfort zone, but I have been exposed to it quite a bit at a recording studio I used to work at, so I think I have it in my ear. We'll see.I'm going to post my tracks today or tomorrow and get your feedback.

hi kevin,I've done a couple of such hiphop tracks, they all have a songform. some are placed in mtv shows (pimp my ride, next, etc...) and I have lots of forwards with taxi in that area - so song-form do defenitly work;)hope that helps,martin

Quote:Quote:In the parlance of the genre, the "beat" is what people rap over - so if you sell "beats," you're selling a pre-made track that the rapper will record their vocals over. Hook, breaks, fills, verse-chorus-verse form, the whole shebang.As for the Taxi listings, good question - I'm submitting to this one too, and I generally interpret the "60-second" phrase to be a keyword for library-style. Good luck!Thanks! That's good to know. I have to admit that Hip Hop is a bit out of my comfort zone, but I have been exposed to it quite a bit at a recording studio I used to work at, so I think I have it in my ear. We'll see.I'm going to post my tracks today or tomorrow and get your feedback.I'd love to hear them! I'll do the same...if I get them done in time, rather than careening towards the deadline like usual! =)

OK, I just put a rough mix/rough arrangement of the beat in the Peer Review section. Feel free to rip it to shreds.