Achickwitbeatz presents the Instrumental Intel podcast, bringing you information instrumental to your artistic career including music industry news & tips, insights & interviews, and beats for your inspiration. Listen on Saturdays at 7 pm EST on Grander Radio and Achickwitbeatz.com.
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00:00
Hey, thank you so much for tuning in to Instrumental Intel. I am your host, music producer Achickwitbeatz, and I'm glad that you're here with me. Today's episode has music industry news, beats by me for your inspiration, and I'm also gonna be presenting what I'd like to call my Bandcamp Loosies, some instrumentals that I have available there, just in case you haven't heard them before. And yeah, I'm excited to be bringing this episode to you.
00:27
Before I go ahead and drop that first beat, I gotta give a shout out to my home station, Grander Radio out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. And with that, let's go!
[BEAT BREAK]
11:07
Hey, this is music producer Achickwitbeatz, and you're listening to my podcast Instrumental Intel.
[BEAT BREAK]
24:17
Hey, I'm Achickwitbeatz, multi-genre music producer and strategist to indie artists and labels. Visit achickwitbeatz.com for resources for artists and instrumentals in various genres available for songs, vlogs, blogs, podcasts, themes, TV, film, commercials, and more. Once again, that's achickwitbeatz.com. That's A-C-H-I-C-K-W-I-T-B-E-A-T-Z.com. Let's make something happen..
24:47
Alright, music producer Achickwitbeatz, back with the Music Biz Brief as promised. First up, YouTube will host Music Nights, a new exclusive live concert series including release parties, intimate shows, and tour stops designed for dedicated fans. Concerts will take place in LA, New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo, as well as cities with special meaning to participating artists. Musicathon 2026 is a global music tech competition held remotely
25:15
where participants use Musixmatch Pro APIs to build new projects. Prices total over $25,000 including $5,000 in cash. Projects, along with a demo and a brief write-up, must be submitted by June 21st. Judges from the music and tech industries will choose winners announced on June 30th. Launched by Musixmatch, contest partners include JamBase Data, Cyanite, ElevenLabs, Replet, SongStats, and more.
25:43
According to the National Music Publishers Association, U.S. music publishing revenues grew 3.7% year-over-year to $7.3 billion in 2025. 52% of that figure was attributed to performance royalties, 24% to synchronization, 19% to mechanical, and 5% to other sources. Though recorded music is the bigger business at $11.5 billion, its growth has been outpaced by publishing for four consecutive years.
26:12
The NMPA says growth would have been higher without the bundling tactics employed by Spotify and Amazon to reduce the royalties they pay by roughly 30%. Indigo is a startup that lets artists share unreleased music, exclusive experiences, and behind-the-scenes content that superfans can pay to access, perform microtransactions, and give. Its first artist partnership is with rapper, producer, and filmmaker IDK, and the beta is set to launch later this summer.
26:40
Music Venue Trust is partnering with Audoo to use their Audoo Audio Meter to identify music played in grassroots music venues and determine how it's reflected in public performance royalty distributions by the UK's Performing Rights Society, PRS for Music. The initiative is in response to the indie music sector's growing skepticism that royalties are being distributed using accurate data because allocations are based on radio play, manual surveys, and streaming habits.
27:08
The results aim to ensure indie artists aren't losing out to a system bias in favor of a mainstream artist. Next year's Grammy Awards, airing February 7th, gain five new categories across Latin, Asian, Pop, and R&B, as well as updates to categories for best new artists and best album. The criteria for best new artists have been expanded to account for the increased time it currently takes for an artist to gain traction.
27:35
Instead of 75%, the best album now requires only 66 % to be new recordings for eligibility. Winning songwriters and contributors in most genre album categories will join the ranks of producers and engineers and also receive statuettes and certificates. New categories are Best Asian Pop Music Performance, Best R &B Collaboration or Duo slash Group Performance, consequently changing Best R &B Performance to Best R &B Solo Performance,
28:04
Then, best traditional pop vocal performance, best traditional folk album, which will change best folk album to best contemporary folk album, and finally, best Latin song. For a full list of changes, make sure you check page six of the rule book. The NO FAKES, which stands for Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act, aims to protect citizens from voice and visual AI deepfakes, and it was advanced by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
28:34
Operating on a notice and takedown system and counter notice process for errors, penalties per work would be $5,000 for individuals, $25,000 for companies, and $750,000 for non-compliant services. This is the third attempt to pass the bill with this version presented to the House and Senate on May 20th. The bill has support from the major music labels, are Universal, Sony, and Warner, and big tech platforms including YouTube, Spotify,
29:04
OpenAI and others. The opposition that it's getting is actually coming from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which wants it rejected by Congress, supposedly in the name of free speech and fear of censorship. And finally, SoundCloud announced Repost Exchange as a community promotion partner, integrating it into the platform to offer artists a bot-free way to get reposts and engagement on tracks. RepostExchange has been focused on SoundCloud since its 2017 launch,
29:33
and now has over 500,000 artists, DJs, producers, and labels in its community. So, if you're not already using it, now's a good time to check it out and see if it'll work for you. All right, that's a wrap for the music biz. Brief, I'm gonna take a quick pause for the cause, get back to the beats, then I'll be back to close out the episode. Keep it locked.
[BEAT BREAK]
59:25
Alright and that's a wrap for this episode of instrumental intel. I've been your host, music producer, Achickwitbeatz. I really do hope that you enjoy this episode. Make sure that you check out my bandcamp. Tons of stuff there including some bandcamp exclusives. So you can find that at achickwitbeatz..bandcamp.com. So once again I'd like to thank you for tuning in. I'd like to thank my home station, Grander Radio out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Make sure that you come back next week. I got more goodness lined up for you.
59:54
Until next time you know where to find me. Tune in, tell a friend and I'll see you then. Peace.
From Nylon Trax: Achickwitbeatz returns with “Joke’s On You” — a deep and compelling release that blends raw honesty with hypnotic grooves. Inspired by the idea of denial and pride masking true desire, the track delivers both a message and a mood: you can’t hide from the truth when the rhythm exposes it.
The release features the pulsing Original Mix, a bold statement of Achickwitbeatz’s sonic identity, and a masterfully layered Jaymz Nylon Afro Tech ReShape, which lifts the track into a transcendent dancefloor experience. Together, these cuts remind us that music, like honesty, has the power to cut through façades and reveal what’s real.
Pressed on 12” vinyl and available digitally, “Joke’s On You” is a modern underground essential that refuses to pull its punches. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
AuditoryYum. A collection of sonically delicious instrumentals to feed your ears. Available on (most) major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
A story of love and frustration, and the sometimes humorous reality of wanting to turn love into something easier to handle—like anger—but not quite being able to. It's an anthem for anyone who’s ever found themselves in a complicated relationship that’s cyclically infuriating and irresistible.
Produced, written, and performed by Achickwitbeatz, available on all major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
From Nylon Trax: “The talented singer, writer, and producer Achickwitbeatz delights us with another epic house music release, 'Right Now.' Featuring cleverly written and uplifting vocals, 'Right Now' is an infectious track inspired by the challenges of everyday life. It serves as a powerful reminder to persevere, believe in ourselves, and trust our intuition, knowing that we have the tools to manifest a brighter future.
Adding to the magic, Jaymz Nylon lends his dynamic touch with a mesmerizing Afrotech ReShape remix, enhancing the brilliance of the original.
Achickwitbeatz's 'Right Now' is a masterful release, endlessly playable and imbued with heartfelt emotion, destined to leave a lasting impression.”
Written, Produced and Vocals by Achickwitbeatz
Additional Remix Production by Jaymz Nylon
Mastered by James Thomas @ The Cottage
Executive producer: Jaymz Nylon
Published by Man Made Nylon Music / BMG Chrysalis
(p) & (c) 2024 Nylon Recordings/Nylon Trax
Genre: Vocal House, Soulful House, Deep House, Afrotech | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Another chapter in the Dopamine & Serotonin saga has arrived. Produced, written, and performed by Achickwitbeatz, “See Me” is a song that invites you to dive into a sensual escape, transcending the superficiality of a selfish and cold world to uncover a depth of intimacy and genuine connection. Available on all major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Music Marvels with Achickwitbeatz & Breezy Gipson Radio Show aired from May 2016 through April 2024 on multiple platforms including KBC Network, Grander Radio, and KSPX Sparks Radio Network. For new podcast episodes featuring instrumentals, artist insights, interviews & conversations, and music industry news & tips, listen to The Instrumental Intel Podcast with Achickwitbeatz on Saturdays at 7:00 pm ET. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
![Hear Here: Achickwitbeatz - Dopamine & Serotonin [Single]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52b0b90ae4b0293bfed0d692/1710852808557-EZYGFDIBHLBSIRFOVS1Q/Dopamine+%26+Serotonin.JPG)
A collection of gritty, yet soulful instrumentals produced by Achickwitbeatz, available on all major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
A collection of gritty, yet soulful instrumentals produced by Achickwitbeatz, available on all major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Catch Music Industry News With Achickwitbeatz on Music Marvels Radio Show Saturdays at 7pm ET on Grander Radio & Achickwitbeatz.com and on A Show With ABrothaNamedSherm Tuesdays at 2pm ET & 8pm ET on Dream Access TV.
Hip Hop instrumental produced by Achickwitbeatz. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Hip Hop instrumental produced by Achickwitbeatz. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Hip Hop instrumental produced by Achickwitbeatz. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
A collection of Futuristic Hip Hop Soul instrumentals produced by Achickwitbeatz, available on all major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Networking is undoubtedly crucial for music artists to build a thriving career. With so many music events being postponed, it will take some maneuvering to compensate for what would normally occur face to face. Here are four easy ways to strengthen connections and expand your network from a safe space. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
If these unusual times we're experiencing have had an impact on your creativity, here are some tips to help you return to your creative flow. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Hip Hop instrumental produced by Achickwitbeatz. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
There's an abundance of social media platforms for independent artists to utilize. It takes a great deal of energy to create & promote music in addition to day-to-day responsibilities. This makes it understandable why so many artists tend to stick to just one or two of their favorite sites. Though social media is a great way to communicate with fans, it's not always a reliable medium. Adjustments to algorithms, account restrictions, bans, site crashes and breaches can occur at anytime, making it important to have multiple ways to be able to communicate with your supporters. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
![Hear Here: Dagga Man- "Analytics" [Prod. by Achickwitbeatz]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52b0b90ae4b0293bfed0d692/1584638158548-9R55AZLWZIDFJC8LATV6/IMG_2212.JPG)
Hear the upcoming summer single from Dagga Man. Be on the lookout for the upcoming mixtape from the L.O.-H.e.M. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
I wrote an article about the 7 Types of Social Media Music Promoters that was published on Praverb.net. I decided to create an infographic to provide a visual for the information at a glance. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Music Artists can have creative slumps from time to time. It can be frustrating when ideas don't flow as freely as we'd like. Here are some tips to help get you back into your groove. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
There can be beauty in simplicity. Each beat made fresh in less than 10 minutes a piece. Unique, simple & tasty like a fresh batch of hot drop biscuits. Free download, grab 'em while they last.
Listen/download the new instrumental album for poets produced by Achickwitbeatz.
I was recently blessed to chat with the ill lyricist and world renowned & prolific emcee and all around amazing artist Mahogany Jones. Peep the Q&A to gain insight & soak in her wisdom regarding the artistry of Hip Hop.
Download the free eBook from Achickwitbeatz filled with information for independent artists to use to reach their artistic career goals for 2017 and beyond.
Peep/listen/download episodes 1 & 2 and stay tuned for more! Achickwitbeatz Presents: Indie Label Sessions
#IndieIsWhereItsAt 😉 | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
I created the Rhythm Related Recollections series for music lovers to reminisce on some of their favorite, not so favorite as well as even comical musical moments from 10 or more years ago. The good, the bad and the ugly. Everything plays its part in the tapestry of our appreciation for this beautiful art. Looking for a particular album or artist? Just use the search below. Know something that should be included? Use the comment section below. Also, please feel free to drop a comment to share your memories & thoughts about any given recollection!
Free download of a compilation of music from when I first started doing open mics & shows as well as collaborations with a few of my favorite emcees from Michigan. All tracks produced by me of course. Interested in being on Vol 2? Get at me =o)
For independent artists, combining social media marketing, inbound marketing, and SEO amplifies your music's reach. Social media fosters engagement and boosts SEO, inbound marketing draws fans with valuable content, and SEO ensures discoverability. Together, they drive growth and build lasting connections beyond the platforms.
Tips and information to help you achieve your artistic goals. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for you instrumental needs, resources for artists & dope stuff for music lovers.
Free Game Friday offers brief synopses of topics that independent artists need to know for success in the music industry. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Artists who have taken the reins of their music careers can obtain valuable insight to achieve the success they desire. Knowing how often your music is played, how many people are listening and where your fans are located can help you determine where to focus your efforts. If you haven’t already, sign up for both to secure access to your artist account and learn more about how your music is performing across platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has released the 2018 Music Consumer Insight Report. The data within this report provides global trends to help artists understand how people utilize music within their daily routines. Find out how this information may be helpful to your music career.| Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
There are multiple online publications that frequently release articles full of relevant information for artists looking to keep up with current events in the music industry. Many of these outlets use jargon that is common to mainstream heavy-hitters, but often tends make independent artists who don't have the time to research terms feel excluded. As a producer, I've been asked about many of these from time to time, so I compiled a glossary with concise definitions to help you navigate through any article to determine how you can apply the information to your artistic career. If there's another term not listed here that you've seen or heard frequently, but need it clarified, please feel free to mention it in the comments and I'll be happy to include it.
Many of the popular music blog sites that Hip Hop, R&B, House Heads & other genre lovers gravitate to are owned by/affiliated with just a handful of companies. While monetization of your hard work is generally a goal of many in the music industry, the question is how much of the content is influenced/sacrificed for the sake of those who fund the effort?
It happens sometimes. People you thought were down for the trials and tribulations on your path to success disappear, but when things are looking better they don't make the return you thought they would. It's NOT your problem and here's why.
This topic causes a bit of confusion among some artists on occasion, so I created an infographic to make it easier to see the differences at a glance. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Social media can be a bit overwhelming at times and it can be hard to keep up with considering you've got everyday life demanding your attention. Not to mention the time it takes for you to make and market your music to pursue your dreams. It's easy to gravitate to your favorite social media platform and let the others fall by the wayside until it's time to promote that new project or new show coming up. Needless to say, it's a bit hard to get some traction on those tweets if you've been neglecting your audience until you need them. Here are some tips to stay moderately engaged and make the most you can from minimal use of the platform.
Now is the time that many businesses and organizations begin focusing on their strategic plan for the upcoming year. If you're an artist, producer, engineer, etc. without a major machine behind you, you should consider yourself as a business. While it’s important to plan and adjust throughout the year, December tends to be popular as it’s a great time to reflect on how things went and what you wish to accomplish heading into the next year.
New Year's resolutions are great for expressing your intentions, however they may not come into fruition without a solidified plan that details how you will achieve your goals. Take it to the next level and develop your strategic plan to help you accomplish your artistic goals for the new year and propel your career forward at a high velocity.
This was my fifth post for my dearly departed friend & colleague Praverb.
Collaboration is an awesome tool when executed effectively. The benefits to the parties involved can make a huge impact on their individual careers but occasionally, they can go wrong. Sometimes things just happen that can throw off planning, other times people just happen.
When “people” happen, it is not due to anomalies but rather reoccurring habitual actions that lead to expectations not being met. Some of these characteristics can leave a bad taste in the mouths of collaborating artists, producers and promoters, potentially causing social backlash.
If you recognize these traits in anyone you have worked with, are working with or desire to work with you can make adjustments accordingly to spare yourself some headache. If you recognize any of these traits in yourself, reflect on it and take the opportunity to become a person people love to collaborate with.
![Making Music on a Budget [Infographic]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52b0b90ae4b0293bfed0d692/1582844361438-3JTE5NT3EL51FHXC0WJI/making-music-on_1929722%25281%2529.jpg)
Here are some simple tips to make the process of budgeting for your project a less daunting task and easily attainable. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
It happens to many artists and quite frequently those that are tremendously talented. Being an artist requires a certain amount of sensitivity. You see the world differently and you draw from your own personal experiences and emotions to compose something that your fans will enjoy. You are pouring yourself into your music and the thought of someone not appreciating that can be a bit frightening and at times cause creative paralysis. Here are four things to keep in mind to allow you to create freely.
This was my third post for my dearly departed friend & colleague Praverb. He was a HUGE assistance to this post and I will forever be grateful for his guidance, help and the ability to broadcast my ideas and thoughts on his platform.
Social media has become a megaphone for the masses. As music artists and producers we recognize the value that it holds for getting our talent to the ears of people who will enjoy it.
Chances are, you’re connected with others in the industry and have witnessed the various tactics employed to get people to listen.
Some strategies work well for some people, while others...not so much.
Every artist is unique and has a unique fan base, therefore a variety of strategies tailored to your personality and those you are trying to reach is important.
No matter what your style is, make it work for you. Here, I will point out 7 types of social media music promoters.
I worked on a list that I thought would be helpful for independent artists. There's a lot of focus on only a few outlets but there are many to choose from. This list was originally published on Praverb.net, many thanks to Praverb for the assistance and support.
This was my first post for Praverb.net, inspired some of the frustrations I've observed artists contend with. There is a difference between a fan (someone who enjoys your music) and a supporter (someone who contributes their time and or money to enable you to continue in your craft). Here are some simple tips to convert your fans into supporters.
A homage to the golden era of 1990s instrumental beat vinyl. Crafted as the perfect partner for freestyling MCs, dancers, and DJ culture. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.