Before You Hit That "Buy" Button…
If you’re an independent artist, chances are you’ve already come across the topic of beat licensing.
It’s one of those areas that seems simple on the surface, but the more you dive in, the more confusing it gets.
Buying beats online has become the go-to move for most artists who don’t have direct access to producers or a label that connects them with one. And honestly, that’s a good thing. It opens the door to thousands (if not millions) of beats from producers all around the world. 🌍
But here’s where it gets tricky.
Every online platform, whether it’s BeatStars, Airbit, or a personal producer’s website, comes with its own rules. Even within non-exclusive licenses, the details can vary a lot.
For example, one producer might set the Basic license limit at 10,000 streams, while another offers 50,000.
Why?
Because every producer has the freedom to create their own licensing terms.
Some choose to sell both exclusive and non-exclusive beats.
Others stick strictly to non-exclusive sales.
So if you’re asking yourself:
Should I buy exclusive beats?
Are non-exclusive licenses enough for me right now?
When’s the right time to switch from one to the other?
This article is for you. Today, I'll break down everything you need to know about licensing, without the confusion. 🚀🎶
Non-Exclusive Beats
Let’s start with the most common model of selling beats online: non-exclusive licensing.
If you’ve ever jumped on YouTube, typed in “Trap Type Beat” and found something to freestyle or write to, you’ve probably seen a link in the description leading to BeatStars, Airbit, or the producer’s own website.
That’s where the licensing options come in.
Here’s the deal: when you buy a non-exclusive beat, you’re not the only one who can use it. That same beat can be sold 10s, 100s, or even 1000s of times.
The real product here isn’t the audio file itself, it’s the license. 📑
Most producers usually offer a few tiers, Basic, Premium, and Unlimited. Each one gives you different rights and different files.
- A Basic license might only let you hit a certain stream limit (like 10k or 50k plays).
- Premium usually includes higher limits, better quality files (like WAV), and sometimes tracked out stems.
- Unlimited is typically… well, unlimited. No caps on streams, live shows, or monetization.
Every producer sets these rules differently, so you always need to check their licensing/pricing page to see what you’re actually getting.
Quick tip: if you’re just starting out and recording your first songs, a clean WAV file is more than enough. Some producers only sell MP3s at the Basic level, but honestly, MP3s aren’t ideal, they’re compressed and lose quality. That’s why in my own store, even the Basic license comes with WAV by default.
Anyway.
If you already have a small fanbase, a budget for mixing, and you’re pushing your music harder, then Premium or Unlimited licenses make a lot more sense. You’ll get better quality files, access to stems for mixing, and higher (or no) limits on streams and performances.
So what does non-exclusive really mean?
It means the beat is not yours alone.
Even if you buy it, the producer can (and will) keep selling that same beat to other artists. Tomorrow, someone else could grab the exact same license.
That’s why the license itself, not the beat file, is the actual product. The producer is giving you the right to use their beat under the terms you paid for.
And this model is insanely popular. It’s affordable, accessible, and lets independent artists release professional-sounding songs without breaking the bank. 💰
What Does “Exclusive” Actually Mean?
So what exactly does exclusive mean? Let’s break it down.
There are usually two ways producers handle exclusive beats:
Exclusive option on top of non-exclusive sales.
On some platforms, a beat can be sold as non-exclusive many times… but also have the option to be bought exclusively.
Here’s how it works: let’s say 1000 artists already bought non-exclusive licenses for a beat. If the 1001st artist decides to buy the exclusive license, those previous buyers keep their rights under the terms they paid for. But from that moment on, no new non-exclusive licenses can be sold.
Basically, the beat is “locked” moving forward.
Stores with only exclusive beats
Other producers (and honestly, I think this makes way more sense) only sell their beats exclusively from day one.
In this model, a beat sits in the store waiting for just one artist to buy it. Prices usually range anywhere from $300 to $1000, sometimes even higher, depending on the producer’s reputation. 🤝
Once it’s sold, that’s it. Nobody before and nobody after will ever have that beat. Only the artist who bought the exclusive license owns the rights to use it.
Personally, this approach feels much cleaner.
If I were an artist looking to buy exclusives, I wouldn’t want to risk someone else having already used the same beat in their track. That’s why, in my own store, I don’t sell exclusives on top on my non-exclusive licenses.
If an artist really loves one of my non-exclusive beats and wants it exclusively, they can reach out directly, and we’ll work something out.
But I keep my catalog exclusive-only because I want artists to know they’re getting something 100% unique. 🎯
Copyrights
Here’s something a lot of artists get wrong when it comes to beats: buying an exclusive license doesn’t mean you own the copyright.
The producer is always the copyright holder of the beat, both the composition and the recording.
That’s how beat selling works. If the producer made the instrumental, it’s their intellectual property. 🧠
When you buy an exclusive license, you’re essentially paying for the right to use that beat in your own music. You get the ability to release it, monetize it, perform it, and claim it as part of your track. But the underlying copyright to the beat remains with the producer.
This is where confusion often happens. Many artists think that paying for exclusivity automatically means they “own” the beat outright. That’s not the case.
The reality is:
- With non-exclusive licenses, multiple artists can use the same beat, but each has legal rights under their license.
- With an exclusive license, only one artist gets that right moving forward.
But in both cases, the producer is still the copyright holder of the instrumental.
Think of it like this: you’re not buying the copyright, you’re buying the right to use. That’s a huge difference, and one that every independent artist should understand before making a purchase. 💸
Cost vs. Value: Which One Pays Off?
Besides exclusivity itself, the biggest difference between non-exclusive and exclusive beats is, of course, the price tag. 💰
- Non-exclusive licenses usually cost between $30–$200, depending on the tier. Within that range you’ll often see 3–4 options (Basic, Premium, Unlimited), each offering different rights, file formats, and limits.
- Exclusive beats typically start around $200–300 and can go up to $800–1000+. Some producers even break this into tiers, like $300 for a WAV-only license, $500 for WAV + stems, and so on.
So, which one actually makes sense?
The classic answer: it depends.
If you’re just starting out, building your brand, and recording your first tracks, non-exclusive licenses are the smartest move. For $30–60 you can already get a solid WAV file, put vocals on top, and have a polished track you can release legally. Don’t overthink limits in the beginning - yes, it would be amazing if your first single hit millions of plays overnight, but realistically you’ll spend some time growing your audience first.
On the other hand, exclusive licenses are better suited for artists who already have a developed brand, a growing fanbase, and a clear direction. These artists don’t want anyone else rapping or singing on the same beat, and they usually have the budget to make that investment.
And here’s a third option many artists overlook: custom beats. 🎹
Producers often create custom instrumentals specifically for artists who want something 100% unique.
But here’s the catch: always ask whether the custom beat is going to stay exclusive to you, or whether the producer also plans to upload it to their store as a non-exclusive option.
Neither option is wrong, but you should know exactly what you’re paying for.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about the cost, it’s about the value the beat brings to your career right now.
If it helps you sound professional, grow your fanbase, and build momentum, then it’s worth it - no matter which route you choose.
Bonus: Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out
If you’re ever unsure about a license, whether it covers certain rights, how many times a beat has been sold, or if there’s a chance to buy it exclusively, the best move is simple: ask the producer. 💬
I, for example, check my email every morning to see if someone reached out with questions, new orders, or custom requests.
If you write to me, I’ll always do my best to reply and help you out. A good producer should care about both their craft and their clients, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
This kind of communication can lead to something bigger.
Maybe you’ll build a relationship with that producer, and one track will turn into a longer collaboration.
In the music industry, relationships are everything. 🤝
And here’s the truth: sometimes just by asking, you can make things work in your favor. For example, if an exclusive beat costs $1000 but you only have $700, it’s worth writing:
“Yo, I’ve already recorded a demo on your beat and I love it. Would you consider giving me a discount or working out a deal?”
You never know, if the producer believes in your vision, they might say yes.
At the end of the day, communication and professionalism are key. Building a good relationship with a producer not only makes the process smoother, it also opens doors you didn’t expect.
Wrapping It Up
Exclusive or non-exclusive? At the end of the day, there’s no single right answer.
Both options have their place, and it all depends on where you are in your journey as an artist.
Non-exclusive beats are perfect if you’re just starting out, working with a smaller budget, and want to release music legally without overthinking ownership.
Exclusive beats, on the other hand, make sense if you’ve already built a following, you’re serious about your brand, and you want to lock in a sound that’s 100% yours.
Whichever path you choose, remember this: it’s not only about the beat itself, but also about the relationship you build with the producer. Communication, trust, and shared vision are what take your music to the next level. 🎯
Maybe one day we’ll work together, I hope so.
If you want to reach out, ask me about my process, or just talk music, you can always contact me here. 🚀
Take care,
Baxon 👊
