A&R stands for “Artists and Repertoire” and is an important part of the music industry. In general, the A&R department is responsible for discovering new talent and managing artists.
In the past, A&R managers were the gatekeepers of the music industry, deciding which artists to sign and promote. They had a lot of power and influence over the careers of musicians. However, with the advent of digital platforms and social media, A&R managers have lost some of their gatekeeping role, as artists can now reach audiences directly and independently. A&R managers have shifted their focus to facilitating the development and success of artists, providing them with resources, guidance, and connections.
In the past, A&R managers were mainly concerned with the product, i.e., the music, that the artists produced. They would evaluate the quality, originality, and commercial potential of the music, and often intervene in the creative process. However, with the increased competition and diversity in the music market, A&R managers have realized that the product alone is not enough to attract and retain fans. A&R managers have become more artist-oriented, focusing on the personality, identity, and story of the artists, and helping them build a loyal fan base and a strong brand.
In the past, A&R managers relied heavily on their intuition, experience, and personal taste to scout and select new talent. They would often discover artists through live performances, word-of-mouth, or industry contacts. However, with the availability of large amounts of data and analytics from digital platforms, A&R managers have started to use data as a tool to inform and support their decisions. A&R managers use data to identify emerging trends, measure the popularity and potential of artists, and optimize the marketing and distribution of music.
The A&R scouts for potential artists through various channels, such as live shows, social media, streaming platforms, blogs, etc. They look for artists who have a unique sound, style, and personality, as well as a loyal fan base and market potential.
The A&R evaluates the artist’s music, talent, and potential based on various criteria, such as originality, creativity, quality, genre, image, etc. They also consider the artist’s fit with the label’s vision, strategy, and roster.
The A&R contacts the artist or their representative to express their interest and initiate a dialogue. They try to build a rapport and trust with the artist, as well as to assess their expectations, goals, and needs.
The A&R negotiates the terms and conditions of the contract with the artist or their representative. They discuss the artist’s artistic freedom, creative control, financial compensation, rights, obligations, etc. They also involve other parties, such as lawyers, managers, producers, etc.
The A&R finalizes the contract and signs the artist to the label. They celebrate the deal and welcome the artist to the label’s family. They also plan the next steps for the artist’s development, promotion, and distribution.
When signing an artist, A&R Managers focus on several key factors. According to a study by Jari Salo and Heikki Uimonen⁵, these 4 factors play a significant role in the signing-process:
Trashbbx is a beatboxer, beatmaker & music producer based in Munich Germany. Throughout his career as a musician, he has gained a lot of experience working in the music industry.
Cookies help us improve your experience and personalize ads. By consenting, your data can be processed. Choosing not to may impact certain features.