One of the biggest mindset shifts I've had over the past year is this: Stop thinking of every beat as content. Start thinking of every beat as an asset. Content is made to get views. Assets are built to create value over time. When I first started making beats, I was focused on finishing the music. Once the export was done, I felt like the job was over. The more I've learned about this business, the more I've realized that's actually when the work begins. An asset has to be managed. That means making sure: - You actually own what you created. - Your split sheets are completed. - Your metadata is accurate. - Your publishing is registered. - Your PRO information is current. - Your contracts are organized. - Your royalty accounts are set up. - Your payment information is ready before the money starts flowing. Think about it this way... If someone owned a rental property, they wouldn't buy the house and then forget about the deed, insurance, taxes, or maintenance. They protect it because it's expected to generate income. Music deserves the same mindset. Every beat you finish has the potential to become something bigger: - A placement. - A sync license. - A sample. - A remix. - A commercial. - A TV cue. - An artist record. - Or income you haven't even imagined yet. But potential only matters if you've done the work to protect it. I'm realizing that producers don't just build catalogs. We build portfolios of assets. And assets need documentation, administration, protection, and periodic review—not just great drums and melodies. What's one thing you've started doing to treat your music more like an asset than just another upload?

Today is a difficult one. Like many in Atlanta's music community, I'm saddened to hear about the passing of Alley Boy. When we first relocated from New York to Atlanta, Alley Boy was one of the very first artists we built with. We created records together during an important period in both of our journeys, and I got to witness firsthand why he meant so much to this city. Not every artist changes the entire industry. Some change a city. Some become the soundtrack to neighborhoods, inspire the next generation, and leave a cultural imprint that can't be measured by charts or streams alone. Alley Boy was one of those artists. As producers, we often focus on placements, royalties, and building careers. But moments like this remind us that behind every record is a person, a family, and a legacy that extends far beyond the music. If you've had the privilege of working with artists throughout your career, cherish those relationships. Document the stories. Save the photos. Keep the sessions. One day those memories become part of music history. We're grateful we had the opportunity to create alongside Alley Boy, and we'll always remember the impact he had on Atlanta and everyone who believed in his vision. Rest easy, brother. 💫 RIP Alley Boy 💫

In the last few years, Akai has released: MPC Key 61, MPC One+, MPC Live III, MPC XL, MPC Sample, MPC One G2, MPC Key 37 G2. At first glance, it feels like they’re releasing a lot of MPCs. But after taking my MPC Sample on a trip, starting a beat on the road, then coming home and finishing it on my MPC X, I’m starting to wonder if Akai is building something bigger than individual products. It feels less like they’re selling MPCs and more like they’re building an ecosystem where every device has a purpose: • Capture ideas anywhere • Build tracks on the go • Produce in the studio • Perform live • Stay inside the same workflow Kind of reminds me of Apple’s approach. The iPhone isn’t competing with the MacBook. The iPad isn’t competing with the Apple Watch. They all serve different roles inside the same ecosystem. So I’m curious… Do you think Akai is releasing too many MPCs, or are they quietly building the strongest hardware ecosystem in music production right now? And what’s the one MPC you think they still haven’t built?

Just watched a video from producer Bolo talking about how the YouTube beat scene is changing because of AI, Content ID, and oversaturation. One of the biggest things that stood out to me was this idea that somebody could hear your beat on YouTube, run it through AI, recreate something close to it, and potentially build around your idea without ever directly “stealing” the beat. That’s kind of crazy to think about. It also made me think about how much the landscape has changed. Years ago producers were uploading type beats hoping artists would discover them. Now there are so many other ways to get music, and AI is adding another layer to all of it. At the same time, I don’t think this means producers are done. If anything, it feels like it makes originality, identity, ownership, and direct-to-consumer relationships even more important. Curious what y’all think… Do you think AI and oversaturation are killing the YouTube producer space, or is the game just evolving into something different? Here is a link to that video if you would like to watch: https://youtu.be/wvtXpJOE2uc?si=xBpGFsZkVJ7GOa94

I want to bring back big booty miami bass...this is the vibe I'm going for. Also the fact that it cuts off at the end on purpose LOL..