If you’re an independent artist looking to make your mark in the music industry, you might see leasing beats as a compromise—something less professional or authentic. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Leased beats have played a crucial role in the rise of both emerging and established artists, shaping some of the biggest hits in recent years. In this post, we spotlight some major success stories that prove it’s not about whether a beat is leased—it’s about how you use it.

Russ – Harnessing the Power of the Lease Beat

Multi-platinum artist Russ has always been open about the fact that he built his career using leased beats. In his early days, he relied exclusively on them, taking a DIY approach by recording, mixing, and mastering his own tracks. This allowed him to release music at an impressive pace, helping him grow a dedicated fan base that quickly establishing himself as a force in the industry.

Russ’s secret was focusing on selecting high-quality beats that perfectly complemented his top-tier songwriting. He quickly realized that his listeners didn’t care whether the beats were leased—they were drawn to the way he transformed them with his sharp lyricism and creative vision. As his career progressed, he began working directly with producers, securing exclusive rights to his beats, and even producing his own music. This evolution showcased how much he had learned from the very leased beats that helped launch his career.

Lil Nas X – “Old Town Road” and a $30 Beat

One of the most famous success stories involving a leased beat is “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X. The track spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the longest-running chart-topper in U.S. history—all from a beat originally purchased for just $30.

The producer behind the beat, YoungKio, had initially leased it to Lil Nas X, meaning other artists could have used the same instrumental. However, once the song started gaining massive traction, a new deal was negotiated to secure exclusive rights and a royalty split. Additionally, since the beat was built around a Nine Inch Nails sample, further clearance was required.

While exact figures remain unconfirmed, it’s widely speculated that YoungKio earned over $1 million from the track. What’s certain is that “Old Town Road” launched Lil Nas X into superstardom—and he hasn’t looked back since.

J. Cole – Hip-Hops most Credible Rapper’s Rise through Lease Beats

J. Cole is widely regarded as one of the most successful and critically acclaimed rappers of our time. Known for his authenticity and lyrical depth, he built his early career using non-exclusive beats, a fact that many fans might not realize. As well as other using other artists beats It’s believed that several instrumentals on early mixtapes such as The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights, were leased beats. This just goes to prove that even the most respected artists have used this approach to gain exposure and connect with a wider audience.

Much like Russ, J. Cole’s experience working with leased beats played a key role in shaping his artistry. Over time, he developed his own production skills and now takes full creative control over his sound, solidifying himself as not just an elite MC, but also a highly accomplished producer.

Logic – The Power of Non-Exclusive Production

Logic is regarded as a trailblazer of contemporary trap-orientated rap music. As such Logic began his career dependent on the growing lease beat market. Logic used leased beats and instrumentals from various producers looking for sounds that would aline perfectly with his distinctive and original delivery. Rather than focusing on whether the beats were exclusive, he concentrated on lyrical content, flow, and storytelling. This allowed him to concentrate on growing a dedicated fanbase. Once he had the budget, he moved toward working with exclusive producers on more of a one to one basis. Logic’s journey is a testament to the fact that great music will always shine through, whether or not the beat is exclusive.

Remember – RouteNote Create now offers some of the best beats on the block.  sign-up now to check em out!

try freE