It’s a realm where imitation-or at least, inspiration-may not be the highest form of flattery, but it is the quickest way to gain attention. Welcome to the digital world of “type beats,” where producers are as focused on finding the right keywords for their creations as they are the right hi-hats or synth patches. And it helps if those words are “Drake,” “Future,” “Roddy Ricch,” or the names of any number of popular artists who have a sound that up-and-coming rappers and vocalists are looking to tap into. For music producers uploading their work to YouTube, a few keywords can make all the difference in netting a hit.
