Want To Make Beats Online But Don't Know What Path Is Best To Take?

Here's an interesting article I came across about how to make beats online. Enjoy...

Want To Make Beats Online But Don't Know What Path Is Best To Take?
by Brendon Zahrndt

Okay. You have decided that a career in music is in your future. You may even have enough lyrics for multiple cd's. One of the most important things for you to believe is that you have the talent to make your life the life you know you deserve. You simply have to take action now and get the ball rolling. One of the most successful ways to get your music career started is to produce your own music with your own lyrical content. Contrary to popular belief this can be done very easily.

The biggest mistake in taking this step would be to go out and spend an inordinate amount of money on music maker software when you should allocate your funds elsewhere early on in your career. There is music software that I suggest you look into that will help you make beats online rather than waste money in a studio right off the bat. Remember--there will be time for all of those things...you are only getting your feet wet here. Stick to a budget that makes sense. I'm talking under $50 for starters for your software. I used Sonic Producer to create shell music for some videos I was creating.

The nice thing about it is the learning curve is very short and you can get 24/7 support. When you are ready to record the last thing you need is to spend the next 6 months learning how to make beats online because the program is too sophisticated. Again, your music production software should be easy enough to learn quickly yet respected enough to make great music. The one I use has tutorials for days that are simple. The learning curve is quick. Having music that converts to mp3 is important because you will undoubtedly be rehearsing with your mp3 player.

Believe it or not, there is some music software out there that won't let you convert those files you create and won't tell you that either. Don't get burned here. You need untagged music as well. This program will fit any genre. Most important of all though, is taking action. Most people get caught up with outfitting themselves with products that are highly overpriced, setting them behind. Be smart! You can get your music career going very quickly without breaking the bank.

I have seen some of the best never get out of the holes they create from themselves financially. I have also seen products hit the market that were overpriced and much too complicated to learn in a day. Studio costs are insane. If I could make beats online from the comfort of my own home without spending $100 per hour to record, I would. Wouldn't you? Now it is time to take action. Good luck.

Brendon Zahrndt is a music lover. He believes that the easiest, most cost effective way to get a music career going is to make beats online. He also believes in taking 'smart' action to get your career going.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brendon_Zahrndt

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com
www.Beats4ADub.com
www.MusicMarketingPromotions.com

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The Rap Beat Creator Podcast Episode 8

I know you've been waiting for this. It's been hectic but I finally put together another Rap Beat Creator Podcast. Episode 8 is called "What is Your "Why" for Making Beats?" Its from an article I wrote a couple of weeks ago.

Click on the link below to hear the mp3 file. It will play instantly on your media player and you can even download it.

"What is Your "Why" for Making Beats?"

If the link won't play, you can copy and past the link below into your web browser and it should begin to play.

http://www.free-hot-rap.com/rbcp_ep8.mp3

Let me know what you think but most of all, use it!!!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com
www.Free-Hot-Rap.com

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What Is Your "Why" For Making Beats?

I've been working on this blog post in my mind for several days now. I learned this question from a top producing real estate broker several years ago. I was at a seminar and he was the main speaker. One of the things he said that really stuck out then and it still rings in my head today is: What is your "Why" for doing what you're doing?

What he meant by your "Why" was what is your core motivation for doing what you want to do. What are you primary reasons?

That really struck a lasting note for me and every so often I ask my self that question.

What is my "Why" for being in the music business?
What is my "Why" for making beats?

My "Why's" may be different from your "Why's" but its crucial to identify what your "Why's" are.

Some of my "Why's" for being in the music business include being passionate about my art and being in control of my own destiny. I am big fan of being self-employed or operating a true business where you don't even have to be present for it to operate.

Another "Why" would be because I like to travel and the music business gives me the ability to do just that. Its great to get paid to perform in a place you've never been to but have always wanted to go. I've been from Vermont to California because of my involvement in the music business.

Some of my "Why's" for making beats include being able to record lyrics whenever I want and with the sounds I want. I want the music to sound as close to what's in my head as possible. Another "Why" is the ability to create another stream of income. The music producer gets credit for writing songs as well.

So there you have it. Think about his question and memorize it. Use it as a gauge to constantly measure how you feel about making music. Once you know your "Why", its like you'll always have an internal compass to guide you on your path to success.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.TheRapBeatCreator.com
www.Free-Hot-Rap.com

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Something I Found Out I Can Do With Reason 3.0

Yep it's official! I know I should have figured this out a long time ago but sometimes things don't always work out. What have I figured out how to do?

Sampling!!!

I know you might be saying, "Mello, come on bruh. You're just figuring that out?" Yep, I am.

So since I've added this new powerful tool to my arsenal, it means I have more capability to experiment with different beats and sounds.

Stay tuned folks. I'm about to come with dat heat!!!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

www.RapBeatCreator.com

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The Rap Beat Creator Podcast Episode 6

Whassup? This is Episode 6 of The Rap Beat Creator Podcast. It's called:

"Starting a Hiphop Label vs. Getting Signed."

Click on the link below to listen to it right now:

"Starting a Hiphop Label vs. Getting Signed."

If you've ever wanted to learn about the pros and cons of starting your own record label then you NEED to listen to this free podcast packed with all kinds of music industry tips.

If you're just getting into the business this will give you realistic look at what is like to be an artist on a label versus running your own.

To listen now click the link below:

"Starting a Hiphop Label vs. Getting Signed."

I always encourage feedback.

Thanks for your support!!!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. Since I started doing my podcast, it has gotten over 1,000 downloads. My last 2 episodes as of this writing combined for over half of that total. The Rap Beat Creator Podcast is getting big and if you don't keep learning about what it takes to be successful in the music business then you're gonna be left behind so keep listening...and watching...

Make Beats Online With Sonic Producer

Hey, check out this video I put together on a live review of Sonic Producer. I've been telling people about Sonic Producer for almost a year now, and the response has been great.

If you're just getting starting in the music production game and you want to make beats online without buying a bunch of expensive equipment, then Sonic Producer is for you.

When I say you can make beats online, I really mean it 100%. There is no other software on the market like it and for under $30.00 bucks it has solidified its place in history.

Here is the video for you to check out...



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I tried to be as candid as possible & I had fun making the review. I encourage all feedback though. I have tough skin so don't hold back. You can comment here or directly @ YouTube.com.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Rap Beat Creator
www.RapBeatCreator.com
www.MusicMarketingPromotions.com

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The studio is back in effect. All haters be forewarned!!!

When I hopped up out my bed & turned my swag on this morning, I knew I would have a great day. I'm alive and well. My family is healthy. I have a job and a successful music hustle. I'm good.

On the real though, I finally, finally, finally got my computer issues squared away and my computer is ready to go.

One of the first things I did was....you guessed it. I made a beat. It felt good to know that I still had rhythm! I'm not sure if I'm going to feature it on the Rap Beat Creator Podcast this week but I'm sure you'll be hearing it soon...

Speaking of the Rap Beat Creator Podcast, I should have Episode 5 completed by this evening. The title is "How to make your own beats that create residual streams of income".

There is lots of money to be made whether you make beats online or use computer software like Reasons or Fruity Loops. Regardless of which method you choose, getting paid many times for a beat that you made once is the way to be successful in the music game.

I'll let you know when Episode 5 is complete.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com
www.MusicMarketingPromotions.com

Dagnabit, foiled again!!! But there's good news too...

Hey, I know I haven't blogged in a while but it's all good. I told you about all the trouble I was having getting Windows XP to act right on my computer a few weeks ago.

Well, its still acting "fugly".

I don't know exactly what I did but whatever I did it wasn't right. I mean the computer is mad slow and it still locks up every now and then. And upgrading it is out of the question because the motherboard...well...it sucks to put it bluntly!

What I've decided to do is to get a new motherboard and CPU. I've found a place where I can get a motherboard and CPU bundle for around $150 so I'm gonna take advantage.

Here's what I'll be able to do with a new motherboard:

• Make more beats (what else would come before that?)
• Have better sound quality while making beats
• Produce "The Rap Beat Creator Podcast" quicker
• Upload video footage from live shows and live product reviews
• And more!!!

I should have this completed by Saturday. This computer downtime stuff has been kickin' my butt since January...JANUARY. I'll let you know how it goes...

On to other things...

I'll be working on the next Rap Beat Creator Podcast tonight. I should have something for you tomorrow...

Music I'm feelin' right now:

• Keri Hilson - "Turning Me On" - This is just a well put together song. No question. Polo killed the beat and Keri and Lil Wayne slayed the lyrics. This is a great example of a well written song. Period!
• Rick Ross - "Magnificent" - Another banger. The track by Justice League is bangin'. Rick Ross drops some nice jewels and John Legend add his own soul spin to the track. But the biggest factor on this track is the beat with nice breakdowns and the xylophone loop. NUTS!

I really like well put together songs. These two songs will not just be hits, they'll be classics!

Holla..

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com
www.MusicMarketingPromotions.com

The Rap Beat Creator Podcast Episode 4: 3 Essential Steps To Making Your Own Beats

Here's the link to this weeks Rap Beat Creator Podcast. Its called:

"3 Essential Steps To Making Your Own Beats...
...How You Can Make Beats That Make MONEY!!!

Click here to listen now!!!

I had a little fun with this one and I think you'll enjoy it.

For those of you who've requested to hear different beats, keep listening for This Week's Featured Beat segment during the podcast interlude. The Featured Beat is for sale for $29.99 until April 30th, 2009! If you want to get more info, hit me up at mello@free-hot-rap.com.

However, The Rap Beat Creator Podcast is absolutely FREE and you can listen to it or download it so you can listen to it later, right now by clicking the link below:

The Rap Beat Creator Podcast Episode 4

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Here's what people are saying about The Rap Beat Creator Podcast:

"I look forward to your next Rap Beat Creator Podcast." - Mike DoubleD
http://www.myspace.com/treesreachingdown

"Mello, this was very informative. It is good to hear how creative people work." - Eric G.

Enjoy and make sure to leave me comments about the Podcast.

Let's shoot for 10 to keep a good dialogue going.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com
www.MusicMarketingPromotions.com

P.S. In case the link doesn't open automatically in your media player you can copy & paste the link below in your browser:

http://www.free-hot-rap.com/rbcp_ep4.mp3

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Be On The Lookout For The Rap Beat Creator Podcast

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls,

The Rap Beat Creator Podcast is coming soon. It'll have mostly current events in music and some music business tips but it will be entertaining!

I'll send out the first podcast by the end of this week.

Also, coming early 2009, I'll be revamping my best selling audiobook "How To Get Thousands of Dollars Worth of Free Hiphop Advertising" as well as releasing my new book, "Teach Me How To Rap."

You'll be the first to know...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Working On A New Beat

I'm staying persistent with making beats. I started on one a couple of days ago and worked on it yesterday.

I plan on mixing it later today and then putting it up for sale.

You'll be the first to know...

Let's make it happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. If you would like to know more about how you can make beats online and make your own beats check out my beat review site at www.RapBeatCreator.com.

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Make Beats Online With Sonic Producer

There's a new software on the scene that lets you make beats online. It's called Sonic Producer.

Not only does it teach you how to produce music but Sonic Producer lets you make your beat online then export your song as an mp3 file so that you can upload it to MySpace, I-Tunes, Facebook, etc.

For under $30.00, its a good way to start making beats especially if you can't afford more pricey equipment.

For more detailed information on Sonic Producer check my full review at www.RapBeatCreator.com.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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WHO DID THAT BEAT? Frequency "Makes It Good" With Snoop & Ghostface : NODFACTOR.COM

Here is another producer who demonstrates that hard work and persistance will pay off in the end. Check out this article on beat maker Frequency from NODFACTOR.COM.

WHO DID THAT BEAT? Frequency "Makes It Good" With Snoop & Ghostface : NODFACTOR.COM

It goes to show you hard work does pay off. Also, if you're not up on NodFactor.com then you're missing out on some good interviews with very successful producers.

If you want to get more placements or sell more beats online, you should check out the review I did on LiveOffBeats.com. There are some other tutorials online but I like the fact that the site host, Postman, starts his training with your mental attitude.

If yo mind ain't right, how can you ever expect to attract opportunities and make money. You have to see yourself getting your beats sold & see yourself actually collecting checks. You are what you think!

Education is the key...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. If you're really serious about getting into the production game and making a living from the beats you make, you should check out this review on LiveOffBeats.com. It might just change your life....

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Developing The Habit Of Persistence

One of the keys to being successful in life is developing the habit of persistence. It doesn't matter if you want to be the best beat maker, emcee, football player, doctor, lawyer, etc.

If you want to be the best, you must be persistent.

The legendary basketball champion Michael Jordan is a great example of being persistent. Mike practiced and practiced until he became almost flawless. You know the story. Cut by his high school basketball team, he went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.

He won a NCAA Championship in college, 6 NBA Championships, NBA All-Star Trophies, Olympic Gold Medals, and all kinds of endorsements.

The passing of my friend JAX showed me something and it made me take the time to reflect. STAHR The FEMCEE said JAX told her she needed to get in the habit of writing everyday. It didn't have to be much. It could be a couple of bars but as long as it was done everyday it would become a habit.

Last night on WRFG 89.3 on Jay Force's show Rhythm and Vibes, I heard so much music from JAX that I never heard before. That Brother was truly on the grind...

...before it was even cool to say grindin'.

What I came away with was to step up my game. Double my failure rate. Stay focused on what I want to see manifest in my experience. Use concentrated force to overcome road blocks.

I'm already committed to blogging everyday. I would like to add a new commitment of making my own beats everyday and/or working on a song.

This is not hard for me to do because I'm so used to writing. Writing is easy. What is hard is staying focused on the big picture sometimes.

With all the challenges life brings your way, it can be difficult to prioritize and do what really needs to be done but once you put all the excuses to the side and just do it, life gets simpler.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

The Importance of Follow Up

I just got through checking my web stats and I'm glad I did. I recently sent out an email blast to my list with a new beat I made. I wanted to test the response to the beat so I sent it out to my email list and WOW!

I had more people open that email than any other email that I've sent out about the music business.

I was really shocked. I had scanned over these figures a few days ago but I didn't really think about the significance until today.

What I found out is people are still interested in custom beats. After all, I do give away 7 beats just for signing up to The Hot Instrumentalist Newsletter.

My results lead me to try another test using the email and I will soon put another "Beats For Sale" page up at The Rap Beat Creator.

You'll be the first to know...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Finding The Right People to Buy Your Beats

Now for my continuing rant about marketing. Like I said in a previous post, marketing is the lifeblood of your business. If you don't have customers, you don't have a business.

So how do you find the right people to sell your beats to?

You have to identify your target market.

How do you do that?

You identify your target market by doing research such as demographics and psychographics.

What are demographics & psychographics?

Here are the definitions according to AllBusiness.com:

"Demographics are the average or typical characteristics of the people who buy your products or services. Such characteristics include age, income, education, status, type of occupation, region of country, or household size.

"Demographics can also include the age of children, the status of home ownership, one's home value, and whether one's home is located in an urban or a rural location.

"Psychographics take this idea a step further: These include people's lifestyles and behaviors — where they like to vacation, the kinds of interests they have, the values they hold, and how they behave.

"To hone this information to fit your marketing needs, you will need to conduct research — survey people who have bought your products or those who use similar ones.

"You need to know both demographics and psychographics in order to advertise and sell your product effectively. You'll need to match the audience's characteristics of the media you choose with the characteristics of your desired purchasers.

"In that way, you won't loose precious dollars on wasted advertising and marketing."

I couldn't have said it better!

There is really no shortcut to finding out who your customer is. You can try but you'll "loose precious dollars on wasted advertising and marketing"....

....and why would you want to do that?????

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. If your primary goal is to make a living by making your own beats, then I would like to suggest you to LiveOffBeats.com. Live Off Beats can help you get sales for your beats so that you can make beats on a full-time basis.

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Are You On The Guest List? I Am!

Here is yet another marketing idea that worked for me back in the day when I was doing street promotions. It worked so well, my homeboy Eddie Meeks adopted it and later, Prophetix made it into a song!

I'm not sure what we were promoting at the time but Dialated Peoples was in town performing and their fans are our target market.

Whatever it was we were promoting, I made sure we always promoted our stuff as well. Since we were getting paid to put out flyers and posters for someone else, it was like we were getting paid to put our material as well...

...but that's another story!!! LOL!!!

Anyway, Eddie and I went there for one purpose: to get in. I told Eddie, "watch this, I bet we get in the show".

What I did next goes down in history...

I walked up and told the person at the ticket booth, "I should be on the guest list. My name is Mello Melanin." I was a guy and a girl and the guy said, "We don't see it. Are you sure?"

I was like, "Yeah, I'm with such and such records and these are our promotional materials. Why else would I be here."

He thought about it for a second then he said, "Oh okay, go ahead on in the club."

Eddie & I went in the club and celebrated where they couldn't see us. From then on the approach was named, "The Guestlist Tactic".

We did our work by passing out flyers and putting up posters then we chilled out and enjoyed the show.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. To use this tactic you must use absolute confidence. You can't go to anybody unsure of yourself but if you are confident this usually works well.

P.S.S. Used properly, you probably won't have to pay to get into another club. In fact, you'll find that you will often be put on the guest list simply by asking.

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More About Marketing Your Beats

Here is a follow up to my blog last week about marketing. Let's blow the lid off of what you think you know about business right now.

How important is marketing?

First, lets define what marketing is. A quick definition is matching buyers to sellers or in our case matching rappers to beats.

A more technical definition by the American Marketing Association is:

"Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large."

Damn, that's too much to remember! BUT...

...it's the key to having a successful business.

Marketing is the lifeblood of your business. If you're not communicating with your target market then your business will suffer.

You can be slack in every other aspect but if you slack in marketing, your business will sink!

Why? Because marketing brings in the MONEY. A good marketing plan helps you identify your customer, helps you find out what they like, and creates the situation where you can get the sale.

And a really good marketing plan helps you get the sale over and over again. And ultimately that is what you want in your business: repeat customers and referral customers.

Now you really need to listen to this point. This is what separates the person who makes beats online and makes a fortune and the guy who make beats online and gets few if any sales.

The secret is this:

Your business is really TWO businesses in one. Your primary business is to make your own beats and your secondary business is to market your business.

Once you get this firmly in your mind, you'll change the way you look at the game and...

...you'll begin to make more sales.

Once again, if you're really serious and not just looking for a get rich quick scheme there is help out there for you to learn how to market your beats successfully.

Click on LiveOffBeats.com to get started marketing your beats now because if you don't market, no one will know you exist!!!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Guerrilla Marketing For Music Producers

I had a conversation with DJ Pocket from Serious Knock Entertainment (www.seriousknockent.com) the other day about a new artist he's releasing on his label, DJ Razor Ramon.

http://seriousknockent.com/Store-DJRazorRamon.htm

Our conversation was about how to marketing Razor Ramon to get better exposure & sales. I shot some ideas to Pocket about what he could do because I know he wants his project to be successful. Who doesn't?

We covered everything from flyers to email blast in a short period of time. It was like a crash course in guerrilla marketing in 7 minutes.

One thing I covered with him was how the copy (which is the wording in the advertising) actually sells the product not just the image. The image should enhance what the copy is saying to the reader.

Some people think that they can just put a nice "Photoshopped" picture on a piece of paper, billboard, website, or whatever and think their product is gonna sell like hotcakes.

I got news for you my friends. It ain't gonna happen!

Contrary to popular belief, people do read and its the words on the advertising that do the selling.

The example I gave him is using a flyer with text only on bright card stock paper. Previously, I told you about how I promoted "Da Unfold". I used really bright yellow card stock paper for our flyers with black text ONLY on the front and back and our logo. I put them all over Atlanta everywhere my target market hung out and out of town as well.

They were cheap to produce and we reached alot of people that way. When you don't have a big budget like a major label you have to figure out ways to make an impact.

Remember the music business is still competition and you have to make noise to get noticed.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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$700 Billion or Bust!!! Make Beats Or Die Bitches!!!

With all this talk about politics (Obama & McCain), the economy (Big bank takes little bank), and the $700 billion bailout (Um, where's my cut?) , its nice to know that making beats is still a good source of income.

I came across this ad about how to make money selling your own beats and of course I just had to see what it was about (since that's what I preach and teach).

What I found was a great candidate for review at my main site over at www.RapBeatCreator.com.

The site was called LiveOffBeats.com.

This site was not focused on how to make your own beats but it was focused on how to make money off the beats you've already made. I read the sales letter on the web page and I said to myself, "my subscribers might be interested in this."


I checked out the free video that was posted and it was pretty good. So I signed up for the newsletter about 2 weeks ago and I've been getting all sorts of free music "placement" tips.

The producer and webmaster is named Postman and he really has the production game down pat plus the Internet marketing game too. The testimonials are really good and he even list some names you may know of people who've used his system and made money.

So for all those people who are cryin' about not having any money and are too broke to buy a 25 cent Little Debbie Oatmeal Pie, this site is for you.

You already know how I feel about educating your self about the music biz...

....and the bottom line in ANY business is about what? Making money!

Click on the link below and see for your self:

www.LiveOffBeats.com

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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