What the hell is an “A&R” anyways?
The term "Artists & Repertoire" (A&R) originates from a time when artists did not create their own material, requiring record label representatives to match them with songs and musicians.
In hip-hop, A&R involves scouting and signing new talent as well as overseeing the musical and lyrical direction of an artist's work.
Some A&R professionals are skilled talent scouts with less involvement in the creative process, while others provide essential artistic guidance for the production of an album, even if they did not sign the artist themselves.
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