What is a type beat? It is an original instrumental made in the style of a well-known artist and named after them so rappers can find it. A "Future type beat" sounds like the dark Atlanta trap Future raps on, but Future had no part in it and earns nothing from it. Artists buy type beats under a license to record and release their own songs.
What is a type beat in music?
In music, the word works like a genre tag. Producers started writing an artist's name followed by "type beat" in their YouTube titles, and rappers looking for a sound like Pop Smoke, Lil Baby or Central Cee found ready-made instrumentals. The name describes a style: the drums, the tempo, the 808s, the mood. It became the standard way independent producers sell beats: a preview on YouTube or on their own store, and a license to buy before you release anything.
Is it legal to use a type beat?
Yes, once you hold a license from the producer who made it. The artist named in the title has no part in the beat, so two rules matter:
- Do not present your song as a collaboration: no "feat." and no artist name in your song title.
- Do not release a beat you downloaded without a license. Previews carry a voice tag, and the untagged files come with the license.
Read the license before you pay: it says where you can release the song, whether you can monetise it and what radio, TV or live use requires. Some YouTube beats are labelled free; our guide to free for profit beats explains what that tag really allows.
Melodic, sample and other type beats
Producers also name beats by style rather than by artist, and the same logic applies. A melodic type beat puts the melody first, the lane of melodic drill type beats and melodic rap. A sample type beat is built around a sample, flipped into something new. You will also see beats named after a city, a scene or a mood: Detroit, dark, guitar, sad. Whatever the label, listen for what matters to your song: tempo, key, space for your voice and where the hook can land. If a beat uses a sample, ask the producer whether it is original or cleared.
Where to buy a type beat
Start from the sound you hear in your head, then narrow it down: trap beats for sale for the Atlanta lane, drill type beats for sale for UK and NY drill, R&B beats for sale for sung records, or an artist blend such as the Central Cee x Dave type beats. Every NKSounds beat plays free with a voice tag. The Standard license (€49) gives you untagged MP3 and WAV to release and monetise your song, with 3 beats for the price of 2; the exclusive (€499) removes the beat from sale. Not sure which one you need? Read lease vs exclusive beats.
