A&R
Label talent scouts
A&R stands for artists and repertoire, the division of a record label responsible for discovering new talent and overseeing their artistic development.
An A&R representative scouts performers, signs them to contracts, and helps shape their recordings—selecting songs, producers, and overall direction.
She got her start when an A&R guy spotted her at a club in Austin.
Inborn aptitude
- signingInscribing one's name
- demoShort trial presentation
- unsignedBearing no signature
- discoveryAct of finding something
roster · showcase · audition · contract · deal · recruitment · ears · instinct
Enforceable written agreement
- signing bonusPayment upon accepting employment
- advanceMove or progress forward
- royaltiesOngoing payments to creators
- exclusivityState of being limited
negotiation · bidding war · budget allocation · recoupment · release schedule · shelved · dropped · renegotiation
Physical matter; pertinent
- songwritersCreators of musical compositions
- publishingDistributing written works publicly
- cover songsRecordings of existing tracks
- catalogOrdered list of items
masters · session musicians · sound quality · hitmaker · collaboration · hook · arrangement
Visual or mental likeness
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
- coachingGuiding others to improve
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
- career guidanceAdvice on occupational choices
song selection · creative vision · market positioning · makeover · publicity · media training · stage presence · crossover appeal
talent
Inborn aptitude
discovery · roster · showcase · audition · contract · deal · recruitment · ears · instinct · potential
contract
Enforceable written agreement
- signing bonusPayment upon accepting employment
- advanceMove or progress forward
- royaltiesOngoing payments to creators
exclusivity · negotiation · bidding war · budget allocation · recoupment · release schedule · shelved · dropped · renegotiation · leverage
material
Physical matter; pertinent
- songwritersCreators of musical compositions
- publishingDistributing written works publicly
- cover songsRecordings of existing tracks
catalog · masters · session musicians · sound quality · hitmaker · collaboration · hook · arrangement
image
Visual or mental likeness
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
- coachingGuiding others to improve
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
career guidance · song selection · creative vision · market positioning · makeover · publicity · media training · stage presence · crossover appeal
- music industryalbum, albums, singles, record label, record labels
- entertainment businessrecording contract, movie deal, book deal, development deal, talent deal
- showbizHollywood, Bollywood, Tinseltown, backstage, behind the scenes
- recordsbirth records, world record, record, Guinness, documents
- music abbreviationsDJ, CD, LP, EP, MP3
- DJ termsmix, setlist, crossfade, beatmatching, drop
A&Rmarketing
Promoting goods to consumers
production · distribution · accounting · sales · publicity
A&Rsales
Revenue from goods moved
marketing · bean counters · suits · bean counter · suit