TL;DR
Lease beats are cheap, limited-use licenses (MP3 + WAV) for a single project. Exclusive beats are full-ownership licenses (WAV + stems) that remove the beat from sale. Buy lease for demos and first singles; buy exclusive for major releases where you need to own the beat.
What is a lease beat?
A lease license grants limited usage rights for a low price (from around $9.99). You get untagged MP3 + WAV, with defined limits on streams, copies and distribution. The beat stays for sale to others. Lease is ideal for a first single, demo or small release.
What is an exclusive beat?
An exclusive license grants full ownership. You get untagged WAV + stems (individual tracks), and the beat is removed from the marketplace so no one else can buy it. Exclusive prices start around $199.99. It's the right choice for a major release or when you don't want anyone else using the beat.
Which should you buy?
- Testing a song or a first release? Lease is enough and keeps cost low.
- Planning a bigger release, EP or music video? Standard (WAV, broader rights).
- Want to own the beat outright? Exclusive.
Can I upgrade from lease to exclusive?
Often yes — many producers let you pay the difference. But once someone else buys the exclusive, the beat is gone. If you're serious about a release, lock in the exclusive early.
FAQ
Do I own the beat after buying exclusive? You own exclusive usage rights; the producer keeps songwriting authorship. The beat is removed from sale.
Can I use a leased beat on Spotify? Yes, within the lease's streaming limits. For unlimited release, buy Standard or Exclusive.
What are stems? Individual track files (drums, bass, melody) for full mixing control — included with Exclusive.
Buy lease or exclusive beats on BeatBoard.
