Why A/R is so Important

By Lauren C

The music industry is a broad and sometimes confusing thing, and most people don't realize how much goes into the music that they open an app and play whenever they want. An extremely crucial part of the industry and perhaps the most important role in correspondence with an artist is A&R, or Artists and Repertoire. These professionals are responsible for many things, but especially scouting new talent to bring to labels, as well as overseeing their artistic development. Record labels depend on promising young artists to boost their business and make them money, so A&R representatives are a key part of making record labels money and boosting their attention. 

Aside from scouting new talent, someone who works in A&R helps guide an artist's career after they're signed to a label and helps them reach their full potential. They work closely with artists in every facet of their career, whether that be helping them select songs, finding a producer, or booking recording studios. Without A&R professionals, record labels would be missing a key component on what makes them successful, and artists wouldn't have access to the same resources that their A&R representatives give them. Needless to say, they are very important.