10/10/2026
A great A&R isn’t just listening for a catchy hook or a hit record. They’re paying attention to the artist behind the music.
What makes them different? What is their creative identity? Do they have something people haven’t heard before? And what could they become with the right development?
This is where an artist’s experience can be valuable.
Artists spend years developing their ears, studying sounds, understanding creative decisions and learning what makes one record stand out from another. They’ve also experienced the uncertainty of creating music and trying to find their place in the industry.
That perspective can help them recognise potential that others might overlook.
But let’s be clear: being an artist doesn’t automatically make you a great A&R.
The job also requires business sense, market understanding, strong judgement, relationships and the ability to think beyond one song.
Ultimately, great A&R isn’t just about finding good music.
It’s about recognising potential, developing talent and seeing what an artist could become before everyone else sees it.
Do you think being an artist gives someone an advantage in A&R, or is industry experience more important? 👇🏾
