Podcast

From Rapping to Producing: Diemond Deryk

Learn how Diemond Deryk transformed from a rapper to a successful producer. Discover his journey, strategies, and tips for aspiring music creators.
Estaban Candelario
Estaban Candelario
Producerfury Podcast Host / Helping producers grow their music business
Updated

In the world of music production, the journey of an artist can take many unexpected turns. For Diemond Deryk, a producer from San Antonio, Texas, this meant shifting from rapping to focusing solely on beat-making. In this blog post, we'll delve into his story, his strategies for success, and what aspiring producers can learn from his experience.

About Diemond Deryk

Diemond Deryk, originally from Laredo, Texas, has been making music since 2004. Initially starting as a rapper, he soon discovered his true passion lay in production. Now based in San Antonio, he sells beats on BeatStars, lands placements, and releases beat tapes on DSPs, Bandcamp, and physical copies. His journey reflects the challenges and triumphs faced by many in the music industry, making him a credible voice for those looking to carve their path.

The Journey from Rapping to Producing

Diemond's transition from rapping to producing wasn't planned. He began rapping over popular instrumentals but soon found himself gravitating towards creating his own beats. "I started making beats out of necessity," he explains. This moment of realization was pivotal; it marked the beginning of a new chapter in his musical career.

Finding Artists to Collaborate With

When Diemond moved to San Antonio, he faced the daunting task of building a new network. Initially relying on word of mouth from his hometown, he quickly adapted by using social media platforms — YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok — to showcase his beats.

  • Tip for Aspiring Producers: Use social media as an advertising platform for your work. Posting videos of your beats can attract potential clients organically.

Diemond's journey has been marked by various challenges, including the impact of COVID-19, which forced many artists to rethink their careers. When he lost his job during the pandemic, it pushed him to commit fully to music production. "I was like, I'm never going to give anyone that kind of power over me again," he shared. This newfound freedom became a driving force, motivating him to produce and distribute music consistently.

First Sales and Building Momentum

In his first month on BeatStars, Diemond made a single sale, which he describes as a turning point. "I was on my way to the new job, I had no money on me and I wasn't even sure how I was gonna eat that day. Then I got a notification: you made a sale. That's when I knew this was for real," he recalls. This small success fueled his determination to upload more content and improve his craft.

  • Actionable Insight: Celebrate small wins and use them as motivation to push forward. Consistency is key in building a brand as a producer.

Marketing Strategies for Success

Diemond emphasizes the importance of marketing in the music industry. While many assume that simply uploading beats will lead to sales, he argues that it's essential to drive traffic to your BeatStars profile. This includes creating engaging content and utilizing social media effectively. He also plays local producer showcases and beat sets — he doesn't love performing, but every set has eventually led to a sale.

Utilizing YouTube for Growth

One of Diemond's biggest regrets was not starting a YouTube channel sooner. He found that consistently uploading content and optimizing it for searches greatly increased his visibility. "That is the main source where people actually go and search up for beats," he says.

  • Pro Tip: Use keywords effectively in your titles and descriptions. For example, tags like "Earl Sweatshirt type beat" can help attract the right audience.
  • Don't Chase Sounds You Hate: Pick keywords inside the wheelhouse you actually love. Making Drake beats because they sell will only make you resent the work.
  • Thumbnails Matter: "If your thumbnail doesn't look good, no one's gonna click on it anyways."

The Role of Beat Tapes

Diemond also discussed his approach to beat tapes, which he uses to compile his best work from the year. He uploads these to various platforms, ensuring that even if a beat does not sell individually, it can still gain exposure through a larger project.

  • Example from the Episode: "I'll drop a little project of some of my favorite beats that I made that year."
  • Release Everywhere: DSPs, Bandcamp, and physical copies. Interestingly, the physical copies outsold the digital ones for him — mostly through word of mouth and shows.

Sampling: The Heart of the Craft

Sampling is where Diemond's passion lives. He makes his own melodies from scratch sometimes, but flipping records is what keeps him engaged — it's the one part of the process where he gets to listen to music while he works.

  • Dig Deep: He pays two collectors, one in Russia and one in the Netherlands, a monthly fee to source and rip rare records for him.
  • Stay Transparent: He always declares samples in the BeatStars contract and leaves the clearance decision to the artist.
  • Manage the Risk: He leans on royalty-free sources and Tracklib, and researches whether a record has already been flipped before using it.

Conclusion

Diemond Deryk's journey from rapper to successful producer offers valuable insights for anyone looking to make a mark in the music industry. His story highlights the importance of adaptability, marketing, and perseverance. If you're an aspiring producer, take these lessons to heart and remember that success often comes from a combination of talent, strategy, and hard work.

Key Takeaways

  • Embrace the transition and focus on what you love.
  • Use social media to showcase your work and build a network.
  • Celebrate small victories and let them fuel your motivation.
  • Optimize your content for search engines to increase visibility.
  • Never stop. His own hiatus came down to not believing in himself, not a lack of support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should a rapper learn to make their own beats?

It's often how producers start. Diemond Deryk was rapping over famous instrumentals in 2004 and only began making beats out of necessity, so his crew could release its own projects. He fell in love with the production side and eventually stopped rapping altogether. Learning to produce removes your dependency on other people's beats, and you may find you prefer it.

Do you need a marketing strategy to start selling beats?

Diemond had no strategy when he restarted in 2020 — he simply posted consistently on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. The strategy came later, once he saw what was working. Uploading consistently and driving traffic back to your beat store matters more than a perfect plan.

Diemond has never had an issue with an artist's release, though he has received copyright claims on his own YouTube channel that only affect monetization. He declares every sample in his BeatStars contract and lets the artist decide whether to buy.

What is the best advice for a producer just starting out?

"If you love it, don't ever stop." Diemond's only real setback was a multi-year hiatus caused by not believing in himself, despite having full support from family and friends.

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