Beat leasing is the reason a lot of independent releases sound expensive without costing a fortune. You can grab a professional instrumental, record your vocals, drop the song on DSPs, and start building momentum fast. Still, the business side matters. In 2026, the big wins come from artists who treat the license like part of the creative process, not an afterthought. Table of Content Beat leasing, explained like you are about to release a song Lease vs exclusive: what actua