--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Usually I start with a beat, I start…" description: "\"Usually I start with a beat, I start making a beat, and my producer side is making the beat. And on a good day, my rapper side will jump in and start t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/j-cole-2-3527_art-making_usually-i-start-with-a-beat-i-start-maki_2814578.jpg" --- # Usually I start with a beat, I start making a beat, and my… ![“Usually I start with a beat, I start making a beat, and my producer side is making the beat. And on a good day, my rapper side will jump in and start the writing process - maybe come up with a hook or start a verse. Sometimes it just happens like that. A song like 'Lights Please' happens like that.” quote by J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/j-cole-2-3527_art-making_usually-i-start-with-a-beat-i-start-maki_2814578.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/j-cole-2-3527_art-making_usually-i-start-with-a-beat-i-start-maki_2814578.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/j-cole-2-3527_art-making_usually-i-start-with-a-beat-i-start-maki_2814578.jpg) > “Usually I start with a beat, I start making a beat, and my producer side is making the beat. And on a good day, my rapper side will jump in and start the writing process - maybe come up with a hook or start a verse. Sometimes it just happens like that. A song like 'Lights Please' happens like that.” [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The creative process begins with a rhythmic foundation, then the lyrical side builds upon it, sometimes spontaneously producing hooks or verses. **In simple terms:** Start with a beat, then add lyrics, often naturally. Key Takeaway Use a solid base to inspire spontaneous creativity. Themes creativity music process spontaneity collaboration Mood energetic focused Type artistic practical When to use this quote - studio sessions - writing jams - live performances - collaborative projects Key Concepts songwriting production inspiration Questions to Reflect On - How does a beat influence your lyrical ideas? - What role does spontaneity play in your best work? A Different Perspective Relying on spontaneity can lead to inconsistent output; structure may be needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-making/) [Beat Producer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beat-producer-3544375/) [Beats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beats/) [Come up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come-up/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Good day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-day/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Hook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hook/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Making Beat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-beat-507936/) [Please](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/please/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Producer Making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/producer-making-1106985/) [Producers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/producers/) [Rapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapper/) [Sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sides/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Start Beat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-beat-1041124/) [Verses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/verses/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-process/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes I start with the beat. Sometimes I can write something down and it takes me a while to figure out how I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cakes-da-killa/sometimes-i-start-with-the-beat-sometimes-i-can-write-something-down/) [Cakes da killa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cakes-da-killa/) > [Why do you always start after my beat then rush to catch up? Do you want us to stay behind?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-ormandy/why-do-you-always-start-after-my-beat-then-rush-to-catch-up-do-you/) [Eugene Ormandy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-ormandy/) > [I think it's good that producers are showing more ways to show their artistry and be more the artist, you know? Not just the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustard/i-think-it-s-good-that-producers-are-showing-more-ways-to-show-their/) [Mustard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustard/) > [When you're making this kind of music, you don't need a producer. If you're making pop albums or trying to write hit singles, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/when-you-re-making-this-kind-of-music-you-don-t-need-a-producer-if/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I'm a SoundCloud, online kind of artist. It's not like back in the day when everyone was like linking up physically to do music.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cakes-da-killa/i-m-a-soundcloud-online-kind-of-artist-it-s-not-like-back-in-the-day/) [Cakes da killa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cakes-da-killa/) > [Every now and then there might be a beat someone turned down that I have as an unused beat. But everything that predominantly matches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dj-premier/every-now-and-then-there-might-be-a-beat-someone-turned-down-that-i/) [DJ Premier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dj-premier/) > [One of my favourite Donald Byrd tracks is 'Think Twice,' and I didn't want to sample it. I've always enjoyed when other people have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-dilla/one-of-my-favourite-donald-byrd-tracks-is-think-twice-and-i-didn-t/) [J Dilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-dilla/) > [I could blow up from making a beat or I could blow up from making a song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trippie-redd/i-could-blow-up-from-making-a-beat-or-i-could-blow-up-from-making-a/) [Trippie Redd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trippie-redd/) > [I'm always creating. Whether I'm writing a lyric or making a beat, every day I'm doing something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendon-urie/i-m-always-creating-whether-i-m-writing-a-lyric-or-making-a-beat/) [Brendon Urie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendon-urie/) > [Two people making a beat is really like one person making a beat. But you have another person's brain. So what might sound good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/metro-boomin/two-people-making-a-beat-is-really-like-one-person-making-a-beat-but/) [Metro Boomin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/metro-boomin/) > [I've got a lot of songs about having fun and partying, but it's a lot of work. Sometimes, I make 50 songs and pick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juicy-j/i-ve-got-a-lot-of-songs-about-having-fun-and-partying-but-it-s-a-lot/) [Juicy J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juicy-j/) > [“Someone’s coming.” Terry McCaleb looked at his wife and then followed her eyes down to the winding road below. He could see the golf…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-connelly/someone-s-coming-terry-mccaleb-looked-at-his-wife-and-then-followed/) [Michael Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-connelly/) > [“Yeah, I'm just trying to figure out what it means. I've never heard of bonds sharing languages either, and yet...' I pull her even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-messenger/yeah-i-m-just-trying-to-figure-out-what-it-means-i-ve-never-heard-of/) [Shannon Messenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-messenger/) > [Whenever we start making a 'Devil May Cry' game, one thing we think about is, 'What new weapons are we going to have for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hideaki-itsuno/whenever-we-start-making-a-devil-may-cry-game-one-thing-we-think/) [Hideaki Itsuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hideaki-itsuno/) > [Russia and the USA are two largest nuclear powers in the world; it's a really important relationship. How do we start making this work?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-w-tillerson/russia-and-the-usa-are-two-largest-nuclear-powers-in-the-world-it-s-a/) [Rex W. Tillerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-w-tillerson/) ## More by J. Cole > [The same ones you love will bring you pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/the-same-ones-you-love-will-bring-you-pain/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [It's the way I enjoy making art - I like sitting down and making five beats; I enjoy that process. I can go two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/it-s-the-way-i-enjoy-making-art-i-like-sitting-down-and-making-five/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [Producing all my own songs and refusing to go to the hot producer. That's the biggest risk I've taken so far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/producing-all-my-own-songs-and-refusing-to-go-to-the-hot-producer/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [Sold my soul to Satan. I've been dancing with the devil. So when you get to hell you can say you know me. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/sold-my-soul-to-satan-i-ve-been-dancing-with-the-devil-so-when-you/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [I truly believe that I make my path and I set my course, and where I land, at the end of the day, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/i-truly-believe-that-i-make-my-path-and-i-set-my-course-and-where-i/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [My parents were divorced by the time I was even conscious - like, I don't remember them ever being together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/my-parents-were-divorced-by-the-time-i-was-even-conscious-like-i-don/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [You hate it before you played it. I already forgave ya.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/you-hate-it-before-you-played-it-i-already-forgave-ya/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [Yeah school girl, cool girl. Your dress is sexy and your momma is a cougar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/yeah-school-girl-cool-girl-your-dress-is-sexy-and-your-momma-is-a/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [When I first started rapping, when I switched my style to more like a punch line style - this is when I'm like 13…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/when-i-first-started-rapping-when-i-switched-my-style-to-more-like-a/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [I'm not gonna be bad at anything, and I want to actually be the best at anything I'm doing. So if I'm playing basketball,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/i-m-not-gonna-be-bad-at-anything-and-i-want-to-actually-be-the-best/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [We got dreams and we got the right to chase 'em, Look at the nation, that's a crooked smile braces couldn't even straighten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/we-got-dreams-and-we-got-the-right-to-chase-em-look-at-the-nation/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [I seen a baby cry seconds later he laughs... the beauty of life, the pain never lasts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/i-seen-a-baby-cry-seconds-later-he-laughs-the-beauty-of-life-the-pain/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [If I'm a character, it's a biographical movie. My character is as close to me as possible. As close to being myself as possible.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/if-i-m-a-character-it-s-a-biographical-movie-my-character-is-as-close/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [You can't take yourself too seriously. Like, yeah, I'm doin' all that, but still I don't feel like I've done anything, really. I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/you-can-t-take-yourself-too-seriously-like-yeah-i-m-doin-all-that-but/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [When you're headlining, people are paying to come see you specifically. It's a different kind of pressure, because you've got to deliver. You've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/when-you-re-headlining-people-are-paying-to-come-see-you-specifically/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) [Explore all 128 J. Cole quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) ## More Art making quotes > [Russia and the USA are two largest nuclear powers in the world; it's a really important relationship. How do we start making this work?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-w-tillerson/russia-and-the-usa-are-two-largest-nuclear-powers-in-the-world-it-s-a/) [Rex W. Tillerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-w-tillerson/) > [“Someone’s coming.” Terry McCaleb looked at his wife and then followed her eyes down to the winding road below. He could see the golf…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-connelly/someone-s-coming-terry-mccaleb-looked-at-his-wife-and-then-followed/) [Michael Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-connelly/) > [“Yeah, I'm just trying to figure out what it means. I've never heard of bonds sharing languages either, and yet...' I pull her even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-messenger/yeah-i-m-just-trying-to-figure-out-what-it-means-i-ve-never-heard-of/) [Shannon Messenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-messenger/) > [Whenever we start making a 'Devil May Cry' game, one thing we think about is, 'What new weapons are we going to have for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hideaki-itsuno/whenever-we-start-making-a-devil-may-cry-game-one-thing-we-think/) [Hideaki Itsuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hideaki-itsuno/) > [Before we start making blanket statements about abolishing the IRS, I think it's important to focus on what the tax code for the 21st…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-boustany/before-we-start-making-blanket-statements-about-abolishing-the-irs-i/) [Charles Boustany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-boustany/) > [I grew up watching monster movies and horror movies, which I felt were like fairy tales and I think this always spoke to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/i-grew-up-watching-monster-movies-and-horror-movies-which-i-felt-were/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [“Should we start making preparations here? (Tory) Punk-ass won’t come to my island! He knows better. You don’t tap on the Devil’s shoulder unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/should-we-start-making-preparations-here-tory-punk-ass-won-t-come-to/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [In a way, to have whatever people talk about as "crossover success," I think it means you start making bad music. I mean, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/in-a-way-to-have-whatever-people-talk-about-as-crossover-success-i/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [“Strong Mercy: My desires are many and my cry is pitiful, but ever didst thou save me by hard refusals; and this strong mercy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/strong-mercy-my-desires-are-many-and-my-cry-is-pitiful-but-ever-didst/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“Where did this whole thing begin? If what we think of as reality is just a pattern that somebody brought Outside, and the universe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/where-did-this-whole-thing-begin-if-what-we-think-of-as-reality-is/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [We never sit down before we start making a record and talk about this new sonic palette that we are going to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-gibbard/we-never-sit-down-before-we-start-making-a-record-and-talk-about-this/) [Ben Gibbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-gibbard/) > [I think it killed my sister as the times she was living in were so conformist. This is a subject I really want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-think-it-killed-my-sister-as-the-times-she-was-living-in-were-so/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [It's kind of true that they just start making the same movie over and over again. It's also true that the times dictate what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jane/it-s-kind-of-true-that-they-just-start-making-the-same-movie-over-and/) [Thomas Jane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jane/) > [“One of the advantages of no longer being young is that you're expected to start making up your mind about certain things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-teachout/one-of-the-advantages-of-no-longer-being-young-is-that-you-re/) [Terry Teachout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-teachout/) > [The art is not in making money, but in keeping it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proverb/the-art-is-not-in-making-money-but-in-keeping-it/) [Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/proverb/) [Browse all 415 Art making quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-making/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Usually I start with a beat, I start making a beat, and my producer side is making the beat. 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