What does A&R mean to me?The A&R stands for Artists & Repertoire. The main function of a record label A&R is to help their artists creatively while helping the record company financially by signing hit acts and developing them. They are usually music industry professionals that are hired to oversee the entire recording process which includes finding the right songs for their artist, working with the right music producers, finding the right recording studio, etc. A A&R must stay on top of current music industry trends in order to create acts that will do well for the record label. The head A&R that makes the final decisions. A&R people try to sign artists that are already somewhat established.
Basically they are hired to present a trustworthy face to artists and musicians. A A&R must also fight for the label to get the attention of the record labels publicity, sales and promotion departments. It definitely takes a lot of work on an A&R person’s part to get a recording artist from signing to being added to radio play lists and having a video on TV. If the A&R feels like there are not enough quality songs he will have the artist write and record more.
