In the world of music production, commercial acapellas play a pivotal role in adding that extra layer of creativity and depth to tracks. One person who has carved a niche for themselves in this dynamic industry is Ajay Ahuja, the driving force behind the renowned online platform known as AAP Official. As a purveyor of high-quality commercial acapellas, Ajay Ahuja has not only met the demands of music producers but has also set a standard for innovation and collaboration in the music industry.
In this interview, we delve into his journey, his passion for acapellas, and the intricacies of running AAP Official, a website that sells quality acapellas with commercial licenses:
Hello Ajay, can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in the world of commercial acapellas for music producers?
I started off Djing as a kid. Then got in to music production in the 90s producing Jungle tracks. I nearly had some hits but got flagged for copyright issues. Then became an accountant and then a property investor. I have a large portfolio in the UK which funds the acapella business. My initial goal is for one of these 1,000+ acapellas to get remixed and become a hit around the world.
What inspired you to focus on creating and selling commercial acapellas as opposed to other facets of the music industry?
Great question. I realised that the likelihood of choosing a talented producer to remix a chosen acapella and then become a hit would be very very unlikely. So I thought if I can get loads of acapellas then I do not have to choose an acapella as they would be made available to producers and they could choose. Then making these acapellas available to any producer meant that you would get hundreds of producers remixing hundreds of acapellas creating thousands of tracks. And this is exactly what has happened. We now have released over 2,000 tracks and our top 200+ are available on our 3 playlists.
Collaboration is a key aspect of the music industry. Could you share some insights into how you work with other artists and producers to create these acapellas?
We used to list our acapellas on Looperman.com. However their terms state you have to be the creator of the acapella to upload so we do not do so many collaborations as we used to. We also allow producers to download acapellas for free and release on their own artist account and share with us the royalties.
Music producers have diverse needs and styles. How do you cater to a wide range of genres and preferences when producing acapellas?
Im a believer that any genre of acapella can be turned in to a completely different genre track and become a hit. There are many examples of this.
Intellectual property and licensing can be a complex issue in the music industry. How do you navigate the legal aspects of creating and selling commercial acapellas?
We simply buy the rights and reselling rights to the recording. We don't wish to own the song as that essentially is the artist's.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians or producers looking to venture into the world of commercial acapellas or start their own business in the music industry?
Don't hang about and just do it. The world of music has opened up so much. You could literally change your life in a day. That is very exciting. Create, release and then see how the world responds!
As you look ahead, what are your future plans and goals for your commercial acapella business, and how do you envision the role of acapellas evolving in the music production landscape?
I hope to grow my acapella portfolio by about 1,000 per year for the next year or two. Im also hoping for a big name producer to remix one of our acapellas as well. Im just waiting for that break just like everyone else. I'm just glad I'm doing it and not dreaming about it.
What do you look for in an acapella provided by music artists, and how do you ensure it aligns with your quality standards and the preferences of your customer base?
It has to be in tune, ideally a full song and have commercial appeal. And in decent quality, preferably a WAV file.
Could you share a notable success story or memorable collaboration with a music artist that highlights the benefits and mutual growth achieved through your partnership?
Grafezzy is someone we work with closely. We send him commission payments every month as his acapellas sell well.
The music industry is ever-evolving. How do you stay updated with the latest trends and technologies to ensure your acapellas remain relevant and appealing to modern music producers?
Music is music. If it sounds good it doesn't matter if its on trend. You can hear remixes of vocals from the 40s and 50s that have become hits and still get airplay today. If it has musical appeal then thats good enough for me.
As we conclude, we want to express our gratitude to Ajay Ahuja for providing us with valuable insights. If you're interested in exploring his work further and discovering high-quality acapellas, we encourage you to visit his website, AAP Official. Thank you, Ajay for your time and expertise!