Since its inception in 2010, the Corporatethief Beats Website has gone from strength to strength, forever intertwining creativity and passion with a keen understanding of production and marketing for modern artists.
Daniel Hartnett is the creative behind the project, an established producer with a plethora of resources to his brand. Daniel kindly took part in an interview to talk about his journey, what independent artists can find on the site, and what lies ahead. Here’s how it went.
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Hi Daniel – excited to chat with you, thanks for the interview. For those new to your work, what is the intention behind all things The Corporatethief Beats, and when did you first come up with the idea?
The name “Corporatethief” was inspired by a Michael Moore documentary I watched around 2007-2008, where he referenced the term in relation to the financial crisis. The phrase resonated with me, and I decided to name my YouTube channel “Corporatethief,” without any particular intention for it to evolve further. Initially, I uploaded a few acoustic guitar tracks.
A friend of mine from university in Galway, Mike, lent me his laptop, which had FL Studio installed. As a big hip-hop fan, he encouraged me to use it to create more polished songs. At the time, I was quite narrow-minded when it came to music—if it wasn’t grunge, I wasn’t interested. However, making hip-hop beats opened up a whole new world for me, and I quickly gained an appreciation for the genre.
Before long, I began producing and uploading rap beats, trap beats, and pop instrumentals on YouTube under the moniker “The Corporatethief Beats.” I’ve always been fascinated by financial crime documentaries and shows like American Greed, as well as films about Wall Street, which influenced the branding of my music. I eventually named some of my beats and mixtapes with titles like Greed I$ Good, Money Never Sleeps, and Anacott Steel.
You’re a multi-instrumentalist – a unique angle amidst many producers these days. How does this help your approach to creativity and beat making, and which instruments do you frequent the most when crafting a new track?
I was fortunate that my mum encouraged me to explore a variety of musical instruments growing up, from the tin whistle to the accordion and keyboard. I picked up the guitar on my own at 13 when some friends and I formed a small grunge band. That early musical foundation gave me a natural ear for music—something I only realized later when I noticed others struggled to hear things I could pick up instinctively.
Not to discourage anyone from starting to make beats, but I’ve seen many beginner producers who lack that musical ear. They might not notice when something is out of tune or when sounds don’t blend well together. Having a good ear for music gave me a significant head start in production. (Thanks, Mum!)
When I start working on any type of beat, I need something to focus on—a story, a moment in time, or an artist I admire. Without that, I find it hard to maintain focus.
You originally began as an acoustic artist performing in Galway, later discovering your adoration for Hip Hop. Which artists or songs first ignited your passion for the new genre?
My friend Mike from university introduced me to Kid Cudi through his debut mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi (link: A Kid Named Cudi). I became obsessed with Kid Cudi’s music, and many of the first beats I ever uploaded online were heavily inspired by his style. Like Travis Scott, who has spoken in interviews about how much Kid Cudi influenced him, I share the same sentiment. Cudi had a unique presence—he was different, fun, humble, and really resonated with people our age (I’m 37 now).
Travis Scott also mentioned Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak album as a major influence, which was another source of inspiration for me, sparking both my passion for hip-hop and modern beat-making.
Finding original beats that are legally available and easy to access is a massive hurdle for many modern artists to traverse. How do your blog and services help with overcoming this difficulty?
My goal has always been to offer something different—creating beat packs or instrumental mixtapes that stand out from the crowd.
Think about it: when you’re searching for the perfect beat for your mixtape, album, or single, most top websites are charging anywhere from $50 to $100 per track, right?
I wanted to simplify things for hip-hop artists like you. By offering Rap Beat Packs with 10, 20, 40, or even 150 instrumentals across various genres, bundled with an unlimited lease license—all at one affordable price—I’ve eliminated the complexity and confusion often associated with leasing beats.
Let’s be honest—beat leasing has become unnecessarily complicated. Producers are offering 4 to 6 different types of licenses, each with confusing terms, and charging up to $200 just for a single MP3 lease!
Ask yourself: do you really want to keep paying $50 or more for just one or two beats? Check out the page below to see our latest offers and find out how easy and affordable it can be to get the beats you need.
What are some of your go-to software preferences when you hit the studio?
I began my production journey with FL Studio, but during college, I learned how to work with both Logic Pro and Pro Tools. These days, I use Logic Pro for about 99% of my beat-making—it’s my go-to software. However, I also use Pro Tools when working with bands for engineering purposes, as most recording studios rely on Pro Tools, which has given me valuable flexibility in different studio environments.
What can you tell us about the Rap Lyricists Handbook – what gave you the idea for this, and how was the process of writing a book for you as a creative artist and producer?
The Rap Lyricist’s Handbook was born from my desire to create a resource that’s not only visually appealing but also interactive, featuring QR codes for easy access to additional content. It’s designed to be something you can pick up and use when you need it, rather than something you have to read cover to cover. At over 250 pages, it’s packed with valuable information for writing, recording, and marketing rap music, but it’s meant to be a tool you turn to as needed.
The eBook is vibrant and engaging, yet straightforward, providing practical advice for aspiring rap artists. I didn’t want to create another dull, textbook-style guide—I wanted something I would be excited to read, and I think I achieved that.
Who are some of the artists you admire or have worked with lately, and what’s your biggest hope or ambition moving forwards?
Kid Berg, Sam May and Ricky T have created some amazing tracks using my beats, and I’ve also had the opportunity to work with local bands, helping them with recording and light pre-mixes. It’s been pretty cool to sell beats to artists all over the world. I also worked with music producer Lazy Rida Beats. In terms of dream collaborations, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and Drake are definitely at the top of my list—they’re artists I’d love to work with one day.
What can artists and musicians find through your website that will help them enhance and build their career?
I offer a wide range of music marketing courses, resources, and ebooks to help artists promote their music online. That’s been the main goal of my blog—to become a go-to resource for rappers looking for guidance and support as they start their music careers.
What’s the best piece of advice you could give to aspiring creatives (producers, rappers, artists) in terms of carving out a unique lane and staying focused?
Learn how to promote yourself and stop wasting money on so-called “promo” from people who are just taking advantage. Hip-hop can be a rich man’s game, but there’s no shame in having a day job—use it to fund your music career like an angel investor. Talent alone isn’t enough to make it; you need to invest in your own success. And don’t get caught up in vanity metrics like views and likes—focus on building genuine connections and a real fanbase.
What are your thoughts on the current Hip Hop mainstream, and what are your hopes for the genre in the coming years?
I don’t get caught up in debates about who’s the greatest rapper or not. There are rappers I personally think are garbage and others I really admire, both from the new generation and the old school. That said, I do feel like I’m stuck in a bit of a time warp—I still find myself listening to those old DatPiff mixtapes from 2010. Rappers like Kid Cudi, Kanye, and Drake have had a huge influence on me and my music, just like they did with Travis Scott, helping me stay open to new sounds and ideas.
Is there anything else we should know?
Stay humble; the music industry can be tough, and the online beat-selling game is no exception. Keep your chin up and always strive to do your best.
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Find Corporatethief Beats on X, YouTube & his Website.
