A&R
Arts & Entertainment abbreviation · Music
| Stands for | Artists and repertoire |
|---|---|
| Categories | Arts & Entertainment |
A&R stands for Artists and repertoire, a music abbreviation.
Record-label department, and the executives in it, responsible for finding and signing artists, matching them with songs and producers and overseeing recordings. A&R reps scout clubs, demos and social media.
Example: An A&R rep from a major label came to the show after seeing the band go viral.
Usage notes
Historically, A&R staff paired singers with songs from music publishers. John Hammond of Columbia Records signed Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Today streaming data and TikTok trends play a large role in A&R decisions.
Related abbreviations
More music abbreviations
- accel. – Accelerando
- ADSR – Attack, decay, sustain, release
- AMA – American Music Award
- AOR – Album-oriented rock
- ASCAP – American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
- BMG – Bertelsmann Music Group
- BMI – Broadcast Music, Inc.
- BPM – Beats per minute
- BTS – Bangtan Sonyeondan
- BWV – Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (Bach Works Catalogue)
- CHR – Contemporary hit radio
- CMA – Country Music Association