Since clearing samples is expensive in music for independent artists, what is an alternative to having to clear samples?

Answer 1

Besides for creating your own melodies or drum grooves, you can probably use sample packs to your advantage. Services like Cymatics or Splice provide many different kinds of sounds and samples (paid or free) that you can use. Since they are royalty-free, this means that you can use them and publish them in your own music without legal consequence.