Okay time to break things down. I think your best bet is to find an artist that complements your sound and together create solid projects so that people come to you. A lot of unknown producers get placements because they make what the people want to hear, period. I don't think it shows a lack of creativity, they just want their name to build.
Now A&R's idk who your speaking with but the ones I talk with don't want trap beats at all. Trap beats are fading out. I assume you mean mixtape placements because there arent many trap beats on main stream radio. A&R's (the real ones) are always looking for that new sound. Sampling has and always been around. If you just loop thats not new, but find that way to flip it so dope that their like WOW THIS IS NEW!
Back to the artist thing, look into cats in the UK, they are serioussss about their work. I mean they have a solid following (depend on who you seek) and promote where they are trying to break into America. Trap beats are a phase.Pastor Troy, Bone Crusher, David Banner, T.I. Boyz N Da Hood, Jody Breeze and of course many others used to be the top gangsta music artists. If you listen to their production most of it was stagnant meaning the hi-hats were a steady 1/16 pattern and a random 1/8 rimshot made the record hard. Before them listen to NWA, Wu Tang Clan, Biggie, 2pac, Ice Cube, and of course many others their production sounded even more different comprised mostly of samples and one shots. (sorry to blur these time periods kind of together) but the point is it all evolves.
On the business side the music industry is still sinking and sample clearance isn't always favored. Albums arent selling nearly as big as they used to and the majoirty of money comes from touring and merchandising.
As far as the artists you named you should see that they don't put out as much music as they used to. Why? Well they created albums, not the mixtape came is fully saturated and there a lot older and wiser now. Sure the fans will support them but after awhile it just slows down. Every now and again you may hear a record but are you willing to put your time and effort for one record that isn't guarenteed? I've seen posts for cats like that asking for beats but it is far and few between. After getting so much trash the usually end up calling the SAME producers. If Joe Budden asks you to send 3 beats in 1 email w/ only 1 tag in it, yet you send 5 just in case with 50tags and a shit load of links he is going to delete them. Its a business, and if you can't follow directions why should you even be considered? those emails get flooded pretty fast.
Overall my advice to you is to build your name and client base so that the people you want to work with now will come to you eventually. You never know whose that next big thing, so use your gut and ear and have patience. Peace.
