The Power of Music

Sep 03, 2013 by strat - Comments Off

Connecting Your Emotions to the Beats

This world would be a colourless and flavourless orb if music were to suddenly cease to exist. How would we even survive? I know I’m not alone when I hear a song come on and it takes me back to the emotions I had when I first heard it. Perhaps it specifically speaks to a situation you may have been in at the time or it reminds you of a loved one. In any number of ways, we relate to songs whether they are well written love songs, inspirational songs, or even just our favourite pop beats and rap beats. Take the JT song shown above as an example. If you have felt as though you were totally in love with someone, this song is gonna make you sit there and daydream. Maybe your even lucky enough to look over at that person next to you and smile while the song is playing.

Remember the Feeling you had when you First Heard certain Rap Beats?

To all the real hip hop heads who go apeshit at just the first chord of the beat to a classic hip hop track. I remember feeling the adrenaline flowing each time I’d hear the first 4 bars of T.R.O.Y (Pete Rock & C.L Smooth), Award Tour (ATCQ), C.R.E.A.M (Wu Tang), Gin & Juice (Snoop), Chief Rocka (Lords of the Underground)…..this list could go on forever so let me quit while I still have your attention. This should be an inspiration to all you songwriters and producers out there. Strive to put that emotion in your songs and your rap beats so that listeners and artists who buy beats online can feel that connection. Don’t just make tracks because you feel you have to. Allow the art and the music to flow from you via the highways of true inspiration and enthusiasm.

Make Your Rap Beats and Songs Bang!

Sep 02, 2013 by strat - Comments Off

Bigger Rap Beats!

One of the most important things in the life of any musician/producer/artist in today’s music scene is the mix quality of his or her product. We all long for the crispness, loudness and warmth of the tracks released by major label artists, especially in Pop and Hip Hop. Producers such as myself have been able to make great strides in improving the mixes of the rap beats we provide for artists who buy beats online. This provides the artist with the opportunity to make songs which already have that big major label type sound. One of the main reasons we can provide this quality is the affordability of top notch technology in today’s audio software and hardware.

There is no great secret to top quality mixes in your songs/rap beats.

There is no sure fire formula for success in anything. In terms of mixing your songs, pop beats, rap beats, reggae tracks et al, if you are an independent artist doing it all in your home studio, there are tons of resources available online to help you understand the world of mixing e.g. http://therecordingrevolution.com/. There is a wide range of information on this site, but one of the things one needs to focus on is monitoring. You need to be able to have a clear and uncoloured output of your raw music so that you can make accurate mixing decisions i.e. being able to accurately determine whether your bass level is either too low or too high. Good studio monitors are practically everywhere but here I want to show you a new entry from KRK Systems. This company has fast become one of the most popular and reliable providers of affordable, high quality studio monitors and you can check out their latest product here.

Buy Beats with Quality Mixes and Make More Accessible songs

To those of you who buy beats online, the equation is simple: Better mixed beats can equal better mixed songs and better mixed songs are more easily accepted in today’s music industry. In an era where lyrical content is no longer much of a focus, one must recognize that the public is now focused on the ‘bigness’ of your sound and the emotion and power in your music. Be sure to buy beats that will enhance this part of your overall projects.

INDUSTRY TALK: New Visuals from Barbadian Hip Hop Stars RLG!

May 03, 2013 by strat - Comments Off

Way More Than Just Rap Beats for Sale

Ok I know this is the first post I made in a loooooong time but I’ve been through a complicated period recently. However things are back on track! This video and track is from a group of young guys from right here in Barbados that I’ve taken under my wing. I think they are set for success and stardom. I also have to mention, they are closely affiliated with rising star Haleek Maul. If you dont know who he is, Google him or search him on twitter.

The track is called ‘At This Moment’ and it features flows from Trizzy, Jonny K and Chuck Larry along with a smooth hook by Jay Tremaine. The beat of course is produced by yours truly and if you are interested in buying beats online, then go to my site (the link is right there in the text).

With that I just wanted to show that I also seek to personally assist artists with their development rather than just get them to buy rap beats online. My purpose is to be more personally involved in the creative process and I hope you will join the mailing list and let me know what vibes get you going as an artist. Lets make some good music!!

INDUSTRY TALK: HOT NEW VIDEO! Nitro Evahype “Doin My Thang”

Sep 17, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

Beats and Rhymes in a Visual World

Hot off the press is the new single and video from Barbadian rap star Nitro Evahype from the Triple E Movement. Shot and directed by the team at RKADE Media, the single is Nitro’s declaration of the virtues of a carefree, fun filled lifestyle.

As usual, the production and mixing was handled by yours truly and is a prime example of why artists can find and buy some of the best beats online. The beat is a smooth mixture of soulful musicality and new school Hip Hop edge.

Buy Rap Beats for Your Next Single

If you are an indie Hip Hop artist and you’re on a budget, now is the best time to buy beats online. Nitro’s video is a perfect example of what you can achieve as an indie artist in today’s highly visual and highly social music market.

Haleek Maul: Rising Hip Hop Juggernaut

Jun 26, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

Oxyconteen Album Art

MY MISSION: FROM MC’ING TO RAP BEATS FOR THE ONLINE MARKET TO BUY

I’ve been making rap beats for many years now. However, only recently I got into the market where artists buy beats online. While a good living can be made there, the real passion of a producer comes from sitting with an artist and building a project from concept to reality. This is sort of embedded in my DNA now. I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum having started out as a rapper flowing over Wu Tang and Mobb Deep instrumentals, then moving on to making my own rap beats and finally making the transition to being a producer for others. Since then I’ve made it my mission to develop young talent and help them get their creativity out. Enter: Haleek Maul.

ANOTHER AVENUE TO ONLINE SUCCESS WITH MAKING BEATS

Experts have given plenty of explanations regarding how to be successful selling beats online. From the active use of social media, to email marketing, to effective branding, these are all touted as useful ways to build your beat selling business and attract the attention of artists who buy beats online. I’m beginning to focus more on the idea of branding in a more specific sense. Haleek came to me late in 2011 with all his ideas and all his plans. At first I was skeptical. Here was a 15 year old Barbadian-American kid who didn’t seem at all like he would be a rapper. Then I heard his flows, lyrics AND his beats (yea he makes rap beats too) and I was thoroughly impressed. We eventually worked on and completed the Ep that you can listen to in the Soundcloud player above. Check out track number 2 “Inebriated”. That’s the one produced by me and even though he worked with other great producers, this tracks seems to be the one that stands out.

Even if only indirectly, Haleek is about to seriously help me with my branding. This little dude has the backing of UK label Merok Records and is featured on NUMEROUS top hip hop blogs including FADER and SPIN and you can check out the SPIN article here. This kind of coverage is invaluable to both the artist and the producers and one would be a fool not to be grateful for it.

The TAKEOVER IS COMING

Haleek is poised to do major things in this game. That is without a doubt. I would encourage all producers who cater to artists who prefer to buy beats online, to also look to work with promising artists from their area/region. If your beats help get an artist some major face time online, it can translate to a whole heap of publicity for you and hence traffic for your website. As with everything else it takes time but if you’re gonna take the branding route, there aren’t many better ways that to have a great track record of making hit SONGS as opposed to just beats.

One of the Realest Songs in Hip Hop….In a Long, Long Time

May 28, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

THE REASON I MAKE RAP BEATS

Nas has long been one of my favourite hip hop artists and perhaps one of the top 5 MCs of all time. April 19, 1994: Illmatic’s release date. This date was also the date that hip hop music changed for me forever. I had never heard an MC say the things Nas was saying in the way in which they were being said. Blew my mind. That album took my writing and rhyming to a whole new level. Not to mention the beats. Blew my mind again. From “New York State of Mind” to the Q-Tip produced “One Love”, It felt as though the energy of the culture itself had possessed Nas and his collaborators and producers for the period while this album was being created. I felt as though I had to make beats and make them as sick as what I was hearing. Of course back then there was no one to buy beats online. Shoot I didn’t even know too much about the internet then, or computers for that matter. Music like that is why I do what I do. Some like to call it “real hip hop” but I prefer not to imply that newer hip hop is less real because most of you young artists who are presently doing your thing, some of you even buy beats online at my site, are in this present era and honestly you’re doing good work. I’d rather say that songs which define the overall feeling of the culture are the songs that continue to inspire me to make rap beats.

INSPIRATION: THIS IS WHY YOU BUY BEATS

The video above is Nas’ latest offering from his upcoming album “Life Is Good”. The song “Daughters” is simply Nas speaking on his life as a father and the ups and downs of raising a girl, not only in this society, but raising a girl as a single black man with his own past transgressions still haunting him, and raising a girl as, well Nas. This song is inspirational on so many levels. To those of you who have daughters it will make you stop and think about your own relationships with them. To you artists, just listening to the beat, Nas’ flow and his lyrical content are sure to send you straight to your rhyme book or to your studio to pour out the creative juices that come spilling over. To you guys, this is why you need original rap beats. This is why you’ve always wanted and still feel that urge to be the best MC ever. This is why you buy beats online, and thus, this is why I’m here. Thank you and thank Nas and every other artist that continues to inspire the engine of hip hop.

How To Create Beats the Industry Will Demand

May 21, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

CREATING RAP BEATS THEY WILL WANT TO BUY

In the video above, I take you step by step and part by part through the creation of one of my latest beats. I’ve started to attract more success in terms of getting more beats sold, working with more artists and creating and selling more loopsets and sample packs for other producers. Most recently, I was connected with a licensing company interested in placing my music (rap beats, pop beats, full songs etc) in advertisements and TV shows. I’ll have an update on that in another post. Right now I’m just giving a little insight into what i do to make my sound more appealing to a wider cross section of artists who buy beats online and producers who use loops and samples.

There is no magical formula for making hot rap beats that artists will want to buy online and I can’t teach you what is not naturally a part of the talent you would need to possess. However I will give you a few points to give an idea of my personal process

PROFESSIONAL RAP BEATS START WITH A PROFESSIONAL MINDSET

If you are a producer trying to achieve a marketable sound with your rap beats, or if you are an artist who buys beats online then these points may interest you:

Develop at least a basic musically understanding. Learning to play chords, understand scales and the formulae for identifying major and minor scales are great ways to improve your skills. (Google the “Circle of Fifths” as well)
Understand the genre. Different genres are made up in different ways and they each carry their own unique sounds and styles. Learn which types of drums and tones suit which genre and use them well.
Listen to the music being released in your genre. If you’re making rap beats, listen to what’s hot in the hip hop world, both the mainstream and the underground. Chances are you will want to be able to cater to either type of artist.
Remember you are in business to succeed. Learn as much as you can about marketing and the psychology of why people buy things. It’s not just about great beats but also about an overall mindset.
Try to collect sounds and instruments that are being used in the latest styles. If your sound seems dated then it will be more difficult to attract artists with that they hear from you.

BUY BEATS ONLINE FROM THOSE WITH PROVEN EXPERTISE

Artists, it will be easy to tell the producers who follow the points above (or similar guidelines). The ones who don’t will have beats that are probably not well mixed or just don’t have the appeal of today’s hits (both mainstream and underground) that you are looking for. If you do buy beats online, make sure your money is well spent on quality beats.

Rihanna – This is Why You must ALWAYS Follow Your Dreams

May 10, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

Rihanna_Terry Richardson

A SALUTE TO RIHANNA FROM A PROUD BARBADIAN, WHO HAPPENS TO MAKE RAP BEATS

Hot off the press comes Rihanna’s new racy photos, taken by Terry Richardson. As usual she is the epitome of sexy, but this is not what I’m here to talk about. Hot on the heels of her debut acting stint in the blockbuster “Battleship”, Rihanna has apparently been cast in the role as a villain in the upcoming “Fast & Furious 6”. So let’s see, she’s been on top of the music world with hit after hit since 2005, she is a perennial trendsetter in the fashion world and now, a movie star. A bet she’s glad she went down the rabbit hole!

As a fellow Barbadian I just want to send all my love and support to Rihanna. Though some of us trash talk her and openly disapprove of what some call raunchy behaviour, me I’m open minded and think she should just keep doing her. Not to mention the fact that since her music has taken on a much harder edge, I’m hoping I can get her to check out the rap beats I’m slingin’ LOL!

MESSAGE TO ALL ARTISTS, WHETHER YOU BUY RAP BEATS ONLINE OR MAKE YOUR OWN

Rihanna is a great example of why you must ALWAYS follow your dreams. No matter how many times naysayers tel you that you’re being unrealistic, tell them reality is created by thought, emotion and action and that you intend to align those three things to create yours as you see fit! She has gone from a little girl singing at the Combermere School (here in Barbados) to…well, Rihanna.

If your aim is to be a rap artist, whether you’ve got multi-platinum dreams or you just want to be a hometown hero, the only one responsible for investing in your dream is you. Don’t expect everything to come free. This is why we are here, to offer support and a place where you can buy beats online at really affordable rates. Obviously you can’t keep using industry instrumentals because the world wants to hear your originals, and for that you need original rap beats.

I WANTED TO MAKE RAP BEATS FOR A LIVING, I BELIEVED IN ME AND NOW…

Well I’m not doing Rihanna numbers yet but that’s the aim and no matter what your dream is, it will only come to fruition if you can see it in your mind’s eye and feel it as though it’s already real. Instead of looking at what others have and feeling as though you’re lacking, look at all the blessings you have and use that as fuel to go harder after your dreams. Don’t sit there and criticize successful people as though they’ve done wrong, be glad for there success. Yours is coming. Get up and get what you need. If you’re a rapper, buy rap beats. If you’re a basketball player buy new kicks and new ball and get on the playground. If you’re an aspiring doctor or lawyer, get the books you need. Life is actually not that complicated!

MIXTAPE REVIEW: Jay. D & Nelly Nell – The Outline

May 03, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

The Outline - Jay. D & Nelly Nell

Every once in a while in Hip Hop this happens. An artist or group/pair artists comes along and brings a project that makes you say “Why the fuck are these guys not household names worldwide?” Then you remember that fame in this era is not necessarily based on talent. This is why I love independent artists. This is why I continue to strive to make the best rap beats possible, so that I can support the indie Hip Hop world.

Enter Jay.D and Nelly Nell and I’m sorry but I need to say this. This mixtape is one of the most refreshing things I’ve heard in Hip Hop in a while. I almost felt like I was transported back to what I like to call the glory days of Hip Hop, which saw the rise of Jay-Z, Nas, Fat Joe, Wu Tang, Busta Rhymes and others.Representing Philadelphia, Jay. D and Nelly Nell came through and delivered “The Outline”. The tape plays like an album from start to finish. From the opening track, which happens to be the title track, the pair of MCs spit bars over soulful yet hardcore beats like their lives depended on it. Listening to these guys brings to mind legendary duos Hip Hop like The Beatnuts, Raekwon & Ghostface, Heltah Skeltah and Mobb Deep. The subject matter ranges from clever braggadocio lyrics to getting high (“Roll Another Plane R.A.P” on that ill Jill Scott beat “Long Walk”) to women and more. Many of the songs have the potential to be hits with the right marketing.

Witty lyrics abound and instead of trying to quote any of the punchlines, I’ll simply suggest you take a listen. More than just the lyrics, these guys come across on the mic with such an effortless flair and ability to paint pictures and mesh seamlessly with the beats. In short the tape is a pleasing listening experience especially if you’re a true Hip Hop head. I give this tape a straight 5/5, no joke. Go download it NOW it’s right here. And to all you artists that may be reading this, here is a challenge. The next time you look to buy beats online and get your lyrics together to drop another tape, push yourself to reach the highest level possible because these cats are setting the bar way up in the stratosphere.

The Need for Real Music

Apr 26, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

A MESSAGE TO ARTISTS WHO BUY BEATS ONLINE

The video above is an old one and you’ve probably seen it before if you’ve ever visited my site. However I wanted to use it to illustrate a point. This is a pet peeve of mine so forgive me if I get emotional. Here’s the thing: producers/beatmakers need to STOP getting on youtube posting tutorial videos and beat making videos where they are drawing in notes with a mouse. Seriously? I’ve seen so many producers with videos on youtube featuring some kind of beat they’re making in FL Studio (particularly rap beats) and they’re creating chords and melodies with their mouse. STOP IT!

I understand and appreciate that technology has provided software that’s user-friendly and gives more people a chance to make beats and potentially make a living from them by promoting them to artists who buy beats online, or at least have a creative outlet. However, if you’re going to exhibit yourself, supposedly as a professional, then go the extra mile and improve your music skills so that you can really justify putting out a video which is supposed to help or inspire. Don’t get me wrong here. In the privacy of your own home studio feel free to use the mouse all you want to edit those keyboard parts to make them sound more complicated than your playing skills allow for. On video, for the world to see? Please cut that shit out.

IMPROVED PLAYING + IMPROVED BEATS = BETTER CHANCE ARTISTS WILL BUY YOUR BEATS

Artists probably don’t care. When they come to buy beats online, as long as the beat sounds good they don’t wonder if you used a mouse. The issue is not whether you use a mouse, it’s using the mouse on video that gets me. The problems with drawing with a mouse are:

There is no natural, human flourish to the keyboard parts
Chords sound rigid and robotic

After using a mouse what you would need to do is, if you understand how natural keyboard parts should sound, edit the placement and velocity of the notes so that it sounds more realistic. Try also to use more authentic sounding virtual instruments if you’re trying to emulate piano, guitar etc (another pet peeve for another post).

Let me say again if artists do come to your site and buy beats, and you’re using a mouse, that’s fine as long as the beats sound good. If you’re doing videos however, please take the time out to learn some basic playing skills. Go on Google and search the Circle of Fifths, chord progressions and the formulae for minor and major scales. It really isn’t that hard!

‹ Previous Next ›

Blog Archives