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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

Whether you are a rapper, singer, producer or filmaker, you need great quality music for your productions. These days there are plenty options for those of you involved in creative industries. You can buy beats online, license royalty free music, license music from established artists (highly costly) or simply make the music yourself. No matter which method you choose, the music in your productions needs to be of good quality. I get seriously annoyed if I’m watching a movie or TV show and they’re using some painfully generic sounding background music!

In the above video clip I present a new sample pack called Radio UberStarz Vol 1. It features 5 Hip Hop/R&B/Pop construction kits which are perfect for any of the aforementioned uses. Artists who usually buy beats online can use kits like these if they are in the mood (and have the capacity) to be more creative, as these kits give you more flexibility than just using an mp3. Producers can use these loops to add to or inspire their own beats. A producer is NOT necessarily the guy who plays all the instruments in a beat. That guy would be called a composer, musician or simply just beatmaker. A producer is the person with the overall creative vision for a project. He decides what goes where and how it should sound. Loops and samples have long been a big part of a true producer’s arsenal (If you play many instruments or compose your own beats from scratch, that’s great too!).

Take some time out to check out the loops and samples in the kit featured here, and perhaps some of my other kits. They are proven, trusted by other producers and can easily help you add that hit-making sound to your productions

Most if not all music artists get into making records for 2 reasons. Firstly for the love of doing it and secondly for the chance to make a living or even become wealthy from it. These days, especially in Hip Hop, it seems to be more the latter than the former, but that’s a topic for another day. Right now it’s all about The Forbes Five: the top 5 wealthiest artists in Hip Hop.

A few days ago Forbes released their latest list and it looks like this:

1. Diddy – Net worth $550 million. Dude has his hands in Ciroc, Sean John, Enyce, marketing firm Blue flame, Bad Boy and is about to launch a cable channel. No surprise he’s here
2. Up next Jay-Z – Net worth $460 million. He investments include Rocawear (which he sold for $204 million in 2007), Roc Nation, the New Jersey Nets, 40/40 Clubs and Carol’s Daughter among others.
3. Dr. Dre – Net worth $270 million. First of all, HE’S DRE! Secondly Beats Headphones. Nuff said.
4. Birdman – Net worth $125 million. All you need to know is: YMCMB!
5. Last but not least 50 Cent – Net worth $110 million. Can you say Vitamin Water, movies, touring, clothing line etc?

Ok so these guys are balling. Only way that helps us is to show it can be done. So this is my message to all indie artists: Seize the day and let your creativity flow. It is so easy to buy beats online for low, low prices, record your next hit, promote and be well on your way to creating the next multi-million dollar movement. Invest in yourself and everyone will take your energy seriously. Nothing great comes without you giving something. These days it takes between $15 and $20 to buy rap beats online. That alone can help your career immensely! Use the money you save to market more effectively. Let’s see who’s gonna be the next hip hop mega mogul!