Round 1:
@Kane the MOD - I really like the dark and eerie vibe you established early on with this beat. The reversed (or manipulated sounds) have a great texture. The plucks, stringed instrument, chimes/bells work to develop this creeping, plodding and stalking vibe that is very cool. It has this Mobb Deep "horror-bap" quality.
ly
@TWU - This almost feels like dreamscape for an art house film. This is the scene of an urban drama where the subway doors are closing and the two love interests are gazing at each other through the window, and the dude runs as fast as he can to meet the girl at the next station. Mix, dimension, atmosphere. and emotion of this beat is near cinematic.
@Leopard Cohen - I love how you immediately set the pace with the bass line. The drums and percs give it this tilting feel...as if the whole beat is leaning slightly forward but then the organ kinda re-centers the groove. BUT! the dreamy, ethereal chimes/bells come in. So clever, so musical! It took me a few listens to catch a few stabs and arps tucked towards the back of the mix. If there's a hip-hop equivalent to IDm, this is it!
@P.A.T. - The intro is giving Dre - 2001 vibes. The main piano line at 0:13 is really nice. In terms of the pianos lines in general, I think you picked the perfect register for them too. And octave lower and they wouldn't have the same shimmery quality. Great blend of synths and "organic" instruments.
@Mike Chief - Super smooth chops! When those low piano chords come in, jeez! Then that phat mono bass!!! I really live that descending line and how well it plays with the sample and the higher register synth. The changes are artistically executed. The drums also serve as a great foundation for the melodic content. Personally, I would've liked a bit more 'thump' and 'punch' from the kick.
@Iron Keys - One of my all time favourite albums is 'Erma Franklyn - Soul Sister." I had it on vinyl and would bump it on max volume as I got ready to hit the bars/clubs. This beat puts me right back in 2006. Showering, shaving, and doing my hair with the bathroom door open so I could hear some uplifting sould from the speakers in the living room (thankfully my mum had a really good hi-fi system). The organ, piano, and simple but choppy bass line all work great with the sample. The drum fills (kick and snare stutters) with the simple but effective bass line help to make this a banger!
@M.I.ndless - hard luck being matched up with an
@Iron Keys banger. That being said, I think he really just got you on energy. Your drums, chops, vibe, and structure are phenomenal on this beat. Bluesly licks will always capture my attention. I really liked how you weaved in those piano lines. I may be tripping, but it kinda sounds like you chained together 3-4 [4 bar loops]. I think there was an interesting opportunity to mash your different loops/themes together in a "head-tail" way to come up with something even more compelling than the naturally dope beat you have here. Just a thought, but overall I loved the inquisitive, film noire vibe you have going. The drums also do a lot to keep the "story" of the beat moving forward.
@DJ Excellence - Grimey, gritty, and raw! This beat was so scary it made me buy life insurance! The only way to describe it is "Pharoe Monch - Simon Says" but without the jokes and levity. I usually don't care for verb-snares, but this 'orchestral con industrial' vibe worked really well. Menacing, brooding, and well mixed. Not my personal favourite of yours, but you got a lot of nice ear candy and textural ornamentation in this beat.
@Bandia Gotach - what you do with sound, space, and texture is pure class. Sound selection is great. How you match/pair synths with 'organic' instruments like piano and strings should be study. You get the tones and timbres to play soo nicely together. As always, you have a great sense of melody...and also pairing your melodies with foundational rhythms. This is pure vibe, and proper art.
@attila - Great sample(s) choice. Super groovy and fun. I really like this arrangement and how you used a drop out+fill to lead into the vocal sample. This 'beat' has more of a TV/Commercial score vibe to it than it does "beat." Not to say it isn't cool...but more in line with an interlude or outro of an indie hip-hop record.
@K-waz - The dreamy, ephemeral feel of this is crazy. I really loved the "layering" of styles. This super smooth sample with smooth dreamy chops, but they're on top of these crispy "paper sizzle" drums. I would never think to put those bouncy or busy drums under those chops...and then you bring this fucking dope ass bass with pops, slides - a la Bootsy Collins - but some how it keeps a dreamy quality and doesn't scream Parliament! Then there's a vocal chop?! This is fuckin dope. I would've made diffewrnt mix choices, but that's assuming I made something this dope...which I didn't lol.
@Armani - Finally you got some wet snares! LOL. This one of my favs from your. Maybe it's because I've been trying to brighten up my own drums, but like
@K-waz , you got a sizzle to your drums that sound great. The vocal chops and scratches are placed really for transitions and ear candy. I'm a bit perplexed on the piano/chime tucked towards the back of the mix. While I appreciate the depth and atmosphere it adds, I kinda want to hear it shine. Of all the R1 beats, this is one that felt the most like a complete 'song.' I can almost hear the tone and direction of the story an MC would lay over this beat. I also appreciate that you made the most of the 4 min limit. At no point does this get
stale or repetitive.
@V.J. Retro - I mean this in the best way possible...this sounds like a hip-hop score for Mario Kart...at least to start. The cadence, bounce, and energy...are all super dope and it feels like I grabbed a DJ Premier 'star power.' Such a cool sample choice. And the drums! They remind me of Joe Morello. The way you got the jittery hats and snare rolls/drags. I recognize there are some "trap" style ratches and glitches, but they all work perfectly with the jam you curated with this sample and the associated chops.
@guitardep - From what I gathered...you were Ill's resident 'guitarist' before I started poking me head out the sand. Two things... 1) your guitar chops are way better than mine 2) your "compositional" skills phenomenal. That chord progression in the piano layered against the ambient 'mid-west' guitar is melodic/harmonic ace. While I don't care for 808s or trap style drums, they are the perfect juxtaposition the serene, lyrical, melody you established with the guitar and piano. Very emotive, delicate, but carries weight. From one guitarist to the other, I'd love to hear feedback on my Round 2 beat.
@Earsblower - Smooth and sexy! This felt like an Isley Bros song but with a 2020's sensibility. The bass line is pure class! And I would not expect anything less from a fellow Canuck. Sound/Instrument selection is bang on. The little arpeggios, glissandos, chimes, and percussion "fills" demonstrate ahigh level of care/intent. This one the beats I thought was the most "complete." You gave us a
song. I heard a couple hook up, break up, and get back together with this beat.