April saw the first louisden event of 2010, we were back with a bang as producers ERIC LAU, BEATBUTCHA, METABEATS and JEEKAY delivered their crazy production over unPLUG's booming PA, performances came from JEHST and the ASSOCIATED MINDS label based in Cardiff.
For the louisden write up see our blog post here (
http://bit.ly/dh2sUP) and for a great picture set head over to COMABEATS' flickr stream (
http://bit.ly/bbCIYk)
ON THE BOARDSReppin with the beats this time we've got mix of producers who have all been making noise on the circuit and (unplanned) 2 producer, MC's who'll be performing both sides of the stage!...this one'll be interesting no doubt!.
CAPPO - A cornerstone of the Nottingham scene MC/Producer Cappo has been putting out releases since '99 with his early EPs, his debut LP - "Spazz The World" (released in 2003) received great reviews across the board and cemeted Capz place as one of the countries premier MC's (Grand Finale -
http://bit.ly/au6pvy / Learn To Be Strong -
http://bit.ly/djOnTA), more recently he's dropped EP's with fellow Notts producers ENDEMIC and frequent collaborator STYLY CEE in the form of the Needledrop and H Bomb EPs.
While this may read like an MC's CV Cappo also puts in solid work behind the boards having produced the RESILLIENCE EP on Main Rock which featured a whole host of Nottingham emcees including MR 45, SCORZAYZEE and more; earlier this year his follow up LP GHENGIS which was entirely self produced, banging drums and a hard hitting style is what we'll be blessed with at the Den, no doubt Capz will tear it up! - http://www.cappohq.com
BUG - Louis Den regular BUG has been making waves with his debut release "Cosmic Lab" b/w "20 Winks" (downloadable here -
http://bit.ly/bZwqqF), the release has been getting national radio burn courtesy of tastemakers such as Benji B and Giles Peterson and favourable quotes from the likes of Ty, Kidkanevil and Ohmega Watts.
Shortly before his debut release BUG had also worked is way through the 12 week duel that was the LOUIS DEN BEAT BATTLES LEAGUE 2009 beating over 70 producers to come out ontop of our sample based tournament (listen to BUG's league beats here - http://bit.ly/bxvqq8), expect headcrack soul and lush soundscapes! -
http://www.bugmusic.netTRANQILL - Is a reclusive South London producer and MC who tells brutal tales of street life with rare wit and panache. It’s like the first time you heard the Wu-Tang: raw, spontaneous, urgent paranoia that’s instantly compelling, his most recent release "The Hidden Treasures EP" on Onehanded Music serves as a perfect introduction having selected 3 tracks from the vault to bless listeners ears.
Tranq's style is gritty rhymes over raw loops, straight to the point and no nonsense!!; enough to catch the ears of DJ Mary Anne Hoobs who threw the Paul White Dub of "Payroll" onto her Wild Angels compilation last year, next from Tranqill is a full length LP entirely produced from former beat cypher guest ODDISEE (Diamond District, The UN, J-Live and more) -
http://www.myspace.com/tranqillSMITH THE MISTER - Birmingham based producer Smith The Mister first came to our attention via Louis Den's own MYKE FORTE, Smith's got a wide range producing a mix of Electro, Down Tempo and Broken Beat. Its work in these fields that got the attention of Dave from the legendary DE LA SOUL who recruited Smith into his collective of music/art/fashion creative's SODA BOYS (which also includes louisden affiliate BUDGIE), Smith produced their debut single "EVERY BODY CHA CHA" which dropped towards the end of '08
http://youtu.be/VjvEfSy85UY /
http://www.myspace.com/sodaboy4everMore recently Smith also took part in the Louis Den League 2009 and despite entering the contest over a third the way in still managed to chart within the top 3 producers of his division (
http://bit.ly/aC5ORE) Smiths bangin beats prove the second city got heat, expect him to do more than keep up the pace at the beat cypher! -
http://www.myspace.com/smiththemister
ON THE MICMALIK
Birmingham legend Malik is a member of Brum based hiphop collective MD7 who have released the albums "The Power And The Glory" and "Life In The City" much to critical acclaim thanks to well received singles such as silent screams (
http://youtu.be/51cjXRnRiG0) and The Rain (
http://youtu.be/r3yStnFmK3g), as a soloist Malik has made moves with his own singles "Something Real" (http://mysp.ac/9aVNjn) and "Blues Ground" (
http://bit.ly/bCLFBB).
Malik has performed along side artist such as Fabolous, Amy Winehouse , Immortal Technique, Jay-Z, Heartless Crew ,Mark Ronson, Skinnyman, A-Alikes, Rodney P, Yogi, Mike GLC Black Twang and Foxy Brown to mention a few, he's also worked with producers such as Baby J, Urban Monk,Cipher and Mark Ronson. As a regular guest on radio shows such as the Tim Westwood show on Radio 1, Choice FM's DJ 279 show and 1-Extras Ras Kwame and Rodney P.
Quite the resume!!, at the Beat Cypher Malik will be performing over the backdrops provided by the nights producers as well as some newer treats!.
Also performing will be CAPPO and TRANQILL who are also MC's as well as beatmakers!! a first for a Louis Den beat cypher as the producers take to the mic as well as being behind the boards!.
OPEN BEATS / BEAT BATTLE / DJ CROwe've got the usual OPEN BEATS where producers of all levels are encouraged to bring some material to test the crowd reaction (3 beats max) and those feeling like they want to take something home can compete in the legendary BUCKS FIZZ BEAT BATTLE where names dawn out of a hat can compete for a bottle of bubbly and bragging rites as the Louis Den Bucks Fizz Beat Battle Winner!!...this time round prizes kindly come courtesy of BASEMENT SESSIONS and finally it wouldn't be a beat cypher with our very own DJ CRO providing the backdrop of hip-hop beats, breaks and treats inbetween the nights action.
*ARRIVE EARLY TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN BEATS, ONLY 3 BEATS MAX PER PRODUCER AND WE MAY HAVE TO REDUCE THAT NUMBER IF THERES A HUGE AMOUNT OF SIGN UPS (prefence is given to newer names)
* NO MP3 PLAYERS/PHONES/ DATA CD's FOR OPEN BEATS/BATTLE, sorry but its an ache to get all this sorted and the cables/pc's are for the showcased producers only...bring an audio CD or most likely its not happening!!.
Ok Now you know all the details we'll see you there!!
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Louis Den BeatCypher 10
Live Hiphop Production Showcase & Beat Jam
CAPPO | TRANQILL | BUG | SMITH THE MISTER
MALIK
+open beats/beat battle/DJ CRO
hosted by Redbeard, Sonnyjim & Kosyne
17th June 2010
Downstairs @unPlug Digbeth
79 Digbeth High St
Birmingham
B5 6DY
9PM - LATE
£4.00 ENTRY BEFORE 10PM £5.00 AFTER
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Louis Den Beat Cypher is supported by arts council england grant for the arts.
1) Hey!!, please introduce yourself to everybody; let us know who you are what you do and how long you've been doing it!.
