Tuesday, 29 December 2009

Jon Phonics Treats - Jonathan's Beats & Pieces +Crazy Ill Mad Rowdy

Myke and Raul arent the only ones getting busy over the holiday season, Louis Dens own Jon Phonics aka Ill Clinton has served up some treats in the form of Jonathan's Beats & Pieces, a free download which is mostly a collection of his Novemeber and December blaps..

Check it aaaaaaaaaaaaaat!.



Download Jonathans Beats & Pieces Here
+Bonus Free Download, Crazy Ill Mad Rowdy, Sonnyjim over Jon Phonics Production
Follow @JonPhonics on Twitter

Saturday, 26 December 2009

LDBB Fam Xmas Treats

What up people, Kos reporting in for a couple festive treats. First off I hope all you guys had a safe and peaceful xmas/holiday break (I know we're still in the midst of it) but yeah, hopefully most of you would have got a break of some sort from the the grind and got to chill/spend some time with family!.

A few LDBB fam have been up to mischeif in the lab over the last few days so I thought id drop some links and let you guys know whats up...more blogs on the way also.

Myke Forte - Zodiac Beat Tape Series (ARIES)
This dropped a couple weeks back but we didnt get the chance to blog it, lab regular MYKE FORTE has launched his new beat tape series entitled ZODIAC in which he'll be travelling through the star signs dropping a beat tape for each one, I've been told through these (and where possible) Myke will make the beats match the characteristics of the star signs or at least have links to each one within the music, and with Myke being an aries he started with his own sign first (big up lol aries in the house!)





01 April (Freewill)
02 Chocolatesauce (Generously)
03 The ComeUp (Hunger)
04 Turkishdelight (Mystical Future)
05 Streetfighterchronicles (Quiet Rage)
06 Spectrum FM (Scientific)
07 Jayfunkismsoulistickal (Funkisocial)
08 Simmerdale (Impatient)
09 Nineteeneighty (Stargazing)
10 Layitdown (Passion)
11 LabtimeLDBB (Dedication)
12 Elevate Beneath (Courage)
13 Victory (Triumph)
14 Dramology (Fire Nature)
15 Takeitbakeit (Positivity)
16 Crystalmistics (Optimism)
17 Ginsengpsyche (Insightful)
18 Caughtontape (Curious)
19 Butkissfakers (Extrovirtuos)
20 Baptisewater (Moody)
21 Zodiachocolate (Dreamy)


LINK:http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SRA9WX4L
Follow @MykeForte on Twitter


Next up we got a fresh new blap from LDBB FAM "Raul Supreme", busy in the lab over the holidays he's dropped us a new joint entitled TOKYO MOON, be sure to hit him up with feedback I hear a new project is underway with Raul so 2010 should be an interesting year for him!.

Raul Supreme - Tokyo Moon
Follow @RaulSupreme on Twitter

Thursday, 10 December 2009

Louis Den Beat Cypher 08 Spotlight - Budgie

Ahhh man what a day...some behind the scenes MADNESS going on with the beat cypher tonight (pretty much had to sort a backup plan for travel for the London people only to abandon it last minute..props to the postman on the late time phew!!!)

AITE!! Last up with the spotlights we got BUDGIE...the man with the smoothest beats and swagger off the meter!!



1) Hey!!, please introduce yourself to everybody; let us know who you are what you do and how long you've been doing it!.
What up! my name's budgie, i make beats, dj, collect records, work in a record store and do anything i can that's music related.. I've been doing beats for about 7 or 8 years.

2) Was there a defining moment (event / hearing a record etc) that led you into making beats / becoming a producer?.
Theres not one defining moment, it's mix of different music, people and events. My Dad has a record shop (www.honestjons.com) so he always played me alot of Jazz, Soul, Reggae and Hip-Hop as a little kid. My favorite track when I was really young was Masta Ace 'Me & the Biz', mainly because of the record cover and the crazy Biz voice,but I think it left a lasting impression. I also did piano lessons as a kid (hated it, just wanted a synth to make 'cool music'), then a few years later my music teacher at school recognised I had an ear for music and got me out of my maths lessons to do cubase lessons and I learned how to program drums and lay down chords. Around the same time I got some turntables and started collecting records when I was 13, and I actually thought this was all I needed to start sampling, so I had to wait til the next year to get my first sampler.

3) What was your first peice of equipment and what were those beats like?, any interesting stories about things were doing to begin with / finding your feet?
My first sampler was the Boss SP505, kinda similar to the SP303 that Madlib uses, except my one has a little LCD screen. The beats I made on that were alright, but I was just learning and had no idea about how to get my beats to sound in reality, the way I heard them in my head. I'd basically pick a random record from my dads collection and chop it up. Eventually I had used up all 99 user save slots and didn't wanna delete any of the beats I had made so I got Reason, started doing all my stuff on there and I've never looked back.

4) Whats the one bit of advice youd give to anyone starting out today?
Keep workin on it, don't get frustrated if you make a wack beat, just make another one and eventually you will make something worth listening to..

5) What can heads expect from you at LOUIS DEN BEAT CYPHER?
Some smooth, hard, funky music..



and we out!!! for now!...stay tuned to the @LouisDen Twitter for news on streaming BEAT CYPHER 08....better yet turn up for it in the flesh!! details here - http://bit.ly/5Qb9TC

Louis Den Beat Cypher 08 Spotlight - Wizard

BEAT CYPHER TONIIIIGHT!, get excited...for those who cant make it I got word from the venue that theres wi-fi up in the spot! so we may get our blogTV channel goin for those overseas who cant get in on the action...hell we might even give up a couple open beats slots to the heads tuned in!!.

Annyway we got the last 2 spotlight blogs to drop so lets get on with it; reppin Hastings we've got Louis Dens own WIZARD up next.



1) Hey!!, please introduce yourself to everybody; let us know who you are what you do and how long you've been doing it!.
Wadup wizard aka big wiz beatmaker/rapper/part time dj for money i can't scratch. i been making beats for about 5 years come along way since day one gota new album 'ear to the beat' out that features verb-t, micall parknsun, lil e, verbal kent, ramson badbonez and many more please support and cop it off i-tunes, suspect-packages.com, cdbaby.com

2) Was there a defining moment (event / hearing a record etc) that led you into making beats / becoming a producer?.
My brother got me into it and i always just liked hiphop/gangster shit so i wanted to do it and pull groupies


3) What was your first peice of equipment and what were those beats like?, any interesting stories about things were doing to begin with / finding your feet?
I started using Ejay like alot of people did I'm sure? I hope! then I found Reason and thought this is fucking complicated but then learned and stuck with it I still use only reason I dont have any other equipment really.


4) Whats the one bit of advice youd give to anyone starting out today?
Stick at it takes a while to get your name around and just make shit you actually like yourself also telling females your a producer usually works!


5) What can heads expect from you at LOUIS DEN BEAT CYPHER?
Nothing but bangers. at the min im on some screwface gangsta beats i duno why must be the weather but hopefully theyll like the h-town style.

Wednesday, 9 December 2009

Louis Den Beat Cypher 08 Spotlight - Chemo

Beat Cypher countdown starts now!! I know a lot of the Den fam are going to be making the trip up and down the country for whats become our every other month geek out!!, looking mad forward to it!

We've got another Spotlight blog to drop, this time on Chemo, man of many aliases and many a dope beat...read and digest below and check out the links for more info and free music!.



1) Hey!!, please introduce yourself to everybody; let us know who you are what you do and how long you've been doing it!.
My name is David Webb | Young Dave | Chemo | Papa Chemo | Telemachus | Mick Tape | Cheembo Slice | DJ Bum Hands, and i paint with sound.


2) Was there a defining moment (event / hearing a record etc) that led you into making beats / becoming a producer?.
Medina Green - Crosstown Beef, Jehst - 1979 (dont tell him that though)


3) What was your first peice of equipment and what were those beats like?, any interesting stories about things were doing to begin with / finding your feet?
My first foray was when i used a mixer to play sped up drum breaks over classic fm and record them to tape, I'm sure you can imagine the results were somewhat erratic yet i was so impressed with myself at the time.

Then i started using Acid Pro 1 briefly and progressed to the MPC2000 which i used for 2-3 years, becoming quite proficient (even teaching a few people some MPC tips along the way!). I subsequently moved back to Acid Pro which i have been using ever since which has really shaped how I work. I have a real love-hate relationship with the MPC, I seem to buy one every year and sell it again after 6 months... I currently have a 2500 at home which im still undecided about... I need someone like Jaisu to show me the light!

4) Whats the one bit of advice youd give to anyone starting out today?
Your arms are too short to box with gods.

AND

Stay away from THE BELLTREE. Please. Please.

5) What can heads expect from you at LOUIS DEN BEAT CYPHER?
Long legs, bad jokes and a shit beard.




And of course it goes without saying, CHEMO along with GHOSTTOWN, BUDGIE and WIZARD will be providing the beats at LOUIS DEN BEAT CYPHER 08 which is TOMORROW (10th Dec '09) at Soundbar, Birmingham UK, more details here - http://bit.ly/5Qb9TC.

Tuesday, 8 December 2009

Louis Den Beat Cypher 08 Spotlight - GhostTown

Beat Cypher week!! and you know what that means right...SPOTLIGHT BLOGS!, uh huuuh. First up we've got the production powerhouse that is GHOSTTOWN (sometimes 1, sometimes the other, sometimes both), now based in London the team have got credits with names such as OH NO, FOREIGN BEGGARS, GUILTY SIMPSON, PHAT KAT and more; check for a fat slab of their production scattered throughout the new Foreign Beggars album "United Colours Of Beggatron".

Anyway heres the Q&A


1) Hey!!, please introduce yourself to everybody; let us know who you are what you do and how long you've been doing it!.
I'm GhostTown i've been making beats on and off since about 2003


2) Was there a defining moment (event / hearing a record etc) that led you into making beats / becoming a producer?.
I think 90's hiphop and going to music college

3) What was your first peice of equipment and what were those beats like?, any interesting stories about things were doing to begin with / finding your feet?
Personal Computer with Cubase. I still use it now. The first beats were shit! haha! To be honest I only just Started to like my own beats about one year ago!

4) Whats the one bit of advice you'd give to anyone starting out today?
Don't let people tell you that you need to buy expensive shit to make good beats. All you need is ideas. Just because Pete Rock or whoever uses a certain drum machine doesn't mean your beats are gonna sound good as soon as you buy that machine.

5) What can heads expect from you at LOUIS DEN BEAT CYPHER?
HEAVY BEATS!


Bonus Tracks (GhostTown produced joints form Foreign Beggars - United Colours Of Beggatron LP)
The stomping PROVE IT by features Detroits GUILTY SIMPSON (zshare)
Safedrain (STINK FACE enducing outro from the LP) (zshare)

Holla at GhostTown online
  • GhostTown's Myspace

    and of course, LOUIS DEN BEAT CYPHER is THIS THURSDAY @SOUNDBAR BIRMINGHAM details in my previous blog or for a direct link check here - http://bit.ly/5Qb9TC
  • Thursday, 26 November 2009

    Louis Den Beat Cypher 08 - December 10th 2009

    In October we had APATIGHT, DOCKMINI, KNOX BROWN and NAIVE down to smash to cypher, was a lively event with plenty of banging beats!! some saying the best cypher yet...video evidence is here courtesy of LouisDen's AB0181.

    BEATCYPHER 07 - ROUND ONE
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAOmnHRDnzs&feature=channel

    BEATCYPHER 07 - ROUND TWO
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAohgHflA5A&feature=channel






    Now (and a dropping the news a little later than we would have liked) we are BACK!! for the Xmas beatcypher and at a new home after going back to the Sunflower Lounge to secure Decembers date we were told they had changed the music policy and werent too keen on the "Smoking" that went on outisde...not sure what the whole mess was down to im guessing (as the owner was there that night of beat cypher 07) they didnt like the fact we overran slightly and maybe our little "car beats" session outside, so umm yeah we are now at the BIRMINGHAM SOUND BAR which is a much sicker venue (but comes at a price)...so please smoker squad, go for a little wander before you do what you do, dont want to bait up this joint too! and doooo come out and support, plenty more overheads this time so we gotta keep this one going (bring a mate and tell them bring a mate, and tell em both to bring beats!!)...also theres drinks offers at this new venue so do dig in those pockets and enjoy a few to some ill beats!!.


    ON THE BOARDS
    BUDGIE
    Louis Den's own BUDGE is reppin on the boards for this one..you've heard the range from the screw face bangers to the smooth jam mack soundtracks, Budgie is a sick producer and sought after DJ...he's bound to impress!!

    WIZARD
    Hastings based producer and one half of the OZB'z Wiz is a LDBB vet reppin since homework #4 back in 2007!!, he's been waiting patiently to get on the bill and now its his turn..you know the beats, the boombap bounce to the chilled out headnodders and the endless free releases he churns out!...wiz is a total package and one of the hardest working beatmakers in the UK!

    GHOST TOWN
    Sick production team originally from Leeds now based in london (and mostly just a 1 man operation). Ghosttown have credits for Foreign Beggars, Mystro, Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat and more...check the thread I posted earlier in this week for look into their new london based "squat" lab..expect sick beats!

    CHEMO
    Badboy producer (no not for diddy..you know what I mean). Chemo's put the work in behind the boards for years now and has the credits to prove it JOE BUDDEN, KYZA, TRIPLE DARKNESS, VAKILL, SEAN PRICE (do we need to continue??!). Fresh out the Killamonjaro labs Chemo's out to bless the den with BANGERS!.

    and on the mic we have Birminghams own JUICE ALEEM (big dadda/shadowless) fresh off his release JERUSALAAM COME.

    VERB T blessing us for the second (but 1st official time hopefully) after not being able to show for what was the second beat cypher (with S-TYPE, JAISU, DARREN PAUL & ROEG DU CASQ)..Verbs was unable to make it due to family commitments but he's back with a vengance to finally rep for the beat cypher!.

    and finally SLEAZE DA DON aka Hermes Trismegistus from the south coast (originally West Bromwich) Sleaze is a dope emcee with a unique delivery and style...teaming up with Eat Good's SONNYJIM for a joint EP (coming soon on eatgood/greasy vinyl) sleaze is here is here to show brum what he's all about. Sleaze recently dropped his LP THEOLOVISION on his own imprint "GREASY VINYL" which features producers WIZARD, BEAT BUTCHA, GHOST, ENDEMIC and more!.

    Plus of course the usual!.

    OPEN BEATS / BEAT BATTLE / DJ CRO
    we'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!!, 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!!.


    NEW VENUE
    Reason for the promo train on this LDBC being a bit late was because we were venuless!!, after going back to the Sunflower Lounge to secure Decembers date I was told they have changed the music policy and werent too keen on the "Smoking" that went on outisde...not sure what the whole mess was down to im guessing (as the owner was there that night of beat cypher 07) they didnt like the fact we overran slightly and maybe our little "car beats" session outside, so umm yeah we are now at the BIRMINGHAM SOUND BAR which is a much sicker venue (but comes at a price)...so please smoker squad, go for a little wander before you do what you do, dont want to bait up this joint too! and doooo come out and support, plenty more overheads this time so we gotta keep this one going (bring a mate and tell them bring a mate, and tell em both to bring beats!!)

    aite then...book them tickets!!! lets see the year out with some illy blaps


    Ok Now you know all the details we'll see you there!!
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    LouisDen BeatCypher 08
    Live Hiphop Production Showcase & Beat Jam
    BUDGIE | CHEMO | GHOSTTOWN | WIZARD
    JUICE ALEEM | VERB T | SLEAZE DA DON
    +open beats/beat battle/DJ CRO


    10th December
    Soundbar Birmingham
    250 Corporation St
    Birmingham
    B4 6SE
    9PM - LATE
    £4.00 ENTRY BEFORE 10PM £5.00 AFTER

    DJ IQ ..FLASHING LIGHTS

    DJ IQ hit us up back in April for Beat Cypher 04...seeing as Louis Den is like the mafia; once you're in the family we keep tabs on you lol well we've got some news on IQ as he's set to drop his new mixtape "Flashing Lights" next week (30th Nov to be exact) Featuring Sonnyjim, Ramson Badbonez, Hey Zeus, Kashmere, Jehst, Stac, Joker Starr, Micall Parknsun, Professor Green, Gen, Pride, TB, Asaviour, Eva Lazurus and Beats by DJ IQ, The Mighty Hoax, Joker, Hudson Mo, Samiyam, Kid Sublime, check the illy promo animation for the mixtape.





    It sure looks like one to keep an eye on!, hit these sites for more info!

    www.DJIQ.co.uk
    www.twitter.com/iamDJIQ
    www.myspace.com/mancanmusic

    Sunday, 8 November 2009

    BEHIND CLOSED DOORS VOL.2


    Behind Closed Doors Hip Hop Production DVD Magazine Vol.2 (to give it it's proper title) is almost here... and myself and Kosyne are maaad busy putting the final touches on it.
    Filming for vol.2 started in July 2009 and concludes next week... after that we are ready to unleash the beast! So stay tuned for another teaser and a brand new BCD website. Enjoy the trailer peoples...1
    Andy.

    Saturday, 31 October 2009

    Round and Round we go

    Shouts to AB0181 (get subscribing to his Youtube channel) for the sterling camera and editing work, if you missed Louis Den Beat Cypher 07 you missed what was for me the best one yet, proving that alot of the under the radar cats are bringing serious heat that should be worrying the bigger names

    Round 1 (Apatight, Naive, Dock Mini & Knox Brown)


    Round 2 (Apatight, Naive, Dock Mini & Knox Brown)


    Bonus - Open Beats with S-type and Jaisu

    Monday, 26 October 2009

    Beat Cypher 07 Pictures and a Brief History

    A few pictures from Louis Den on Thursday night, all the producers were so on point. Massive thanks to all the people who traveled long distances for it, unheard of for a mid week hip-hop night! (Too many people to name but you know who you are) Enjoy the pics and if you missed it, it was definitely the best one yet, next live night will be December, line up is already looking strong but keeping it secret squirrel for the moment...
    L-R Apatight, Naive, Dockmini and Knox Brown

    Rtillery performing

    Apatight and Naive
    Kosyne
    Jimmy Raygun (The rest of Tactical Thinking were stuck on the motorway)
    Crowd hypeness
    Air keyboard with AB0181 and Jon Phonics

    AB0181 also put together a brief history of Louis Den

    Thursday, 22 October 2009

    Louis Den Beat Cypher 07 Spotlight - Knox Brown

    Next up we have Jamaican born Birmingham based Knox Brown, I got hip to Knox through Kelz, first heard him through a joint he produced on the dope Malik (of MD7) mixtape "Rappers Rapper". We did the whole "scoping out a new producer" thing and hit up dude on Myspace, we eventually linked and even got him into the lab for a couple sessions (Street Fighter 2 / Middle Eastern Beats) and as we're trying to showcase beats from Birmingham, Louis Den family and bigger names alike Knox was perfect to get involved.

    Read about him below!.




    1) Hey!!, please introduce yourself to everybody; let us know who you are what you do and how long you've been doing it!.
    I’m Knox Brown; I am a Producer/Singer/Songwriter. I work part time as a sound engineer for an indie rock/jazz record company. I am also a student at University. I’ve been producing since um....when did music 2000 for Playstation come out? lol


    2) Was there a defining moment (event / hearing a record etc) that led you into making beats / becoming a producer?.
    I got into Hip Hop when I first heard Busta Rhymes’ “Dangerous”. My favourite rapper by the way but, I prefer the early-late 90’s Busta. I think I fell in love with Just Blaze’s beats when I heard Jay-Z’s Incredible (Produced by Just Blaze). I used to love JD’s Beats aswell but didn’t know it was him lol.


    3) What was your first piece of equipment and what were those beats like?, any interesting stories about things were doing to begin with / finding your feet?
    Tascam 4 Track connected to a Casio keyboard and an old dynamic microphone. I then moved on to Music 2000 for Playstation, Music Generator, and aswell as Ejay from a Kellogg’s cereal packet lol. I tried using fruity loops at one point liked it but, I went to college and found “REASON 2.5” (choir of angels) lol. And i have stuck with it ever since I’m now on Reason 4.


    4) Whats the one bit of advice youd give to anyone starting out today?
    Work with what you have. Master your equipment. Enjoy Music, Listen to different genres inspiration can come from anywhere.



    Get At Knox On Myspace
    Knox Brown Myspace

    Louis Den Beat Cypher 07 Spotlight - Apatight

    Tonight's the night!!, Louis Den Beat Cypher 07 lands at the Sunflower Lounge Birmingham 21:00 till late featuring beat showcases from Apatight | Dockmini | Knox Brown and Naive, gonna hit you off with the remaining spotlight blogs to get you more familiar with the nights line up, and now...Hudds finest, APATIGHT!.

    I found out about Apz a long long time ago, always heard his name mentioned in producer circles but finally got round to hearing a sick beat mix on his myspace back in like '06 (stanned that off too...recording it off and bumping it in the whip lol). Apz ended up hitting up the odd Louis Den challenge and the 2008 league and its been on since!.



    Hey!!, please introduce yourself to everybody; let us know who you are what you do and how long you've been doing it!.
    Whats good peoples?

    I go by the name of Apatight aka ayepee producer,beatmaker,crate digga think there is still an mc inside me somewhere ive been been making beats for about 10 years hmmm I dont think id call em beats before that im trying to be more of a producer these days.


    Was there a defining moment (event / hearing a record etc) that led you into making beats / becoming a producer?.
    Erm I think ive always been interested in the music and liked songs more for the beat I guess but I was just a young mc trying to put some tracks together with my spar from arround my way in deighton dint even have a computer myself but he made the beats dope but less sample based and I asked him how what is it that makes dj premier pete rock sound so different and he said they sample ...me I didnt really know what was so he explained and I was thats what im gonna do so I started making beats er cough cough, trying to make beats.

    What was your first peice of equipment and what were those beats like?, any interesting stories about things were doing to begin with / finding your feet?
    First things that got me going was a bunch of records and cds from various family members who had bits of old soul and rock lying around, cubasis not even vst soundforge.

    I think it was vienna soundfont studio and with that I could sample bits and put them on keys using soundfonts I think those beats was like a new born deer or somethin taking its first steps the right idea just abit all over the gaff lmao we dint have the latest tech in a one speed cd burner so I use to go out the pc into the mic input on little stereo and do some hissy beats tapes.

    Whats the one bit of advice youd give to anyone starting out today?
    Advice if I even qualify to give it..

    Try things, think different, learn from your idols with so many people making beats today everyone raps and everyone makes beats try and stand out and have your own signature

    What can heads expect from you at LOUIS DEN BEAT CYPHER?
    Heads can expect me to bring a taste of things to come in the near future, thanks for inviting me down im a fan and its a privilege to take part to what looks to be another dope louisden beatcypher!


    Get At Apatight Online!
    On Twitter (@Apatight)
    On Myspace

    Wednesday, 21 October 2009

    Louis Den Beat Cypher 07 Spotlight - Naive

    Okaay you know the deal with these, we usually try to do some "Spotlight" blogs when a beat cypher is approaching, so heres the first of our 4 spotlight blogs on Naive producer from all over the UK reppin the Tactical Thinking camp!!, read enjoy, digest and bag the free "produced by Naive" snippet reel joint typea jump off!.




    Hey!!, please introduce yourself to everybody; let us know who you are what you do and how long you've been doing it!.
    Yes Yes I’m Naïve – Dave to some! Did music Tech at college and Uni, been producing tunes since I was 14, but only getting any good till I was really 19! Really been making real hiphop for 8 years now I’m 26, always been into raw synths and vinyl, having built up nice collection over the years!

    Was there a defining moment (event / hearing a record etc) that led you into making beats / becoming a producer?.
    Couldn’t really point out any one thing that lead me to producing – just a love of music in general!

    What was your first peice of equipment and what were those beats like?, any interesting stories about things were doing to begin with / finding your feet?
    Used to make tunes on a crap pc with a freeware tracker program – had to enter each value of every thing you did, long winded stuff – but it did have sampler and synths built in for some craziness! Most tunes were pretty naf listening back now, but I was 14!

    Whats the one bit of advice youd give to anyone starting out today?
    Don’t worry if its shit to start with, practice makes perfect and you can’t write a banger every day! Get a cheap analouge synth as they’re loads of fun! And get in to record collecting and sampling its well worth the habit!

    What can heads expect from you at LOUIS DEN BEAT CYPHER?
    Slamming synthed out and sampled badness!


    Free Naive Music!
    Produced by Naive Mashup (mediafire)

    Thursday, 15 October 2009

    Louis Den Beat Cypher 07 - 22nd Oct - Sunflower Lounge Birmingham

    We're back again and in less than a week!!, time to get the promo train rolling!.





    In August we had our second international guests in form of FS GREEN, SIR OJ and FULL CRATE (sharing DJ duties with CRO) SHEARS and URBAN MONK. We're bringing the Beat Cypher back home with this installment giving you the same quality fresh beats but a little closer to home!.

    ON THE BOARDS
    This time round the Louis Den fam come in the form of APATIGHT and DOCKMINI, Apatight is part of the up north collective "Groundwurq" and has production work for JEHST, MICALL PARKNSUN, JACK FLASH, PROFESSOR GREEN and more, expect nothing but heat from the huddersfield native!!. Also reppin louisden and Birmingham we have DOCKMINI the youngest in charge!!..at 19 he's one of the youngest members of the team to rep the beats; although based in Cardiff for studies now he's been a mainstay in the Louis Den lab for the past year or so for our Sunday sessions and has already taken part in showcases Louis Den has done for Blaporama (as part of Redbeards single launch earlier last month), he also already has a handful of credits to his name for local acts and has worked with LOWKEY Dock is putting in the work to become a name to watch on the production circuit.

    We also have The Black Market's own KNOX BROWN, sick Jamaican producer based in Birmingham Knox has got a stack of heaters in the stash, with a real versatile sound and passion for production that spans many genres Knox is all about music as an all around artist in his own right too!! Seeking him out after a couple of name drops from mutual heads we got Knox down to the lab a few months back and he's took part in a couple of our weekly challenges..jumping at the chance to get down on the Beat Cypher; his style is perfect for it so expect to be entertained.

    Finally reppin the Tactical Thinking crew we have NAIVE, a beast behind the boards we've known about Naive for sometime from Brum export DEADLINE and Louis Den legend MR DICK aka PETE CANNON, with Dick having repped a beat cypher previously and his crew now coming for a PA it only made sense to get some shine on this London based Hiphop/Electro producer..heads may not be hip to him (but we are) and with the iminent TACTICAL THINKING release (Too Broke To Go Solo) you will soon!.

    ON THE MIC
    We've got PA's from the hiphop collective TACTICAL THINKING..the crew consists of emcees Kid Genius, Deadline, Assa, Jimmy Raygun and Derogatory with help from Jay madden and Mic Dyson plus L.Lyracist and B.V.A and musical backdrops provided by NAIVE and MR DICK (aka PETE CANNON). The TT collective is actually formed from smaller groups Surreal Knowledge, The Three Amigos, Me and Him, Deadline & Mr Dick, under the banner of TACTICAL THINKING they've just dropped their new album TOO BROKE TO GO SOLO which serves a perfect introduction to the crew's talent.

    Seeing as TT is bringing so much noise we figure theres only enough room for 1 more PA which will come in the form of Birminghams own PROFESSOR D & R.TILLERY. These two versatile emcees have been tearing up the Birmingham circuit for the last few years with an unrivalled performance energy being able to encorporate elements from HIPHOP, DUBSTEP, 4x4, ELECTRO and more..resident artists of the music agency PUNCH RECORDS these two have torn up stages up and down the country having performed with the likes of SKINNYMAN, DURTY GOODZ, SONNYJIM and even performed in hiphop/grime theatre colloborating with names like CHARLIE DARK and MARK DE CLIVE LOW, no doubt Pro D and Tizzy will tear it up!!!.

    OPEN BEATS / BEAT BATTLE / DJ CRO
    we'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 KING APPAREL, 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!!
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    LouisDen BeatCypher 07
    Live Hiphop Production Showcase & Beat Jam
    APATIGHT | DOCKMINI | KNOX BROWN | NAIVE
    TACTICAL THINKING | PROFESSOR D & R.TILLERY
    +open beats/beat battle/DJ CRO


    22nd October 2009
    Sunflower Lounge
    76 Smallbrook Queensway
    Birmingham
    B5 4EG
    9PM - LATE
    £4.00 ENTRY BEFORE 10PM £5.00 AFTER
    ------------------------------------------------------------------


    Spotlight blogs coming soon!.

    Thursday, 24 September 2009

    Louis Den @ Jazz Cafe this Friday!

    Redbeards launch was dope last night, shouts to Beard, Kos, Raul, Kela, Myke, Docmini, SK, Sonny, Sammy Stealth, Percy, Malicious, Bambino, Bass6, Lewis, Taharka, Spatz, Mr FX and everyone who came out, Beards voice was gone by the end of the night.

    Any London heads who've been slacking and not made it to a Louis Den Beat Cypher yet have no excuses as we make the trip down for the Orphans Of Cush Launch. The 4 selected producers are all going to be playing beats straight out of their chosen equipment and the line up is sick....Mr Thing, Apollo, Jaisu and Kela with performances from Orphans of Cush and DJ's Sarah Love, Konny Kon and Roast hosted by Jehst it's going to be a big night! See you there

    Monday, 21 September 2009

    League Week 3 Rollover

    Okay, currently uploading samples/beats and stuff so we can make a week 3 rollover happen for Tuesday morning, this is your last chance to vote/submit.

    PRODUCERS WHO STILL HAVENT SUBMITTED BEATS FOR WEEK 2
    Phenomz, *Hannibal King, *Villa, Radd, MDOTDASUPAPRODUCER, Ayem, Mazzie, Jaisu, Figaro, *Mr Boss, Bles

    * denotes they'll be OUT of the league if no beat is received by rollover

    PRODUCERS WHO STILL NEED TO VOTE ON WEEK 1
    JJ Malone, Mazzie, Ayem, Jehfree, Villa, Phenomz, Radd, Eccentric, Taharka, Hannibal King, Mr Boss

    alright get on it..dont long up the rollover now!

    Monday, 14 September 2009

    Louis Den League Underway!!

    Yes people, been a minute just a quick heads up to let you know the Louis Den League poppin with the week 1 beats. If youd like to vote on proceedings or just check/bump the beats from a distance then head over to the league site located at http://www.louisden.com/league2009 we currently have Week 1 beats (60+ entrants) out in the open for you to bump be sure to check em out!.

    If youd like a voting key then holla at us on the LDBB forum http://www.louisden.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl and request one in the LEAGUE 2009 subforum, it'll grant you access to the logged in features of the site that'll allow you to message producers and post comments on battles and obviously vote on the battles which will contribute to the leaderboard and wins/losses of each beatmaker!.





    Anyway, producer entry is closed so please dont ask to get in! you had months to show interest!!, we may fill up spaces of producers who flop and duck out, so far the following producers are on 1 strike.

    JJ Malone, Mr Boss, Villa

    But if they're back on the beats their spaces are safe.





    ^ Alright im out, quick one tho any Louisden heads in the US with the Fuze channel could do me an amazing favour and DVD-R the Red Bull Big Tune joint thats on tonight 10pm/Central hoo that would be amazing..hit me up kosyne@louisden.com.


    KOS.

    Sunday, 6 September 2009

    WARNING!! RESUBMIT HOMEWORK NOW! - League bug report

    Whoops looks like a bug slipped through the net and as no-one managed to twig I was unaware until some random testing today.
    Ok listen up this is important..IF YOU SUBMITTED YOUR BEAT YOU MAY HAVE OVERWRITTEN YOUR OPPONENTS LINK and VICE VERSA, you need to check ALL your links NOW and resubmit if you have to..click the UPLOAD MY BEAT link in the dashboard and make sure your link is correct many apologies for this....eek my bad..I'll make sure that all of the beats get played and no one gets mistakenly marked as flopping!.



    damn!

    KOS.

    Saturday, 5 September 2009

    Louis Den League 2009 Business!

    Alright people so if you didnt know the Louis Den League 2009 launched last week and producers have been busy prepping their week 1 beats!, to get in on the action check it all out at http://www.louisden.com/league2009 we currently have 70+ producers competing and is gonna be a hot 3 months of banging blaps!.

    If you've been hiding under a rock for the past month or so heres a quick recap, We're back with the the league for 2009 following on from last years season which S-TYPE won! he's back to defend the title this year with a new and improved league which is now division based based on the pre-league homework "Dope Ass Beat 2" which producers scored to figure out placings, this time round the site (which I developed!!) has more of a social networking feel allowing voters/producers to interact with each other and the battles outside of just simply voting.



    We're not accepting new producers in the league as its been a long drawn out process getting everything together and ready BUT voters are allowed at any stage to get down on the weekly beat action and decide the fate of the producers!, so for now the beat battles are gonna be on hold until the season finishes but the Sunday sessions are still very much alive!! each week we'll still be linking up to play the beats received and give you guys a sneak peek into what will become the forthcoming week's voting!!.

    Some hot battles are due as these are the week 1 matchups, as you can see from the entrants we've got a mix of Louis Den regulars and some new names so its great having a mix of producers of all abilities gettin down and geekin/competing!


    Division 1 Matches
    Kelakovski vs Jeekay
    Sivey vs Mr Dick
    Kosyne vs Myke Forte
    JJ Malone vs magOwl
    BoomBaptist vs Figaro
    Dockmini vs Pushing Buttons
    S-TYPE vs Hal 9000
    Jaisu vs Evil Needle
    Ed Strong vs Raul Supreme
    Apatight vs Budgie
    Shears vs Ratatoulle Da Recept


    Division 2 Matches
    Wizard vs Ayem
    MYKEE vs Smith
    EvB vs Itchy Digits
    Jehfree vs Mazzie
    Purpose vs Clay Davis
    Zircon vs abstraKt Beats
    Levi vs Cyril Snare
    Terror vs BiLL Breaks
    JIGSAWSOUL vs Vila
    DJ Kyrptonite vs bhardbeatz
    MDOTDASUPAPRODUCER vs Bert Digits

    Division 3 Matches
    Eyebs vs Thorn
    Radd vs Ill Clinton
    See Money vs Wizard At Will
    Mr Boss vs First Aid
    Potencia Incisive vs JUT
    ABCENTS vs Unknown
    The Strange Neighbour vs Archaeologist
    SnapS vs Vice
    Eccentric vs MISTA MOZART
    Phenom vs Skipperbeat
    J-Trees vs Yeah Right
    Prolifik vs Peaks
    BUG vs Hannibal King


    So LEAGUE PRODUCERS!, your first beats are due tomorrow! dont forget to submit them using the producer dashboard on the homepage by 17:30 GMT!!, dont leave it till the last minute as the little ol league site probably cant take a hammering of ALL of you guys trying to submit at the same time and we wont have time to chase forum pms/emails/myspace messages if you are trying to use those as a fallback!.

    LEAGUE VOTERS, hold tight!, voting will open up at the beginning of next week to grade the beats and get some blap discussion underway.

    LOUIS DEN/BEAT HEADS if you wanna get in on the voting/interacting with the site..all you have to do is request a login from us at the louisden forum, see the link below..hit the League2009 sub forum and post in the thread (with your email addy and name) and we'll hook it up as soon as we can.

    and finally, hungry producers wanting in??..NAHHHHHHHHHHH sorry your time has passed...we did a final search for producers even after the division standings had been drawn up as there were some legitmate late commers but if you hollered before the forum went down and didnt get in touch via the blog posts I made you were either too late because we were full or missed the deadline...THAT IS IT.

    Ok so see you Sunday for the live stream..where we'll be playing the matches we've received so far!.

    see you then



    KOS.