Winner of May '09 Beat Battle Is...

[Sa'id]

Midwest Authority- "Trip36"

As we move into the halfway point of the year, it's clear who our core competitors are. Moreover, it's clear how serious our community approach these battles. And one of the things that I dig the most is how everybody is entirely committed to working out their own sound...
Now for the breakdown...

Midwest Authority
This beat is thick...it's one of the most unique and original beats I've ever heard--really a true masterpiece that speaks to the high art and meticulousness of the beatmaking craft. The drums are rough and aggressive... The changes are defiantly dope... and the groove steady and stone cold in the pocket. Finally, another feature that makes this beat standout is the fact that this joint has the heart and drums of the east, some of the bounce of the south, and the sheen and openness of the west... Top notch beatwork.

2nd Place:
Jooneydubz - "Midwest Monster"
Hmmm... Jooney, looks like you're back on your shit, hungh! This joint is another one of your "air-the-place" out heaters--indeed, it is a "monster." It's greedy and aggressive, no bullshit--in your face, 100% gutter music... I could see it intimidating most rappers.

3rd Place:
Influence1210 - "Beach Dreaming"
This joint had a lot of heart to it. Mellow and steady, very distinguishable. Drums worked well within the overall scheme. The master volume of the song could have been turned up, but that's a minor thing.

SPECIAL AWARDS
Segundo Award for Consistency and Contribution

Boss - "The Set Up"
This beat contains a musical story within a story! Dope beatwork, especially in light of the fact that this is a decisive departure from your usual break-beat-based stuff--you really impressed with your range with this joint.

Get Paid With Heart Award for the #1 Crossover Joint that Still Pays Homage to the Beatmaking Craft

No winner in this category this month!

Honorable Mentions:

Gee Wiz - "1"
This was a decent joint... dug the drumwork and the whole sound.

3flip - "Help Me Out No Del"
This would be good for solid album fuller... But yo, good album fillers always have the potential to become fan favorites. This could also work as good scene music, e.g. CSI and such.

Jegie - "Free and Independent"
This beat has legs, could be major... Great build up, but the beat's seems to be over before it really gets started. (The speech is longer than the beat.)

Notes.

uhoh - "Zoolema"
Yo, step your aggression up! Your drums are consistent as usual, but you're wasting them on "soft" sounding top layers and arrangements. Toughen up your joints. Think about making a statement with your beats.

dkelloway - "37th Chamber"
Drums improved, and overall the joint was nice. You're better understanding how sounds blend and work together. All in all though, son, it's time for you to end your self-imposed RZA apprenticeship! If you don't, I think it's going to impede your development as a beatmaker.

Castro Beats - "Castro Beats"
Dope song...But I had to disqualify this joint because it had vocals. Remember, this is a beat battle not a song battle. Vocals offer an unfair advantage or disadvantage.

Widluk - "Impact"
Expected a big change around the :24 mark, but it never came. Some kind of change, maybe some kind of bass or guitar arrangement would have worked. But as is, the beat seemed incomplete.


Final thoughts.

It's becoming more and more clear that the BeatTips Beat Battle is serving as motivation and a catalyst for many of you. If that is indeed the case, I'm humbled, as that was one of my goals when I created these battles. Now, as we move forward through the year, I want everybody to keep of the intensity because I have something else in store for the winners and top contenders...

Congratulations to Midwest Authority
Midwest Authority, hit me with a PM, include your full name and complete address for your prize money. Also, include a pic so I can feature you, on the home page of BeatTips.com.

June BeatTips Beat Battle win begin on Friday May 12th...

-Sa'id