Winner of April '09 Beat Battle Is...

[Sa'id]

KrazyFingaz- "So Fly"

I'm noticing a whole lot of exploration of styles... Looking back over past battles, it's crazy where peoples' sounds have gone--dope!
Now for the breakdown...

KrazyFingaz...
Immediately this joint drew me in. It's real natural and very soulful; perhaps more importantly, it's not contrived--you don't try to over-do anything, and that's paramount! This beat right here was a lesson in horn-stab play and magnificent "ready-steady" drumwork--you never "overworked" your drums, instead, you let them rock ready and steady, relying (rightfully so) on the horn arrangements and ill changes.
*Two wins in a row!!! Yo, KrazyFingaz, you going after Jooney's Record?

2nd Place:
DC - "Slow Down in the Rain"
DC, I've said it before: you have a LOT of range, man, and I'm convinced that this is going to make you a very well-known beatmaker/producer...sooner than you may think. You're a master at changes (switch-ups) and build-ups, and your drums always maintain the track very well.

3rd Place:
Dkelloway - "Homage to Premier"
This is official...gutter music. Good impact, feeling, and more discipline with your drums. This is your most solid work to date... However, I gotta point out that the drum pattern you went with, which was essentially a knock-off of the "Incarcerated Scarfaces" drum pattern...

SPECIAL AWARDS
Segundo Award for Consistency and Contribution

Thatinman11 - "The Den of Thieves"
Yo, one question for you, "Who did you envision this beat for?" This joint was some horror/story tale shit; could be used as a New York Streets cautionary tale or a Southern 'trouble-in-the-club' joint.

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

SC - "I Am Legend"

Honorable Mentions:

Boss - "Toon"
This joint is like a b-boys delight! It's smooth and wreckless at the same time; drums are really in the pocket...made me imagine a South Bronx b-boy battle in the seventies.

Don Productionsbeatz - "It Was My Birthday"
The beat further demonstrates that your sound is moving more towards a club appeal/pop type of sound--don't know if that is intentional or if this was always your sound all along? Either way, track is decent, but typical professional sounding pop beat; could easily see success with this joint in the club and on contemporary radio.

Notes.

Last Ritez - "Poetry in the Streets"
This joint would have benefited from a more straight forward drum pattern that knocked.

zulfiquar361 - "Boxa Nova"
It's never good to be able to "see" where a beatmaker is tapping in the changes; makes the beat sound way too choppy and predictable.

Marol - "What Does It All Mean?"
I don't know if you knew or not that this sample was used pretty much the same way by Marco Polo for his song with O.C., "Marquee"... But if you did know, keep in mind that when using a sample that has been used before, make sure you try to flip it differently...


Final thoughts.

I'm proud of the competitors that make up the BeatTips Beat Battle each month. Sometimes it's easy to get the feeling that there's no more love and respect for our craft. But every time I sit down and go thrown the beats for each month's battle, I get the feeling that the love and ultimate respect for our craft is really in full effect!

Congratulations to KrazyFingaz
KrazyFingaz, 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.

May BeatTips Beat Battle win begin on Friday May 8th...

-Sa'id