INDUSTRY TALK: One of the Realest Songs in Hip Hop....In a Long, Long Time

MY INSPIRATION TO MAKE RAP BEATS

Nasir Jones: one of my favourite hip hop artists and arguably on the list of the top 5 MCs of all time. April 19, 1994 was Illmatic's release date and also the date that changed hip hop music for me forever. It was my first time hearing an MC say the things Nas was saying in the way they were being said. Blew my mind. That album influenced my writing and rapping to step up exponentially. Then of course, the beats. Blew my mind again. From "New York State of Mind" to the Q-Tip produced "One Love", It felt as though the culture itself pour its energy into and possessed Nas and his producers during the time this album was being created. I had no choice but to make beats and try to make them as sick as what I was hearing. Of course back then there was no one to buy beats online and as a matter of fact I didn't even know too much about the internet then, or computers for that matter. Music like that is why I am a producer to this day. Some call it "real hip hop" but I'd rather not suggest that newer hip hop is any less real since most young artists who are presently in the game, some of you even buy beats online at my site, are in this present era and honestly you're doing your ting well. I'd prefer to say that songs which define the overall feeling of the culture are the songs that continue to inspire me to make rap beats.

INSPIRATION: THIS IS WHY YOU BUY BEATS

Scroll up and watch the video if you haven't already. It's Nas' latest release from the forthcoming album "Life Is Good", his first solo project in about 5 years. "Daughters" is simply Nas showing us his life as a father and the trials and joys of raising a girl, not only in this society, but raising a girl as a single black man with his own skeletons, and raising a girl as,  Nas, the superstar MC. This song is pure inspiration on a number of levels. To those of you who have daughters it is bound to make you contemplate your own relationships with them. To the artists reading this, just listening to the beat, Nas' flow and lyrics are sure to send you runnig for your rhyme book (or tablet, laptop, Blackberry, iPhone or Android), or to tho studio to empty out all the creative juices that come bubbling to the rim. To you guys, this is why you need original rap beats. This is why you've always yearned to be the best MC ever. This is why you buy beats online, and thus, this is why I do what I do. Thank you and thank Nas and every other artist that continues to inspire the engine of hip hop.

INDUSTRY TALK: For All the WU TANG Heads!!

Hip Hop as a genre owes a lot of its development to these guys. The Wu Tang Clan exploded in the early to mid 90s and redefined hip hop as a genre and the way hip hop artists made deals with labels. I was totally inspired and enthralled by the Wu Tang juggernaut in those days. It influenced my writing (yea I write rhymes) and my beatmaking. To this day, RZA's work is an indelible part of my foundation and of the foundations of other producers today who make beats for artists to buy online or in their hometowns.

Check out the video above. It had me literally glued for the whole performance. The impact of the Clan is undoubted when a whole generation, regardless of race or ethnicity, can sing along word for word with all their songs. This put me in the Delorean and sent me back to when Hip Hop had an infectious energy and your worries seemed small if you just happened to get your hands on the newest releases. I mean come on I'm sure we have all felt that bubbling anticipation when removing the plastic from that new tape (remember those?) or CD.

I continue to love the older Hip Hop because it always inspires me to write rhymes and make rap beats. If any of you out there feel inspired to write rhymes, whether by the stars of today such as Odd Future, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole or by legends like Wu Tang, Blackstar and A Tribe Called Quest, one thing you have in your favour now is how easy it is to  buy hot rap beats online, make a great song and start promoting via social media (technology huh?). Never waste a single opportunity. Make those who paved the way proud by carrying on the legacy of real hip hop. Do it how it should be done.

INDUSTRY TALK: "Beez In the Trap" Nicki Minaj ft 2 Chainz

Sigh. I was sitting here wondering what would be the topic of my next blog post and then I came across this track and video from Nicki Minaj ft 2 Chainz called "Beez in the Trap". Admittedly, when I first saw the title I was actually hoping it was an ode to bee-keepers (LMFAO!) but alas, it's just Nicki being...well Nicki, or maybe I should say the Nicki she recently morphed into.

Ok so I understand where she's coming from. The song is more for those who can relate as it celebrates, promotes and sends respect to a whole lot of cities and states in the US, particular those in the South which are associated with the term 'Trap'. Of course, the feature from the man of the moment 2 Chainz clearly helps the credibility of the song. However, nothing about the song says 'real' or 'original' to me. I can just imagine Nicki's management sitting around in the studio deciding that in order for her remain relevant and try to comeback from that horrible mistake (i.e. Stupid Hoe) she HAS to do a trap song, since trap music is king in hip hop right now.

Unfortunately the song's only saving grace, apart from the street laced flow of 2 Chainz, is the video, and that's only because Nicki's body is smoking hot and she's pretty much half naked through all of it. Oh and did I mention there are a few hints of quasi-lesbian behaviour with similarly hot women? In addition, as a producer I have to comment on the beat. Even though it has trap earmarks all over it, it's not just a carbon copy of a Lex Luger or Drumma Boy beat. This is a lesson for unsigned acts looking to buy beats online: look for an original sound that still has elements which make it current.

Ok so to sum it up: New Nicki Minaj track; following the 'trap' band wagon (face it, she's no T.I....hell she ain't even Flocka); Nice beat; decent bars from 2 Chainz; Nicki showing some skin (damn she would get it!!!). Check the video out for yourself as this is just my humble opinion. It still makes for a cool listen if you happen to be in that mood for some trap influenced vibes. If you are an indie artist and this track inspires you (either to do something similar or try to blow it out the water) check me out at my site and listen to some of the beats we have online. You may just find the perfect one to buy.

INDUSTRY TALK: Need to Make a Hit Record? Read This

CAN'T FIND BEATS ONLINE? MAKE THEM YOURSELF....WITH A LITTLE HELP

Are you a true independent music artist? Do you search online to buy the right beats or even seek out local producers to no avail? If you're like me then you fancy yourself a true "do-it-yourself-er" when it comes to music. These days, the indie artist is not just an artist. He or she is also the recording engineer/producer/beatmaker/mix engineer/chief cook and bottle washer. It seems as though this is an evolution which came hand in hand with the advent of new and more affordable software and hardware for making music. Additionally, rates at large commercial studios and prices charged by big name producers are usually too hot for the average indie artist.

In steps producers like me. Guys who are familiar with the situation simply because well...we are artists too and we face the same problems. I started making rap beats and learning how to record and mix because I was in a rap group and we need access to those things but could not afford the professionals. Because I am in such a position to empathize, I am able to do two important things:

• Provide industry standard rap beats/hip hop instrumentals for artists to buy (lease) online at very affordable rates.
• Create and offer loops and sample packs in most major urban/pop genres.

While the latter may be more suitable for producers, recall that we just established that many indie artists are also the producers of their own material. Thus, loop pack such as the dubstep samples in the player above are perfect for artists as well as dedicated producers. Sometimes this may even be a better option than buying beats online, for the following reasons:

• The high quality (WAV, ACID, APPLE) loops can be mixed and matched, added to other instruments or manipulated in many ways and therefore are more flexible than just beat in mp3 format.
• The loops are sold royalty free so it is very similar to leasing a beat
• The price is very affordable and the value is great because a loop pack will contain 5 or more beat kits.

DON'T JUST BUY BEATS, BUY TOOLS FOR YOUR CREATIVITY

Just to sum it all up, I must say that there is NOTHING wrong with buying beats online. Many artists are simply just vocalists and prefer to keep things simple. However, for those who like to get hands on and show a different level of creativity, loops and sample packs are a viable option. You get a substantial number of royalty free loops in each pack that can be combined and manipulated in countless ways or simply looped up and used as is! Take a listen to the demo above and check out others like it here.

MIXTAPE REVIEW: Wilson Wright "Victory Laps"

Once again from your ultimate source for indie hip hop culture, hot rap beats online and more, we bring you another mixtape review. Not only are we about providing hip hop instrumentals and rap beats for artists to buy online, we also continue to be an active member of the hip hop community and assist in giving artists the exposure they deserve.

Hot off the press and straight out of the DMV and Black Pilots League comes "Victory Laps" from Wilson Wright (@Wrighteouslife). This tape is 12 tracks of what I call easy listening hip hop. The beats are all original and this is highly commendable. Most of the beats are mid to slow tempo and have that really "chill" vibe. That being said, as a producer myself, my only constructive criticism would be that the beats are a sometimes a little too simple and the mixes lack that extra bump. That aside, the tape is still a very good listen.

Wright's wordplay is sprinkled with gems such as "I create the greatest discs somewhat like Krillin's hands" ( a reference to the classic anime Dragon Ball Z). The standout tracks on this tape, based on the impact of the beats and how they blend with the flows and the lyrics, are the title track "Victory Laps", "The Arrival", "Goodbye" (Ill soul sample!) and "CliffTops". The latter almost has an old Outkast vibe, which is a serious compliment to Wright and his production partner @Official_BigCAT. 

All in all Wright's laidback style and braggadocio wordplay are worth the listen and you can check it out here. Out of a possible 5 star rating, "Victory Laps" gets about a 3.8 mostly because the beats didn't bump as hard as one would like and the track "Goodbye" which has arguably the best vibe on the tape, was too short. Give it a download for the simple reason that Wright is a true MC.

INDUSTRY TALK: Headliner.fm: A Good Way to Get Heard

In keeping with our mandate to be so much more than a site with offers rap beats/hip hop instrumentals for artists to buy online, we've found a number of cool online tools for musicians and artists and we will be reviewing them here from time to time. If you are an indie artist and you haven't yet checked out Headliner.fm, you ought to be kicking yourself right now. Headliner.fm, in my opinion is one of the most effective ways to get word of your music out. It seemlessly connects to twitter, facebook, soundcloud and even myspace, allowing you to potentially reach millions of fans. The way it works is, users get "band bucks" by connecting their various social media accounts, referring friends and most importantly, promoting other users on the site. You can then use these "band bucks" to launch your own promotions and reach potential fans/customers that you would not normally have access to. 

Let's say for example, you're an indie hip hop artist who's looking to buy rap beats online or attract interest from A&Rs. With the band bucks you've built up, you could target other artists who use the service by basically offering up band bucks for them to tweet/post a message from you about whatever you need to promote. That way, you can have the message sent out to the fan bases and followers of many other artists. This can clearly be of great benefit to you. The trick is to word your messages so that it seems as though the artist who does the tweeting is simply telling his/her followers to check you out. In a world where image means a lot, having an artist seem to give you an endorsement like that is very valuable. 

With tools like this available, there is no longer a reason to worry about how to get signed. Indie artists, especially in the world of hip hop, can now easily buy rap beats online, create their mixtapes/albums and promote, promote, promote.

INDUSTRY TALK: New Single from Nas "The Don" LIVE @ SXSW

In an age in hip hop where superstars are based more on the quality of rap beats than on the quality of the MC-ing, it is great to see that veterans like Nas are still out there making good songs and still rocking the crowd! The super MC is still one to look up to for up and comers.

We aim to help the up and comers as well by providing inspiration in the form of advice, and the best hip hop instrumentals for those who buy beats online. The time is now. If you want to be on the SXSW stage next time around, get your hands on top quality hip hop instrumentals and check out some of the posts on Stratcarter.com that are geared towards helping indie artists get ahead. We are more than just a spot to buy rap beats online!

INDUSTRY TALK: The Definition of "MC"

Throughout the years, I have been privy to many a debate on this topic. I have been a connoisseur of fine hip hop since the late 80s and many of my peers respect me as an authority on the subject. That aside, I've noticed that peoples' opinions of what an MC supposed to be, within a Hip Hop context, tend to differ somewhat. On the day when we remember the late, great Christopher Wallace aka The Notorious B.I.G, I thought I would deal with this issue a bit.

So I recently saw some of my peoples in a facebook group arguing (kinda) over whether a certain rap artist can be considered an MC (Nicki Minaj -__-). Some people said that she's not a good lyricist and therefore she should never hold that title. Well is this really true? Does being lyrical equate to being a real MC? It's all about perspective really. At the beginning of Hip Hop, the term MC implied "one who moved the crowd". It was actually closer akin in definition to the dictionary meaning "Master of Ceremonies". The earliest Hip Hop showcases were not so much about the rapper, as it was about the entire culture. The MC in those days basically hyped up the crowd with simple party styled lyrics ("throw ya hands in the air, and wave 'em like you just don't care") while the DJ did his thing on the wheels. Even the early songs by Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash and The Sugar Hill Gang were not lyrical by today's standards but they did in fact move the crowd. We could even argue about what "lyrical" means, as many people may say that the Furious Five's "The Message" was a lyrical song simply because of how they brought across the subject matter.

Fast forward to now. It's 2012 and the game has been significantly changed, time and time again. Now the most revered MCs are the lyricists (I use MC and not rapper. A rapper can be anyone who raps. Many rappers exist and are chart toppers not because of skill but because of marketing). As time progressed, MCs such as Big L, Kool G Rap, Biggie, Pac, Nas, Jay-Z, Common, yasiin bey (Mos Def) and others have made music that redefined how we judge an MC. Nowadays, if you're not lyrical, your "MC" status is dubious at best (except in the eyes of MTV). The use of metaphor, double entendre and punchlines is now a vital part of being an MC.

Even now in a time where success as a rap artist seems to be dependent on your marketing and your beats, real hip hoppers understand what it takes to be an MC. The real reason why I would say that being and MC now requires lyricism is because in many circles, that is how you 'move the crowd'. Even some of the most popular mainstream artists, such as L'il Wayne and Drake, are top notch MCs because of what they say and how they say it.

To any rappers or MCs reading this, aspiring or established, I hope it helps in some way. To the indie artists longing to claim your place among the greats like B.I.G, study your craft and do worry about hot beats. The beats are everywhere now and you don't need to have a Timberland sized budget to get them. Simply grab your debit/credit card and buy beats online. Respect the art. Peace.

R.I.P

Christopher George Latore Wallace

May 21, 1972 - March 9, 1997

INDUSTRY TALK: How To Be a Better Rapper/Singer

I run a small recording studio and therefore I come into contact with a lot of artists of all different types. Because the major genres I deal with are Hip Hop and R&B, I interact with a whole lot of rappers and singers. I myself started rapping at an early age went on to win competitions and awards in my home country, on my way to becoming a producer and audio engineer. Over the years I've gained some insight into what it takes to become a better rapper (or singer for that matter), and I want to share a few points here:

1. Read more. Sounds basic but it's important. The more you read, the more you get familiar with words and the nuances of language, enunciation and cadence. These are essential tools for any vocalist.
2. This is related to point 1. Expand your vocabulary. Learn more words and what they mean. Especially for rappers, this helps you to have a bigger arsenal when writing or freestyling.
3. Stay up on current affairs. Again it's about feeding the mind so that you will have sources of inspiration and knowledge to draw from. Some of the best lyricists in rap are also some of the most socially aware and intelligent members of the community.
4. Don't practice in isolation. This is why having a circle of like minded individuals around you is very important. Your crew should be able to keep you sharp via friendly competition and constructive criticism. Don't stay alone in your corner and not expose yourself to other opinions and stimuli.
5. Practice a lot and try new things. Don't settle for doing the same thing over and over again. Challenge your abilities. It's a good way to grow.
6. Vocal training (yes rappers need this too). Not only should you have a vocal coach teach you correct breathing techniques and such like, but you should also take good care of your voice since it's your instrument of choice.
7. Search for and use beats that suit the type of artist you want to be. There are almost infinite resources to choose from, especially when buying beats online, so listen through your options and choose what sounds and feels right.

I know that was a mouthful but I felt as though it needed to be said. Here's to better music and better music careers for all of us!

INDUSTRY TALK: Make Music Outside the Box

It's 2012 and the music industry is in its most interesting state ever, in my opinion. On the one hand, we have artists who are purely about musicianship and raw talent i.e. Adele and on the other we have gimmick artists like Nicki Minaj. Both successful but from two totally different perspectives. One is crafted solely by the engine of the industry and panders to whatever trends are hot while the other has brought back that feel of true artistry.

 I want to encourage artists, producers and beatmakers to think. Think not just about what sells currently or what is the next shock value gimmick that can be employed for the sake of remaining relevant, but instead try to craft your songs, beats and videos with a kind of cutting edge creativity. Here are some examples of what I mean, little things that may make a difference:

• Song structure. The usual intro, verse, chorus, verse chorus blah blah blah is cool but maybe try switching it up a bit. Try a simpler hook or maybe even verses where the hook line of the song is at the end of each line of the verse. Bridges are cool but try using them in an unorthodox spot in the song, or maybe have the bridge come at 2 points in the song.

• Rap groups should try being more integrated on tracks, e.g. in the case of a 3 man crew, instead of 3 verses and a couple hooks, have 2 verses and have each member play parts in both. This creates a real crew vibe and is very interesting to the listener.

• Try weird things in your beats. Sample household implements or things that you wouldn't normally associate with music. For producers who compose more often than they sample (like me), avoid monotonous loops throughout the song. Use your chops to create different movements and mini bridges within your beats. It makes them more appealing to artists who are looking to buy beats online or otherwise.

Look at the success of Odd Future (OFWGKTA). Even though a lot of their music is filled with what I like to call shock value content, which in itself may be seen as a gimmick, they certainly get an A for effort. They are unique and as such have garnered a cult following.

Think outside the proverbial box. Boxes are stifling....and square.

INDUSTRY TALK: Hot New Consequence ft Busta Rhymes (Beat is CRAZY)

Real hip hop seeps back into our lives every once in a while. This Native Tongues reminiscent track (If you don't know what I mean by Native Tongues, never listen to hip hop again -__-) is refreshing, with the Dungeon Dragon Godfather and the heavily underrated microphone virtuoso showing the younger cats how it should be done! The beat is insane too! Well produced. I'm not totally a fan of the mix but in some cases these things are simply a matter of taste.

If you enjoy hip hop of this nature and/or your are an artist looking for REAL hip hop beats online, visit my beats page. Nuff said

Source for this track and info: Mr. X at Nahright.com

MOVIE NEWS: The Avengers are Coming!

If you are a big movie buff/comic fan like me you probably can't wait to get your hands and eyes on this one! Sure to be action packed of course, but sources say the plot should be interesting with the super-sized egos of Hulk, Iron Man and Thor often clashing. Catch me at your local cinema with my 3D glasses on for this one!

PS. I'm sure the sound mixing and music will be awesome! Those are things i'm also heavily into. Anything to do with audio, music production, buying and selling beats and mixing and mastering I'm there. If you want to here what I do visit my main beats page.