Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Beat.
The Acoustic Version
There are few things that frustrate me like modern-day music. Lyrics are getting more vulgar and offensive by the day and auto-tuning programs strip voices of their uniqueness and any kind of emotion. The ones most willing to sacrifice their dignity are rewarded with fame, while true talent is left ignored in the coffee shop around the corner. I believe in rebelling against the stigmatic consumption of “Today’s Hits.” I believe in giving true artists the credit they deserve; I believe in listening to and appreciating the acoustic rendition.
By Ellie Renkert7 years ago in Beat
School of Vivaldi
In this article, I will briefly introduce you to a piece of Antonio Vivaldi; Concerto in E Minor, Op. 3 No. 4. I am going to do this by first explaining what the function of this piece was in relation to the viewers of the performance as well as the performers themselves. Then I am going to discuss the musical aspects, like the rhythm and the key.
By Larissa van Orselen7 years ago in Beat
Brockhampton - 'Saturation III'
Brockhampton is the newest collective of hip-hop innovators that will soon have the pop landscape at their feet. They don’t want to be just another “rap group”; they insist that you call them a “boy band.” The group consists of Kevin Abstract, Matt Champion, Ameer Van, Merlyn Wood, Dom McLennon, Rodney Tenor, Ciaran “Bearface” Mcdonald, and Russell Boring.
By Rap Disciple7 years ago in Beat
The Cross-Influence of Hip-Hop and Indie Music: A Playlist
I’ve always had an affinity for songs that were different, futuristic if you will. Songs that would create eras and ways to usher in new aspects of music. Hip-Hop and Indie music have always produced that, but have existed as largely separate genres, complete with their own unique sound and cultures. However, despite the genres’ differences on the surface, they possess a commonality: they began as forward thinking, underground styles that have adapted and grown to encompass a spectrum of sounds and mainstream success.
By Aaron Gibbs-Grice7 years ago in Beat
The 'List: Best (Depending On Who You Ask) of 2017. Top Story - December 2017.
Hello, one and all. If any of you follow my posts, you all know by now that I do not listen; or rather barely to, any new music, unless it's by an artist that I'm still willing to validate and listen to. 2017, in my opinion, has been a less-than-stellar year in music, mostly because (realizing that it's a one-sided argument) the music has been so sub-par and one-note, that I must now chuck it up to a major generation gap.
By Carlos Gonzalez7 years ago in Beat
Darlene Love Never Fails to Bring Christmas Home
Darlene Love first appeared on the scene in the 1960’s girl group, The Blossoms. The female flowering provided doo-wop backup for artists that ranged from Sam Cooke and Elvis to Frank Sinatra and Dionne Warwick. On her own - through the sometimes contentious relationship with Phil Specter - emerged hits like He’s a Rebel, He’s Sure the Boy I Love and Wait til my Bobby gets Home. Her resume also includes screen credits as Danny Glover’s wife in the Lethal Weapon movies and a decades long run singing Christmas Baby Please Come Home on the David Letterman Show. But while her voice may have destined her for stardom, it was her father’s weekly inspirational oratory that would actually force the path she landed on.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Beat
Captain Beefheart - Safe As Milk
Never ventured into the magical world of Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band? Where do you look for the entry point? With many artists and bands, it could be anywhere, with others it is in the middle, with some it is actually at the end. While quite a few listeners are mystified and a bit hesitant with all the stories of his truly avant-garde masterpiece Trout Mask Replica and a few other albums, as well as his idiosyncratic character and studio/live/private life stories, the entry point into his music is quite simple. You start at the beginning. And the beginning, the ‘official’ one, as if the word official can be stuck in front of the good captain’s name (his real name is either Don Vliet or Don Van Vliet - he stuck to the latter) is with his album Safe As Milk.
By Ljubinko Zivkovic7 years ago in Beat
Nicki Minaj
Nicki, Nicki, Nicki!! Nicki Minaj was born Onika Maraj on December 8, 1982 in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago. She moved to the USA when she was younger. Nicki hadn't always had the luxury life. Her father had problems with drugs and being abusive towards Nicki's mother. He even went as far as burning their house down. Nicki and her mother survived the house fire, but she always had a passion for music at a young age. When she was in middle school, she played the clarinet, which gained her an admission to a school of arts. Her dream was to do acting, but after so many attempts she decided to get a job. After working so many jobs, she was fired for poor customer service. Then one day she decided to pull a group together called "The Hoodstars." They released a few mixtapes, but Nicki left the group and started working on her solo mixtapes. She caught the attention of the CEO of "Dirty Money Entertainment," who signed her a contract. Some of her popular mixtapes like Playtime is Over, and a follow-up that really got her career started on the way to fame as a rapper. Then in 2009, she released her third mixtape and got her hits on the Top 20 Billboard's Hot Rap Song. This caught the attention of rapper Lil Wayne, who signed her a contract with "Young Money Entertainment." She started by making cameos in videos with people like Robin Thicke and Mariah Carey. The day finally came, her debut album Massive Attack, which changed to Pink Friday was released in 2010. That was when her career as an artist started and took off. She had hits off the album that made the Top Billboard Top 20 Rap Songs. Her song "Your Love" was one of her number one hits. "Super Bass" was another top hit that went platinum. There were a lot more hit songs on the album that you can name. In 2012, she collaborated with one of top 80s queens, Madonna and fellow artist MIA on a song called "Give Me All Your Luvin." Later on that year, she debuted her studio album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. Popular songs like "Stupid Hoe" and "Roman in Moscow" were on the album. And they became very popular songs on the chart.
By Shante Hernandez7 years ago in Beat
They’re Back After 4 Years
This just came out, but Apple Music, iTunes pre-orders, and others have been able to listen to this album since the night before the release. It’s got many elements from many different genres. The really cool thing about this is that they are still making heavy music for a band who has been in the metal business for almost a decade.
By Johnathon Lopez7 years ago in Beat
Hot SoundCloud Week 2
Back for week two of the hot SoundCloud playlist. Productions by Tea proudly presents the best twenty artists to have submitted their tracks via SoundCloud, Facebook, or email. To get featured on future playlists, contact me at SoundCloud, or SoundClick. You can also email me.
By travus Leroux7 years ago in Beat