Battle of the Beats

Is there a 5th element of hip-hop? Once one acknowledges the basic four pillars of b-boying (breakdancing), dj'ing, rapping and graffiti art, it can get a bit fuzzy. Some have tried to make a case for beatboxing. Others have tried to codify everything from fashion to "street knowledge." Not trying to endorse any dogma, but if sample-based music creation is a logical extension of dj'ing and the canon of hip-hop heroes includes beatsmiths like DJ Premier, Marley Marl and Dr. Dre, then it seems like production is the most logical candidate. If D.C. had a lobby for the art of hip-hop production, you would probably find them all huddled around MPC's, ARS's, Tritons and all manner of electronic gizmos at the Capital City Records Beat Grinder Championship this evening. Similar to Philadelphia's Beat Society, which started the live showcase concept of what is usually a solitary pursuit, 10 producers will go three rounds a piece with their best beats. According to the official registration guidelines, producers will be judged on technical structure, drums, mixing, crowd response and nod factor. As a bonus, Kev Brown (producer of DJ Jazzy Jeff, De La Soul and Critically Acclaimed tunes) and Flex Mathews will be performing live. The beats get unleashed starting at 7.

-- Rhome

By washingtonpost.com |  May 6, 2005; 12:00 AM ET Music
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