My Take On Red Bull's Big Tune Beat Battle 2009 aka "So You Think You Can Dance?" aka "The Jeezy Wayne Gucci Auditions"

First off, I would like to commend the 16 finalists in this year's Big Tune beat battle. I'm sure you all have sacrificed a great deal in your quest for this title, and your dedication to your craft did not go unnoticed. However (you had to see THIS coming...lol), I PERSONALLY was disappointed in the lack of diversity and originality in many of the tracks I heard. There was CLEARLY an attempt to appease the Atlanta "market" with their brand of "Durty South" beats. As a native, I felt a little bit patronized (but maybe that was just me). Couple that with the energetic, yet VERY UNNECESSARY convulsions certain producers felt the need to display on stage as their beats were playing (I'm not suggesting in any way that they lose their fire, just let the music speak for itself). The crowd was obviously swayed by these shenanigans, and I think it was particularly unfair to a couple of contestants who I PERSONALLY felt should have advanced, but didn't because maybe they were too "laid back", though in terms of QUALITY, they were just as good, if not better. Now, on to Mr. DeUno...

Mr. DeUno: For you to wear a shirt that says "Dilla Is The Reason I Do This" to a beat battle you're competing in, is almost begging for trouble. James Yancey's musical legacy is one that will be difficult at the very least to equal (even by the industry's best), so you put a lot of pressure on yourself because people were/would be expecting a certain level of quality to your work. Futhermore, to then play beats that are lackluster with NO SIGNS WHATSOEVER of his influence was disappointing to a great many of us who are fans of Dilla's work. This critique is in no way questioning Dilla's significance in your aspirations, it just would have been nice to have heard some of it in your work.

Now, for the GOOD news...

Aside from the customary confusion at the door (par for the course here in Atlanta, lol), the Red Bull staff (Janet, Kecia, Ryan, etc.), the Opera staff, and the people at BET, did an EXCELLENT job in making the event a HUGE success. Listening to Denaun Porter, Tha Biznezz, The Alchemist, and Just Blaze showcase some of their many hits was DEFINITELY the high point of the evening for me. Seeing a lot of my peoples in the game (Diamond D, Supa Dav West, Shred The Verbal Tongue, Gee Supreme, Illastrate, Rozzi Daime, Senor Kaos, StaHHr, Boog Brown, DJ Toomp [thanks for the crate props, mayne], Denny Lavish [so proud of the way you've come up as an engineer and producer. I'll be stopping by the spot REAL soon!], Jake One, Vitamin D [thank ya'll for the jawns, I'll get those parts to you soon too], Choklate, Saul Williams, Tchaka Diallo, Chris X [from St. Marks...lol], DJ Heed, Floyd Da Locsmif, and DJ X-Zact) was refreshing as well. I'd also like to take a moment to acknowledge the producers I DID enjoy listening to: Apollo Brown (Detroit), Boondoc (Denver), and G-MO (Minneapolis). I'm looking forward to hearing more of their work in the future.


*on a more somber note, today marks the 1 yr. anniversary of Christopher "Jax" Thurston's transition. I would like to extend my most heart felt condolences and prayers to his wife, Ms. Lisa Watts-Thurston during this time. He was a wonderful spirit and a DOPE MC. He will be missed...