Rounding off State of Music week, the Brooklynite producer presents his definitive list of the beat scene movers and shakers who will get you streaming
Yung Gutted makes beats from the depths of hell – according to none other than Yung Gutted. We'd tend to agree, there – the heavy noise of his own material being matched only by the encyclopedic depth of his underground knowledge. As well as introducing us to about-to-blow-up USA beatmakers with his ultra-comprehensive dA-Zed guide, Yung Gutted comes with a few other names to get-to-know, now. His crew, the Nocturnal Sons Posse (founded by Czarquan) are a fresh-faced hip-hop crew and collective, all born, bred and resident in Brooklyn and Harlem. Producer, rappers, DJs, artists – you name it, they've got it. Yung Gutted's got a new EP, Towers, out on Earnest Endeavours later this month. In the meantime, press play on these atmospheric mix-makers and beat geniuses you need in your life A-S-A-P.
A IS FOR ACEMO
Acemo has an extremely versatile producing style, making tracks ranging from heavy syncopated dance music to ambient, lo-fi nature sounds.
B IS FOR BLVC SVND
Blvc Svnd is a younger producer (I'm pretty sure he's only sixteen), but that doesn't prevent him from creating huge, bass heavy hip hop beats.
C IS FOR CZARQUAN
Czarquan, the founder of Nocturnal Sons Posse, is a producer, rapper and visual artist. Hailing from Harlem, his beats combine the New York sound and aesthetic with current southern rap influence.
D IS FOR DEVONWHO
Another versatile producer who I've been listening to since the early LA beat scene days, Devonwho always creates soulful yet wonky beats.
E IS FOR ERIC DINGUS
Eric Dingus is what I would call the sound of 2014 hip hop, but he says it best with his music.
F IS FOR FALCONS
Falcons are the perfect party music. Guaranteed to turn the whole party up, his dance remixes of classic hip hop tracks and beats alike are all bangers.
G IS FOR GILA MONSTA
Producer for the group Gorgeous Children, Gila Monsta never fails at making your head bounce with his incredibly groovy yet dark and experimental beats.
H IS FOR PHOTAY
Photay makes catchy, very dance-worthy beats, with use of great enviornmental sounds and samples to create an incredible auditary experience with every track.
I IS FOR IMAN OMARI
Soulful, Dilla-inspired, groove-heavy, speaker-knocking beats. Can't go wrong.
J IS FOR J DILLA
Not by any means an underground producer, but I have to pay homage to the king, because without him, none of the other producers on this list would exist.
K IS FOR KALLIE LAMPEL
Very experimental and ambient tracks, Kallie creates incredible soundscapes and moods for the listeners enjoyment. Heavy use of found sounds and tape recordings mean Kallie's songs have a very unique vibe.
L IS FOR LDFD
LDFD, who seems to have disappeared from the face of the Earth, was making "future trap" before that was even a thing. Crazy synth sounds and use of samples make LDFD's bass-heavy beats extremely hard not to turn up to.
M IS FOR MNDSGN
Mndsgn has that deep wonky groove, a soulful collision of both East Coast and West Coast sounds. A super prolific producer who's self-released over ten albums and now has a forthcoming summer record on Stones Throw, out August 26, entitled Yawn Zen.
N IS FOR NOCTURNAL SONS POSSE
Nocturnal Sons Posse is our NYC based art, music, and clothing collective. Created by Harlem and Brooklyn born artists, looking to give a true New Yorker's perspective and founded by visual artist, music producer and rapper Calvin Skinner AKA Czarquan. Members include Yung Gutted, Czarquan, Don Rez, Sleepymane, Sha Coubet, Shogun Ack, Mordo, Gold Land.
O IS FOR OHBLIV
Ohbliv is a big name in lo-fi, boom-bap style beats. Hailing from Richmond, VA, he is another producer you can be sure will always make you bop your head.
P IS FOR COLOR PLUS
Color Plus always makes them booties bounce, no question. Drawing influence from all different types of electronic music, he's honed his craft to create a unique yet reliable sound in hip hop and dance music.
Q IS FOR RICHIE QUAKE
Singer, songwriter, and producer, Richie Quake is extremely talented in all fields, and it shows in his tracks. Soulful and mysterious, his songs are always beautiful, and at the same time bass heavy and club worthy.
R IS FOR RAMBOW
Drawing influence from Jamaican dancehall and Ragga, Rambow creates extremely fire dance music. Use of fat bass and syncopated rhythms make his beats perfect for the ladies to twerk to.
S IS FOR SPACEGHOSTPURRP
Hailing from Florida, this influential rapper and producer uses the same lo-fi aesthetic and evil image of early Memphis rap, with a whole new touch.
T IS FOR TUAMIE
This beat happens to be one of my favorite beats of all time, and it's not hard to see why. 90s vibe with soulful samples and hard hitting drums, Tuamie is a master of his craft.
U IS FOR LIL UGLY MANE
Similar to Spaceghostpurrp in his influence, legendary Lil Ugly Mane's production and rapping style are sure to go down in hip hop history.
V IS FOR DALI VISION
Dali Vision creates atmospheric, emotional, and experimental beats. Very worth checking out all of his stuff, because his sound varies from beautiful laid back beats to harsh noise to drum and bass insanity, while all the while maintaining the musical genius that is Dali Vision.
W IS FOR DIL WITHERS
Dil Withers is another lo-fi boom-bap producer, from Seattle. His throwback sound and use of samples make his beats consistently bounce-able while still slightly experimental
X IS FOR KNXWLEDGE
A staple in the beat scene, Knxwledge paved the way for many of the producers on this list. Lo-fi and experimental, yet still full of soul and that classic hip hop feel.
Y IS FOR YUNG AOL
Yung AOL, who used to go by Mattron in a past life, brings a unique club vibe to hip hop beats. Samples ranging from VHS pornos to wavy 80's synths, it sounds like AOL has gotten himself lost deep in the internet, and we ain't mad about it.
Z IS FOR ZEROH
Rapper and producer Zeroh, another staple in the LA beat scene, has been creating genius experimental beats for years. Not to mention his incredible and unique rap style that fits perfectly over his beats.