Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Beat.

'Stalag 17' – How This Record Has Traveled Through Time
1973 – Kingston, Jamaica. While the world was watching Big George Foreman knocking the hell out of Smokin Joe Frazier, just a few miles away, Stalag 17, one of the most legendary records in history, was put together. (Alright, I don't know if it was actually the same exact time, but it was the same year and the same city — you get the picture.)
By Philip Jancsy8 years ago in Beat
What Makes You a Musician
In the 7th grade, I picked up my brother’s guitar for the first time and spent 3 hours looking at tabs for “She Talks to Angels” by Black Crowes. By dinner time I had made it through two full runs of the song without messing up! So I was a musician, right? Hell no!
By David Loving8 years ago in Beat
Best DJs Who Can Scratch of All Time
For the past ten-ish years of my life, I basically devoted myself to my love of electronica, turntablism, PLUR, and the rave life. I do not regret my decision in the least bit, because it opened my eyes to a world of love, acceptance, and some of the best music I've ever heard. (What can I say, that first rave I attended changed my life.)
By Skunk Uzeki8 years ago in Beat
The New Era of the Music Industry
“There are a million people trying to do the same thing.” “It’s a cool idea, but it’s not realistic.” “I think it’s time to stop dreaming and get a real job.” “You can work hard, but making it in the music industry is mostly luck.”
By David Loving8 years ago in Beat
Do's & Don'ts of Promoting Your Music Grassroots to People on Social Media
Here are some do's & don'ts of promoting your music grassroots to people on social media from my personal experience. Artists: struggling to get real plays and likes on your music? Here are the three main things you are doing wrong and what you need to do to start getting results in building supporters with people on your social networks.
By Aaceeo Picosoneo8 years ago in Beat
Apple Music vs. Spotify
The long-waited debate of Apple Music vs Spotify has arrived. I have been a user of both Apple Music and Spotify and here is my review over both apps and the pros and cons of each. I took five separate areas to focus on. Apple Music and Spotify both have the same concept of online music streaming for users. One difference is that you can still use Spotify if you are not a Premium owner. You just use your desktop or laptop to download songs and they will download to your app and account. For the sake of argument, I compared Apple Music and Spotify Premium.
By Mackenzie Coberley8 years ago in Beat
In Defense of Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream'
In a post-Witness era world, Katy Perry and her antics in the spotlight are a topic that always opens up a Pandora’s box of opinions and criticisms. We could talk about "Chained to the Rhythm," a catchy pop anthem that blames catchy pop anthems for the world’s political apathy, or the meme-filled "Swish Swish" video and the song’s references to a very public beef with Taylor Swift. We could even go further back to 2013 when she performed her single "Unconditionally" at the AMA’s dressed as a geisha, surrounded by cherry blossoms, replicas of gates to Shinto shrines, and women in kimonos. I’m not here to explain or excuse her past behaviors but I would like to soothe American pop culture’s festering wound that Katy Perry afflicted herself by taking it back to a simpler time: the Teenage Dream Era. To quote Snoop Dogg in "California Gurls": “Greetings, loved ones. Let’s take a journey.”
By Danielle Fraser8 years ago in Beat
Gender Equality Within the Music Industry. Top Story - February 2018.
According to social media and the newspapers this week, it has been discovered that the music industry has a gender equality problem, with only 17.5 percent of songwriters being nominated for best single since 1999 being women.
By Alie Day8 years ago in Beat
RePOEsessed and the Trigger Happy Jacks
For those who have been around the mid-to-late 1990s, you might have heard the stage name "POE" maybe once or twice in your living rooms.
By Ronan Wind8 years ago in Beat
'Juicy' By the Notorious B.I.G. Went From a Song I Liked to My Least Favourite to a Song I Can't Stand
Many artists have a signature song, a piece of music that makes you think of that artist specifically. Sometimes its their most commercially successful single. But more often than not, it's considered not their best work.
By Liu Scott8 years ago in Beat
Nipsey Hussle - 'Victory Lap' Review
“I’m a master of my fate, plus I’m the type of [...] own the masters to my tapes.” Los Angeles California rapper, Nipsey Hussle grinded for the prolific career he enjoys now. It’s been a tumultuous ride filled with highs and lows; triumphs and obstacles. Yet through it all, he’s been able to sustain longevity.
By Rap Disciple8 years ago in Beat
Song Review: 'My God' by Spizzy PM & King Boo
There are many keys to being successful in the record business. The key that will be focused on in this music review column is consistency.
By Victor Trammell8 years ago in Beat