Over the last few years King of the beats Records has forged a brotherhood with Red Apples Records. Co-Founder & Producer Ray West has been a great supporter of our work here at KOTB.

In April last year Ray Took part in the KING OF THE BEATS challenge, featuring in the upcoming movie ‘Looking for the beat’. Rays got a very interesting approach to music production. Maintaining the values of what we call here Authentic New York Hip Hop, it has that gut feeling, but it has a sound that is uniquely his very own.

Both Ray and his Red Apples Partner A.Gee have worked tirelessly over the last few years putting out 45 after 45, album after album. To be frank they really worked on their unique sound and approach to music, something I know for a fact was not too well received to start with.

Many a conversation me and A.Gee used to have. I was guilty of the above. They stuck to their guns, having real faith in their sound and worked it hard. Where now they have together alongside D.I.T.C M.C and in my opinion one the greatest song writers this genre ever produced O.C.

I was lucky to be involved in this project, putting together this trailer for Red Apples.

To purchase a copy of this album, click here

From former KING OF THE BEATS CHAMPION THA 4ORCE comes his all new radio show.  Dedicated to New Music Only.  Selecting the very best of the months releases.  Sample based grass roots music played the old fashion way.

‘Welcome to mindthagapradio.com, I’m extremely excited and happy to announce that this will be the place I’ll be keeping you up to date on what’s happening for me and Big Aya from People under pressure music, and our new monthly digital show! MIND THA GAP RADIO!

After our sad and unbelievable departure from M-Itch Fm in November, I needed some time to think about how to or even if I wanted to continue on with the show, I needed to focus on my music projects, my family and my studies all at the same time,
And it was all getting very full on and exhausting to do the show once a week especially as M-itch fm never helped us promote or showed any appreciation for what we did EVER! ‘

THA 4ORCE

Its been a very interesting year for me, a lot of problems to deal with, states of depression, sickness, a loss of a brother a wife and almost a house that hangs in the balance. When you loose the things that motivate you and inspire you, its very hard when you are true artist to find the will and spark to get your self going. December there was some light shed, a light at the end of the tunnel shall we say.

Before going into that I need to firstly thank a certain JFK Aman, DJ Supreme who hung in there with me and was very patient while ive been up and down dealing with the demons within.  Apologies for that.  Jazzy Jay for still hanging in on the project and offering his fullest support.  A thank you to my parents and family who have been there for me. My friends Damian, Keith, 4orce, Andy, Malcolm, Sparkii, Pappi, Beanz, Chieko, Flow, Pogo, Swift, Biznizz, 2000 A.dee, Ray West and A.Gee, Ryan Proctor, Chris Malbon and the many more who know who they are that kept me going through the year.

I did find some inspiration through the year courtesy of Johnny Juice who’s work ethics and sheer presence on facebook would remind me of the times I would be working like that. Chuck Chillout and the Higgs & Butler family. Mr Walt and Baby Paul who introduced me and gave me a lesson in business. Always the mighty Mr Lord Finesse who over the years has turned out to be a good friend. Diamond D for just being himself, just pure class. Psycho Les my brother. The Ultramagnetic Family Ced, Keith, Moe and of course TR who I really enjoyed hanging out with even though our time was short. Dib Stacks, Jah Jas, Jim Slice and Cool V who came through on the Paul C flick.  My brother TeQnotic for his art and contribution to the Paul C film

Breakbeat Lou who’s self faith speaks volumes. Caron Wheeler who really lifted my spirits towards the end of the year. This leads me onto Paul Large Professor who put the icing on the cake. To get props from him after all these years that did mean a lot. through all the person issues that some goodness came out of it. I remember my last words to Paul, ‘ I will and always have to be consistent and persistent coming from here that is the only key to some success for me., and maintaining my integrity and what I stand for’.

Coming to the realization I have a lot to offer still and that this film is a key to me changing me life somewhat. I have been locked in my house isolated my self and been grinding on it.  Already 3 hours of interviews edited, The Beatnuts have joined the cast,

For those that have supported me and the work and cause here is short scene, rough I must say from the upcoming film, Looking for the Perfect Beat. Featuring Mikey D and K-Cut from the group Main Source. 

If you would like to add any comments please feel free, any questions will be answered.

This is one of the best acknowledgements  I could ever dream of.  Nothing like Kanye West and some Fashion designer, but something real and natural, call it a acknowledgment to your contribution to Hip Hop  and the great legacy of one of the purest groups to ever record on vinyl that is Main Source, although my contribution was tiny it meant a great deal to me and my brother Mikey D.

I was always a fan of both Main Source albums.  Large Professor as we all know is one of the greatest producers of this genre, not only did  he help develop its sound, but inspired thousands of up and coming beat makers and producers to take up the art.  He helped me develop, and yes inspired me greatly in digging for records and learning the craft of making music with samplers.  As I started working on my films, I would Analise projects such as the second Main Source LP.  Not much was known about Sir Scratch and K-Kut in comparison to Extra P but going through the Album its plain to see that their knowledge of music and production placed them amongst the greats.

This lead me to meet Mikey D in NYC who at that time was not the Mikey D you see on facebook right now.  He really wasn’t feeling that Main Source LP.  I think that was to do with a lot of personal issues he was dealing with at the time.  Its been said though sometimes great artists produce some of their best pieces in those sort of times.  Mikey a battle M.C who thrives off being the underdog in my personal opinion wrote and put together a timeless classic.  After talking to Mikey about that record, trying ever so hard to get him to try and see the record how I saw it, he agreed to come to the UK to perform the whole Album.  Originally It was to be be him and K-Kut, but Kev could not make the tour for legal reasons.  He granted me permission to act as the groups DJ for the tour.

Mikey was well received here in the UK to his surprise  i think. maybe inspiring him some to really get his act together and build him self back to the artist he was for many many years before. Thus founding his Elements of Hip Hop Project.  In April last year I was in NYC working on my project Looking for the perfect beat.  I received a call from Mikey asking me if I would like to go to Canada with him.  Kev heard I was in town and he was doing a show scheduled to perform along side Large Professor and Cormega.  He thought it would be a great idea if me and Mikey could go and then be the surprise act.  Not as easy a planned,  thinking it was a 8 hour journey turned into a 12 hour drive.  We got held at the border, searched and interrogated we was allowed to enter the country providing we left by Saturday night. Large didn’t make it either. On the journey we picked up a now addiction to Subway Cookies.

Although Me and Large Pro had met once before it was brief, we have never really got to work.  He was and is very aware of my work and what I do and I heard he supports it.  But the video above only confirms that if you put hard work in, that you will get recognition.  Not just me, my brothers Kev K – Kut and legend Mikey D.  Extra P, take my hat off to you.

I found this on youtube the other day, Promotional video for the group Gangstarr. Shot whilst making their second album Step in Arena. One of the best produced Hip Hop albums to date.

One of the albums that definitely inspired me to forge King of the Beats.

I don’t normally post on my personal blog anything that i’m not working on, but this morning I saw this.

I know there are many people who still don’t use that facebook thing. This is something that should be shared and viewed by all the masses in internet land!!

Me and Marc go back a long time, He is with out a doubt in the top 3 greatest DJ’s this country has ever produced. Always a pleasure to see him in and out of work.

Press play and enjoy.

Here is a project that I’m really proud to support. Many years ago i was at B-Boys for life event. I saw this guy writing so many things down. He kind of looked like a hip hop train spotter to me. So i walked up to him and asked him what he was doing. He introduced himself as U.Net Gisseppe Pipitone, a writer from Italy.

We hung out for a few hours, and from that I shot a video about him that ended up on myspace. We kept our friendship and years later he approached me about writing a book about the London Hip Hop scene. Although I’m not from London, I still know a lot of the Golden Era artists. I introduced him to a number of people and he went on his mission.

forward a few years later. Me and Giuseppe speak again, and from our conversation he goes on to a new adventure turning this into a film. Its great as I was film maker and he a writer, recently im start to write and he’s making a film.

For the first time in a good few years we met again in London last weekend. 7.06.13. I got to meet the team and was asked to help oversea some of the Augusts filming with the crew.

Brand new release from the group These Handz, They crew just returned from a tour of Japan. Which went very well for the crew.

Sparkii the producer and Grazzhoppa on the cut, over the last 8 months this is the 13th release. There is still more to come, I have had preview of some of the upcoming material. Featuring Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap. This is a crew to watch. Those that know Sparkii Ski will say and agree he is a master programmer.  Working on drum machines from the very early 80’s.

Real Veterans making hardcore Hip Hop music!! Enjoy

Those that know about me of have read through my Blog will know that I’m unfunded film maker.  In 1997 I started working on my project ‘The Men & Their Music’.   The Paul C film started out as a chapter of that, manifesting into its own project. 

TeQnotic and I worked together on this project creating a poster fitting for the film.  I played the role of Art Director, TeQnotic the artist.  Here is your chance to own 1 of 50 limited Edition Posters signed by myself the director of the film.  As a thank you gift to those that supported the project, took part in the project, members of Paul’s Family I am trying to raise the funds to get posters printed and shipped to them.

This is a one of chance to own a copy of the poster never to be reprinted.  If you watched the film and would like to support real independent film making, please feel free to show your support.