By Natasha T. Brown
Saturday afternoon at Afterhours Recording Studio was where many DMV music champs linked for a down-to-earth, creative and exclusive afternoon of music making. Artists like Bear Witnez, Mo Betta, Redhead, White Folkz, Pro’Verb, Nick Baker… and many others ‘vibed’ to hip-hop tracks created by Silver Spring Producer Midas (@MidasIsMusic). The artists were either writing on notepads, free styling, jotting down bars in their iPhones, or simply listening to whoever was in the booth recording.
This experience was called the Pop-up Beat Shop, where a select group of artists were invited to come and meet Midas and then listen, write and collaborate on tracks with their peers.
“It was like a pickup basketball game with a bunch of all-stars. It was the purist rap situation I’ve ever been involved in…” said Mo Betta (@Betta_Mo).
There was one beat called “Sparta” that had at least six rappers’ versus on it. This was a popular track due to its cinematic sound that wove samples from the motion pictures Gladiator and Glory.
“This beat is made for true emcees,” said Midas, who is a classically trained musician, began playing the piano at age four and picked up the saxophone as a musician in the DeMatha High School band. He’s been making music for 10 years, and still plays both instruments, which adds a pure sense of musicianship to his beats. Midas recently linked with Talent Manager Melisa Duncan (@MsMelisaKim). The team, which also includes Midas’ engineer Big L.E.S., plans on releasing a different track created from the Pop-up Beat Shop throughout the summer.
The Pop-up Beat Shop is part of a bigger mixtape project called “Savile Row,” which is the name of a street in Mayfair, central London, known for high-quality personalized tailoring of men’s fashion.
“As a producer I like to customize beats to fit any artist that I work with perfectly,” said Midas of the Savile Row metaphor.
“Midas’ classical training and love and respect for his craft are evident in his work. I’m honored that he trusts me to represent him, and I’m so excited about being a part of his upcoming projects to include the Pop Up Beat Shop and Savile Row,” Duncan added.
Midas and Duncan certainly created an unforgettable experience in the Pop-Up Beat Shop, and Savile Row, if anything like the music featured at the event, will be a memorable project as well.
“I was actually motivated to write because of the vibe that was in the air. It was all the cool kids at one lunch table just having fun. The Pop-up Beat Shop was Positive Peer Pressure,” added Mo Betta.
Missed the Pop-Up Beat Shop? Come and meet Midas and hear his music this Wednesday, May 22 at The DJs After Party, hosted by DJ Nonchalant at Afterhours Recording Studio. This event will be a meet and greet with Midas as well as the launch of WhatUKnow Radio. Learn more. Follow @MidasIsMusic to stay in the know about his upcoming projects and future Pop-up Beat Shops.
Natasha Brown is a writer and founding communications strategist of Think Brown INK, a creative think tank and communications agency, focused on social responsibility branding for artists, entertainers and entrepreneurs. Follow her on Twitter @NBrownINK or @TBINatasha or her company @ThinkBrownINK.