My Review of 50 Cent's "The Big 10" (with exclusive producer insight!)

 Lets face it… It's been a good minute since 50 cent has been relevant music wise, not having released a project since 2009, and even that one wasn't exactly a gem. In this industry, thats ample time to have left fans with an out of sight out of mind mentality so this mixtape couldn't have come sooner. The general consensus seems to have been that fans were hoping for the best out of this release, but being prepared for the worst.

1. Body On It [Jake one]- This skit seems to come out of nowhere, even with it being news reports from 50's old hood, but as soon as the beat from Jake Uno drops none of that matters. Sounding to be crafted just for 50, body on it is solid and hopefully a taste of things to come from 50.

Jake One on creating Body On It: "That was a beat I made with 50 in mind. He always raps over 1 bar loops so I did that and tried to do a interesting turnaround"

2. Niggas Be' Schemin' [Twice As Nice]- Reminiscent of Get Rich or Die Tryin's "Many Men" and "What Up Gangsta," Schemin' embodies that same feel that made 50 a household name. Overall production is simple with hard drums and dirty hi hats paving the backdrop for sinister guitars strings and pianos. I think the producers on this one may have studied his old stuff and taken it a little too literally instead of bringing something new to the sound, but either way it worked for 50.

3. Queens, NY: [EQ]- Up & coming producer EQ with some dope chop work that rides with a continuous instrument feel, but a simple production that leaves you waiting for more or for something to drop in. This however is exactly the type of track that 50 feels comfortable spittin on, and if he was aiming to make a track that brings us back to what made us love him then he succeeded. The feature from female rapper Paris though, unfortunately sounds like a Remy Ma stand in.

EQ on creating Queens NY: "My creative approach to the "Queens, NY" track was initiated by a gritty Wu-Tang-ish  sound that drives the track...giving it that influence. The grunge guitar gave it that grimy (throw back) NY Hip Hop edge...then the drums gave it that 50 Cent appeal… the rest is history!!!!" (@fulldeckent @exceptionalQ)

More After The Jump (!llmind, DJ Khalil interview & More!)

My interview with Kenny Barto of the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League

Every Week I do a Ustream show for up & coming producers to network and learn some of the things they need to know industry wise. Topics of discussion have ranged from protecting yourself on the business end as a producer to techniques in producing in different software programs and equiptment. This week's topic of discussion was songwriters and the importance of the relationship between the writer and the producer. I did a phone interview with my homie Kenny Barto of the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and he dropped some knowledge! Check it out...

Beat of the week! #23 (BOTW exclusive)

The newest Beat of The Week #23 is here! Still some work to be done, but i wanted to hit yall with the exclusive! love this joint.. def something different than what you are used to hearing from us, but we been expanding our horizons and I like the direction some of the new stuff is going, i think people will be pleased with the new tracks we will be coming out with :)

 

 

   Galaga- Beat of The Week #23 by KelsTN2

Mobb Deep- Black Cocaine Review

Over the years The Infamous have built a strong, die-hard fan base for their gritty street music, and these fans have been waiting a good minute for Prodigy and Havoc to give them a taste of something new as a team. While this 5 track EP doesn't give them all that they'd wished for, it has still created enough hype to keep their hopes up and leave them anticipating what's to come.

Dead Man Shoes [PROD BY BEAT BUTCHA] An unexpected track choice for a Mobb intro. This one is a little more hype than what we have heard them open with over the years… from the the delivery of the lyrics, down to the Bounty Killer feature. Simple beat, but Beat Butcha delivers that hard, solid backdrop that P & Hav need to talk their shit. The production gets the job done and sets the tone for Amerikaz Nightmares to bring that Murda Muzik back.

Black Cocaine [PROD BY ALCHEMIST] Feels good to hear something that brings us back to past QB anthems from the duo with a twist, and teaming up with Alc again to try and bring that classic sound back is only right. Gritty pianos and dark heavy bass drive the track. Although some of the piano chords seem to give the beat a happy feel at times, their vocal tones and grimy verses take over- letting u know… there's nothing nice here, Dun.

Read the rest after the Jump!

Beat of the week! #22 (BOTW writer Edition)

Beat of The Week #22... I posted this as an opportunity for dope songwriters to show me what they can do, we got work to get in STAND UP!

   Red Wine (ruff)- #BOTW #22 by KelsTN2

Review of LEP Bogus Boys "Now or Neva"

Written by myself for http://istandardproducers.com/ you can also peep it on the site HERE

#1 The writers here at iStandardProducers.com focus mostly on the beats … obviously – hence the name “PRODUCERS” in iStandardProducers.com… however we are still reviewing the record as a whole.

#2 EVERY track gets equal shine…

#3 You know how we do it…we don’t check the credits until the album is heard in its entirety.  

Intro:  Dope intro that definitely sets the dark, street tone of the tape. For someone who’s never been to Chi Town, this intro will more than likely keep them from booking that trip.

Amerikkkas Worst Nightmare: [PROD BY HONORABLE C.N.O.T.E] The news clip intro blends perfectly with Track #2, which has that eerie, movie score feel. L.E.P. rode the beat like they made it, flow is on point. The hook on this track was a bit plain to me though, for an album opener.

25th hour: [PROD BY J.U.S.T.I.C.E LEAGUE]  My personal favorite on the tape. L.E.P.’s flow on this one reminds me of some classic Mobb Deep, lyrics and flow are powerful… if you grind, you will relate. To fully appreciate this, you have to listen for the intricacy of this beat; the eerie synth, choir, church bells, heartbeat sounds and strategically placed echoes… not to mention that Guitar! Yea, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League Murdered this track.

 More after the jump!

Beat of the week! #21 (BOTW RETURNS!!)

Yes yes! Its back with a vengance... Lil Snippet of the BEAT of The Week! Numero 21. Fux Wit us!

   "Endless" BOTW # 21 by KelsTN2

"Someone Like You" TN2 Remix

BOOM! Reeeeeeeee-Mixxxxxxxx!!!

   Someone like you (Tn2 remix) by KelsTN2

New Track! Produced by TN2 Productions

Mason Caine ft. Laws & B Kraze "3 Kings" off of the new Mixtape - 

 Heart of The City 

#DOPENESS

   Mason Caine - 3 Kings feat Laws & Bkraze by KelsTN2

New Video: REi "Clearport"

Production by yours Truly! Video by the lil homies @3LittleDigs... BOOM!


In Studio Sessions: REi - "Clearport" (Produced by Kelz) from 3 Little Digs on Vimeo.

Beat of the week! #20

Beat of the week is back with the 20th beat in the series, and still going strong... Thanks for all the support!

Easily The Hardest track you've heard all year... *Speaker Warning*

Bo0M!!!!




    Castle (Beat of The Week #20) by KelsTN2

Beat of the week! #19

Better late than never! Beat of the Week #19-- "Flight" is here...

Dope sample joint, already got a few ppl wanting to jump on this.

Let me know how u feel about it =)

<3 <3 Beat of The Week #19- "Flight" by KelsTN2

Beat of the week! #18

New Beat of the Week! Work in Progress.. made by request for a specific artist :) PEEEP & SHARE #Bo0M #BOTW

Word by KelsTN2

Beat of the week! #17

Beat of The Week post was delayed a lil bit because I was traveling and had some iStandard Events.. but its here! This is def something you haven't heard style wise from TN2 Productions before... Always moving in diff directions! Let me know what you think ;)


House Warming (BOTW #17) by KelsTN2

Aych "Dolla & a Dream" Prod. by TN2 Productions!

Had a great time @ Crowbar for Aych's "Real Rap" CD Release Party last weekend, good to see some familiar faces in Tampa and I got to witness Aych beastin the stage for the first time in years! He performed 3 of the tracks we produced during his set. I caught some video of the homie performing "Dolla & a Dream" Live, A classic Aych & TN2 Production and fan favorite.

You can check out more of his Music and DL "Real Rap" (which has 2 more Tracks produced by TN2 on it!!) on his site: http://aych101.com

Maybach Music II Performed by Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars & Rick Ross!!

The HIGHLIGHT of this Weekend's 2011 BET awards was this performance. Alicia Keys and Bruno Mars along with a full band playing J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League's Maybach Music II composition Live... Still get goosebumps watching it! Big up to the whole JL Fam, Coli, Rook, Kenny, Ivan, Chuck, and Edward! Killin em with great, timeless music =)

The Video of ALicia Keys' entire performance is below, Maybach Music starts @ 3:15 mark.




** Follow J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League on twitter! @rookbeats @colionejl @kennybarto @1_shot

Beat of the week! #16

Love it =) That is all. Check the newest Beat of the week!!

Share it, if you dig it ;)

Home by KelsTN2

Beat of the week! #15

Beat of the Week #15 is here! This one is very... different.... than the rest. ;)

Soar by KelsTN2

Chilly-O Apparel.. get wit it!

Big Shout out to Big Bro @ChillyOATL for sponsoring my upcoming photo shoot for a mag feature on producers! You might catch Big Boi, J cole, Gucci, and many more out frequently rockin their Chilly-O gear. Although only certain designs are available on the site for sale, u might know someone who knows someone who can get you some of the Exclusive Designs & colorways ;) If yall haven't checked out his super dope and unique lines make sure u visit the site at: http://www.chillyo.com/ 

Beat of the week! #14

Back at it. New joint this week, dope sample! Beat of the week numero 14. If u dig it, share it!

S/O to Mason Caine!

Much <3 yall

   2 far by KelsTN2

Beat of the week! #13

You already know! Turn the speakers UP & rock wit me... Beat of The Week #13 "Epic"

   Epic by KelsTN2

SXSW Mobile Studio Mixtape Ft. TN2 Productions

 The Unique Squared Mobile Studio recently recorded and put together a mixtape at the SXSW Festival (earlier this year in Austin, Texas). Musicians and Music lovers come from all over the U.S. to attend the 3 day festival that featured some of the hottest artists out, and the most talented up and comers making noise on the scene. Many of these artists took 30 mins out of their schedules, in between interviews and performances, to record a track in the Mobile Studio. A select group of producers submitted beats for the artists to rock over.. and TN2 Productions will be one of the many talented Producers featured on the tape! Unique Squared and their sponsors chose some of the tracks laid down at SXSW and put together this project. The tape is really stirring up a buzz, so hopefully a good amount of people get to hear our work! The upcoming release was just announced; check out the article, pics, and vid of the mobile studio and the process, by clicking the pic below.

RE spits for DJbooth.Net Freestyle Series

The homie RE was chosen for the 241st entry into DJbooth.net's Exclusive Freestyle series, which features some of the best of the best upcoming artists. He spit a dope lil 2 min. Freestyle to one of our beats called "Lineup", that was previously one of my Beat of The Week Features =) Click the Pic Below to Check out the Track!

-**RE is one of DJ Toomp's artists and has been making some noise in ATL, doing shows and videos. He will be releasing a mixtape soon hosted by the big homie Don Cannon. Check his site & videos HERE or hit him @REisthefuture on Twitter **-

Beat of the week! #12

Annnnd Another one! Beat of The Week #12.. a personal fav this far along in the series.. enjoy, mi amigos. Spread the word if ya dig it ;)

   Macgyver by KelsTN2

Beat of the week! #11

Been a minute since the last installment of the Beat of The Week series, Im back tho! Fresh Out with somethin Fresh for yall =) Hollerrrr.

LOL. Yeaaa.

   Fresh Out by KelsTN2

Beat of the week! #10

Back at ya live from Tampa, FL wit the Beat of the Week. This one was a favorite that I played last week in ATL for some of my fav producers, So I gotta let all the faithful supporters in on it! Drop ya comments, hit me up, you already know. Much love! <3

   Astro by KelsTN2

**Sidenote: All of the previous Beat of The week beats are now available for purchase! Not doing leases on these, but exclusive rights are up for grabs on 1-10. :)

Beat of the week! #9

Beat of The Week #9 is here... Crazy sample joint. Had to come back with something extra hard after the Vday special! LOL.. EASY. Leave ya comments =)

   Triumph by KelsTN2

Givin Yall A Valentine's Day Special. I am not responsible for any babies made to this track. I'll send the full beat upon request. Cuz I loves yall! Happy Vday =) 

   TEN by KelsTN2

Review of Reks- R.E.K.S. album

Most Recent Review written for istandardproducers.com =)

-Reks has been making noise on the underground scene for a while now, collaborating with some of hip hop’s most notable artists and most sought after producers. His newest LP is no exception, the line up on “R.E.K.S.” (Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme) has had hip hop fans all over buzzing with anticipation for its release.-


( Official Release: 03/08/11)


1. 25th Hour (prod by DJ Premier)
It’s hard to go wrong with ANYthing produced by Premo and The 25th Hour doesn’t disappoint.  Opening the LP with “Ima write this here rhyme like Guru’s in the passenger”, Reks attacks the track without letting up. A solid premier produced intro.

2. Thin Line (prod by Pete Rock)
Following a Premo cut with a Pete Rock joint could win over even the pickiest of hip hop fans regardless of who’s spittin’. Reks’ rapid delivery does this justice though. A classic sample chop, scratch heavy track with that hard, eerie feel. Two cuts in and I’m already breaking the timbs out the closet.

Read the rest after the Jump!

Beat of the week! #8

Don't Sweat the technique.

This week's beat of the week is a cool sample joint. Back by popular demand.

Akshun by KelsTN2

Shout out to Jay Fab of the Olympicks! My homie stromie. 

TUMBLR Page

Just started posting some stuff on Tumblr, it's a pretty dope tool for quick blogging and they make a real easy to use Blackberry App. I see a lot of things I think are funny or interesting when I'm doing promo stuff, but I rarely have the opportunity to come here and do a full post and write up for something... so this is perfect for now!

You can check out the page & follow on there if you use Tumblr by clicking the logo below. Much love yall!

Beat of the week! #7

.: Annddd another one! You know what time it is my luvs. Here is another work in progress, LOVE IT! :.

Anyone got Wiz Khalifa contact info? hit me up. I'm def sending this one to his ppls. Let me know if you dig it =)

Seen it by KelsTN2

Beat of the week! #6

Yes, Yes yall! The Beat of The Week is here... #6 is something a little bit different. I loveee this tho, funky.. crazy. Just Listen lol... Leave ya Feedback!

CLAV by KelsTN2

Beat of the week! #5

Yessirs it's here. Beat of the week Numero Cinco. This is a work in progress, I been on it tonight! Leave ya feedback :)

Hurt - Ruff by KelsTN2