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Hard work pays off!

From News Journal Raheim Burnett is Athlete of the Week RAHEIM BURNETT, junior, Mount Pleasant boys basketball THE WEEK: Scored 22 points as the third-ranked Green Knights (16-1) rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit to win 68-67 at No. 8 Howard last Tuesday. THE COMEBACK: Mount Pleasant cut the deficit to two entering the fourth quarter, then won it on SeiQuann Kearney’s short jumper in the final seconds. “In the locker room, we all told each other the game’s not over,” Burnett said. “If we keep playing together, and keep sticking to the game plan coach Lisa tells us, we’re going to come out on top.” THE SCORING: Burnett is averaging 20.2 points per game. He gets to the foul line a lot (8.4 attempts per game), and also has made 19 3-pointers. “I just do what the defense gives me,” he said. “If they give me a shot, I shoot. If they’re close up, I go by them.” http://delonline.us/1DzWaSj Get News Journal on your mobile device: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gannett.local.library.news.delawareonline

Beat Brawler Battle

Apple laptops, I phones and loud speakers are what you found at the Battle of the Beats on Saturday, December 27, 2014. Delaware producers closed 2014 out with a sound off battle at the Rose Hill Community Center located 19 Lambson Lane, New Castle, De 19720. Yes, I said “Battle” a bunch of young people gathered in Delaware for a battle and the only casualty was the loser of each round for the title of the best Producer spot in Delaware.

Surfing through Facebook for exciting and fresh things going on in Delaware to cover, I discovered a secret underground world. The world of the Delaware producers; I’m sure I know what you're all thinking, “we already knew about them!” Well, if Lorena doesn't know then it’s just not happening! So I made a few Facebook contacts and plugged myself in and met up with Aaron Yikes Lee Ford.  He's a young creative man full of personality and drive. I immediately loved his energy. As most of you already know, in the music busy energy is everything. He invited me to the Battle of the Beats event. When I arrived at the Rose Hill Community Center, around 9pm, I saw a bunch of young adults who couldn't have been over 25 years old. Feeling like I might be a little out of my league, I decided to stay close to the exit just in case I needed to make a run for it! To my surprise, and yes it was a pleasant surprise, I soon discovered I was among some of the greatest music producers in Delaware.

So in order to get some solid information for the purpose of this event, and background information on the talent that was going to be showcased throughout the night, I met up with a Producer who goes by the name of P.C.

P.C. (who didn't want to use his government name in the blog) is the mastermind behind the Beat Brawlers event. P.C is what I like to call a gentle Giant. He's quiet and kind of shy  until the beat drops. Once he played some music for me I could see the "Turn up" come on! He became intoxicated by the sound and transitions of the beats in the music. 

P.C started his company, P.C beats, in the basement of his mother’s house. His vision went beyond just making beats; he really wanted to help the youth in his community. He saw this is a way to bring leadership and self awareness back to the streets.  As his business and success grew, he entered into a beat battle hosted by kiss 106.1 where he was crowned "Producer of the Year". With that victory, he went on to work  on albums of known talent like Ray J, Lil Wayne, and The Game to name a few. P.C has hosted events at Delaware Police Athletic Leagues and Wilmington’s Christina Culture Art Centers, where he taught kids the art of making music. During PC’s 10 years in business he has helped numerous artists get featured on the radio.  He has some new and exciting things coming up and I'm excited to see what's in store. P.C might be one of the greatest producers to come out of Delaware, but also one of the greatest spirits I have ever encountered. 

Michael "Mpbeatz" Adams-Pipkins

 I met with Michael Adams-Pipkins, who goes by the name MP three days after the Beat Brawlers Battle. He has been in the business a lot longer than most of the contestants and has a really good reputation in the business. Looks can be a little deceiving. Michael, who is PC’s favorite local producer, was a little shy in person without his music in his hand. However, as soon as we began the interview he quickly sparked up when discussing his love for music.

“MP” is a very professional seasoned producer in the game. MP came in third place in the battle. I really enjoyed speaking with him and kind of learned a lot I had no idea what it took to be a producer in today’s world.

Me: Were you surprised at how good he was? You've heard him already right?

MP: No, me and him  already had a little battle in the studio like weeks before, so I knew that he had some stuff with him. I just didn't know it was that good.

Me: You didn't know it was that nasty? Look, I didn’t know if I should call the police. It was a just a massacre in there! He just killed the other guy he battled before you. I don't even remember his name.

MP: I wish I would have made it to the finals because the stuff that he was playing, that’s my lane.

Me: Yes, not to cut you off, but one of the guys in the crowd said, “MP’s going to kill'em” then after the round, he was a little upset. He said  MP played the wrong stuff. So, I got the impression you didn't really play what you normally would have played. Do you regret that?

MP: I DO! I DO! For the simple fact that I was trying to go with what I think the crowd likes but then again, this is my third battle.

Me: Only your third?

MP: Yes, only my third, the first two I came in second; this one I came in third and in all three I did the same thing. I tried to play to the crowd instead of just going with my own stuff.

Me: Okay! Well, my first question is going to be, when did you start in this business?

MP: HUH… as far as music period, I started playing the drums when I was three. I played in middle school bands and elementary school bands, I played the drums. I learned how to read the music and all of that.

Me: Oh, so you read music?

MP: Yeah.

Me: Oh! Okay!

MP: I started playing the piano when I was 11 years old. That was something that my mom was like, you’re not going to be hanging on the street and she sent me to Wilmington Music School.

Me: So you have a whole music education?

MP: Yeah.

Me: Okay, that explains your cockiness! (Laughing)

MP: Yeah, I'm one of the few here in Delaware who actually play the keys, and actually pound out the beats.

Me: You make your music from scratch?

MP: Yes.

Me: Excuse my ignorance, I'm learning as we go along…Hell, I just showed up. (Laughing) Have you 

worked on any major projects?

MP: Yes, just recently I worked with Richard Raw.

Me: Oh, yes, I didn’t heard him mention that; he's going to drop that album when?

MP:  Yes, either this spring or fall, 2015.

Me: That should be interesting.

MP: I have probably four or five songs on his album, I think. I’m not sure.

Me: Should we be excited about this project, you think?

MP: YES!

Me: Is it hot?

MP: Yes, yes, Richard has it! He has IT!

Me: Richard is hot! He’s a little cocky too!

MP: Well, he can back it up!

Me: YES! YES! I've been trying to get an interview with Richard also. It’s like trying to get an

interview with the President! Okay, last question, so if you had to name your favorite

producer, who would it be?

MP: Just one? I have a top three. Number one would be Timberland; Two, DJ Premier; and third Dr. Dre.

Me: Dr. Dre for number three? Really, I thought you would have said him for number one.

MP: No, Three would be Dr. Dre.

Me: Well do you have anything else you want to add? I didn't have much; your work kind of speaks for itself. Do you make beats every day?

MP: No, not every day, about a few times a week.

Me: I heard you were very professional; actually one of the guys said that during the performances.

MP: I take my work very serious, you know I like to cater to what the artist needs and likes; I just don’t say it’s my way.

ME: How much time does it take to work on a good beat?

MP: I can spend about two months on a good beat.

ME: DAMN! Two months! I can't even spend two months on a man! (Laugher)

MP: Oh my God! (Laughing) I will say the average time is about two or three hours a few times a week, if I get in my zone.

Me: Well thank you so much. This is amazing! I can't wait to see what happens at the next battle!

DOEBOY (Michael Harris)

Doeboy (Michael Harris) was the second place winner and the reigning champion from last year’s Beat Brawlers. I was surprised when he told me he had only been in the business for three years. In this short time Doeboy has learned to play instruments, read music and create a unique style far more advanced than his counterparts. His first year competing in the Beat Brawling Battle, he beat Michael Pipkins (MP), a highly respected Producer in Delaware.

Doeboy’s biggest music inspiration was His mother. He could recall her listening to Power 99fm quiet Storm. (I had to stop and think, well how old was your mother, the quiet storm was my ISH!)

“Music would touch me in such away I would feel emotions I never knew I had as a child. But I never touched it because of the lifestyle that I was living. The type of music I liked, people frowned upon it.” Doeboy shared a lot with me during our interview.

Doeboy’s upbringing led him to a life in the streets.
“I've lost 60 friends to these streets,” He said.
 “Music changed my life.”

Michael’s mother fell on hard times like most single mothers, and was forced to send him to live with his grandmother.  His grandmother was a big motivation of his life.
“She saw something in me that I didn't,” he said.

"I think she wanted me to do something, she just kept saying, Michael do something." (photo credit Facebook) 

While on her deathbed his grandmother said to him, “do something.” Those words had a major impact on his life.  “I think she wanted me to do something with my life, she just kept saying, Michael do something.”  After the death of his grandmother he began to pursue his love for music. And with that, he poured his passion into his grandmother’s one last wish.
After her death he met a man who brought him his first guitar. So humbled by the act of kindness he taught himself how to play the guitar and a few other instruments.

He lives in a home full of creativity. His wife’s a painter and has an amazing singing voice. His two sons that he shares with his wife are also little musicians. I’m looking forward to see what Doughboy has in store for the next battle. Stay tuned!

"Momager"

"I was so excited to see his drive, so I just got involved to push him to his destiny." - Christina

One of the newbie’s to the 2014 beat Brawlers comes with a lot of talent, a gorgeous manager he calls "Mom", and a family full of artistic people. H.R Beats (Tony Ross), lost in his first round to Doughboy, the last three years reigning champion. However, with his manager, Christina Ross, who is also, his mom screaming on the stage directing him what beats to play, lets me know he is still someone we should expect amazing things from in the future.

H.R (Tony) is very proud and comfortable with having his mother Christina by his side providing him with support and guidance. Even as we sat in the studio, and listened to HR’s music, Christina sang along and knew all the words to the song produced by her son.

Christina discovered her son had a passion for music on his 21st birthday when he requested a guitar for a birthday present. Her first response was, “Son you don't play.” HR promised her he would learn. Christina believed in him and brought him the guitar. To her amazement, he taught himself how to play.

“I was so excited to see his drive, so I just got involved to push him to his destiny,” Christina stated proudly.

 “It’s good to see young people doing something positive. He could be doing anything, but he chooses to something constructive with his time.”

Christina is not only a supportive mother to HR and his sister, Mercedes. She is also a very accomplished Navy Veteran who speaks five languages, and in her spare time, she is a professional ventriloquist to a loud and outspoken doll named Suzie.

 “I believe we are going to win the next battle. And, I’m going to handle picking all the beats,” Christina stated as we all laughed. 

What's happening next with the Producer world? That's the question we are all waiting to hear. I spoke with PC Beats (Troy Thompson) and he assured me that he has some interesting things in store for us! So, you all will know when I find out! Now the champion of the battle wouldn't give me an interview. I reached out a few times. Hopefully, we will see him at the next event. For now, subscribe, share and like. Leave your comments below and let me know of anything interesting you may have going on in the City of Wilmington!