Notes for Notes Opens Second LA Studio

Congratulations to our beneficiary program partner organization Notes for Notes on the grand opening of their second Los Angeles studio location! This is the fifth studio from Notes for Notes. Earlier this year, we partnered with this amazing organization to help build one of their studios in Detroit. Currently, funding is still needed to repair the roof at the Boys and Girls club before construction on the music studio can start. Learn more about the organization here.

Continue reading →

Today is World Humanitarian Day

Today, August 19, 2014, is World Humanitarian Day! Show your support for the inspiring change-makers around the world and learn how you can make an impact on humanitarian crises around the world - http://worldhumanitarianday.org.

Last year, David Guetta partnered with the United Nations to create a social media campaign #TheWorldNeedsMore for World Humanitarian Day. Watch the inspiring "One Voice" track video below.

Continue reading →

Love from Movement!

In their most recent newsletter, Movement gave a special shout-out to Give a Beat and our Music for Music Online Fundraising Campaign to raise funds for a Notes for Notes' free music studio in Detroit! Thank you for your continued support and love, Paxahau and Movement!

Continue reading →

Behind Bars: Music at Sing Sing

I think that the only thing that can combat that feeling of isolation and aloneness and depression is hope - Rob (a participant in Carnegie Hall's music program for inmates)

Carnegie Hall brings musical performances and workshops into correctional facilities to contribute to inmates’ rehabilitation, preparing them to return to life outside of prison. Carnegie Hall’s work at Sing Sing Correctional Facility reaches 1,200 inmates and guards each year. Selected inmates participate in a yearlong composition workshop led by composer Daniel Levy. These men earn a place in the program by demonstrating a commitment to education and personal development. Learn more about Carnegie Hall's program here. 

Continue reading →

Do It For the Love Foundation

Do It For The Love is a nonprofit wish granting foundation, that brings people in advanced stages of life-threatening illness, children with severe challenges, and wounded veterans to live concerts. They draw upon the power of music to provide empowering moments. By bringing together a network of artists dedicated to using music as a transformative experience, they are committed to facilitating a range of personal encounters and live concert moments. Their goal is to offer lasting celebratory memories in the face of severe illness or trauma. 

Continue reading →

Another Reminder of the Power of Music

Just beautiful. Continue reading →

A Positive Spin

Check out the video highlights from our event, A Positive Spin, last December! 

A Positive Spin from VIDEO-SERVER on Vimeo.

Continue reading →

Artist Spotlight: The Hardkiss Brothers

Time to move on. Times have changed…No more lies. No deceit. People dying in the street, as our leaders pull in contributions. I’m tired and I’m sick. I’ve got these words on my lips. I bid you welcome to the revolution. –Lyrics from the Hardkiss Brothers “Revolution”

Check out this great article on the Hardkiss Brothers and their impact on global dance music.

Continue reading →

Organization Spotlight: Notes for Notes

March 19, 2014

Notes for Notes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing youth with FREE access to musical instruments, instruction and recording studio environments so that music may become a profoundly positive influence in their lives. They build, equip and staff after-school recording studios called MusicBoxes: positive, safe, and inspiring recording studio environments that offer youth the opportunity to explore, create and record music for FREE.

The MusicBoxes are drop-in studios offering free instruction and access to guitars, basses, drums, keyboards/synths, DJ turntables, computer workstations with music creation software and a full recording studio. MusicBoxes are located  at Boys and Girls Clubs in Santa Barbara, CA; Nashville, TN; Santa Monica, CA; and coming soon to Ventura, CA and Detroit, MI. Please visit the Musicbox location page to find the MusicBox closest to you.

Notes for Notes was founded on the core belief that music is the universal language of humankind, and has the power to transcend virtually any barrier—be it economic, cultural, racial, or societal. At the heart of the organization is a dedication to the relationships formed through music. The organization makes a point NOT to censor lyrics as it is the freedom of expression and respect for the creativity of others that drives an open environment in the studio. Music is an incredibly powerful means of inspiring collaboration and connection and it is these relationships that will have the most impact in a young person’s life.

Learn more on Notes for Notes' website and follow on Facebook to get updates. 

Continue reading →

Artist Spotlight: Richard Vission

March 15, 2014

Grammy nominated remixer / producer Richard Vission rocks dance floors and festivals around the world. His hit single “I Like That” featuring Luciana is a main staple video on MTV and has gone double platinum in Australia. Richard’s remixes of Lady Gaga, Black Eye Peas, Steve Aoki and Enrique have found their way into many global DJ sets, as well as international broadcasts of Black Eye Peas performances.

Richard has new releases coming out on Mixmash Records, Stealth Records and his own label, Solmatic Records. Solmatic is known for releasing top underground bangers from Avicii, Static Revenger and Nikka Costa to bona fide radio hits from Vission and Luciana. 

Along with selling over 2 million mix compilations and consistently ranking in the TOP 30 DJs for the last decade, Vission host’s the longest running weekly mix show in the US, “Power Tools” on Power106 Los Angeles.

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Soundcloud

Continue reading →

Artist Spotlight: Harvard Bass

March 8, 2014

Harvard Bass was one of the awesome DJs that came to teach youth in foster care DJ'ing fundamentals at our event with We Are The Movement back in December.

Raised in a family with a musical taste steeped in rich Mexican cult ure, Vict or Hugo Ramos was born wit h rhythm in his veins. At the pivotal age of 16, he would sneak into house and techno clubs in Tijuana to soak in the waves of early inspiration. Driven by a beat he could not ignore, Victor bought his first DJ setup and began mixing songs that were making an impression on him, regardless of genre. This forward-thinking mentality would soon become crucial in the development of the Harvard Bass sound.Ever-evolving since his first remix deal with DJ Orgasmic and Teki Latex’s Sound Pellegrino label, Harvard has become a pro at combining smooth, minimal beats and deep ghetto house grooves with corrosively addicting drum patterns. “Techyes”, a collaboration with the legendary Green Velvet, harkens back to the glory days of techno while more recent tracks like “Bugged” and “Juicy”, released on Relief Records, incorporate this influence with other elements that come off as retro yet moderns imult ane o us ly .With the creation of Bump City Records, Harvard Bass is ext ending his brand t o ot her t alent ed producers and ensuring that the scene stays fresh with creative ideas. Constant praise pouring in from respected DJs such as Tiga, Richie Hawtin, Boys Noize and Dubfire salutes the burgeoning musical niche that is taking form, with Harvard at the forefront. Armed with the talent and tenacity to succeed, Harvard Bass has been cemented as a force to be reckoned with in House, T echno music and beyond. - Beatport

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Soundcloud

Continue reading →

Artist Spotlight: Tittsworth

March 1, 2014

Tittsworth is another one of the awesome DJs that volunteered his time to teach DJ fundamentals to youth in the Los Angeles foster care system with We are the Movement and Give a Beat back in December.

Jesse Tittsworth's one-of-a-kind approach to life and music has been influencing the world of dance music for over a decade. Breaking out as a local favorite in 2004, DJ Tittsworth drew musical inspiration from his hometown of Washington, D.C. to create his own unique take on Club music. Honing his DJ skills at legendary parties like Buzz at Nation, the Chinese-American omnivore quickly progressed to playing major festivals around the world like Elect ron (Geneva) and Shambhala (Canada) while headlining his own t ours in t he U.S., Australia, and Asia.In 2006, Tittsworth established his own record label T&A records with DJ Ayres, a label credited with breaking artists and establishing new musical trends: T&A put out the very first official Moombahton release, including records from scene pioneers Dave Nada and Munchi.Tittsworth's own production skills were highlighted in 2008 with his debut album 12 Steps on Plant Music which was released to critical acclaim by Billboard, DJ Mag, and URB. Official remixesand EPs followed with the likes of Pitbull, Nina Sky, Kid Sister, and Pase Rock.In 2010, Tittsworth helped open a new, premiere home for dance music in America as co-owner of U Street Music Hall in his hometown. Club Planet named the "no dress code" club as one of the Top 10 clubs in the US in 2011.Gearing up for 2013, Tittsworth is currently touring and in the studio working on new material featuring Q- Tip, Laidback Luke, and Theophilus London. - Beatport

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Soundcloud

Continue reading →

Artist Spotlight: Krewella

February 22, 2014

Krewella was one of the generous donors to Give a Beat's online auction last December. Recently, Krewella made it to Beatport's best artist list! Good things happen to those that give back!

Chicago’s West Loop was once known as one of the Midwest’s busiest manufacturing corridors. But soon, thanks to a new EP dubbed Play Hard, it may be known for a sound manufactured by one of America’s most exciting new electronic music acts: KREWELLA.Jahan, Yasmine and Rainman, who live in and create music in the gritty yet artsy neighborhood, burst onto the national stage with their debut video “Killin’ It” in early 2012, racking up Facebook likes and spreading virally around the globe via Twitter as EDM fans swooned over KREWELLA’s unique brand of dubstep- infused electronic music with catchy female vocals. However, KREWELLA insists that they are just getting started.“We get pigeonholed into being 'dubstep' a lot, but only one of the tracks on our EP is actually dubstep,” says Kris Trindl aka ‘Rainman,’ beatmaker and one third of KREWELLA. “People like to put us in a box, but we just like good music....if it’s between 100BPM to 170 BPM we’ll figure out a way to make it work and have a good time with it,” the producer and DJ says. “We just make music that we love.”Jahan Yousaf, who co-writes lyrics along with her sister Yasmine Yousaf, help Rainman create KREWELLA’s signature sound. Tracks from their debut EP Play Hard embody this signature sound, luring in listeners with melody and sensuality before Skrillex-worthy drops send fans into frenetic fits of EDM bliss. Kris’ masculine, pounding beats are offset by cooing vocals from both sisters, often resulting in a dizzying, heady mélange that sometimes veers into pop territory.“Thanks to the internet, we grew up on a plethora of genres...KREWELLA is basically a product of the music that we were raised on—ranging from pop, to punk, to metal,” says Jahan. "Every track on the Play Hard EP embodies a different subgenre of EDM ranging from dubstep, to progressive house, to moombahton." Demand has proved so strong for KREWELLA’s signature sound that they have had to adjust touring plans from small clubs to major festival dates this year.Despite their early success, Krewella continues to viciously commit to one goal and one goal only-- "Making you wet... one song at a time" - Beatport

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Soundcloud

Continue reading →

Artist Spotlight: Protohype

February 15, 2014

Protohype is another awesome talent that joined us in teaching DJ fundamentals to youth in the Los Angeles foster care system last December.

Max Hype is Protohype. Originating in the hip hop world, 22 year old Protohype's fusion with bass music has created a new genre, Dub Hop. Combining the gritty low end of dubstep with trunk rattling hip hop drums, a sound is born like nothing else. His progressive sound has lead him to new heights in both the bass music community and the hip hop world. His massive collection of free music floating through the interweb has gained him respect not only from other DJ's, but from fans across the country. Be on the lookout for Protohype, coming to crush a city near you. - Beatport

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Soundcloud

Continue reading →

Artist Spotlight: Mr Choc

February 8, 2014

Mr. Choc was one of the awesome artists that came out today to teach music production and DJ'ing on a variety of platforms to youth in the Los Angeles foster system.

Born in Fresno, California and raised in Bakersfield, California, Mr. Choc's success comes from a lifelong passion for music. Introduced to hip-hop culture as a break-dancer, he was intrigued by the power the DJ had over a crowd, fueling his transition from B-Boy to DJ.

He focused on developing his DJ skills and by 1993, he ran two separate three-hour mixshows, one with fellow DJ C Minus in Bakersfield at KKXX, and another in Arizona, Power 1490. By 1995, he was picked up by Los Angeles' Power 106, making him a go-to guy at three stations in three cities at the same time.

Within six months, Choc focused his energies on his work at Power 106, where he was doing overnights and weekend mixes. The following year, he became a member of the World Famous Beat Junkies, one of the most respected DJs crew in the world. In 1999, Choc became the mix-show coordinator for Power 106, and also took over the high profile 2 hr traffic jam drive time mix earning the station No.1 for his time slot for three years straight during his seven-year tenure. After working with Power 106 for 11 years, he currently carries on his radio presence on Soul Assassins radio with DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill on XM 66, Shade 45 every Monday from 7pm-9pm.

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Soundcloud

Continue reading →

A Change is Gonna Come

February 6, 2014

Earlier this week, NPR featured a beautifully written short piece on Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come”. Catch the full article and podcast here.

"It was less work than any song he'd ever written," [Cooke biographer Peter] Guralnick says. "It almost scared him that the song — it was almost as if the song were intended for somebody else. He grabbed it out of the air and it came to him whole, despite the fact that in many ways it's probably the most complex song that he wrote. It was both singular — in the sense that you started out, 'I was born by the river' — but it also told the story both of a generation and of a people."

…

"A Change Is Gonna Come" was released on the album Ain't That Good News in March of 1964. The civil rights movement picked up on it immediately, but most of Cooke's audience did not — mostly because it wasn't selected as one of the first singles and because Cooke only played the song before a live audience once. 

… 

Guralnick says "A Change Is Gonna Come" is now much more than a civil rights anthem. It's become a universal message of hope, one that does not age. 

"Generation after generation has heard the promise of it. It continues to be a song of enormous impact," he says. "We all feel in some way or another that a change is gonna come, and he found that lyric. It was the kind of hook that he always looked for: The phrase that was both familiar but was striking enough that it would have its own originality. And that makes it almost endlessly adaptable to whatever goal, whatever movement is of the moment.

Sam Cooke and the Song that 'Almost Scared Him', NPR Staff, NPR, Feb. 1, 2014, http://www.npr.org/2014/02/01/268995033/sam-cooke-and-the-song-that-almost-scared-him.

Continue reading →

Artist Spotlight: Klever

February 1, 2014

DJ Klever was one of the awesome DJ's that joined us last month in Los Angeles with We Are The Movement to teach foster children DJ'ing fundamentals.

DJ Klever was born on the fourth of July in 1977. Before he could even walk, let alone strut, Klever was spoon-fed the world of rhythm by way of his father, famous blues musician, Juke Joint Johnny. At the age of four years old, Klever received his very first drum set, a “Manimall”. Muppet Show kit that he practiced playing until the skins busted.

Flash forward to 1997, Klever began relentlessly competing in every DJ competition possible, where he linked up with the “Third World Citizens” – Faust, Shorty, Shotgun, Craze, and T-Rock. In 2000, Klever seized the national DMC championship title and while at the international DMC competition, he was inducted into the world famous Allies crew, consisting of world-renowned turntablists Craze and A-Trak. Shortly after, Klever began traveling the globe with Craze during so, the two released a now cult classic “Scratch Nerds”. In 2001, Klever successfully defended his national DMC title. He then represented the states in London for the international tittle.

Klever began to produce prominent break records for battle Dj’s and producers in the early 2000′s, releasing two immensely popular battle break records with DJ SHOTGUN (former Dj for Goodie Mob), Dirty South Breaks and Get Crunk Breaks. More commercially, his talent can be also heard on various production: Rob Swift..s (X-ecutioners) album – Sound Event, Bubba Sparxxx.. – Deliverance. To NBA BALLERS 2: PHENOM.

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Soundcloud

Continue reading →

Grammy award winning Esparanza Spalding's Spotlight on Guantanamo

January 30, 2014

Last night, Grammy award-winning Esperanza Spalding and non-profit Human Rights First hosted a night of performance and discussion calling for the closure of Guantanamo Bay. Watch the live performance - Spotlight on Guantanamo. Back in November 2013, Esperanza also launched a music video titled "We Are America" (video below) urging Congress to close Guantanamo responsibly. 

Continue reading →

Artist Spotlight: Kill the Noise

January 25, 2014

Kill the Noise is another awesome talent that joined us last month in teaching DJ fundamentals to youth in the Los Angeles foster care system. 

There's a new ghoul haunting parties worldwide - a diamond-eyed skull slapped to turntables. Grinning off sweat-drenched t-shirts and gleaming from 20-foot neon screens. It's the bony mascot of Kill The Noise, the buzzing young producer and DJ whose uniquely intense take on electronic dance music has kept him rocking around the globe; from packed nightclubs to sold-out festivals.

In a word, his sound is dynamic. His productions much like his performances fearlessly blend different genres, styles and tempos.

His music has been released on some of dance music's most prestigious record labels including Deadmau5's Mau5trap Recordings, and his own imprint, Slow Roast Records, founded with 5x DMC world-champion DJ Craze. The boutique label is distributed by indie powerhouse Fool's Gold.

With a busy upcoming touring schedule, and some big upcoming record releases Kill The Noise will no doubt be making a lot of noise this year!

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Soundcloud

Continue reading →

Plastic State of Mind

January 18, 2014

Better than the original?

Continue reading →