[Interview] The Hustle & Flow Of A Beatsmith - Beats Me
- aAron aUx
- May 26, 2019
- 5 min read
Undeniably, EDM has taken the music industry by storm. Heads are clamoring for tickets to every show and nearly every venue in any major city supports some sort of dance music event within their weekly lineup of nightlife offerings. Bass music is now represented in all of the biggest festivals with arenas around the globe selling out effortlessly, as a result. Recent research puts dance music at the number three spot in popularity behind only rock and pop music. Although, you don't need charts and graphs to draw that conclusion.
Artists from every genre are taking notice and are trying to cash in on the popularity of EDM. For some of them, crossing over isn't as big of a stretch. Dropping a hook here or a verse there isn't much work. Others, on the other hand, leave many scratching their heads to the notion of experimenting outside of their comfort zones. The fluidity with which one can maneuver across genre lines and continue to be as prolific and potent is a skill not many possess. Consequently, that characteristic alone puts Beats Me in a class of his own.
Jared Lee Peters, aka Beats Me may seem like he just began breaking ground on his bass music fortress but he clenched the blueprints of the underground long ago. When some of us were scraping the surface of the Denver bass music scene he was deep in the trenches earning his stripes in the halls of hip-hop. As King Muse, he put in years of work grinding hard as a conscious emcee slowly overcoming the politics of the Denver rap game. Only after breaking through into national recognition, nearly reaching the pinnacle, did he relent opting instead to abandon the limelight and pursue his passion- bass music.
Since diving from his pedestal in hip-hop into the sea of the underground he's continued to make waves in the Denver bass music scene. Thus, he's dropping fire track after another building his catalog into a tsunami of beats and drowning out the bellows of his doubters along the way. Besides that, he's quickly locking in bookings at numerous Denver spots dripping droplets of bass everywhere, including the Black Box. His talent and extreme dedication to his craft are starting to pay huge dividends. Fortunately, he checked in with us to offer some insight and divvy up some inspiration.
-Bass'D Out DNVR
Bass'D Out DNVR: When I first met you, we vibed on hip-hop, how long have you been a connoisseur of bass music? What are your favorite genres?
Beats Me: I Have always been a hip-hop/bass head and, due to personal preferences, I've been on a temporary hiatus from hip hop. In recent years I began taking my productions more seriously with breaks and DnB tunes being released on multiple labels worldwide as Beats Me.
BOD: Describe the vibe you had when you first fell in love with bass music? With hip-hop?
BM: That, my friend, is something I've attempted to do all my life and I've come to find it indescribable!
BOD: Most people probably know you as King Muse the emcee. With all the dope production you’ve been working on are you still writing rhymes?
BM: I've been enjoying the ability to reinvent and develop an alter ego. My experience in the scene and past endeavors with certain promotions really left a bitter taste in my mouth unfortunately. Hip-hop is not the most successful or supported genre, especially the type that i produce. EDM on the other hand is thriving with new promotions, events, and a seemingly endless amount of emerging local talent. So to tell you I've been rather content musically is an understatement. Last June i released "Sorry Not Sorry" with Ravesta Records and it immediately hit #2 on the Beatport chart. I've since had over 50 releases on multiple well known and successful record labels! The future is bright and potentially unlimited possibilities are developing daily.
BOD: When can we expect you to get back to dropping hip-hop? Would you ever consider being a DnB emcee
BM: I'm up for anything as long as its fresh, I do have something cooking up with the incredibly gifted Native Origin 303 on the agenda sometime this year that I'm stoked to see change the game. I love collaboration! I will never stop writing and creating hip-hop music. Whether or not it sees the light just depends. I'd love to be able to re-release a ton of material I've done. With the right support and distribution i have faith in its potential to succeed.
BOD: What are the biggest differences between the EDM and hip-hop scenes of Colorado? What do you love and hate about the Denver hip-hop scene?
BM: The scenes are complete opposites of one another. EDM is tightly knit and supportive and hip hop is separated, competitive, and exclusive to those pay to play promoters. Upcoming talent must do promo and sell a certain amount of tickets to even earn a 15 minute mini set where no sound check or assistance is available. I'll tell you nothing is more discouraging to a young artist.
BOD: You’re currently dropping heat on several labels. What’s it like working with a bunch of different labels? Do you ever get push-back about that?
BM: Nowadays it seems to me labels are more open to receiving tunes from artists without needing an exclusivity contract, and It only hurts the industry to create a code of conduct that shuns an artists desire to connect and work with several different labels. In my opinion it's a true honor and blessing to be associated and repped by the brands I've grown to love and respect. I'm in no way disloyal- just hard working and diverse.
BOD: You just recently started getting booked for shows to DJ quite often. What’s that process been like for you? Is it different from performing live as an emcee?
BM: Completely different. Hip-hop shows are hard to deal with especially when the sound is neglected. It can literally kill an artists vibe. It's also very vulnerable performing songs that are written about your personal struggles and successes to ten people sitting at the bar with backs turned. A good DJ set at a packed warehouse has the power to change your perspective of the world as a whole. Plus, I love making people dance!!!
BOD: Who are your biggest influences as an artist? What artists would you like to work with?
BM: Most of my biggest influences are the ones that stuck beside me through all those times i wanted to give up and lost hope. Those friends and fam that believed in me when i didn't. I am down to collaborate with any passionate and positive people.
BOD: Is there anything you’d like to see change about the Denver EDM scene? The hip-hop scene?
BM: I'd love to see them work together to level up, and possibly throw a massive event in celebration of the city we live in and love.
BOD: What can your fans expect to see from you in the future?
BM: Lots and lots of quality material because the sky's not even the limit for the future is limitless!
BOD: Any comments? Shout-outs?
"To all my friends, fam, and fans: Thank you from the bottom of my heart and center of my soul. I am the luckiest person to have you and will never doubt the faith you have put in my ability to succeed! I love you."
Much love to Beats Me for sharing his love of all things bass with B.O.D. His energy and passion are an inspiration. People like him are who are keeping the Denver underground alive. Be sure to check out his BOD guest mix, catch his upcoming set, and follow him at the links below!
Upcoming from Beats Me
Follow Beats Me: Facebook | Mixcloud | Soundcloud | Beatport
Follow King Muse: Soundcloud
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