Beat This! Beat This! Competition - August 27-28, 2025

Iron Keys

ILLIEN MBAPPÉ
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 828
@MalakaBeats
I had read somewhere that many experimental pieces had been submitted, and I was wondering where they were. Here’s one. I really like the sounds, the minimalism, and the masterful use of negative space. Yet, it doesn't fully capture me. I feel like something is missing—either a lead instrument or some kind of surprising intervention. But there's no lack of craftsmanship, and in my headphones, the layering of the instruments is pro.

Ironically, this wasn't one of the ones I considered 'experimental'
The minimalism is what I loved. This gave vibes like beats Tyga may vocal. Tbh many could vocal this. I think the 'lack of lead instrument' you felt was missing attila, was likely a lead vocal.

Quality work.
@MalakaBeats
 

Iron Keys

ILLIEN MBAPPÉ
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 828
@Iron Keys can you give me feedback on mine please?
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man had literally requested within seconds of my posting that :ROFLMAO: love it. And you sure can

"Every Little Act"
This is actually quite a vibe of a beat! I can't remember hearing it first time round --- must have missed it. (Somtimes I feel like the beats have changed once results have released - weird)

This likely would have been in with a great shout of receiving a vote from me, Just Blaze vibes kinda. Love that shit.

Perfect intro length. Great choice of chops. Mix seems pretty fine. Bass sounds little farty, something about i don't like, but lots about it I do.
Drums mixed well, Tho I feel like I would have liked more sub-thump from the kick. (but that personal taste, plenty records have equal to what you do)

There's some abrupt or almost awkward bits in the chops, BUT i think it still works.

Love the little middle section where you let the sample play before dropping back into the beat
Stick Around Bob Ross GIF by Originals


This is a very dope beat, and would sound absolutely sick vocalled.

Feel I must have missed this beat, 'cause I'm on my third listen and feel like I would have voted for this!!!
 

attila

ILLIEN
Battle Points: 90
Ironically, this wasn't one of the ones I considered 'experimental'
The minimalism is what I loved. This gave vibes like beats Tyga may vocal. Tbh many could vocal this. I think the 'lack of lead instrument' you felt was missing attila, was likely a lead vocal.

Quality work.
@MalakaBeats
Yes, agree
 

Kane the MOD

ILLIEN
Battle Points: 28
View attachment 7409
man had literally requested within seconds of my posting that :ROFLMAO: love it. And you sure can

"Every Little Act"
This is actually quite a vibe of a beat! I can't remember hearing it first time round --- must have missed it. (Somtimes I feel like the beats have changed once results have released - weird)

This likely would have been in with a great shout of receiving a vote from me, Just Blaze vibes kinda. Love that shit.

Perfect intro length. Great choice of chops. Mix seems pretty fine. Bass sounds little farty, something about i don't like, but lots about it I do.
Drums mixed well, Tho I feel like I would have liked more sub-thump from the kick. (but that personal taste, plenty records have equal to what you do)

There's some abrupt or almost awkward bits in the chops, BUT i think it still works.

Love the little middle section where you let the sample play before dropping back into the beat
Stick Around Bob Ross GIF by Originals


This is a very dope beat, and would sound absolutely sick vocalled.

Feel I must have missed this beat, 'cause I'm on my third listen and feel like I would have voted for this!!!
Really appreciate your feedback.

I felt that the beat was pretty dope and I am glad that I am not way off.

Will be back with more.
 

Iron Keys

ILLIEN MBAPPÉ
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 828
Really appreciate your feedback.

I felt that the beat was pretty dope and I am glad that I am not way off.

Will be back with more.
Keep bringing 'em, brother! That one was genuine quality.

Do you have a favorite style of Beat you make? Or was it you talking about the changing of process and not really making the same style beat back to back? Can't remember of that wad you or tomblr
 

Kane the MOD

ILLIEN
Battle Points: 28
Keep bringing 'em, brother! That one was genuine quality.

Do you have a favorite style of Beat you make? Or was it you talking about the changing of process and not really making the same style beat back to back? Can't remember of that wad you or tomblr
It was me. I usually switch between sampling songs and tinkering around with Chords and Midi.

I make pretty much classical boom bap. From smooth to dark.
 

DJ BADMIRAL

Newbie
Battle Points: 1
I voted for @DJ BADMIRAL :fire:

My top 3 included @MalakaBeats (who i was fighting with myself whether to vote for you or badmiral - was tempted to switch vote) and @Ayatollah Herbs

Great beats from you 3.


If anyone who battled wants any feedback just @ me and I'll drop you some
I appreciate it bro. Idk how judges come up with these results, but I didn't plan on winning. Just wanted to post something for fun.
 

Iron Keys

ILLIEN MBAPPÉ
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 828
I appreciate it bro. Idk how judges come up with these results, but I didn't plan on winning. Just wanted to post something for fun.
It can be odd sometimes - can see some absolute thorough bangers lose out. And sometimes it just 'doesn't make sense'

happens to all of us. Other times it can mostly make sense. But definitely don't get discouraged - especially if you got people shouting your beat out or saying they voted for you, shows for sure you're doing something right.

I've had beats not win but that like 1 member might lose their mind over being some beat they just absolutely love - that shit be gold for real.

Keep 'em coming, bro look forward to more of your work
 

DJ BADMIRAL

Newbie
Battle Points: 1
It can be odd sometimes - can see some absolute thorough bangers lose out. And sometimes it just 'doesn't make sense'

happens to all of us. Other times it can mostly make sense. But definitely don't get discouraged - especially if you got people shouting your beat out or saying they voted for you, shows for sure you're doing something right.

I've had beats not win but that like 1 member might lose their mind over being some beat they just absolutely love - that shit be gold for real.

Keep 'em coming, bro look forward to more of your work
You're right, I'll try to keep at it. Just seems like all the beats that usually win are boom bap. Which is why I went a different way than my usual type beats. You win some, you lose some, but the game is the game end of the day. I appreciate your input and overall outlook on the competition.
 

BiggChev

The Brown Mr. Lahey
Battle Points: 266
@DJ Excellence - very well deserved win with this! Smooth, silky, and still has a nice energy. Bass line is simple but effective. I don't really have any feedback other than "really fucking dope." Great sample choice...I would've gone wayyy off the deep end with this sample but you had tasteful chops and used the elements together nicely.

@MalakaBeats - I think the intro is a bit long for a 2 minute limit (I realize the irony as I had a 30 second intro lol). It's definitely creative and unique. There's a marimba or would block of some type with an interesting little thing in background. It adds both texture and melodic content. These style drums aren't really my jam. Cool beat though.

@Ayatollah Herbs - I really liked this beat. There's a playful, kinda folksy quality to this. Both in sound selection and overall bounce of the beat. Snare wasn't quite wet enough for my taste. This has a carnival type vibe, but with a dark edge. I feel like this could be one of those Eminem songs that's either jokey or serious. Nice work!

@E.D - even on a more chill type of beat the drums still knock...and somehow they aren't overpowering. Nice! I liked how the intro kinda grabs you with this chill vibe then the drums quickly ramp up the energy. Great sample choice and the way you worked into the second phrase around 0:50 was really well done. I love how this beat evolves into this big arrangement then comes back. I don't think I've heard anything this mellow from you before and you still have your fingerprints on it. Dope.

@DJ BADMIRAL - The percussion, open hats, and tight little fills are really nice. I always appreciate drums with lots of cool details. Especially as it's something I've been trying to do lately...but not quite as well as you've done here. I'm curious is that glidey synth was part of the sample or if you played it in? Very smooth beat. Sound selection all works well together. This has a mid 2000s commercial vibe to it. Very reminiscent of my high-school days.

@Kane the MOD - Intro grabbed my attention right away. But I didn't care for that first theme at 0:03 mark. It kinda reminded me of a musical number from Sound of Music or something. Other parts though are really cool. It's a bit bright, and the choppy/stilted vibe was a bit too much for me. I do really like the bass line though...is that the rickenbacker?There are a lot of elements that I like, but as a whole - I think you can find something more interesting in there.

@M.I.ndless - love the drums and percussion. Then the flamenco guitar comes in. Got me thinking i'm on the beach with this one. I really enjoyed this. Maybe more tropical beach bar/tropical house vibe than hip-hop, but I ain't even mad at that. I think you have a great ear for sample selection.

@MainellaBeats - one of my favourites from this battle. love the vibe of this. Similar to a couple beats, it's chill but still has a nice energy. While it is more of an old school sound, it doesn't kinda have a modern touch to it. I like the little vocal chops and that one whispy female vocal tucked to the back and right. Lots of cool little changes, but in the confines of 2 mins it may seem a bit chaotic...I'm sure a 3:30 or 4 minute version would flow nicely from one pattern to the next. Regardless, still really liked it.

@MicroDotCotton - Drums on this are really nice. Super interesting sample choice. I thought this might have been @attila at first. It has this hip-hop-art-house feel to it. Like a boom-bap DJ got an art history degree or something lol. Unfortunately the exact reasons why I enjoyed this are probably why it didn't win. It feels more in the realm of trip-hop (Portishead) type of jam - which I mean as a compliment. Been enjoying your music and your beats in the Beat Fights. Looking forward to more.

@Nebulune - Distorted/clipping kicks can be cool, but not in this case. I like the sample choice, and I was curious to see where you would take it after the stuttery bit came in at the beginning. I personally think that style of chopping lends itself better as a transition or turn-around feature in a beat. Some cool parts of this, especially the reverb wash to finish - it's just A LOT to listen to.

@P.A.T. - Very rarely does an intro have my anxiously waiting to see what direction the beat is going in, but this is one of them. A really captivating way to hook the listener. I'm assuming the plucked strings were the inspiration for the beat name? I love the bounciness of this. Kinda sounds like you had an arpeggiator going to some rhythmic gate set to random. While I am coming around to trap style drums, I feel like the half time drums didn't serve the beat well. Maybe as a breakdown with just the atmospheric pad and plucked string while the bouncy bit drops out...otherwise I feel like this track is begging for an old school break beat. Still dope just an idea.

@Pcs shorty - Really cool sample and groove. It's just too quite. Not to be mean, but it kinda sounds like its 2002 and you're recording a song of the radio to use as your ringtone. A good mix and I feel like this could've easily been a contender!

@them - Appreciate you staying consistent with the battles. CMMD+C/CMMD+V my notes from last time.

@V.J. Retro - This is really fucking dope. Love the jazzy up-right bass and how it feels to kinda fall over itself then snaps back on the grid briefly. Drums knock! Similar to what I said about @MicroDotCotton 's beat, this is a bit "too sophisticated" of a joint. Not saying, I'm smart enough to appreciate it, but in the context of a battle beat, it may just not be the vibe. Could easily have a place on my lofi/boombap to work to playlist.
 
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