Kenny Beats

Kenneth Charles Blume III, known professionally as Kenny Beats, is an American record producer, audio engineer, and songwriter.[1]

Kenny Beats
Kenny Beats at Hard Summer 2019 music festival
Background information
Birth nameKenneth Charles Blume III
BornGreenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Instruments
Associated acts
WebsiteOfficial Instagram (verified)

Early life

Kenneth Blume was born and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut. He started playing guitar at the age of 9 and began drumming at the age of 11. After he came 2nd in a national electronic music competition, he began to take music seriously.[2] After he graduated high school he moved to New York, where he interned for Cinematic Music Group's Jonny Shipes where he produced songs for the likes of Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul.[3] After spending some time in NY, he moved to Boston and studied Jazz Guitar and Music Business at Berklee College of Music.[4]

Musical style

Kenny's production style varies. His Digital audio workstation (DAW) of choice is Ableton Live. He plays piano, bass guitar, electric guitar[5] & drums and often implements live instrumentation into his instrumentals, whether it performed by him or from a fellow instrumentalist.[6][7]

A lot of his productions credits often fall into the Trap music sub-genre of hip-hop, commonly using 16th/8th note hi-hats with slight variation (such as rolls), hard-hitting kick drums, snares & booming 808 bass shots. He also explores more versatile instrumentation, tempos, production styles etc. such as with the likes of the more laid back and instrumental approach of songs such as singer Dominic Fike's "Phone Numbers" which contains a live guitar sample (performed by SNL lead guitarist Jared Scharff) [8] and a more acoustic feel, backed by a Virtual Studio Technology (VST) version of a real electric bass within Ableton Live that plays the bass line, provided via the Kontakt (sampler) VST - or a more experimental sound, found within his collaborative project with rapper Denzel Curry "Unlocked" which contains many spoken word samples scattered throughout the tracks and a more disjointed feel, provided by various creative implementations of obscure musical samples found throughout the project. His songs often begin with the tagline "Woah, Kenny!". [9]

He has often talked about the importance of being in person with an artist he is recording and producing for, stating how valuable it can be to have immediate feedback on ideas and enhance the overall creativity and music that is produced. [10]

LOUDPVCK
Main article: Loudpvck

In 2009, while attending Berklee College of Music, Kenny met Ryan Marks, a DJ. These two became friends, and in 2012, they decided to form the EDM duo Loudpvck.[11] Marks ultimately left the group in 2017 while Kenny transitioned from being a EDM producer to a hip-hop producer.

Social media presence

Kenny calls his studio "The Cave", and beginning in March 2019, Kenny launched a YouTube series of the same name called "The Cave", in which he invites artists to rap 16-32 bars over a custom beat he creates during the video. Usually, the artists are people that he already has experience with, or, is already friends with.[12] They come in, tell him what kind of beat they want, and in 10 to 15 minutes, he'll have something ready that caters to that particular style. The Cave is known for showcasing not only these artists' lyricism, but their personalities. As of April 1, 2020, Kenny has uploaded 23 episodes and amassed just over 31 million views. In addition to being his studio and the name of his YouTube series, "The Cave" is also the home to D.O.T.S. (Don't Over Think Shit), a creative group that assists artists with their artistic vision.[13]

Production discography

2010
Smoke DZA - Substance Abuse 1.5: The Headstash
  • 02. "Headstash" (featuring Den10)
Smoke DZA - George Kush Da Button
  • 01. "Continental Kush Breakfast" (featuring Den10)

2011
Smoke DZA - The Hustler's Catalog
  • 14. "Profit" (produced with 183rd)
Smoke DZA - Rolling Stoned
Skeme - Before My Next Statement
  • 05. "Truth"
Smoke DZA - Sweet Baby Kushed God
  • 01. "Smokey Klause" (produced with 183rd)

2012
ScHoolboy Q -
  • "Party"
Smoke DZA - K.O.N.Y.
Skeme - Alive & Living
  • 16. "Everything On Me"
Jet Life - Jet World Order 2

2014
Ab-Soul - These Days...
  • 03. "Hunnid Stax" (featuring ScHoolboy Q)

2016
Lucki - Son of Sam
  • 01. "Double Check"
  • 02. "His Only..."
Skywlkr - Joints
  • 01. "3 Drugs" (featuring Kenny Beats) [produced with Skywlkr]

2017
Lucki -
  • "Live It"
Hoodrich Pablo Juan and Kenny Beats - South Dark[14]
  • 01. "Dead End"
  • 02. "Everyday"
  • 03. "Ruthless" (featuring Duke)
  • 04. "Do This"
  • 05. "C Sick"
  • 06. "3 Point Stance"
  • 07. "Hood" (featuring Baby Uiie)
DJ Lucas -
Lil Wop - Wopavelli 3
  • 05. "Topgolf"
  • 09. "Dope Man"
  • 10. "Walking Dead"
  • 11. "Friday the 13th"
  • 14. "Grow Up"
  • 16. "Xans" (produced with ChaseTheMoney)

2018
YoungBoy Never Broke Again - Until Death Call My Name
  • 09. "Traumatized" (produced with Judge)
Key! and Kenny Beats - 777
  • 01. "Demolition 1 + 2"
  • 02. "Hater"
  • 03. "Blurry"
  • 04. "Boss"
  • 05. "Move"
  • 06. "Famous"
  • 07. "It Gets Better"
  • 08. "Kelly Price Freestyle"
  • 09. "Love On Ice"
  • 10. "Dig It"
  • 11. "Toronto"
  • 12. "True Love Interlude"
  • 13. "Control"
  • 14. "Twisted"
  • 15. "Squeamish"
Freddie Gibbs - Freddie
  • 02. "Automatic"
  • 03. "Death Row" (featuring 03 Greedo; produced with Freddie Kane)
  • 07. "Set Set"
  • 08. "Toe Tag"
  • 09. "FBC" (produced with A. Lau and Tony Seltzer)
Zack Fox -
  • "Square Up"
Vince Staples - FM![16]
  • 01. "Feels Like Summer"
  • 02. "Outside!"
  • 03. "Don't Get Chipped" (produced with Cubeatz)
  • 05. "New earlsweatshirt"
  • 07. "FUN!" (produced with Hagler)
  • 08. "No Bleedin"
  • 09. "Brand New Tyga"
  • 10. "(562) 453-9382"
  • 11. "Tweakin" (produced with KillaGraham)
JPEGMafia and Kenny Beats -
  • "Puff Daddy"
10k.Caash - The Creator
  • 02. “Mutumbo” (featuring Rico Nasty)
  • 10. "Aloha" (featuring GUN40)
JID - DiCaprio 2[17]
  • 02. "Slick Talk" (produced with EWonder and Christo)
Ski Mask the Slump God - Stokeley
  • 03. "Foot Fungus" (produced with Roofeeo)[18]
  • 05. "Unbothered"

2019
Rico Nasty and Kenny Beats - Anger Management
  • 01. "Cold"
  • 02. "Cheat Code" (featuring Baauer)
  • 03. "Hatin"
  • 04. "Big Titties" (featuring Baauer & EARTHGANG)
  • 05. "Nasty World (skit)"
  • 06. "Relative"
  • 07. "Mood" (featuring Splurge)
  • 08. "Sell Out"
  • 09. "Again"
Zack Fox and Kenny Beats -
  • "Jesus Is the One (I Got Depression)"[19]
Dominic Fike - Single[20]
Ed Sheeran - No.6 Collaborations Project
Gucci Mane - Delusions of Grandeur
  • 06. "Proud of You" (produced with Nils)[23]
  • 15. "Us"[24]
Rexx Life Raj - Father Figure 3: Somewhere Out There
Yung Bans - Misunderstood
  • 07. "Touch the Stars (featuring Lil TJay)"[26]
FKA twigs - Magdalene
DaBaby - Kirk
03 Greedo and Kenny Beats - Netflix and Deal
  • 01. "Traffic" (produced with Captain Crunch)
  • 02. "Paid in Full" (produced with Nils)
  • 03. "Disco Shit" (featuring Freddie Gibbs)
  • 04. "Maria" (produced with 1Mind)
  • 05. "Blue People" (featuring Vince Staples)
  • 06. "Beg Your Pardon" (featuring Maxo Kream)
  • 07. "Honey I Shrunk The Kids"
  • 08. "Brad Pitt" (produced with Nils)
  • 09. "Aye Twin" (featuring Key!) (produced with Dylan Brady)
  • 10. "Life"
  • 11. "Payback" (featuring Ohgeesy) (produced with Judge Beats)
  • 12. "Soul Food" (featuring Buddy) (produced with Elijah Rawk)
  • 13. "Dead Presidents"

2020

Deb Never and Kenny Beats -

  • Stone Cold

James Vickery - Overture

  • 01. "Tear It Apart"

IDLES - Ultra Mono

  • 02. "Grounds"

Key Glock - Yellow Tape

  • 11. "Loaded"

Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats - UNLOCKED

  • 01. "Track 01"
  • 02. "Take_it_Back_v2"
  • 03. "Lay_Up.m4a"
  • 04. "Pyro (leak 2019)"
  • 05. "DIET_"
  • 06. "So.Incredible.pkg"
  • 07. "Track07"
  • 08. "'Cosmic'.m4a"

ICECOLDBISHOP and KENNY BEATS -

  • "DICKIES SUIT"

Slowthai - Untitled forthcoming Slowthai album

  • "MAGIC"

Trash Talk and Kenny Beats - Squalor

  • 01. "Point No Point"
  • 02. "Something Wicked"
  • 03. "Worst of Times"
  • 04. "Clutch/A.N.M."
  • 05. "Kicking & Screaming"

SL - Selhurst SE25

  • 02. "Bad Luck"
  • 03. "Little Bird"
  • 04. "Leave Me Alone"

Benee - Hey U X[29]

Dominic Fike - What Could Possibly Go Wrong

  • 14. "Florida"

Joji - Nectar

  • "Mr. Hollywood"

Bastille - Untitled forthcoming Bastille album

  • "Goosebumps"

References
  1. Holmes, Charles (2019-01-20). "Kenny Beats Is a Rap Therapist Who Will Also Make You a Great Album". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2019-07-15. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  2. "Biography". www.kennybeats.com. 2008-12-28. Archived from the original on 2019-12-13. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  3. Schube, Will. ""Kenny Beats Is Hip-Hop Production's Prodigal Son."". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2019-07-13. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  4. Schwartz, Danny. "How Kenny Beats Became the Hottest Rap Producer on the Planet". The Ringer. Archived from the original on 2020-04-16. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  5. "KENNY BEATS - HOW TO MAKE A GUITAR SAMPLE - TUTORIAL - LIVE (03/31/20) 🔥🔥 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  6. "quarantine - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  7. "[KENNY BEATS] Phone Numbers - Dominic Fike | BREAKDOWN - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  8. "[KENNY BEATS] Phone Numbers - Dominic Fike | BREAKDOWN - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  9. "Kenny Beats Is Hip-Hop Production's Prodigal Son". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2019-07-13. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  10. "Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats Talk Making of 'Unlocked' and Quiz Each Other - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  11. Watson, Elijah. "Kenny Beats Wants To Be Rap's Quincy Jones [Interview]". OkayPlayer. Archived from the original on 2020-01-12. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  12. Dazed (2019-10-21). "Kenny Beats' guide to producing a legendary rap freestyle". Dazed. Archived from the original on 2019-12-13. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  13. "Kenny Beats". Universal Music Publishing Group. Archived from the original on 2019-12-27. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2019-07-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. Fay, Seamus (2017-08-26). "DJ Lucas – "Big Dope" [Prod. Kenny Beats]". graduationmusic.org. Archived from the original on 2019-08-05. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  16. "FM! - Vince Staples | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2019-07-15. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  17. "DiCaprio 2 - JID | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2019-07-14. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  18. Ski Mask the Slump God – Foot Fungus, archived from the original on 2019-10-02, retrieved 2019-10-02
  19. Zack Fox & Kenny Beats – Jesus Is the One (I Got Depression), archived from the original on 2019-10-02, retrieved 2019-10-02
  20. "Now or Never: The Chaotic Rise of Dominic Fike". Complex. Archived from the original on 2019-04-27. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  21. "Dominic Fike and Kenny Beats link up on "Phone Numbers"". The FADER. Archived from the original on 2019-07-15. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  22. Ed Sheeran (Ft. Stormzy) – Take Me Back to London, archived from the original on 2019-06-08, retrieved 2019-10-02
  23. Gucci Mane – Proud of You, archived from the original on 2019-11-02, retrieved 2019-10-02
  24. Gucci Mane – Us, archived from the original on 2019-07-23, retrieved 2019-10-02
  25. Rexx Life Raj & Kenny Beats – Moonwalk, archived from the original on 2019-10-02, retrieved 2019-10-02
  26. Yung Bans (Ft. Lil Tjay) – Touch The Stars, archived from the original on 2019-07-24, retrieved 2019-10-02
  27. FKA twigs (Ft. Future) – holy terrain, archived from the original on 2019-10-02, retrieved 2019-10-02
  28. DaBaby (Ft. Lil Baby & Moneybagg Yo) – TOES, archived from the original on 2019-09-24, retrieved 2019-10-02
  29. Langford, Jackson (15 October 2020). "BENEE announces debut album 'Hey u x', with guest artists Grimes and Lily Allen". NME. ISSN 0028-6362. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
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