Five Collaborative, Two-Producer Beat Tapes
A look back at some crucial split beat tapes from 2010-2014.
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I love split, 50/50, two-producer beat tapes. Some of my favorites come from the early 2010s, which feels like a much different and more innocent time for instrumental hip-hop. Collaborations seemed to be organic and freewheeling, social media wasn’t the all-consuming monster it is today, videos of producers making beats weren’t as prevalent, and the smaller canon of beat tapes made the genre feel more intimate and easy to digest.
That isn’t to say there haven’t been positives with the explosive growth in popularity of beat tapes/instrumental albums over the past 15 to 20 years, but as with all things in life, there’s some tradeoff with positives and negatives as a cultural phenomenon becomes more widespread and popular.
I’ve been looking back on the blog era and blog era-adjacent time for raps and beats a lot lately. There’s so much good stuff from that time that kind of found an audience but never blew up in a major way. The music is also an interesting lens into a moment in time that feels simultaneously recent and several lifetimes ago in terms of art, daily life, and politics. Perhaps that’s why I’m taking the time to highlight some key split beat releases from this unique moment in time.
Several of the producers featured below have gone on to gain massive followings. These releases are essential entries in their catalog, even if they are lesser known. There’s no time like the present to dust them off and give them a listen.
The Boot D (2nd Press) by Ackryte and Culprit (2011) - This 2011 effort from Ackryte and Culprit (aka Culp) is one of the first two-person beat tapes I purchased on Bandcamp. As the years pass, I find this one continues to age very well, with tracks like Ackryte’s “Gravy” always providing an immersive, illuminating listen. Ackryte is still actively putting out beat tapes today, while Culp’s output is much more limited.
Zen Vapors by Fitz Ambro$e and Ohbliv (2013) - Over a decade ago, prolific producers Fitz Ambro$e and Ohbliv linked up to drop this beautiful bit of instrumental music on Paris-based Cascade Records. Highlighted by numbers like Ambro$e’s “ALDAY” and Ohbliv’s “JUSWANABE,” Zen Vapors will not disappoint if you’re familiar with either producer’s catalog. It’s Bandcamp-only and many tracks are locked, so you’ll need to pay to hear all of it. It’s well worth the price of admission.
AfrikanDivas. by Sir Froderick and Knxwledge. (2011) - Sir Froderick and Knxwledge. are both important figures in the development of the Los Angeles beat scene and the global obsession with instrumental hip-hop. Knxwledge. has gone on to have considerably higher visibility thanks to his work with Kendrick Lamar and Anderson .Paak (as NxWorries), but Sir Froderick’s catalog is not to be underestimated. Their collaborative effort AfrikanDivas. is almost 15 years old, but I honestly completely missed it until a year or two ago when I was floored by the beauty of “Alwaysloveyou.” The album took on added meaning when I learned it was a tribute to Froderick’s late mother.
Seat of the Soul by vhvl and Ras G (2014) - vhvl and Ras G are a perfect match for a two-person instrumental album. Both of their styles defy simple classification and earned high praise from fans, peers, and the press. And, unfortunately, both of their careers were marked by profound, unfortunate turns of fortune. vhvl experienced severe and debilitating spinal issues around the time Seat of the Soul was released. Though she recovered to an extent, interviews indicate that she still had significant health challenges after recovering. And Ras G, a beloved and towerfing icon in the beat community, left this world far too soon in 2019. I am forever grateful I had the chance to interview him in 2017. This excellent release is a testament to both producer’s individual talents and their creative chemistry. Ras G leans into his more experimental side while maintaining some of his trademark bounces on joints like “Move Along…...” while vhvl’s “Fvrfew” is an gorgeous, unforgettable 15-minute chunk of electronic instrumental music.
Episodes by Mndsgn. and devonwho (2010) - Klipmode was a short-lived, remarkably talented crew of producers that included Suzi Analogue, devonwho, Knxwledge., and Mndsgn.. Though I’m not sure of the exact years that they were technically active, their output under the Klipmode monikor seems limited to 2009 through 2010. Mndsgn. and devonwho’s 2010 Bandcamp collabo Episodes captures early iterations of the sounds that would make them both sought after producers from their early careers through the present day. Songs like Mndsgn.’s “Skape” sound remarkably fresh, making this one prime for a revisit.
Bonus: Many of the producers listed above have had their work featured on the essential DIY video collage/music video website GodConnect. Please take a moment to check out videos featuring music from Ackryte, Fitz Ambro$e, Ohbliv, Sir Froderick, Knxwledge., vhvl, Ras G, Mndsgn., and devonwho. You’ll be glad you did.
This is an awesome collection!