Networking

I spent most of yesterday sending out emails and beats to artists I want featured on my album. Some were big names, and other were local guys,but ones that definitely deserve a shot.
I think I must've sent out 40 emails, messages, IM's and comments yesterday to artists from Brighton to Brooklyn. Got some bloody good responses too, so watch this space.
I'm also toying with a new venture, but I'm not speaking on that one too much, it takes a lot of setting up

Another reason to watch this space ;)

Inspired

I have literally just finished a beat, and it sounds amazing. The sample inspired me, the beat came together pretty easily, and once I had finished adding pianos, strings, bass and other bits, I gave it a quick mix down and it sounds INSANE.
This is definitely one for the album.
It was one of those beats that I didn't really set out with a concept or any preconceived ideas, but it just came together perfectly.
Now all I gotta do is think of an artist I can hear on it

One of those days....

I've been having one of those days today. I got so many sample resources and loads of ideas for beats, but no matter what I try, It just aint coming together. A couple of years ago, I would've kept trying and eventually forced something I was reasonably happy with. These days, I leave it for an hour or so, go do something else, and then come back and see whaere I was at with it.
Which is what I'm doing now, just got some dinner going and stuck on Apollo 13. Once the film done, I'll head back in the studio and get back to work on this beat. It's definetly one that's worth persuing.

I've also been in touch with a few UK artists. I got some big US names, but I need home grown talent involved too, so hopefully I'll have more news on that at soon.

Keep ya posted

Comments from industry folk

Check it out, these are some comments I've got from industry type people. People who are in the industry in some way, from major artists and producers like Havoc of Mobb Deep and Statik Selekta to local radio and mixtape DJ's like DJ Grind and Decyfa.

"The switch ups are dope...drums patterns are dope too...
u def gott busy with the samples!
keep it up!"

Statik Selekta
DJ./Producer


"You got fire trax homie
Keep doin ya thing"

Havoc
Mobb Deep


"Stealf's beats are hot"

DJ Vlad
Justo Mixtape Award Winner


"Stealf's beats are the future sound of UK Hip Hop"
Dap C
www.myspace.com/dapc

"Nice beats man, sounds like you have a good
ear for it, so keep it up"

Evil Ed
Famed UK Producer


"Banging, original beats every time
Quality guaranteed"

Trixsta
Wolftown Records


"Big Up Stealf
The remix you did of my Coucil Estate track was sick
MC's need to holla at this guy
He's fully professional"

Late
Wolftown Records Recording Artist


"Big Beats, Definitley one to watch for"
Baby J
UK Producer


"A lot of UK production is very dirty and grimey sounding
Stealf's is very clean and clinical
Props for the production
"It's My Time" sounds like Havoc of Mobb Deep"

Decyfa
Express FM's RnG Show
www.expressfm.co.uk


"Watch out for this guy, Stealf is one of the hottest
producers in the UK
His beats, with or without an artist on, tell a story everytime
Stealf doesn't just know what's "in" at the moment...
Stealf is real Hip Hop"

DJ Grind
Express FM's RnG Show
www.expressfm.co.uk

Comments from fans

I thought I would put some quotes up from a few fans. These aint BIG names or huge artists, but people who really feel the music, they might make some music themselves or just appreciate the way I sample. Whatever their reasons, they all like what I do, and regardless of their level in the game or status as an individual, I appreciate ALL feedback from them and I hope I can keep making music that gets this level of respect.
Thanks a lot people, it's always apprecaited


"Yo weatherman beat go hard, this should've been the original weatherman"
Eddy C


"Gave that "Weatherman" a five star rate...hot track dog."
Soulja2yk


"I love your beats!"
Nancy Callahan


"Wut it do baby i see u taking the whole industry with your beats baby hahaha good look keep doing ya thang cuzz one"
Detroit Nikka


"HOT SHIT HOMIE!! U & I could change the whole fuckin' game. Get at me, 4real!!"
Yungfadell


"Nice work you got kid"
Profound


"This man's a weapon"
DJ Aimes Tha Full Clip


"Nothing But Real Hip Hop Beats Here!!.. keep doing your thing my dude"
Jay-Son


"Stealf beats go hard.......Keep doing it...PeAcE"
Sicisme2009


"You got the tightest samples bro"
Mike Dizzle


"Beats are sounding sick bro! Keep up the good work"
Mr Bronson


"Everybody better watch out for Stealf he gonna blow the Hip Hop Industry up!!!!"
Kobi Wood


"I consider a beat good or great, when two things happen:

1) It makes me want to pick up a mic and start rapping and
2) If I actually enjoy listening to the beat by itself

And your beats definitely fit this...you are one of the best producers I've heard in a while...

So keep it up and good look in the future..."
Rex

More beats for the album...

Today I've been working on some more beats for the album. I got about 11 so far. I wanna try and get 30 odd and then start working out the artists I wanna get involved.
I've got a vast collection of vinyl and MP3's to sift through for samples too. Yeah, I know MP3's aint strictly following the rules, but E-Digging is becoming acceptable now, and I'm using it as a resource now.
I used to stick purely to vinyl, and in all honest I do feel like I'm cheating a bit, but getting vinyl aint as easy as it used to be these days either. That's the excuse that I'm sticking to anyway lol

I'm busting to get some of these beats out there and hear peoples thoughts, cos, personally I think these are some of the best beats I've ever made. But Ive gotta resist. There is gonna be an instrumental version of the album coming out at the same time as the normal version drops, so all you emcees that fancy seeing how you compare to The Game or Jadakiss can go for it.

Actually, I'm gonna get people to email their versions over, I would love to hear what other rappers are doing with my beats

The first one

So, I thought I'd give this Blogging lark a go and see what's to be had out there.

For those that don't know me, My name is Nick, I'm a hip hop producer based in the UK. I go by the name Stealf.
I have been producing for about 4 years now. I'm a sample based producer, which means I'm pretty in to my vinyl and hardware samplers too. I run an MPC2500, which I couldn't operate without. I'm in to all sorts of music, from Soul to Metal, Jazz to Classic, anything with a good feel to it.
I've done remixes and produced tracks with Lil Wayne, Joe Budden, The Game, Jadakiss, 40 Glocc as well as UK artists like Dap C, Geejay, Skinnyman, Blak Twang, Madnessity and a few others.

At the moment, I'm working on my debut album. It'll be entirely produced by me (obviously) and will feature 40 Glocc, Bo Roc, The Game, Jadakiss, Dap C, Geejay and more to be confirmed. It's gonna be called "I Am Stealf" and I'm aiming to drop it late this year.

If you wanna check out some of my work, go to:

www.myspace.com/avoidingradardetection
www.goldmic.com/ard

You can also keep up with me on:

Facebook - Add Nick Lester (I've usually got a famous Nick as my profile pic)
www.twitter.com/stealf

Or just drop me an email at:

stealf@ard-beats.com
ardbeats@googlemail.com