[Beat Scene] Critical Beatdown: KNXWLEDGE +KONE + MR BRADY + MIKE GAO + More – 9/1/2011

September is upon us, and what better way to bring in the month with a little bit of futuristic hip hop? Critical Beatdown, a monthly beat event that parallels LA’s beat scene (but of course with classy San Diego style), is set to throw down some sneaky sounds this Thursday, September 1st at – where else? The Kava Lounge!

This month, Critical Beatdown is bringing in beat maker, Knxwledge. Straight out of Philly, this kid is a bit of a legend – generating online buzz through his consistent drive and hard work. He has released 4 EPs just this month, and it’s only August! The latest EP, “ShadySide“, dropped literally hours from me typing this. His fans and I question – Do you sleep?! But it’s not just that Knxwledge bleeds music, he’s actually good at his craft! Soulful and musically clever – I’m not quite over what he’s done with his last EP, “Flowrs“. Shit dude, he sampled Rugrats! Just check the track “SumthngNu“, it actually sounds like flowers, and I can picture Phil & Lil as they glide through the air in their diaper commercial.

SumthngNu by Knx.

But back to “ShadySide“. It’s kind of imperative that you listen to this EP now, before he makes another one. Trust – by the time you listen to his current sounds, he will produce more music and you will be out of the loop! Preview and buy ShadySide.EP on bandcamp.

And as with most of these beat nights, expect to catch more producers, including Kone – a native Angeleno whose sound definitely evokes that California feeling. It’s that last leg of summer for us in So Cal, and Kone will definitely set that tone for you this Thursday.

KONE: New Los Angeles by ALPHA PUP

Locals Mr. Brady, Mike Gao (fresh off his European tour!), eLan, DJ Pound (who just got to signed to German label, Saturate Records), DJ Cleancut, and Nino Seneris are also going to be throwing down the goods! eLan also just recently unleashed “Alligator Snaps EP” on Monkeytown Records – so you’re most definitely going to want to brush up on his tunes before you catch the show! Check out the title track, “Alligator Snaps“. He’s won my synthetic heart, let me tell you!

Alligator Snaps by eLan

Critical Beatdown starts at 9pm and is $5 and $7 after 11pm. For more info peep the Facebook invite.

By: Eileen