Elektronauts Hiphop Beat Battle #36: The Dub Edition

Whatsup, I hope you guys have some time on your hands during the holidays, because its time for the 36st Hiphop Beat Battle!

This time we’re going back to one of the foundations hiphop was built upon: Dub. For those here who are unfamiliar with the genre: Dub is a style of music which originated in Jamaica in
the late '60’s, in which reggae tracks were remixed using the mixing console as an instrument (Wikipedia page for more background). It was a big influence on early hiphop and the way hiphop developed. Check out some King Tubby for inspiration!

Rules:

  • For this edition the idea is to take an existing hiphop track of your liking, and turn it into a dub remix.
  • This can be done by either making your own take on a classic hiphop beat using the original samples, or remixing the track using the original vocals and adding a different instrumental (made by you).
  • To enter this battle, you have to post the original hiphop track you’re going to remix in this thread for all of us to enjoy. First come first serve: if a track is already posted, you can’t use it to remix anymore.
  • Reggae/dub influences are encouraged, but your track doesnt have to sound like traditional dub, as long as its made using dub techniques.
  • @electricthing, with whom I came up with the idea for this battle, introduced me to Jamaican/British Dub-Poet Linton Kwesi Johnson. Your track has to include a vocal bit by him, you can use any of his material!
  • The mixdown of your track has to be performed live, using effects to modify the track. This can either be daw automation, sp404 fx, guitar pedals, an actual mixing desk, or any fx you can think of.
  • The deadline for this battle is januari 3rd. You can send your remix to me by pm.
  • The track can be no more than 3 minutes long.
  • You are free to use any samples, synths, instruments or one shots, as long as your track is a remix of an existing track, either by making your own unique version of the original beat, or by creating a new instrumental for the accapella track.

Voting:

  • After januari 3, voting will commence in the traditional format: You’ll receive a point for each 3rd place, 2 points for each 2nd place and 3 points for each first place vote you receive.
  • Voters are encouraged to vote for the track which is the best Dub reinterpretation of an original hiphop track, not just for the one which sounds best.

Good luck!

21 Likes

@flipinfantile
@Lailai
@Yabba
@looms
@rockpapergoat
@electricthing
@KingDuppy
@Leonsarmiento
@malus_mons
@jiffybox

1 Like

@Synu
@sleepside
@aarb420
@Novitchok
@schoolbabyboy
@Ooly
@Jedilicious
@Smapti
@janglesoul
@PeteSasqwax

1 Like

@Kuro
@blaize
@emadb
@Unifono
@drrumble
@Maisin
@surfacescan
@LyingDalai
@monquixote
@1-2

1 Like

@NVVI
@Doug
@SierraOskar
@FNKSTRNG
@PineappleDave
@shigginpit
@philroyjenkins
@DimensionsTomorrow

this is a challenging brief for me, even though soundcloud sometimes suggests “reggae” or “dub” as tags for my tunes. i’ll have to do some extra listening research before i commit to this one, its a very cool idea!

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Deadly! I’ve been waiting for this mission!

image

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Interesting idea. To summarize, I have to pick an hip hop track I like and remix it into a dub track, correct ?

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I’m gonna try to make it as this is right up my alley. Plus Linton is the best so doubly up my alley.

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Well, you can remix it with a dub mindset. It doesnt have to end up sounding like traditional dub, it can sound like a trap beat with dub influences if thats what you like!

Edit: added this to the top post as well to avoid confusion!

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What a great idea. unfortunately we are moving and with the upcoming holidays I won’t find time to participate. But I wish you all a lot of fun and I am excited hearing your beat. See you next year!

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I’ve got one with a J.Cole vocal and 2 beats made with DT II.

beats switch about half way through

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Very dope track! The idea is to make one specifically for this battle though.

So first share an original hiphop track you want to remix/dub in this thread, and then send me your own version before the deadline (januari 3).

Would be cool if you join in, cause the trrack you shared rocks!

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Ok thx!!
I hope I’ll have more time to do it, because work is getting in the way unfortunately.
I can definitely do it properly next time, if I don’t get around to it for this beat battle.

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No worries if you miss this one, the battles keep on going and we have a different theme/set of rupes every time.

@flipinfantile man I forgot all about that track, it used to be my jam when I was in highschool.

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Great idea for a battle, really hope I can get something done for this one. Reminded me to go listen to the Mad Professor’s No Protection which is a good thing, so I have that playing now :grinning:

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Hell yeah let’s get weird y’all

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