The 2024 Big Beat MKE beat battle tournament opened to an enthusiastic crowd at the Jackalope Lounj in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, setting the stage for eight weeks of intense musical showdowns and energetic performances.

The evening kicked off with a change in the lineup when Rokku Lee, initially selected for the competition, was a no-show. Veteran beatmaker SDProduces was on deck to fill the gap, facing off against Meccah Malloh, the captain of Milwaukee Pad Masters. Malloh showcased his skills on the MPC, tapping out rhythms that resonated well with the audience and premiering music from a new beat tape, ultimately leading him to victory over SDProduces.

The second battle of the night featured JTodd, whose opted to go as DJ Windows XP Home Edition for the tournament, against Kaskit. The two clashed over a backdrop of electronica and glitch hop from DJ Windows XP Home Edition, contrasting sharply with Kaskit’s fusion of dubstep and witch house. The sonic diversity created a noisy but captivating battle, with DJ Windows XP Home Edition coming out on top.

Amidst the battles, the crowd was treated to a pair of live performances. King Myles opened things up with tracks from his “Virtual Recluse” project, setting the tone for the night. Later, the duo of WillOnWater and Sam.e energized the audience with a dynamic display, leaving everyone pumped and ready for more.

Overall, the opening night of Big Beat MKE 2024 set a high standard for the rest of the tournament, with each participant bringing their unique style and energy, and making the night a great precursor for what’s to come. Join Topher, Twan Mack, and more next week for the second night of the opening round. Here’s how the bracket stands: