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:
Breaking And Entering will be returning to Jackalope Lounj on Thursday, November 30th, when we welcome three more acts to the stage at The Wicked Hop! Join us as we feature performances from Mad Static, Odd Fellows, and Dukalion! Sounds by Topher. This show is FREE to attend! 10 PM, 21+.
Breaking And Entering will be returning to Jackalope Lounj on Thursday, October 26th, when we welcome three more performers to the stage at The Wicked Hop! Join us as we feature performances from Bre Bougie, Spaidez, and Ed Wingard! Sounds by Topher. This show is FREE to attend! 10 PM, 21+.
The eighth night of the 2023 Big Beat MKE beat battle brought an electrifying atmosphere to the Jackalope Lounj as the crowd eagerly awaited the championship and third place battles after two months of competition. With performances by Wave Chapelle and Twan Mack also on the lineup, it was a night packed with talent and excitement. Finally, the time had come to crown a new champion.
Kicking off the evening was the Third Place battle between Yoshii and Kaskit. The clash of styles was evident, with Kaskit delving into the electronic realm and incorporating elements of witch house and dubstep into his tracks. On the other hand, Yoshii impressed the crowd with his smooth beats and soulful samples. The battle went into overtime, showcasing the incredible skills of both producers. However, when the dust settled, it was Yoshii who emerged victorious, securing the third-place prize package.
The main event of the night featured Gucco, a rising star in his second year of battling, going head-to-head against the experienced veteran producer Domes1. The showdown between these two talented musicians would determine the 2023 Big Beat MKE champion, and fittingly so as both producers carved their way through the bracket up until this point. Domes1 pulled out all the stops, wowing the audience with his beats that incorporated wild and unexpected samples, including playful jabs at Gucco and even a cleverly flipped Folgers coffee commercial from the past. Gucco, however, knew exactly how to captivate the crowd, incorporating samples that defied his age and skillfully blending a variety of genres into his beats. One standout moment was when Gucco transformed Whitney Houston’s classic hit “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” into a hard-hitting, low-end style beat that ignited the audience.
The battle was intense and closely contested, ultimately resulting in an overtime showdown and an unprecedented fifth round that surpassed everyone’s expectations. While both producers brought a crew out to cheer them on, Gucco had an undeniable connection with the crowd. In the end, it was Gucco who emerged victorious as the 2023 Big Beat MKE Champion, etching his name in the competition’s history as the fourth champion in tournament history.
In addition to the thrilling battles, the night featured two great performances. Twan Mack, the host emcee of the event, took the stage and exuded his trademark charisma. Fresh off his European tour with Arrested Development, Twan delivered an unforgettable set, culminating in his descent into the crowd during the performance of “Marvelous,” as is customary for him.
Wave Chapelle took the stage as the headliner of the night. With DJ Brotha Z by his side, Wave brought a high-energy performance to cap off the evening. With a set of shows coming up, Chapelle proved why he has been one of the standouts of the Milwaukee hip hop scene for some time.
The Finals of the 2023 Big Beat MKE beat battle will go down in history as an unforgettable night of talent. Thank you so much to all of our producers, performers, judges, hosts, DJs, sponsors, and most importantly, the fans. This couldn’t happen without all of you, and we can’t wait to get Big Beat MKE 2024 underway next year.
We’re not done though! There is one more beat battle on the way, next week Thursday night at 8 PM at Summerfest on the WAMI Stage. The exhibition will feature Gucco vs. James Ashen, Yoshii vs. Spacecrime, and SDProduces vs. Mystik Musik. Don’t miss it!
Milwaukee’s Third Ward was once again buzzing with anticipation as the Jackalope Lounj hosted the seventh night of the Big Beat MKE beat battle. The crowd poured in, eager to witness the fierce competition that awaited them. With only two battles left before the finals, the stakes were higher than ever.
The first battle of the night showcased a clash of styles as Domes1 went head-to-head with Kaskit. Both producers brought glitchy, electronic-infused beats to the table, but with a slight divergence in their approach. Kaskit leaned towards the EDM direction, while Domes1 incorporated more hip-hop influences into his beats. The beats from both were top-notch, and the judges couldn’t decide on a clear winner, resulting in an overtime round. In the end, Domes1 managed to seal the victory and secure his spot in the finals.
The second battle featured the rising young star Gucco going up against the highly impressive Yoshii. This matchup had been highly anticipated, as both producers had won over the audience throughout the tournament. Both skillfully incorporated soulful samples into their heavy-hitting beats, creating a mesmerizing fusion of sounds. While Yoshii put up a strong fight, it was Gucco’s beats that had a more immediate impact on the judges and the crowd. With a bit of flare from on stage and with phones lit up in the crowd, Gucco emerged victorious and secured his place in the finals alongside Domes1.
In addition to the semifinal battles, the audience was treated to two memorable performances. Puerto Wiccan took the stage and delivered her rhymes with an undeniable swagger and finesse, doing exactly what she does best. Following the second battle, Gego Y Nony brought a reggaeton feel to the Jackalope Lounj, putting a new twist on the sound of the competition.
The semifinals night of the Big Beat MKE beat battle showcased the exceptional talent and versatility of the participating producers. Domes1 and Gucco emerged triumphant, earning their places in the highly anticipated final battle to take place next week. Yoshii and Kaskit will be back as well, competing in a third place battle, and we’ll have performances from Wave Chapelle and our host, Twan Mack. The competition promises to be fierce as the remaining contenders battle it out for the ultimate title of Big Beat MKE champion. Don’t miss the finals next week!
The Historic Third Ward was alive and pulsating with energy on the second night of the Big Beat MKE beat battle quarterfinals. The night was filled with intense competition, inventive beats, and dynamic performances. A packed house filed in to the sounds of Topher at the turntables and Rizenhower holding down hosting duties, while Super Ego Beats, Gucco, James Ashen, and Yoshii took to the stage for two crucial beat battles to see who would move on to the semifinals.
Opening the night was an anticipated face-off between Super Ego Beats and one of the tournament’s rising stars, Gucco. Super Ego Beats opted for an MPC for his performance. While his beats reverberated with creativity and skill, Gucco brought a captivating energy to his beats, turning up the crowd. Gucco ultimately propelled himself to victory and into the tournament’s semifinals.
The second battle was equally close, featuring James Ashen squaring off against Yoshii. James Ashen had the audience intrigued with his genre-blending beats, effortlessly switching the energy from hip-hop to electronic production at times. However, Yoshii’s performance was just as compelling. With smooth samples that transitioned seamlessly into a knocking bass, Yoshi mesmerized the audience. The closely fought competition ended in Yoshii’s favor, securing him a spot in the semifinals.
Apart from the intense beat battles, the night also featured a duo of performances by C’zo and Phif from Camp Shuttlesworth. C’zo took to the stage first, aided by cameos from Mo’City and PaperStacks, firing up the crowd. The night was closed out by Phif, who had the crowd swaying, capping off an unforgettable quarterfinal round to what has been a crazy tournament so far.
Our final four is set, with the semifinals taking place next week at the Jackalope Lounj at the Wicked Hop. Kaskit and Dome1 will do battle next week Thursday, as well as this week’s winners, Gucco and Yoshii. The night will also feature performances from Gego y Nony and Puerto Wiccan! Don’t miss out on the last two weeks of Big Beat MKE 2023. Here’s how the bracket stands:
Night Four of the Big Beat MKE beat battle tournament brought plenty excitement to the Jackalope Lounj as fans packed both the floor and the balcony, eager to witness the clash of musical prowess. The event was hosted by special guest Rizehnower, while Topher got the crowd moving before the battles.
The first contest of the night pitted James Ashen against Shamgod$upreme in a battle that set the tone for the night. Both producers showcased their exceptional skills, delivering beats that resonated with the audience. An overtime round was needed to determine the victor. Ultimately, James Ashen emerged triumphant, cementing his place in the next round. What made Ashen’s victory even more impressive was the fact that he was a late addition to the competition, finding out that he had been selected as an alternate just days before the event, and managed to create all his beats within the tight 48-hour window leading up to the battle.
The second battle of the night featured a clash of styles between Yoshii and Nathan Weller. Yoshii brought soulful samples and bass-heavy beats, while Weller opted for an electronic dance style that spiced up the sound of the competition. The judges found themselves divided, unable to reach a unanimous decision. To break the deadlock, the fate of the battle fell into the hands of the fans. Through the QR code voting system within the venue, the audience made their voices heard, and it was Yoshii who emerged as the winner, moving on to the next round, where he’ll go head-to-head with Ashen.
In addition to the intense battles, the night was punctuated by memorable performances from Keyba of Spider Creek, who was also celebrating a birthday, and headliner Quies Terry. Keyba’s energetic set infused got the crowd nodding along with cameos from members of Spider Creek. Quies Terry brought material from “Arts & Crafts” to life with a memorable performance as well.
Night Four of the Big Beat MKE beat battle tournament was a testament to the wealth of talent in the competition. Join us next week, when the quarterfinals begin with DuffThePro vs. Kaskit, as well as Domes1 taking on Orion. The night will also feature a Run Along Forever takeover, with performances from Kill.Dawn and Khal!l.
Milwaukee’s music scene was set ablaze on a crisp Thursday night as the opening round of the Big Beat MKE beat battle tournament continued with its third installment. The event featured two intense beat battles, accompanied by electrifying performances. Hosted by the charismatic Twan Mack, the crowd flowed into the Jackalope Lounj for a lively atmosphere. Adding to the ambiance was Topher, who kept the crowd moving before the battles even began.
The opening battle of the night showcased the incredible talent of Super Ego Beats and No B. To switch things up, Super Ego Beats chose to perform his beats using an MPC onstage. The decision paid off as he captivated the audience with his live pad work. No B matched him blow for blow, delivering an impressive set of meticulously crafted beats. The intense battle pushed both producers to their limits, resulting in a thrilling overtime showdown. In the end, Super Ego Beats emerged as the victor, securing his spot in the next round.
The second battle of the night featured Gucco and Hot Science, pitting a rising star against an experienced veteran. Hot Science also utilized a drum machine to create glitchy, techno-infused beats, showcasing his unique style and experimental approach. Gucco, on the other hand, brought a diverse range of genres to his tracks, incorporating heavy bass lines and even surprising the crowd with the occasional guitar solo in his tracks. The battle was a clash of contrasting sounds, and the judges found it difficult to choose a winner. Twan Mack called for an overtime round, because we needed to settle this thing. Ultimately, Gucco’s versatility and a Milwaukee-type beat propelled him to victory, securing his place in the next round of the tournament.
The beat battles were not the only highlights of the evening, as we had a pair of great performances in between battles. H.Kain took the stage first, blending his impassioned raps with the occasional industry beat thrown in the mix, and a cameo appearance from TheRealQd as well. Thoughtful bars and undeniable stage presence left a lasting impression.
To close out the night, Phat Nerd Records were led by NilexNile to invade the Jackalope Lounj. Their performance served as a platform to showcase the label’s talent, with a wild energy that took Space Cowboy, 39tharchitect, Verge and Myndd all over the room. The label is a movement at work, and you can see that when they take over the stage together.
We’re three nights in, and the final night of the opening round is set to take place next week Thursday night at the Jackalope Lounj inside The Wicked Hop in the Historic Third Ward. Big Beat MKE has already proven to be a rollercoaster of talent, surprises, and electrifying performances. Next week will feature docx going up against Shamgod$upreme, and Nathan Weller taking on Yoshii, plus performances from Quies Terry and Keyba of Spider Creek. Check out the updated bracket below:
It’s that time of year again! On Tuesday night’s taping of Breaking And Entering Radio, we pulled the bracket for the 2023 Big Beat MKE beat battle tournament. 16 producers will go head-to-head in battles over the course of eight weeks to determine our 2023 Big Beat MKE champion. Each night of the tournament will feature two battles and two performances from Milwaukee hip hop acts. Check out the bracket and round one schedule below, and stay tuned this week for the lineup reveal! See you at the Jackalope Lounj (345 N. Broadway) on April 27th!
April 27: Dead Bass vs. DuffThePro Kaskit vs. SphinxDaGod
May 4: Domes1 vs. Spacecrime Angry Kat vs. Orion
May 11: Super Ego Beats vs. No B Gucco vs. Hot Science
May 18: Docx vs. ShamGod$upreme Nathan Weller vs. Yoshii
It’s crunch time in the 2022 Big Beat MKE tournament. The semifinals of this year’s tournament went down on Thursday night, and four producers who have all stood out in this year’s field would do battle to see who gets to move on to the championship round next week. A pair of overtime battles kept a loud, lively crowd roaring at Jackalope Lounj in the Third Ward.
In the opening contest of the night, Mystik Musik took on Scylla, in a battle of two producers that have stepped their game up seemingly as the tournament went on. Scylla brought his live setup to the stage, while Mystik Musik pulled a page out of Scylla’s book, and brought the props with him, including a Freddie Krueger mask and gloves for one round. Both producers also made a habit of switching up the beat, mixing up trap with higher tempos, to almost EDM levels of excitement in their beats. It certainly wasn’t a unanimous decision, but ultimately Scylla would get the judges decision to move onto the next round.
The second contest of the night was a tough matchup from the jump, with a pair of beat battle veterans who knew exactly what to do. Spacecrime took on SDProduces, and it was another contest that you could tell was headed to overtime before the regulation rounds were complete. Both producers tested the sound system with heavy bass, but it was the unique sounds they brought out that won them over with the crowd. Case in point was the overtime round, in which Spacecrime utilized a flip of Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality” that won him over with the Jackalope Lounj immediately. While again, the decision wasn’t unanimous, Spacecrime edged out the win, pitting him against Scylla in next week’s finals.
On the microphone, the bars were heavy and the energy was high. Hektik rocked a solo set full of lyrical venom in between battles, getting the crowd bouncing along in the process. The night was headlined by WillOnWater, who brought tracks from “T(r)ap Water” to life, and also brought along fellow Uglyworld Syndicate artist Sam-e to preview some new music in the process. In both the battles and performances, things were entirely on point Thursday night.
There’s only one night left of Big Beat MKE, so do not miss the finals next week Thursday, when Scylla and Spacecrime go head to head with the trophy on the line. The night will also feature the third place battle between Mystik Musik and SDProduces, in a contest that will be sure to entertain as well. Performances from Mo’City and your host of Big Beat MKE, Twan Mack will help cap things off. See you there! Here’s your bracket update below:
The first night of quarterfinal action at Big Beat MKE went down on Thursday night, and the excitement of moving into the next phase of the competition was in the air. A rainy night in the Third Ward didn’t stop two battles from going down, and a pair of female emcees crushed the Jackalope Lounj stage as well. It was a solid night of competition that may well have produced the top battle of the tournament this far.
The opening contest was an absolute banger, as Mystik Musik and James Ashen went head to head in the first quarterfinal matchup. These two are both beat battle veterans, and knew exactly what to bring to the table, switching the sounds up rapidly in their one minute rounds. They also know one another well, which made for a fun dynamic, with the producers getting up in each other’s faces for some friendly smack talk. Mystik Musik brought out props, including a notebook and a chain to go with his beats, and James Ashen countered with some of the heaviest bass he could bring to the Third Ward. Before the end of the first round, you could have called for overtime on this one. This one went the distance, when Mystik Musik pulled out a sample of James Ashen’s own voice for his finale, getting the crowd howling. In a battle that needs to get a return match at some point, Mystik Musik pulled out a big win.
The second battle of the night didn’t get to go as planned, but once again, a challenger emerged to make his presence felt. No B unfortunately had technical issues preventing him from competing in a battle against SDProduces, but thankfully Yoshi from the Beats, Rhymes and Bodyslams podcast was available to step in for his second exhibition bout of the tournament. Once again, he brought the thunder and some smooth samples, including a clip of Eagle Eye Cherry’s “Save Tonight” that nobody saw coming. SDProduces matched him with his battle-ready beats, and while we don’t declare a winner for the exhibition battles, it’s safe to say that everyone in attendance came out with something extra from that event on Thursday night.
On the microphone, It was Kia Rap Princess and Juke Marciano’s turn to hold things down, and they definitely represented the hip hop scene well. The Holy Daughter, Juke Marciano, kicked things off with tons of energy, and a gritty energy that made believers out of the crowd at The Wicked Hop. Kia Rap Princess brought tracks from her “Chapter X” project, and kept the crowd moving with a variety of styles on display, as well as a charismatic stage presence.
We’re halfway through the quarterfinals, and there’s a pair of big battles coming up in the next night of the event on June 2nd. Join us as we’ll have Scylla taking on Systematik, and Gucco facing off against Spacecrime. We also have performances from Von Alexander and Cam Will, so do not miss this one! Here’s your updated bracket:
The third night of the 2022 Big Beat MKE tournament saw some newcomers light things up, both on the battle front as well as the performances. A lively crowd filled in the Jackalope Lounj at The Wicked Hop, and on a perfect Milwaukee night, they were ready for some heavy hitting battles.
The first contest of the night featured a pair of producers making their Big Beat MKE debuts, as Gucco took on Mood-z. Both producers have some bright futures in the beat battle game, as they took the stage with an arsenal of bass-heavy tracks. The contest went three rounds, with the competitors getting some encouragement from the crowd after each round. It wasn’t a unanimous decision from the judges, but ultimately Gucco took the win from the crowd and the judging panel, and will be moving on to the quarterfinals.
While the first battle warmed things up, the second brought the night to a fever pitch. Phat Nerd Records producer Mighty Morphin’ Verge made his first appearance at Big Beat MKE as well, taking on a veteran producer in Spacecrime. Before the third round was even over, there were calls for overtime coming from the stage. Those were echoed by the crowd, as well as host Riz, also making his Big Beat MKE debut while Twan Mack is touring Europe with Arrested Development. After overtime, the judges were split, meaning that the fan vote broke the tie. In the end, Spacecrime is moving on to battle Gucco on June 2nd.
The performances between battles were top notch as well, keeping the Jackalope Lounj crowd bouncing. A.C. The Ruler opened things up, playing Big Beat MKE for the second time after kicking off the 2019 final previously. His set pushed the limits of the sound system, with the crowd throwing their 4s up for him all set long. The night was capped off with a performance from Puerto Wiccan, who proved herself as part of the next generation of Milwaukee hip hop, spitting some serious bars and keeping the crowd hyped. It was a night for lots of up-and-coming names to prove themselves, and they all did just that.
We’ll see you next Thursday at Jackalope Lounj, when Orange Drink takes on SDProduces, and MAK-Beats takes on No B. The night also features performances from Yogie B & Keez and $hunmillion$. Here’s your updated bracket below:
The second night of the opening round at Big Beat MKE 2022 kicked off on Thursday, and it did not disappoint. While there were some unexpected changes, a large crowd at the Jackalope Lounj got a show, with a pair of battling veterans, a surprise guest performer, and an unexpected challenger to give the tournament a moment to remember.
The night opened up with Scylla vs. Hot Science, pitting a pair of veteran producers against one another. While Scylla has competed internationally in beat battles as well as some high profile competitions in the US, he hadn’t been to Big Beat MKE before. He came out with plenty of energy and some clever samples, and was matched by Hot Science, who played beats live using a synth on stage. It was truly a showcase of two strong competitors, and the crowd was hungry for a fourth round, giving the tournament its second overtime in two nights. Ultimately, in a close matchup, Scylla walked out as the victor.
The second battle of the night was slated to be RonnieBeats vs. Systematik. Unfortunately, RonnieBeats didn’t show, which meant Systematik automatically moved on to the quarterfinals. However, the Jackalope Lounj crowd wouldn’t be left hanging. A huge thank you goes out to Yoshi from the Beats, Rhymes and Bodyslams podcast, who was able to step up on literally 20 minutes notice to deliver beats for an exhibition battle, which was main event worthy in its own right. Yoshi had smooth samples and rattled The Wicked Hop with bass, while Systematik merged heavy metal and trap in a way that had the crowd screaming. While we didn’t declare a winner, everyone in the crowd was certainly treated to a show.
The night’s performers also took things to a different level, with Nile and 2Hi pulling out all the stops in their sets. 2Hi was constant motion, jumping in and out of the crowd, with a mosh pit of Unfinished Legacy cronies up front and a guest appearance from Lake. Nile also had the crowd bouncing, with a pit of his own slamming into the bar and stage. On top of all of that, Nile brought out Huey V to make a guest appearance, and he gave us three songs of his own.
Things could have very much went left on Thursday night, but it ended up being a wild night for the ages. Don’t miss next week when Gucco and mood-z make their Big Beat MKE debuts against one another, and when Mighty Morphin’ Verge of Phat Nerd Records takes on Spacecrime in a battle for the ages. Plus we have performances from A.C. The Ruler and Puerto Wiccan. Here’s your updated bracket:
With seven weeks of tremendous battles serving as its precursor, everyone at Jackalope Lounj on Thursday night knew that the finals of Big Beat MKE was going to be something special. It was beyond that. With the combo of Da Monsta (40 Mil) vs. Fearjoy and James Ashen vs. Spice God, as well as performances from A.C. The Ruler, Twan Mack, and Shle Berry, the night was a fitting send off to this year’s tournament. A crowd spilled out of the venue onto Broadway Ave., making for a very lively environment of battle fans.
Before the main event of the evening, the Third Place Battle was nothing short of epic, as James Ashen faced Spice God. Both producers shined throughout the whole tournament, and made strong cases to be in the final last week, so it was no surprise that this contest was very evenly matched. Both also brought a combination of hip hop, trap and EDM to the table, making their sounds work well together. With an enthusiastic crowd, there was no doubt that overtime would be called for. After four blistering beats from each competitor, it was ultimately James Ashen that walked away with the Third Place win. Both competitors will likely be a strong contender in next year’s event, should they decide to enter.
Twan Mack
The main event of the evening, however, was a battle that should be talked about for some time. The story lines wrote themselves, as Fearjoy was a young upstart that produces a hybrid of EDM and hip hop, facing Da Monsta (40 Mil), a hard hitting veteran who had made it to the finals of beat battles before but had never secured a win. The two brought different styles, but the crowd ate it up, as audio jabs went back and forth. A very strong third round from 40 Mil almost sealed things early, but there was no way the crowd and Twan Mack were going to let the round go without overtime. Fearjoy actually responded strong with his fourth beat, but it wasn’t enough, as Da Monsta (40 Mil) took the win and the crown of 2019 Big Beat MKE Champion. Congratulations to both on an incredible run, and an amazing final battle.
Shle Berry
Thank you to all of our producers, sponsors, judges, and performers, as well as Twan Mack, Alpine and Gonzales Visuals for putting together a legendary tournament this year. Big Beat MKE will definitely be back for 2020, and you can see your final bracket below:
It’s a good day, as we’ve reached the finals of Big Beat MKE 2019. In advance of tonight’s finals, make sure you go back and watch how Fearjoy and Da Monsta (40 Mil) got to the final round. You can see all four of these competitors tonight, as James Ashen and Spice God will also go head to head in the Third Place Battle, and we’ll have performances from Shle Berry, Twan Mack and A.C. The Ruler as well. Check out last week’s battles below, and we’ll see you tonight.
When the field was set for this year’s Big Beat MKE beat battle, nobody was expecting to have nights like the Semifinals on Thursday night. While the last night of the quarterfinals was a tough act to follow, the semifinal battles that consisted of Fearjoy vs. James Ashen and Da Monsta (40 Mil) vs. Spice God were incredibly close. Add in some lively performances from Mudy and J-Lamo that got the crowd rocking even further, and you have the formula for a night to remember.
Mudy
In the opening contest, heavy hitters James Ashen and Fearjoy took the stage to set the tone for the evening, and they didn’t disappoint by any means. Both producers have a style that mixes hip hop and EDM elements, and that came into play in a tough battle that had the crowd calling for overtime. There could only be one winner, and while the judges were almost split evenly, Fearjoy ultimately won out to advance to the finals. James Ashen will also compete in the Third Place battle next week.
J-Lamo
A pair of favorites on paper closed out the night, with a second battle that was definitely main event worthy. Spice God and Da Monsta (40 Mil) went toe-to-toe, in a battle that felt like it could have been a changing of the guard from one Miltown Beatdown veteran to a rising contender of the new school. 40 Mil came battle ready, with a flip of Travis Scott’s “Stop Trying To Be God”, and Spice God responded with an other-worldly type dance beat that got the crowd moving. Before even asking the crowd, who were already loud as is, the decision was made on stage to go to a fourth round. Host Twan Mack wanted even more after that, but the rules limit the competition to four rounds. Again, a tough decision was in the hands of the judges, but ultimately 40 Mil walked away with the W. Spice God will return to battle James Ashen next week in the third place battle.
Your 2019 Big Beat MKE Final is set for next week at the Jackalope Lounj! Will it be Da Monsta (40 Mil) or Fearjoy walking away with the title? Don’t miss that battle, Spice God vs. James Ashen, and performances from Shle Berry, Twan Mack, and A.C. The Ruler next Thursday night at Jackalope Lounj! Your updated bracket is below:
Leading up to last night’s beat battles in the quarterfinals of Big Beat MKE, there was an electricity throughout Jackalope Lounj unlike any other. With 40 Mil vs. Godxilla and Spice God vs. Beat Council on the card, an epic night was in store, and the producers did not disappoint. In addition to that, it was Vogel Park’s turn to takeover the night, with performances from Camb and AWillThaGreat that kept the crowd moving as well. Jackalope Lounj was packed from the stage to the back door, and everyone went home buzzing from the night.
Camb
The first battle of the night proved to be an instant classic, as Da Monsta (40 Mil) and Godxilla went toe-to-toe in a true clash of the beat battle titans. Prior to the battle itself, both had taken friendly shots at one another on social media, which Godxilla explained had spilled over from trash-talking texts between the competitors beforehand. That energy translated into an incredible battle, with some of the hardest beats Big Beat MKE has seen yet. Godxilla flipped South Park’s “Salty Chocolate Balls” into a diss beat, and 40 responded with an insane track that featuring a vocal sample that the reign of Godxilla had ended. Both producers gave it their best effort, and there was no way this wasn’t going to overtime from the start. In a narrow decision from the judges, 40 Mil won the first round of what we hope will become an epic beat battle rivalry to go to the semifinals.
AWillThaGreat
With all of the hype around the first battle, there were a couple of absolute killers in the second contest, as well, as Spice God went up against the collective known as Beat Council. The crowd was still very much alive, and were boisterous throughout the battle. Beat Council pushed the Jackalope Lounj speakers seemingly to their brink, but Spice God countered with lots of bass, varying tempos, and a calm demeanor on stage while handling business. With the energy in the room already high, there were calls for a fourth round before the end of regulation, and Spice God broke out a customized Tune Squad jersey for the crowd before dropping his last beat to get just a few extra cheers. Ultimately, Spice God ended up taking the win in what turned out to be an equally exciting battle as its hyped up predecessor.
There was showmanship, clever disses, a loud, lively crowd, and plenty of insane production on night six of Big Beat MKE. This was everything you could have ever asked for from a beat battle and more. Don’t miss next week, as Fearjoy faces James Ashen, and Da Monsta (40 Mil) will do battle with Spice God. In addition to that, we’ll have performances from Mudy and J-Lamo. Your updated bracket is below:
Night five of Big Beat MKE was one of the strongest nights yet, and things are only heating up from here. With that said, you need to check out the battles from the night, which pitted Fearjoy up against Bennie D in the opening contest, and James Ashen against Four Giants in the second battle of the night. Don’t forget to join us this Thursday, as Godxilla battles 40 Mil, and Spice God faces Beat Council. Check out the week five battles below:
The last night of the opening round of the 2019 Big Beat MKE tournament featured two incredibly strong battles, making the bottom half of the bracket looking extra tough. Fortunately, we have the footage from both battles here. Don’t forget to join us at Jackalope Lounj every Thursday between now and June 20th as we get closer to crowing a 2019 champion!
The final night of the opening round of Big Beat MKE 2019 was no joke, as another big crowd filed into Jackalope Lounj for two incredible battles, plus energetic performances from Josh Jenkins and G-Gifted. With matchups between Spice God and MystiK MusiK, and Spacecrime vs. Beat Council, nobody was holding back when it came to trying to move to the next round.
The opening contest was between Spice God and MystiK MusiK, and it definitely set the bar for what was going to be a spectacular night. Spice God brought lots of bass from the jump, but MystiK MusiK wasn’t reeling, packing a punch of his own. A particular highlight was a Mortal Kombat themed beat from MystiK MusiK, complete with “Finish him!” and “Fatality!” samples. Before the third round was even finished, there were hands with four fingers up in the crowd, asking for an overtime round. It was a tough call, but Spice God ended up getting the win, moving on to the quarterfinals on June 6th.
G-Gifted
The second contest of the night matched that same energy, as Spacecrime went toe-to-toe with a trio of producers in Beat Council. Both contestants brought out their gear, adding samples and adding to their tracks for the crowd. Host Twan Mack wasn’t satisfied after three highly contested rounds, so we went to overtime once again. Spacecrime almost fended off three producers, but in the end, Beat Council narrowly edged out the win, by a margin of only one vote from the judges. They’ll move on to the quarterfinals on June 6th as well.
After one round of competition, Big Beat MKE is already shaping up to be absolutely bananas going forward. We still have four more nights to be contested, and crowd reaction does factor into the scoring, so make sure you get to Jackalope Lounj on Thursdays to experience the madness live! Here’s your updated bracket below:
It was a beautiful, warm night in the Third Ward, and the crowd at Jackalope Lounj only heated things up on Thursday, as the third night of the opening round of Big Beat MKE absolutely went off. A lively crowd packed into the room early, and by the time the first battle of the evening was ready to start, things were at a fever pitch. Hiii Tribe artist King Myles and Appleton artist Sha were also in the building to rock in between battles. Nobody had any idea of what was really about to go down.
The opening contest of the night was no joke, as Cuban Lynx and Cream City Beat Battle winner Godxilla took the stage. Both producers brought the bass, which rattled the stage and reverberated throughout the bar. Cuban Lynx had a smooth style about his tracks, and Godxilla brought the flare, switching up his sound in the middle of his one-minute rounds. That flare may have been the edge, as ultimately he moved on to the quarterfinals after a battle that required overtime, as requested by the crowd.
King Myles
The second battle of the night saw another veteran go up against a worthy opponent, as former Miltown Beatdown competitor 40 Mil went toe-to-toe with Tuan G. This very well may have been the toughest battle of the whole tournament so far, as neither one was holding back when it was their turn to drop a track. In fact, the level of competition was so high that our host, Twan Mack, made the OG call for overtime, which the crowd loudly agreed to. While the decision was close, 40 Mil is moving on to the quarterfinals as well.
A pair of veterans came in and handled business on the third night of the opening round, but we still have two more battles to fill out the rest of the quarterfinal bracket. Join us next week as Spice God faces Mystik Musik, and Spacecrime goes up against Beat Council in the final night of the opening round, plus performances from Joshua Jenkins and G-Gifted. See you at Jackalope Lounj! Your updated bracket is below:
The second night of the 2019 edition of Big Beat MKE featured another round of incredible beat battles, as Four Giants faced off against Trademark, and James Ashen went toe-to-toe with GLDN Child. If you missed out on the night, you can check out both of the battles in full below. Make sure you join us tomorrow night, as we’ll feature battles between Godxilla and Cuban Lynx, as well as Da Monsta (40 Mil) vs. Tuan G. In addition to that, it’s a Hiii Tribe takeover, as we’ll also feature performances from King Myles and Sha. See you tomorrow night!
Night one was already a strong indicator of how Big Beat MKE 2019 would go, but the battles in night two of the opening round reaffirmed that this year’s tournament field is incredibly strong. In addition to some skilled performances from Nile and Phat Nerdz, night two featured Trademark vs. Four Giants, and James Ashen vs. GLDN Child. The atmosphere was electric, and the Jackalope Lounj was ready for battles.
The opening contest pitted the hip hop style of Trademark vs. a more electro-leaning Four Giants. The crowd was feeling both producers styles, which were exceptionally clean, and before the third round was over, there were calls from the balcony for the first overtime of the 2019 tournament. It went the distance, but in the end, Four Giants prevailed, getting the crowd moving with an upbeat final beat.
Nile
The second battle of the night was another tough call, as James Ashen went head to head with 2018 Big Beat MKE quarterfinalist GLDN Child. Again, the beats were hitting hard, with the crowd getting into the affair, and when all was said and done, host Twan Mack wanted to make an OG call for overtime, and was supported by the crowd. James Ashen saved his hardest beat for last, and ultimately walked away with the victory, though the decision was close.
The tournament is heating up, and we’re only halfway through the opening round! We’ll see you back at Jackalope Lounj next Thursday night, as Cream City Beat Battle champion Godxilla does battle with Cuban Lynx, and former Miltown Beatdown champion 40 Mil goes up against Tuan G. In addition to that, the Hiii Tribe is taking over, with performances from King Myles and Sha. Don’t miss it! Your updated bracket is below:
In case you didn’t already know, night one of Big Beat MKE was absolutely bananas. All four producers from the opening night killed it, and we’re proud to show you the battles here. Don’t forget to come out to the Jackalope Lounj tomorrow night for night two of the opening round, featuring Trademark vs. Four Giants, and James Ashen vs. GLDN Child! In addition to that, we’ll have performances from Nile and Phat Nerdz!
Opening Round Battle One: Mr. Killerlain vs. Bennie D
We’re just two weeks away from Milwaukee’s premier beat battle, Big Beat MKE, returning to Jackalope Lounj in the Third Ward. Over 30 different producers sent in submissions to Breaking And Entering, and a selection committee consisting of local artists, radio personalities, and music influencers were tasked with selecting the final 16. Check out your 2019 Big Beat MKE bracket and schedule below:
Opening Round Battles
May 2nd: Mr. Killerlain vs. Bennie D May 2nd: Penny Beatz vs. Fearjoy May 9th: Four Giants vs. Trademark May 9th: James Ashen vs. GLDN Child May 16th: Godxilla vs. Cuban Lynx May 16th: Da Monsta (40 Mil) vs. Tuan G May 23rd: Spice God vs. Mystik Musik May 23rd: Spacecrime vs. Beat Council
We’ll see you at Jackalope Lounj beginning on May 2nd!
