Ep. 128: And The Writer Is... Kenny Beats!

Today’s guest is one of the most in-demand rap producers of the decade. He’s produced entire projects and hundreds of thundering, wildly different beats for critically-acclaimed rappers like Rico Nasty, Vince Staples, Freddie Gibbs, Denzel Curry, Key!, 03 Greedo, JPEGMAFIA, and Ski Mask the Slump God. Today, the 29-year-old’s signature tag (“Woah, Kenny!”) is virtually inescapable. Born and raised in Connecticut, today’s guest inherited his eclectic ear from his father, whose tastes ranged from Sheryl Crow to Dr. Dre. He played drums and guitar throughout his childhood and began making beats in high school, imitating idols like Timbaland and Pharrell. While studying music business at Berklee College of Music, he interned for renowned rap label Cinematic Music Group and began placing beats with rappers like Schoolboy Q (“Party”), Smoke DZA, and Ab-Soul (“Hunnid Stax”). During his senior year, he moved to Los Angeles and made a brief but successful foray into EDM. Once he’d accrued enough funds DJing around the world, Kenny returned to rap and opened The Cave, one of the most vital studios in contemporary rap. He is also a member of D.O.T.S. (Don’t Overthink Shit). A tight-knit and ever-evolving creative team, D.O.T.S. assists artists with every aspect of their careers, whether that’s beats and music videos or merch and art direction. They are creative midwives, helping musicians birth all their gestating ideas. And The Writer Is… Kenny Beats!
Artwork: Michael Richey White

[@dakotabook04]

These are so valuable. Don't stop. These will be even brighter shining gems in 50 years!

[@Thunda1234]

so many gems in this one!

[@chrystonfloyd6323]

Love this show. Such an underrated channel

[@dreholmesdasongwriter4802]

The Writer Is is LIFE CHANGING!!! Thank you to everyone who makes this happen!!

[@Zeckerd]

The fact that this episode only got recommended to me today is a serious crime! KZbin you have disappointed me....... This podcast is a serious gold mine!!!

[@davidwarner8018]

Amazing! So much honesty, insight, value and knowledge. I already knew a bit about kenny beats from his stuff with Benny and the cave but this was fascinating and blew my mind. Thank you!

[@bogotta]

This was a good one Ross. Thank you Kenny.

[@nikov4543]

Wait this is such an amazing podcast!!!

[@CrackaLackTV]

Good content 💪💪

[@gayamarina]

ok, i'm gonna go carve pumpkins with my wife. (c) Ross Golan

[@jonathankirkpatrick9493]

Madman

[@thinkthoughtsforhours6052]

1:14:52 Kenny had a vision and that vision materialized that's what the bible says in Habakkuk 2:3 (moffatt) The vision has its own appointed hour, it ripens, it will flower; if it be long, then wait, for it is sure, and it will not be late. Whatever you visualize, as soon as you visualize it, it has its own appointed hour to happen

[@cairbre3624]

X x2

[@thinkthoughtsforhours6052]

Numbers 14:28 Berean Study Bible So tell them: As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you exactly as I heard you say. I always say in the shower: I am a very successful singer/songwriter with multiple number 1 hit songs on the billboard hot 100 I am a very successful singer/songwriter with multiple albums that have sold 100 million copies