This week's Spotlight Artist is LX BEATS, born Lauri Pihlman, coming to us all the way from Finland. He is seen on the #RAP50 countdown with last week's Spotlight, Akrobatik, on their collaborative track “Migrate” featuring M-Dot. LX Beats took the time to sit down to talk about his experience in producing and working with Akrobatik, and making their album Antihero together. They make one dope collaboration and with his beats, Akrobatik couldn't pass up working someone who is putting in as much work as LX Beats is.
RAPstation (Kianna Woods): How did you get into production?
LX Beats: My childhood friends played me AMG - Bitch Betta Have My Money and Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers albums in the 90's. That's pretty much how I got into hip-hop. I used to take piano lessons, and my teacher happened to be one of the greatest jazz pianists in the world, Grammy Award winner Marian Petrescu. He taught me that it's ok to improvise and encouraged me to do so, so that's how I eventually started to compose my own songs with the piano and later on the computer after my cousin introduced me to the legendary Scream Tracker software.
Tell me about Skill Street Entertainment.
Skill Street Entertainment was a small record label founded by me in 2008. We released 10 albums in 4 years and it was a fun experience, although it wasn't too profitable, and we had to shut it down in 2012. However, in 2013 we founded KPC Records, that is not an official company, but more of a collective of the most talented rappers and producers from my hometown.
Being from Finland, would you say it’s harder or easier to pursue your career as a producer?
I don't think it matters where you're from, it depends on how you sound and who you work with.
If you could pick one project that you have completed as your favorite, which one would it be and why?
Since we decided to extend 'Antihero' to a full-length album that's not 100% finished yet, I guess I can't pick that one. Then I would have to pick "Music Vol.1", a record that I released in 2004. It was my first producer album, 21 tracks, featuring MC's from the US and Canada. That was my first international collaboration project that I completed, and I'm still proud that I could put it all together at such young age.
Tell me about how you and Akrobatik met?
I've been a fan of Ak since I first heard his 'Remind My Soul' joint, that's a classic. I remember sending my first beat pack to Ak in 2011. However, it took some time until we met and started working together. Akro, Edo G, Termanology and REKS were touring last year and Ak hit me up asking if I can help them to book a show in Finland. We booked it into my hometown Jyväskylä, and the day after the show the guys came to my crib and we went through some of my beats and that's pretty much the moment when we came up with the idea of making an EP together.
“Migrate,” from your Collaborative EP Antihero, to be released soon, is on the #RAP50 countdown ft. M-Dot. What about that song made you want to release it before the whole EP?
I've worked with Michael (M-Dot) for a long time, and it was obvious from the beginning that we wanted him to be on the album. I didn't really consider that beat as an option for a single track until I heard their verses on it, which were both amazing and they made the beat sound a lot better.
Can you remember anything significant about recording together on Antihero?
For me, the most significant recording session was last year at 'On The Grid' studios in Boston when we recorded our single 'Shotgun'. It felt really special because it was our first track together, and the experience just to be in the studio with an artist who you look up to was just crazy.
Where do you hope to take your music career?
I hope I can keep my production up at the level where I'm able to work on more projects with Akro and other artists that I listen to.
Lastly, any shoutouts you may have?
Shoutouts to Chuck D, DJ Flatline of Hip Hop Gods and the entire RAPstation team, I truly appreciate the love and support we have received from you! Salute to my crew and family, KPC ! Without them it'd be highly unlikely I'd be here answering these questions. Shoutouts to my brother M-Dot, EMS crew, Amadeus The Stampede, REKS, and everyone in Finland who came through to watch us when we toured with Akrobatik and KPC. Peace!
