Music Spotlight Archives

Editor Note:

Beatbay is proud to have been a part of this new release. All the beats on this 6 track CD were Beatbay exclusives. This is the first release to be entirely powered by Beatbay producers. Props go out to Poets 1 for rolling the dice and believing in himself.

Poets 1 discovered hip hop at a young age via his older brother’s mixtapes. Influential artists in these early days included Xzibit, Cypress Hill, Dr. Dre and 2 Pac. Moving to Melbourne in his teens Poets discovered the Oz Hip Hop scene. Poets was immediately hooked on the Melbourne scene and in his own words:

“I didn’t truly discover the Oz Hip Hop scene until about the age of 15 (which was when I moved to the Burn). I fell in love with the culture – the graff and the music had me deeply intrigued and still does to this day – 13 years later.”

Fast forward to 2022 and Poets 1’s debut EP “Risk for Reward” was a spontaneous release. Poets spent the last 6 years away from recording music due his own self doubt and personal struggles, but with encouragement from his old friend Ruwems, Poets got back into recording again.

“Just something as simple as that from an old mate got me thinking. I had been following Ciecmate on Instagram for quite a while and saw he was slanging some beats. Clicked the link, headed to Beatbay and started going through his catalogue – the beats were BANGING! It was a complete risk for reward situation, I had no idea what I was doing or where it would lead. Once I left that studio on the first session, I was so amped up, I took the risk and came out with the reward of self-achievement. I didn’t care if a single person listened to it, it was about my own art form. A long passion I had always desired and love I have for the culture. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Produced, mixed and mastered by the Generalissimo of BTE – Ciecmate (who also features on track 4 “Heaven”) – this release is a 6 tracker of Hip Hop bangers. Stand out tracks like “Risk for Reward”, “Heaven” and “Verbal Assault” showcases Poets lyrical flow and skill.

Poets 1 – Risk for Reward is available now on Poets 1’s bandcamp site

Listen here on Spotify

CIecmate Beatbay

This month’s spotlight is on the new Viliani x Ciecmate collab entitled “Miasma”. Produced during the year long lockdown in Melbourne , this release served as a creative outlet, as well as therapy; to cope with the draconian laws being inflicted upon the Victorian population. This musical masterpiece touches on some serious subjects fuelled by the uncertainty and the chaotic nature of our current society. Miasma questions the status quo and the absurdity that came along with the lockdown. It also comments on attitudes and the divisiveness in society caused by the pandemic. Take my advice! Get yourself a copy of “Miasma”, it is guaranteed to be a 2022 certified classic.

“We some firestarters, we the livest partners hitting all kinds of targets, better try your hardest, it’s a buyers market. Look inside your heart, it’s a flying dart, this the hypest art, try to start us we some firestarters, firestarters!”

This 11 track release boasts production by the new Oz Hip Hop power couple – Viliani x Ciecmate and features guest MCs Gutz and Selzy. Standout tracks on Miasma for me include “Lasting Impressions” (that old school boom bap style beat always gets me and Vili kills her verse on the track). “How Dare You” (a dark grimy beat with schooling from both Vili and Ciec); and the excellent “Menticide” (a grungy beat coupled with the conscious rhymes of Vili, Ciecmate and their featured guests). Call it what you want but there are questions that need to be answered by the powers above when the time comes.