Red Bull Big Tune

Words By Corey Bloom

Over the last seven months, Red Bull has been sliding through cities coast to coast looking for the next big producer with their first annual Big Tune competition. From San Francisco and Los Angeles, to Houston and then up to Chicago, back to Seattle, and finally New York, twelve individuals squared off battling through the brackets. The top two from each city advanced on, all converging to now, The Big Tune finale taking place Nov. 1st in Seattle.

While the idea of a “beat battle” reads pretty dry on screen, the idea behind Big Tune runs a lot deeper. Inspired by the infamous Jamaican Reggae and Dancehall Sound Clash competitions, Big Tune is set up by pitting two producers against one another with nothing but an arsenal of their original productions, with the crowd responsible for determining who moves on and who goes home. Equipped with two CDJ’s, each producer is given two shots, playing each track for around 60 seconds aiming to convince the crowd. A pattern in each cities battle seemed to be the more pumped the producer was (i.e., getting out from behind the comfort of the CDJ and bringing it to their competitor), the longer they lasted. Of course there were a few who got by their own interpretive hand gestures, but the ones who put the same energy out that they put into the music tended to fair well. You can check for yourself at www.redbullbigtune.com, and get up to speed as each of the six cities battles are posted.

Of the twelve remaining producers, a few names might stand out. Representing New York is Marco Polo and Los Angeles resident Babu took his city’s title. But for the most part Big Tune is out to display the lesser known talent. Judging from things, it will be tough to take out the hometown dudes Sabzi and Brainstrom (Rich Boy got a younger brother?). While they have a slight advantage, the energy brought fourth by Chicago’s Tall Black Guy and Rio will be hard to match. I’m biased because as a Bay Area dude at heart I gotta go with Cambo, who’s a little hyphy, but he’s got some heat. If you’re in the area, look out for the kid. I’ll be posted up somewhere with a drink and a camera. And check back here because we’ll have updates on the event.

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Red Bull Big Tune Finals will begin taking place 11.1.07 in Seattle @ The War Room. For more info, visit the official site, www.redbullbigtune.com, to see video recaps and highlights from the previous contest stops.

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