The Beat Beast

Back in 2003 when the local super-group Cashless Society released what I would personally refer to as one of the classic albums in the African Hip Hop scene with their African Raw Material Vol. 1, one would be in a frenzy soon as you would hear that electro base guitar melody in the beginning of the hit single Hottentot Hop (Bantu 1-2). I guess it would be safe to infer that the early 2000’s in South Africa were synonymous to the ‘Golden era’ of the 90’s hip hop namely in the USA. Who could forget the likes of Nyambz, Stethoscope, and Optical Illusion’s Battlekat, when it comes to beat making and producing?

One formidable and founding member of Cashless Society, the Francistown Botswana born David Balsher better known by the alias Draztik is amongst the record producers who have set the benchmark. Draztik moved to Sacramento California USA at a very young age back in 1983 where he grew up for most of his minor years. With his strong ties in the USA and RSA where he is currently based, he has managed to pioneer a plethora of projects ranging from producing music for the likes of Cashless Society, Young Nations, PDotO, Blaklez, F-eezy, Pro Kid, Zuluboy, Whosane, Flabba, HHP, Maggz, Silence Dem All, Doey Rock aka Mean Doe Green, Imbube, Oracle, Nomadic, Zeus, Apollo Diablo and Stagga.

As a sole owner of Unreleased Records, an independent record label, Draztik stresses the important of knowledge when it comes to running a business, knowing the worth of your craft and making strategic moves as he remarks that “I don’t give away beats for free, I have paid my dues, and I know my craft and its value, there comes a point in life when you give away something it has to have value, if you give away for free than what is the true value?”. It is also imperative in the industry for one to be familiar with rules and regulations of publishing rights, master rights and mainly ownership. The development of Unreleased Records with assistance from ex-group member X-Amount and Iye Q, took a solid two years, in which much of it was spend doing research and studying the business models other independent record labels such as Lyricist Lounge, Definitiv Jux and Rawkus Records as he would say “…I got a lot of inspiration from Rawkus…I would go to the labels and meet up with the people, I would meet up a producer known as Fat Beats, and they distributed the Cashless record as well” . One learns also the fundamental importance of research, reading and gathering information that needs to be done prior embarking on a business venture. Together his team Draztik informs us that “…It later helped me to build the label with so much ease because hadn’t I had that knowledge I would have made more mistakes”. Unreleased Records main focus is Draztik’s own productions and projects rather than signing other music artists or producers, as the process of signing other acts was halted in 2011.

Productions for music artists are however not the main source of revenue on the plate. Draztik has also diversified his skill to corporate projects, Television and Radio producing the theme song and commercials for Jam Alley (Crew vs Crew), licensing songs in Yizo Yizo 3 Television Show, television commercial for CNN Inside Africa, and theme songs for Channel O - (Amplified & Call In). He also has produced commercials for South African Breweries, Independent Electoral Commission and FIFA 2010 pre-game commercial for Chile Vs Honduras. More so, he has also played a key role in the development of a South African based urban music website and blog The Beat Resource (http://thebeatresource.com), in which the main aim is to elevate African musicians, producers and acknowledging influential icons and brands globally.

“The aim is to raise the quality of music utilizing various production tools, sharing valuable information, videos, discussing trends, industry news and staying in touch with the latest apps and studio gear. The Beat Resource is the go to website for all your production needs” he says. The Beat Resource as a team is comprised of “…South African producers and artists Trompie and Draztik and constant efforts and major contributions from New York correspondent Iye Q as well as content contributions from journalist/blogger Core Wrecka and producer Towdee”. Draztik is currently working on a project with an artist named Blac Water. He also a believes much in opportunities provided by collaborations as not only does it add more creativity to the final product but also expends the fan base, both artist and producer have a fan base which will inadvertently doubles the following for both thereafter.

The essence of unity and growth is epitomized, as an iTunes music chart for fellow local musicians has been established via the website TBR.com.

Discography:

· Cashless Society - Blaze Tha Breaks Released on Fondle'Em Records - New York July 18, 2000

· Cashless Society - Blaze Tha Breaks (EP) Released on - Unreleased Records June 2001

· Cashless Society - African Raw Material Vol 1 Released on - Unreleased Records December 2003

· Young Nations - Nations Uprising Released on - Unreleased Records & Gallo Record Company October 2005

· Pro Kid - Heads and Tales Released on Gallo Record Company May 2005

· Imbizo Street Mixtapes Vol 1 Released on - Unreleased Records August 2005

· Zuluboy - Masihambisane Released on Native Rhythms EMI September 2006

· Flabba - Nkuli vs Flabba Released on EMI October 2006

· Hype Magazine Sessions Vol 16 - Young Nations - Graffiti Released 2007

· Hype Magazine Sessions Vol 18 - Imbube - Qeda Indlala Released December/January 2008

· Imbube - Hip Hop Theatre Released on Unreleased Records June 16, 2008

· F-eezy - Skelem For $ale Released on Unreleased Records July 27, 2009

· Young Nations - U.nited S.tates Of A.frica (USA) Released on Unreleased Records March 1, 2010

· 985 - Re-Dail 985 Released on Unreleased Records March 1, 2010

· Pangaea - Black Diamonds 2010

· BlacWater - Rebel Come Down feat. Young Nations & Lasro (1st Single From BlacWater) Released on Unreleased Records October 2010

· Draztik Beats "Chasin Money" feat. Whosane Released April 7, 2011

· DJ Lemonka - GC All Stars "The Hustle" feat. Lex, Scar, Touch, Samba-T & Tshepo Lesole Released October 7, 2011

· BlacWater - The Truth feat. Shark Sinatra & Balance (2nd Single From BlacWater) Released on Unreleased Records October 2011

· Draztik Beats "Money Man" feat. PDot O, Blaklez, Maggz & Marlon Released October 17, 2011

· Hype Magazine - (DJ Fanatic) - DJ Lemonka - GC All Stars "The Hustle" feat. Lex, Scar, Touch, Samba-T & Tshepo Lesole Released February/March 2012

· Draztik Beats "Certified Fireman" feat. PDot O, Blaklez & Whosane Released March 15, 2012

· BlacWater - The Truth feat. Shark Sinatra & Balance (Video - 2nd Single From BlacWater) Released on Unreleased Records March 20, 2012

· Draztik Beats "Certified Fireman" feat. PDot O, Blaklez & Whosane (Video - TBA)

· Draztik & Whosane - "Slates In" Released December 10th 2012