The Blueprint 2009 Remix Contest: Week 7 Winner

Is it just me or are these weeks getting harder and harder to judge? I don’t know about the other judges, but personally half of the 33 remixes submitted could have easily been winners. I can see Thomas had a hard time, cuz he ended up putting together a top 10 list! lol

Some really good great remixes here. It was a real tight race. Thankfully I have a point system. In case you didn’t know how we determine the final winner… each judge comes up with their top 5 picks. Points are given in reverse. For example, a #1 pick receives 5 points and a #5 pick receives 1 point. Points are added up and whoever gets the most points is the final winner. Often time the winner is obvious, but the last few weeks I’ve had to break out with the calculator! This one was close. Ok, let’s see who won this week…

DJ BlacqueStarr

If there had to be a common denominator for the majority entries this week, it would have to be “soulful.” A lot of you went that route for this track which is not a bad thing by any means. It was just a matter of choosing those that brought in the most soul and emotion into your interpolation of the track. So here we go:

5. 44th Productions – The first few moments of the track was like a build-up a throwback to the late 80s early 90s R&B. It was smooth but had that edge to it. Sounds like something that Anita Baker would put her magic touch on. I would’ve just added some drops or something to give it versatility.

4. S.T.T.R.E.S.S. – This one had that vintage feel to it. I was diggin the horns being flipped throughout the track.

3. EB Productions – I was feeling the different vocals being sampled in the chorus. They really fitted well with the track itself.

2. DJ SoulClap – Straight from the 60s and 70s. The horns complemented the percussion and I thought the overall versatility of the beat patterns between verse and chorus was a nice touch.

1. G.C. – Isbjerg was in this direction as well, bringing in the Latin vibe to the track, but I thought this version was a bit more balanced between the Latin flavor and the hip hop vibe. This one was well-structured and layered to the point that if you just heard the instrumental, you can distinguish between where the chorus and verses would go. Very well done!

Here are the ones that really brought some originality this week and even though they didn’t make the final cut, they still deserve recognition.

Honorable Mentions:
Bezouro, Bidiriddim, Confidential Productions, Cralius, Half-Centric, Isbjerg, MOFUWALTERS, QueRico, SCAM, Substance, Tenth

Thomas

10. RNP – Beat kinda sounds like Goobie Mob’s “Cell Therapy.” Like what you did with the hook.

9. EB Productions – Love the vocal sample throughout the track. Love the vocal samples for the hook. Shows creativity.

8. Bidimridim – Jazzy feel to the track that enhances the vocals. Definitely caught my ear on first listen.

7. Rashid Hadee – You chopped the hell out of that track. Seems you used every part of the sample.  Nice joint.  Somebody should rhyme over this.

6. Que R!CO – Lots of layers to the track, but they are clean and pieced together nicely. Track keeps me interested throughout.

5. G.C. – Drums are crisp, same Latin type vibe as original, smooth transition from verses to hook, nice additional of B.I.G. at 3:07. Good work….your talent shows every week.

4. 44th Parallel – Definitely a neck breaker. Vocals sound natural over the track, doesn’t seem pieced together. Going from verses to hook was almost flawless.

3. DJ SoulClap – Very active and exciting track. The drums bang, the horns add life to the track, and even the gun cocking/shooting (didn’t like at first) add to the hectic pace (good thing) to the track. Transition from verses to hook wasn’t as smooth as some of the others tho. Good ish.

2. Scam – The soulful vibe of the track would fit right in with the rest of The Blueprint tracks. I was hooked from first listen. Didn’t like the hook at first thought it was messy and “too noisy” but after a few listen I can appreciate what you did with it. Did I hear some of the “D.O.A.” sample throughout the track?

1. S.T.T.R.E.S.S. – Mr. Street Team….at first listen this didn’t grab my attention, but after repeated listens that chop game is on point, drums are crisp, lots of layers to the track, and enough variation to keep the listener interested.

Honorable Mentions:
44 Productions, Johnny Burnside, kNOwONE, Phurcat, Substance, Tenth

This week was tough because everyone brought something different and attacked the vocals differently. The order of my top 10 changed as I was completing the write up. S.T.T.R.E.S.S. and Scam were not in my top ten on Wednesday when I started listening to these; but everyday since then I heard something different in those tracks that moved them from honorable Mention to their current positions. I chose Mr. Street Team because the transition to the hook was smoother than Scam’s. It was that close for me.

Kevin

5. Benjamin Stone – I had to include this one in my top 5. The vibe isn’t exactly what I was looking for in this song, but I absolutely love what you did with it. A lot of people lay an acapella over an 8 bar loop and call it a remix… I hate that. Your remix is a REMIX. All the vocal effects and switchups in the beat make this a remix. Great job!

4. DJ SoulClap – The top 4 was so hard to put in order! It’s no secret that I’m a fan of SoulClap’s productions and this track is no exception. From the sample to the gunshot… very nice.

3. S.T.T.R.E.S.S. – What I love about S.T.T.R.E.S.S.’s beats is that they are so minimal and simplistic. It doesn’t work everytime, but this time it did. Gave this track a real nice feel.

2. Rashid Hadee – Wow… that’s all I can about this remix. Them chops are incredible. Thomas was right, I hope you get someone to spit on this. Dedication 2 anyone?

1. 44th Parallel – This was the first remix I heard and I broke my neck immediately! Wow son, you killed em with this remix!

Honorable Mentions:
G.C., Emay,  Tenth, Benjamin Stone, SCAM, PERFECT.P.IIITCH, Phurcat, Confidential Productions, Bidmridim, Tokyo Cigar

CONGRATULATIONS S.T.T.R.E.S.S.!