Music

FREE MIXTAPE OF THE WEEK: Jahlil Beats, 'Legend Era'

by Chayne Japal

In rap, “producer” doesn’t fully describe the amount of credit a beatmaker deserves. Individuals that conceptualize, write, and perform the music side of hit rap tracks tend to fly under the radar in most cases. It’s always good to give them some shine when they deserve it. (After you read this, feel free to check out AUX’s Producer Mixtape every week.)

Jahlil Beats, a producer signed to Roc Nation Publishing, has been gradually sneaking up on the industry over the past three years. After getting into the studio with Pennsylvania neighbor Meek Mill (Mill’s from Philly, Jahlil’s from nearby Chester), he quickly found his niche: building heavy bustling beats. This mixtape, Legend Era, highlights some of his latest collaborations, including Busta Rhymes, Yo Gotti, and Ace Hood, alongside a few of his own raps. While he’s not blowing anybody away with his wordplay, having first dibs on his own work really helps his tracks to succeed. However, the highlights of the tape are when he shows off his flexibility. On Skyzoo’s “First Generation Rich”, he samples an interesting part of Bob James’ “Nautilis” (the basis of great tracks like Ghostface Killah’s “Daytona 500” and Mary J. Blige’s “Sincerity”) for a flute-driven jazzy number, a far cry from the orchestra of snare runs that have come to define his style. Juicy J pops up and takes a bold step with his metaphorical “She Solve All Problems.” It’s no “Me & My Girlfriend” but Jahlil’s eerie high-pitched synth proves that he can create backdrops for songs that don’t have to thrive on his energy. Legend Era captures the essence of a hot producer in his young career and hints there’s a lot more to come from him.

DOWNLOAD LEGEND ERA