Vice beats has produced for Blu, A-Plus, Akil, Shelley Harland, Nutty P, Jaz Kahina, Gardna, Napoleon Da Legend, + more under his own label imprint - EQ Music. Most notably, in February 2020 he released an official J Dilla tribute album in collaboration with the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation in Detroit - the only official J Dilla tribute to date.
I have been producing professionally for 10+ years for musicians and organisations. Collaborations include Blu, Shelley Harland (Universal Music), Napoleon Da Legend, Greg Blackman (BBE), Gardna, Brotherman, Great Scott, Panacea (Rawkus Records), Replife, The Scribes and many more.
I work fast and can hear the right sound to suit your vocals and song ideas. I am used to working in studio environments, and can produce a wide variety of styles from Hip Hop to Ambient, Soul to TV music. As a production music producer I also create music for TV, and have been placed on shows in over 80 countries.
I love music, and I am passionate about making the right sound and maintaining a positive and focused collaborative environment.
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
9 Reviews
Endorse Vice beats
check_circleVerified (Client)WE GOT IT DUNN DUNNNNN
check_circleVerifiedWorking with Vice Beats was great. His beats have tons of impact and also tons of soul. He was professional, kind, and super easy to communicate with the whole way. Thumbs up!
I have worked with Vice Beats numerous times, my experience has been nothing less than top-notch. A true creative with passion and knowledge, I can always rest assured that the project will be treated with the utmost care and importance. A highly talented beatmaker and producer, I would recommend Vice beats again and again!
Vice Beats made an amazing remix of a track of mine that involved live saxophone and bass. The original instrumental I recorded to was a sample loop from vinyl. His remix played dynamically through changing sections that tied the track together and worked in a whole new way.
Vice Beats created the soundtrack to my 'wind/rush generation (s)' for the National Theatre Connections festival. He was extremely professional, really listened to what we need and created some incredible work quickly and seemingly effortlessly (although I know he put many more hours in than was expected). He was really proactive and found really clever ways to merge his style with a theatrical score and genuinely helped create one of the most powerful moments I have ever managed your on stage. Highly recommended... And a thoroughly top gentleman as well.
I met the man behind Vice Beats through the close-knit UK hip hop scene and quickly formed a friendship. Both welcoming and professional, it wasn't long before we collaborated on some songs. Hard working and honest, his production skills are some of the best to come from these windy shores and writing and recording to them as a lyricist, was both inspirational and a pleasure.
Vice oozes Hip Hop! His production lets you know you're in safe hands immediately. Masterfully drawing on the soulful sounds of the past to keep pushing this culture forward. Top Poducer; Top Human Bean
example, BigSmokin'Joe - Get Vex (Prod. Vice Beats)
James is an incredible producer/writer and collaborator. He is patient, humble, a great listener and really works hard to execute the desired outcome. I'm so impressed every time I work with him and will continue to recommend him to anyone that needs producer, mix or mastering work! Look no further... this is how you make your songs sound NEXT LEVEL!
I have worked with Vice many times over. He creates the space to be fully expressive but keeping focus at the job at hand .He is also not afriad to challenge and push an artist if he believes you can up your levels on the track or in self development which I feel is very important with Vice you will ALWAYS get 110% attention and he is so passionate about music it will wake you up in more ways than one.
I would always choose to be in the company of Vice when I'm ready to get the ball rolling he is a lover of the ture foundation of musi
Interview with Vice beats
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am current working on a new album which is exploring connection in various forms featuring a wide variety of artists and lots of live instrumentation.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Shelley Harland is an incredible singer and I would highly recommend her. Also, Cosmic Trigger Audio is absolutely brilliant for mixing and mastering. A definite go to.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Personally digital, because of time, cost and space. I love playing instruments and working with musicians, but using outboard gear, patches and lots of hardware can slow the process down at points. I have tried lots of different techniques, equipment and worked in lots of studios and I personally prefer to use digital, but I love working with mixing and mastering engineers who use analog and can bring my mixes to life. I enjoy and respect both routes.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will work as hard as possible to make the song you can heard in your head.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The variety of artists I get to work with and the buzz you get from completing a great sounding song. It gives me energy and positivity.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I can only make old skool / jazzy sounding hip hop. It's simply not true.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My macbook (with some form of solar powered charging device!) My harddrive My Trumpet My Neumann microphone (with it's cable!) My Akai audio device I'm sure I could gather some great found sounds on a desert island!)
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I made my first (awful!) beat on my Playstation when I was 16. Since then I taught myself how to use Cubase, Logic, Ableton and Cool Edit Pro. In 2009 I began teaching music production around England as a workshop leader, and have continued to do so for some of Bristol's most esteemed organisations. For a long time I was collaborating and part of groups, and in 2017 I released my first solo project (Directions) and since then have been releasing music as Vice beats as a solo artist. I have been producing for artists for 10+ years, working with MCs, spoken word artists, beat boxers, instrumentalists and more. Through youth work I have created music of pretty much every genre going from Death Metal to Dubstep, Folk to Classical, Grime to Pop. I believe being open has helped to sharpen my skills as a producer and really understand a variety of styles and how they are created.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: So many! Some of my top lyricists to work with would be: Black Thought, Nas, Loyle Carner, Chali 2na, Akrobatik, MC Solaar, Mos Def, Q-Tip, Bahamadia, Isatta Sheriff, Roots Manuva. There's so many and the reason for all of them is the same - They are talented, authentic, hard working and have inspired me.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Hip Hop, Soul, Breaks and also TV production music. Hip Hop is my main focus, and I am inspired by lyrically strong, well produced music with a meaning. I always strive to work with vocalists who are in this for the love of the music.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Ingenuity, passion, skill, a deep understand of Hip Hop music and it's surrounding cultures. An honest and hard working attitude and an openness to step out of my comfort zone to create the very best track possible. SImply put, I want to create great music.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to understand what the artist is hearing in their head or their intentions lyrically. If there is no existing concept for a song then I'll ask for influences and inspirations and take it from there. I initially create a short first draft as a verse and / or chorus to check I'm on the right track, get feedback and build rapport, and I will continue sending versions throughout the process for feedback.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Enjoy it! I spent a number of years making music for other people where I didn't enjoy it, but after working out that I was in control and ultimately it is a creative process which I should be passionate about I made a change and I have never looked back. If you be true to yourself and your music is good enough, recognition will come.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Hearing the sound that a vocalist is after and being able to make something that is the right sound, and ideally even better than they hoepd for.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use an AKAI EIE Pro, wired into Logic Pro X. I have a Neumann microphone, a valve driven Korg synth and various samplers, drum machines and percussion. In addition i have a wide variety of percussion, 4 string jazz bass, an Ibanez electro-acoustic guitar and I occasionally play trumpet.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am inspired by a wide range of artists, predominantly producers, including TM Juke, Bonobo, J Dilla, Mecca:83, DJ Format, The Allergies, Nicolay and many more.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I work with a mixture of styles but my sound is rooted in hip hop and soul. I also work on TV music which typically will be brighter, daytime friendly music, alongside more dance oriented sounds.
I was the Producer in this production
- ProducerAverage price - $300 per song
- Beat MakerAverage price - $250 per song
- RemixingAverage price - $200 per song
- Sound DesignContact for pricing
72 hour turnaround time available. 3 revisions negotiable. Track stems available on request at a higher rate (Full production only, not beatmaker rate).
- Jorja Smith
- The Roots
- J Dilla
- Logic Pro X
- Neumann microphone
- Yamaha MX61 keyboard
- Various percussion
- live bass
- electro acoustic guitar
- Yamaha HS85 monitor speakers
Discounts available if more than 1 track is produced (rates negotiable)
