Native Instruments has announced a new series of Native Sessions events, taking place in Berlin, London, Paris, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Toronto and for the first time, Mexico City.
The BARS concept is an exploration into the evolution and influence of the foundational elements of Hip Hop, Grime and R&B, featuring some of the world’s leading musical voices.
Lectures, discussions, and performances from the scenes most prolific artists will dig into the sonic and cultural hallmarks of the genres, inspiring and informing a global community of music lovers, amateur creators and professionals alike.
Artist participation comes from a diverse group of global talent, representing a full spectrum of beat-focussed genres. UK Grime legends like DJ Target will kick off the London Barbican event on April 11th, before innovative genre fusing U.S. artists like Teddy Riley feature in the Los Angeles Hip Hop focused Native Session on May 9.
To celebrate the series, Native Instruments is launching a remix competition with Metapop giving fans and creators a chance to throw their cap in for a beat battle. Participants are asked to create a 16 bar beat using a sample pack from a custom curated Native Expansions, for a chance to win a MASCHINE MK3, Expansions, a $100 NI Voucher, a 1 year Landr subscription, and a commercial release on MetaPop.
The rules are simple: entrants must create a 16 bar beat in the style of hip hop, R&B, or grime using at least two of the Expansions samples and submit it by May 20th. To get things started, Native compiled a custom sample pack from some select Expansions – including SIERRA GROVE, BYTE RIOT, STREET SWARM, QUEENSBRIDGE STORY, and more. Contributors can also use their own sounds, provided they own the copyright. More details will be shared via the Metapop website.
The Native team will pick the winning beat, with extra points awarded for both originality and technical skill.
Native Sessions BARS will take place from April 11 – May 20:
- Mexico City – April 11 – CCEMX
Line-up: Ulises Lozano, César Gudiño, Rosa Pistola, Nino Arbol, OddkidOut, Jamie Muhoberak, Girl Ultra, Adrian B, Yoshi, Hosted By: Alejandro F - London – April 11 – Barbican Centre
Line-up: Ms Banks, Steel Banglez, Jaykae, DJ Target, Sir Spyro, Flowdan, Swifta Beater, A.G. The DJ, Bamz, Cadenza - Paris – April 12 – La Place
Line-up: Stwo, Proof, MKL, Superpoze, VM the Don, Pierrick Devin + more - Toronto – April 25
Line-up: Prezident Jeff + more TBA - Berlin – April 26 – Musik Und Frieden
Line-up: Marvin Game, Ahzumjot, Mashanda, Figub Brazlevič, Juh-Dee, Kabuki, Visa Vie, Neven, Boris Mezga + more TBA - Los Angeles – May 9
Line-up: Teddy Riley + more TBA - Tokyo tbc.
More information: Native Instruments
