WERS 88.9 fm - Artist Interview: Beatards

February 3^rd, 2009

Four years ago, DJ's Chuck Wild, UTK the Inc. and DJO all worked independently.  That was until they met doing the "Mix Tape Ride" party in Brooklyn, New York.  "The concept was to do live remixes with four turntables with UTK hosting and it just started snowballing…took it from there," says Chuck Wild, aka Charlie B.  Joined by artists like Santigold, Spank Rock and Jaguar Right, the three began making a name for themselves and we're eventually invited to Sweden to perform there.  But when the three of them boarded the plane, they realized they had no material written.  That's when their first two tracks, "Dang Diggy Dang" and "That's How It Is" we're written, and by the time they stepped off the plane in Sweden, they were The Beatards.

With a blend of so many different styles, their music hits you like a rock-n-roll beat and makes you want to throw your hands in the air with their hip-hop swagger.  "We all know that Vanilla Ice was definitely (one of the) top three rappers of all time," says UTK the Inc.  Chuck Wild added.  "I'm not trying to make a particular sound.  What am I feeling right now?  Let's make a song like that.  Let's bring some rock, some punk, with hip-hop, a little bit of dub-step…let's just throw it together."  The Beatards brought that musical diversity with a strong energy to their early shows in one of the strongest hip-hop and electronic music scenes of New York.  UTK the Inc. defines their style as the new New York.  "It's a complete reflection of the way the world is.  It's diverse culturally.  It's sexy, and it takes a lot of work."  That hard work and creative mindset has elevated The Beatards to a status that has them opening for LMFAO in Los Angeles and playing at Flavor Flav's 50^th birthday party with Public Enemy and Ice T.  "Everyone says our energy is completely unique.  We all come out of that early hip-hop sensibility like "yo, let's throw a party, let's have a good time," says Chuck Wild.  At a show at South by Southwest in Austin last year, DJO dropped his computer amidst the energy of the show and continued singing in the moment.  Luckily, the computer kept running. 

New York has been a large piece of the puzzle.  The cities intense hip-hop and electronic music scene has helped them develop and grow.  "If you're lifting 150 pound barbells and then you go somewhere else and the barbells are 25 pounds, you're gonna feel pretty strong," says UTK.  And they've grabbed the attention of music fans by getting their name out there in any and every way they can.  When asked how they're using digital media to expand, Chuck Wild said "It's a good way to promote.  You do hear about a lot of things and I've seen people come out.  Plus people just hear about what you're doing…even if they couldn't come to the show they're like "oh, you're in Boston!  Good!"  Joking about the popular media outlets Facebook and Blackberry, DJO said "What we focus on is digital and electronic, but there are so many avenues…blackbook…faceberry."

On Myspace, they've posted songs for fans to live-stream and even released downloadable singles with their instrumentals and acapellas.  In their newest single, "Don't Step On My Sneakers," UTK the Inc. sings "What you know about that, Nike outlet…wanted the Penny Hardaway's but momma said doubt that."  Lyrics like that express the creativity of a group that's trying to break all boundaries.  "I had rhymes about going to T.J. Max, Marshalls…Ross.  Filenes Basement was after my time.  By that time I had sort of graduated to buying my own sneakers," said UTK.  Yet, releasing tracks like that one and others for free online is sparking controversy with them and the broader group of musicians.  In an age where the majority of music is illegally downloaded, where electronic artists are releasing mix tapes all over the place, and where the internet is making music so accessible through YouTube, Myspace and downloading, The Beatards are still trying to make a living doing what they do.  "I'm amazed that the mainstream artists are giving away whole albums and calling them mix tapes now.  That's how the culture's changing.  Everyone is giving their stuff away for free.  But again, you gotta try to make a little money off of it.  We know what we're doing is unique." 

-Words and images by Nicholas Garlow