Some get it. Some don't. That's my sentiment. I happen to be a listener, a fan, and an artist myself--- both producer and emcee. When it comes to beats and rhymes, everyone has an opinion, and are entitled to those opinions. Thus, when it comes to drums vs loops, the opinions will come out like with everything else. There has been a long debate about whether or not emcees/rappers should always rap over hard-hitting boom-bap beats, and if a song loses it's feel if an artist is just ripping over a loop. Thus, the criticism obviously bleeds over to whether or not a producer should producer tracks without drums. And I have to admit, it is an acquired taste that you probably won't understand as much UNLESS you are an artist. 

My first experience with loops (that I can remember), or at least where I first took notice, was NOT a pleasant one. In fact, I was bothered as FUCK about it. It was 2017, and I was on Youtube watching (for the first time) the video for "Aura," a song by Planet Asia, from an album that was exclusively produced by Apollo Brown called "Anchovies," released the same year. Now, to put this into context, while Apollo Brown has a deep and extensive catalog that has grown tremendously since that album, I only knew him (up to that point) for producing very hard-hitting, head-banging beats. So, while I'm watching this video, excited, because I'm a fan of both Asia and Apollo, I know what I'm expecting. The song opens up with a very soulful sample of a woman saying "sometimes, I feel..," and a very melodic, jazzy sample comes in. I start bobbing my head, grooving, just knowing that eventually that beat is "finna" drop, especially since there is a periodic breakdown of some drums that suggest that some drums are imminent. That beat never came. In fact, those hard-hitting drums are still living on the street somewhere seeking shelter. LOL. I was SO disappointed, I turned off the video before I could finish it, totally disgusted. "What the fuck is this!?!"

Plot twist! "Aura" is now my favorite song of the "Anchovies" album, and the whole album is a classic to me, something I have grown to appreciate. See, I wasn't used to loops up to that point. And hip hop has made it's mark on this world with "boom-bap" being the centerpiece of the experience. And that's what has always intrigued me. So, embracing the loops concept took some getting used to. 

Loop Me, Please! Oh, the plot thickens! The loops concept is something I have grown to love and appreciate, NOT just as a listener, but as an artist. When I came back into music in 2023, reacquainting myself with producing, of course hard beats--- aggressive kicks and snares--- were my go-to. But by the time 2024 rolled around, I was producing songs that had incorporated the loops concept. Songs like "Parked Straight In A Crooked Space", from my "The Feverish..." album, and "Prophetic Intentional Art", from my "The Prophet & The Prophecy" album (both projects released simultaneously on October 5, 2024) feature me just getting busy with the rhymes over loops.

The explosion! I have since produced and recorded several projects that are based on loops and/or light drums, including Lyrikill's "Never Afraid To Fail," and two of my solo records "45" and "90° Angle". And that's not the end of the rope for my endeavors with loops, as I have projects coming ahead where loops will dominate the tracklistings. 

Artist privilege! Look, as I've stated before, every person is different, and fans/listeners are entitled to wanting what they want. But I take great pride in saying "if you don't like it, don't listen." I make music I hope you will appreciate, but it's not something I'm willing to negotiate. I'm an artist. And while individuals are streaming everything, which has reduced record sales, it is a BAD time for listeners to think their opinions will influence a genuine artist. 

Appreciation! What I have gathered from the loops concept is not just a wider approach to production, but a greater attention to lyricism. If you're like me, you understand that a song can feed you in different ways. I get something from the beat, from the rhymes, from the two together, from reciting the lyrics, from READING the lyrics (with and without the song or instrumental). And when you are given a loop-based song, it forces you to listen to the lyrics--- OR--- don't... and just embrace the melody. But that beat ain't dropping, so... LOL. 

The reality! The reality is that music has and always will be subjective. Artists and producers make what they want. Some are very attentive to what the fans want. Others aren't. I want people to like MY music. And I AM very diverse in my approach to that music. But it will always be mine. My opinions of other people's music are mine. You don't have to like what I like. It's kinda like with chicken wings (which my chubby self happens to love); many argue over what the better part of the wing is, and have large debates to try to convince others of what's better--- as a matter of truth, instead of opinion and preference, which is what it all comes down to. Me... I happen to appreciate both--- flats...and drums. *wink*