Acoustic Beatdown

Urban inspired and unpretentiously cool, Acoustic Beatdown is a collaboration of talented musicians and their individual styles. With interests rooted in the local hip-hop scene, the four members of Acoustic Beatdown have brought together their solo work to create a fresh take on neo-soul/hip-hop sound. Laced with each member’s unique talents, classic jazz sounds walk the bass line while lustrous female vocals dip in between lyrical rhymes and vocal percussion. Acoustic Beatdown is jazz infused hip-hop, harnessing the ability to please ears of all music fans from multiple spectrums. Friends before band mates, Big Shiz (lyricals, member of Traditional Methods), Mua’dib (percussion, member of Heiruspecs and Twisted Linguistics), Rachel Geller (vox, solo artist) and Uncle Sam (upright bass, freelance producer) came together after fellow friend, Unicus (Kanser), recommended they try putting their skills together. Band practice was more of an excuse to hang out than “practice”, but musically things began working themselves out into proper songs.The first few shows were merely for fun or favors, all the members feeding off of one another’s energy on stage, working as a complete unit. Rachel entices eyes with her charm and captivates ears as her voice elegantly bounces through the room. Mua’dib muli-tasks, using his range of skills as a vocal percussionist, MC or vocalist. Uncle Sam keeps the group on track with his steady bass line and Shiz, a long time member of the Minneapolis hip-hop community, holds up his reputation with his mouth. “I rap and talk shit,” he says with complete confidence. “Talkin’ shit— that’s my religion.” One step ahead of single genre bands, Acoustic Beatdown is able to make a harmonious blend of full color, mixing their palette of blue tones with high energy rifts and lyrics. From the soft snare sounds from Mua’dib’s lips to Uncle Sam’s low backbone bass, each part is heard at its intended volume. Built on live performance, the band isn’t afraid to improvise, jam and feel the energy of each particular event. They enjoy playing for the crowd, themselves and for the sake of bringing people together. -Amber Schadewald Vitamin Magazine