Audio Affect Series Beat Tape Vol. 2 is Here
Audio Affect Series Beat Tape Vol. 2 is a curated release spotlighting 13 emerging producers from Los Angeles’ beat community. Selected from a pool of over 80 producers, the final tracks were hand-picked by DJ Battlecat, bringing together a new generation of artists shaping the city’s sound.
Featuring Ant Walker, Nino Beige, YONKA, Chase Flow, GaigeB, Keliief, DJ Mike C, Knomad 280, Koi Ka-dense, pres.morris, Alf Alpha, Sur Jazz and YARA—the tape captures the range and evolution of L.A. beat culture.
From gritty boom bap foundations and Native American influences to forward-leaning electronic sounds, this year’s artists brought their own histories and signatures to the tape. Building on the skills gained through the Audio Affect Series workshops, they refined and shaped those ideas using Serato Studio, Sample and Hex FX.
“Knowing that he [Battlecat] selected one of my beats was just a surreal feeling. Knowing that he lives and breathes Hip Hop and the evolution of what it is, and knowing that I could be a part of that…is just an amazing feeling.” – GaigeB
Released in celebration of Black History Month, it honours the legacy of Black and brown producers in the city and pushes the next generation forward.
The Beat Tape is now live on SoundCloud, with full streaming across Apple Music, Spotify, and all major platforms launching March 6—the night of the Audio Affect Series release celebration.
What Is the Audio Affect Series?
The Audio Affect Series launched in 2023 and was created to open the door, spotlight emerging Black and brown producers, and spark real connection across generations of the culture. Rooted in collaboration between Serato, TEC Leimert and Undefeated, it brings new voices into the room with established artists, creating space not just to learn, but to build, experiment and grow together in real time.
“The power of collaboration and networking and fostering those connections with people is really important. Music isn’t just a solo journey. It’s really important that you connect…and build with other people.” – Keliief
At the heart of the workshops is community and continuity. Honoring the lineage of Beat culture while platforming the next wave. It’s intergenerational knowledge in motion. From sampling and sound design to creative identity and career insight.
“I bought Serato Sample in 2018…and that program really revolutionized how I was making music. Now the same group of people that was instrumental in my growth are platforming me and recognizing me for the work that I do. It’s super meaningful.” – pres.morris
80+ Producers, Guided by Industry Heavyweights
Last July, that vision came to life over three days at Volume Studios. Hosted by Tru Sound, the workshops brought together over 80 attendees for hands-on sessions, conversations and beat critiques led by Dahi, Linafornia, Dibia$e, Dope Candi, DāM Funk, DJ Khalil, Iman Omari, Sarah2ill, Oh Gosh Leotus, Amber Navran, Lyric Jones and Thurz.
“I think the music community needs something like this. It’s a big part of everyone’s development. I wish when I started producing something like this existed, but I’m happy to be a part of it.” – Sur Jazz
For a deeper look at the workshops and the moments that shaped them, revisit our full recap here.
The Beat Tape Vol. 2
The Audio Affect Series Beat Tape Vol. 2 takes the momentum of the workshops and shapes it into something tangible.
The Beat Tape features 13 producers whose voices define this year’s chapter. Hand-selected by the iconic community activist, mentor and West Coast pioneer DJ Battlecat, the final tracklist brings a curator’s ear and deep lineage in West Coast production while spotlighting the next generation. The project was arranged by Mr. Sonny James, who also crafted a SoundCloud-exclusive DJ mix that threads the beats into one seamless journey. Final mastering was handled by legendary GRAMMY-winning engineer Daddy Kev, whose credits span decades of boundary-pushing independent music and innovation.
“And a lot of times we do a lot of work in the dark and in our rooms and behind the scenes, and we don’t expect recognition. So, to have this recognition, it means a lot.” – pres.moris
The Class of ’25/26 Producers
Ant Walker
SIDE A TRACK 5 – Leg Day
Originally hails from the Washington, D.C. area, where his obsession with hip-hop began.
“My track is called Leg Day. What inspired it was, was simply just being in a mood to hear some hardcore boom bap. I just want to hear some hard drums. I want to hear a sample chopped to elegance. And I hope, fulfilled all that duty.”
Nino Beige
SIDE A TRACK 2 – Beyond The Sun
From piano lessons at five to full-time production in LA, Nino has built a career spanning Hip Hop, R&B, and pop, landing placements like Ras Kass’ Soul On Ice II and collaborating with artists worldwide.
“The inspiration for the track was just taking a ride up the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), and I think when you hear it and you put yourself in that mind frame, you would instantly connect. I played all the chord progressions, bassline and lead elements.”
YARA
SIDE A TRACK 4 – Pow Wow
Sound selector channeling Brasilidades across the Americas and beyond.
“I was watching the San Fernando Pow Wow, a Native American event that gathers several indigenous peoples from all over the nation. I felt deeply inspired by the drums and the chants…and built a beat from scratch, using my vocals for the first time, alongside the energy of the drum circle. It’s a spiritual manifesto.”
YONKA
SIDE B TRACK 8 – Sunset Street
A South LA producer fusing gritty boom bap, dark club energy and cinematic soul. 17+ years in music and 4+ years producing. Background in metal, anime head and deep roots in Hip Hop.
“The horns were chopped and reshaped with Serato Sample to give them a textured, soulful edge, while the drums hit raw and heavy to anchor the groove. Hex FX adds movement and depth to transitions. It definitely gives that East Coast feel with…southern roots.”
“Being a part of this definitely means a lot. Being someone that identifies as non-binary, queer— is definitely hard to see myself or seeing people like me in these spaces.” – YONKA
Chase Flow
SIDE B TRACK 9 – 911
Philadelphia-born DJ and Artist, and Emmy-nominated and winning composer turned international Artist.
“This was a track I started at the Audio Affect Series 2 [workshops]. I was going through different sound kits I had. This one particular folder Cookin’ Soul had some crazy break drums. The rest is all from my mind, time and creativity.”
GaigeB
SIDE A TRACK 3 – WET WILLY
Skate culture meets West Coast funk in GaigeB’s punchy, layered story-led production style.
“WET WILLY” starts raw with a drum break before a distorted saw bass takes over, flipping between stabby grooves and a heavy B section. Built entirely from scratch with Drum Broker sounds. No loops, all layered with Serato’s Hex FX.”
Keliief
SIDE B TRACK 13 – Morning Commute
An LA native Rapper and Producer blending West Coast warmth, with childhood nostalgia.
“The track sounds like movement. And, in life, we’re just always moving, right? So, really, that track is about continuing to move through life in different seasons. It’s supposed to be relatable. We can, make beautiful things out the ordinary mundaneness of life”.
DJ Mike C
SIDE A TRACK 1 – The Legendary
Sacramento-born and LA-based, he built his name as an elite ITF and DMC battle DJ before moving into production and landing global TV syncs.
“My track is made of three sections, first a hard-hitting trap beat; then a smooth, soulful Dilla-influenced instrumental; and a grimy, boom bap murder soundscape. I included voice shout-outs from House Shoes and D-Styles and scratched in the voice of the man himself. The curator, the one and only muthaf*ckin DJ BATTLECAT!”
“Honestly, as artists, we often are looking for things to validate us. I definitely feel a sense of validation. It does feel good to be recognized for your art, that…people are listening, and that you’re making something that people actually resonate with.” – Nino Biege
Knomad 280
SIDE B TRACK 7 – LA Kickback
Inglewood-based producer and artist crafting uplifting, grounded beats designed to unlock imagination and self-expression and therapy.
“I was making this track while at the AAS workshop and I was looking to provide a west coast sound with the foundation being more of boom bap Beat. I always liked both genres so I thought why not combine them.”
Koi Ka-dense
SIDE A TRACK 6 – Maybach Mornings
An LA-based singer-songwriter and producer with international film and TV placements across OWN and Warner Bros. She crafts cinematic, story-rich music and helps others navigate the sync space.
“Built in Serato Studio, using everything from risers and sound effects to the core instruments to shape its vibe. I started with a J Cool sample that had cinematic, boss energy and chopped parts I loved. It feels like cruising VIP style with a cigar in hand and dark liquor in the glass.”
pres.morris
SIDE B TRACK 12 – we.all.we.got
Beatmaker, producer and engineer focused on self-love, empowerment and unity through sound. His music reflects both internal growth and outward perspective.
“The track came together over a few weeks, built around a slow, breathing rhythm. It started with the drums and an MSXII sample from the Audio Affect pack, and when Lefthand Monk pulled up to the studio, he heard it and laid down the vocals.”
Alf Alpha
SIDE B TRACK 10 – Plēy on Plēya
Palm Desert DJ and producer blending Hip Hop, electronic and g-funk influences into hybrid, performance-ready soundscapes. His work bridges club culture and West Coast lineage.
“What inspired my track is West Coast G-funk music. DJ Battlecat inspired my track. Doctor Dre inspired my track. Nate Dogg inspired my track Snoop Dogg. All the West Coast legends inspired my track. It’s inspired by just, feel good, laid-back G-funk, vibes.”
Sur Jazz
SIDE A TRACK 11 – FREQ FREAK
DJ, producer and engineer operating at the intersection of Hip Hop, EDM and live performance with international touring credits alongside Harry Mack and projects for MGM, Snapchat and PreSonus.
“FREQ FREAK is about energy and unpredictability. It was really taking the software and all the techniques I learned through that summer camp, [Audio Affect Series Workshops] and using them in different ways to make a full track.”
Listen to the Audio Affect Series Beat Tape Vol. 2
Tune in, share with your friends, and be part of supporting the next generation of Black and brown talent.