BeatMakersFest: A Music Festival for Hip-Hop Enthusiasts Run Entirely by Students

While anyone can drag and drop premade loops into GarageBand to form a “song,” beat making is a skill that often goes underappreciated. Beat makers possess the ability to compose full pieces of music by themselves through the use of machines and software. It requires practice and persistence. It demands that you listen closely to your work over and over again and point out areas of improvement. It forces you to be critical of your own hard work.

Behind all your favorite rappers is a beat and behind every beat lies a beat maker. It takes true passion and dedication to make it in this industry and those who have are very grateful for the position they are in. Sadly, many do not have the luxury to pursue what they love as a career and simply make beats for fun. It is time we recognize the talent and self-expression of those who work from their bedrooms or basements and give these beat makers a platform of their own.

Montreal’s first ever BeatMakersFest aims to promote the art of Hip-Hop musical composition and bring to surface the organic hidden talent throughout the region. The BeatMakersFest aspires to create a supportive and encouraging environment where everyone can feel comfortable presenting their music. It also offers a chance to learn about and become part of a growing community. The BeatMakersFest is not just for artists. Music lovers of all kinds are welcome and encouraged to come join in the festivities.

This first edition of the BeatMakersFest is produced in collaboration with the students from Trebas Institute’s (www.trebas.com) Show and Event Management program. This program teaches students about the ins and outs of event management from coordinating the services offered during an event to the marketing and promotion of said event.
Created and organized entirely by students, the BeatMakersFest is a culmination of everything they have learned from this program. It is safe to say that the students are more than excited to share their event with the world and hope to make it a lasting one.

The planning of their own events gives them the kind of hands on experience that could never be taught in the classroom which is something Trebas Institute strives to do. “We want to prepare our students for what the real world is like,” says Dominique Blais, Director of Studies at Trebas Institute in Montreal. “It’s important for them to know that not everything in life is going to play out exactly like the textbooks say.”

Not only do the instructors think it is an important lesson, but the students also appreciate the break from the usual class structure. A project like this offers endless opportunities and the students are jumping on the initiative to make this event as memorable as possible.

The BeatMakersFest boasts a variety of activities including a battle between eight of the best beat makers in the region and a Hip-Hop dance performance. Steve Pageot, who has worked with artists such as Snoop Dogg and Krayzie Bone, is also expected to present a mini-conference to help further engage the community as well as act as a judge for the battle. “I’m honored to be a part of this new tradition,” said the Grammy Award winning producer after being named the official spokesperson of the first BeatMakersFest.

Even though he was immersed in the world of music since birth, Pageot did not get his big break until his final years of high school when he won a Canadian competition. It was this win that propelled him into the spotlight and allowed him to move on to bigger and better things. The BeatMakersFest reminds him of his own start. “It’s an opportunity,” says Pageot. “I don’t know where I would be right now if it wasn’t for that competition. I don’t really want to think about it (laughs).” He hopes that others can utilize the BeatMakersFest as a stepping stone to reaching their dreams.

The first BeatMakersFest will be held at La Vitrola, located at 4602 Boul St-Laurent in Montreal, on Wednesday, September 4th, 2019 at 7:00 PM EDT. Artists who wish to participate in the BeatMakersFest should submit their music before August 10th at Here.