LET THE BEAT BUILD
THINGS DONE CHANGED Music production used to be three or more guys in a recording studio with instruments, a mixing board, and reels of tape that needed to be physically cut to edit. Fast forward to 2022 and the world is full of “beat-makers” like a 17-year-old with 20 million views on YouTube with a song he created on a cheap Lenovo laptop that his mom gifted to him for Christmas. And in the higher echelon of the music business, songs are no longer written — they are made. The art of music production has definitely changed in the last 50 years, from recording studios in LA, to Seattle garages to kids programming songs on their laptops. So if it’s that easy to make music, what really defines a great producer?
Executive Producer Missy Elliott is a multi-talented artist whose legacy precedes her. She’ll bring her expertise of consistent hit-making and musical innovation to the show. Her dynamic work as a female hip-hop artist, not only broke convention, but set a precedent for future artist across all music landscapes. From her club-shattering anthems, to her psychedelic videos, to her influence as a dancer, she is the standard for great artistry. Her ear for great production is the best in the business. As the guiding creative force behind the show, she’ll set the standard for the competition and raise the bar for the next generation of beat makers.
MISSY ELLIOTT
SYNOPSIS In the new eight-episode competition series LET THE BEAT BUILD, 10 up-and-coming beat-makers compete to prove they have what it takes to be the next Grammy-winning producer Whether they’re currently a teacher or a night-shift clerk or a construction worker, the next top producer could come from anywhere. We’ll cast contestants from all walks of life, highlighting their unique journeys. Once they enter our recording studio, it’s game on. Each episode, they’ll have their musical and creative skills challenged by top hip hop producers, spanning multiple eras. The last contestant standing wins the opportunity to sign a publishing deal. The show isn’t just about music, but the American ambition to succeed at a challenge when presented against all odds. Who will have what it takes to turn their musical ambitions into reality? AND MAKE NO MISTAKE, THIS IS NOT A BUNCH OF GUYS STARING AT COMPUTERS THIS IS A PERFORMANCE DRIVEN, VISUALLY DYNAMIC COMPETITION.
FORMAT Every episode, there will be two high-intensity challenges: MIXING BEATS (a pairs challenge) and BEAT-TO-BEAT (an elimination challenge). Through visual and TV-friendly challenges, we’ll test the contestants’ creativity, music skills, working on volitale teams and in-the-moment reflexes. From incredibly tight time constraints to vintage equipment to bizarre couplings of genres, they’ll be challenged to make music like they never have before. As they’re pushed to their creative limits, some will rise to the occasion while others will struggle to stay on track. Throughout the series, our host and two resident judges will be joined by celebrity guest judges, who bring their own specific challenges. Which contestants can impress these iconic artists?
MIXING BEATS PAIRS CHALLENGE
For this challenge, the contestants will compete in pairs and be tasked with making a track that fits a specific theme. Can they make an electronic-country record? What would they create if they had access to a choir or a live band? There is always a visually dynamic performance element in this challenge so the music and challenge always has a big entertaining and visual pay off. After each pair’s track is brought to life in a visually dynamic way, the judges will deliberate. The pair with the worst track is up for elimination. Now, those two producers must compete as individuals, facing off head-to-head.
BEAT-TO-BEAT ELIMINATION CHALLENGE
While the first challenge tested their collaboration skills, this one is the polar opposite. Beat-To-Beat is all about the individual producers. With only one spot available, the bottom two producers must bring their A-game. Who will make the best track and earn the right to stay in the competition? Given a base beat, a specific goal, or tricky equipment restrictions, the two contestants have 15 minutes to produce a track. While they’re in the studio, the judges and other contestants will discuss the different sounds they’re expecting or hoping to hear. When time’s up, the judges will blindly listen to the two tracks without knowing which contestant produced them. It all comes down to the sound. In the end, the judges pick the track (and producer) that is safe. The other producer has lost the head-to-head battle and must leave the recording studio.
SAMPLE CHALLENGES Everyone picks a record to sample while blindfolded Create a movie soundtrack Produce a song with a live orchestra Make a record with a country artist Classical remix challenge Produce for a famous artist IRL musical instrument challenge Produce on a chaotic studio bus Produce a song with a choir Produce a song for someone who can’t sing
LET THE BEAT BUILD