Local Review: DJ BASK – x files
Local Music Reviews
DJ BASK
x files
Street: 07.30
Self-Released
DJ BASK = DJ Paul (Three 6 Mafia) + DJ Smokey + DJ Screw
Tennyson Lowry, aka DJ BASK, is a talented DJ/producer hailing from Salt Lake City. BASK is quite active in the Salt Lake rap scene and collaborates with many local music makers, including Erasole James from SLC’s Dine Krew. x files, however, is a solo work that was created and produced exclusively by DJ BASK. The release is a well-executed mixtape that showcases BASK’s versatility and skill as both a solo artist and as a producer.
x files is a mix of modern-day trap music with old-school southern Memphis and Houston influences peppered in. BASK does a fantastic job of combining these two sounds and all of his beats, across the board, have a hyphy yet chill feel to them. Even though BASK dubs x files a “beat tape,” all of the songs stand on their own.
Consisting of 11 tracks, Xfiles is short and concise. At times, the songs seem to be a little stifled, and DJ BASK could have easily elaborated more on the sounds and rhythms that he has created. Some songs like “Conspire,” which sits at a short 71 seconds, could have easily been lengthened without much hassle. With the simple addition of another sample or a slightly altered beat, most songs could give the listener more time to tune out and let the UFO-conspiracy-laden soundscape that DJ BASK creates fully wash over their ears.
As a whole, the aesthetic of the album is thorough and consistent. DJ BASK utilizes outer-space-like samples and chopped-and-screwed vocals quite well. Despite the fact that they are short, the songs blend together. Samples of newsreels, X-Files and even The Simpsons help the tape stand out and keep some of the beats from sounding too generic. BASK taps into a Southern-style theme that is cutting-edge in underground hip-hop these days. For a supporter of local music and underground production, DJ BASK has brought a new, game-changing sound to the area. x files is a strong showcase of BASK’s skills, which will hopefully continue to grow and evolve over time. –Taylor Hartman