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The world’s Wu-nerds can sort out the particulars of The Ghostface Beat Tape Project, a 28-track collection of high-quality instrumentals “inspired by the Wally Champ” and created entirely by DMV producers. There’s plenty to chew on at the micro level. At the macro level, though, it inspires one question: Why put all that DMV effort into celebrating a New York rapper who has no specific local link? Here’s what Anthony “Gadget” Mims, the project’s Hyattsville-based auteur, had to say via e-mail:
I think producers in the DMV have the skill and talent to produce for anyone in the industry. The DMV is often overlooked when it comes to creating music. This area is known to the majors as a big music consumer area. You can count on one hand the number of artists that have achieved major label status. But its just not about getting on a major. The producers I hand-picked for the project care about the music that represents them. Quality over quantity. You look at any terrestrial radio best MC poll, and you will never hear Oddisee, yU, Kaimbr, Kenn Starr or XO mentioned. We have a long way to if the people here don’t know who we are. I picked Ghostface because he is undoubtedly one of the best MCs at picking good beats. Almost every producer shared the same sentiments. The producers on the project are by no means the only talented producers in the area. Some were busy and couldn’t make the cutoff date in time. The project was created for two reasons: To showcase the producer talent in the D.C. area and to hopefully have Ghost hear the project and want to rhyme over every track!
Mims also runs Digital Hustle Films, which has shot a lot of DMV-related footage over the past few years.