London-based producer M1OnTheBeat (a.k.a. M1) is a driving force behind the evolution of UK drill.
His productions include numerous UK drill anthems such as CB’s “Take That Risk,” Loski’s “Money & Beef,” Headie One’s “Golden Boot,” and Digga D’s “Woi,” among many others. His recent work on Drake and Headie One’s “Only You Freestyle” in 2020 further propelled the recognizability of his iconic tag, “M1OnTheBeat.”
“I used to listen to a lot of reggae, from my dad just playing the radio and leaving it on for 24 hours,” M1OnTheBeat tells us. “I think that put music in my head, almost by force, you know what I mean? I would listen to a lot of Chief Keef, and his producer, DPOnTheBeat, made a lot of songs, which when I was young—like 14—I actually used to listen to a lot. He gave me a lot of inspiration to actually want to see what it’s like to make these types of songs, and even get close to it.”
Now, M1OnTheBeat is inspiring countless current and future music creators with his own productions, as DPOnTheBeat did for him. In the video above, M1 showcases how you can get started with an idea in the DAW in just a matter of minutes by crafting a UK drill beat from scratch under a ten-minute timer. Join us to hear his final result, as well as his live commentary on his process and creative decisions as he builds the beat.
What’s your favorite production from M1? Which tip or moment within the production challenge did you find most interesting? Let us know in the comments section of the video, and subscribe to the Splice YouTube channel for more production tips, tutorials, and challenges.
Incorporate M1OnTheBeats’ hard-hitting sounds into your own productions via his new sample pack:
October 30, 2022