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Music is what I live for. Drummer, Entrepreneur and Music Producer Richard Cassell was raised in the East-End of London (Forest Gate) and made his start as a drummer at the tender age of 11. Always business minded, Cassell set about gaining the required knowledge to turn his passion for music into a career. He spent his early teens perfecting his craft as a drummer whilst extending his repertoire to music production with the help of a modest Atari and Yamaha QY20 that he borrowed from friends. This was PHASE ONE and Cassell quickly realized that it was time to move his production to the next level. Cassell successfully applied for a business development loan from 'The Princes Trust' after which he set-up his own production studio "WK Productions" and became a mentor for 'The Princes Trusts' to guide other young entrepreneurs. His first remix was given to him by Asha (Choice Fm DJ) & Glen (Relentless Records). It was for an international collaboration with Jamaican Dancehall singer 'Wayne Wonder' Featuring Snagga K.I.D "Bashment Girl". Cassell enjoyed prolonged residencies as the Drummer during events such as 'The Apricot Jam's' and 'The Lyrical Fearta' Hosted by Jonzi D. Both Major events brought fresh new talent to the stage. In addition to these club events Cassell also turned his talents to the theatre in Jonzi D’s production of Aeroplane Man. At the “Apricot Jam” he played live drums for the like’s of Black Twang, Estelle, Julie Dexter ,TY, Skinny Man, Kele-le-Roc, & The London Posse. Cassell’s development as a producer came through creating tracks in a wide gamut of genres, for a long list of artists. He released a 2-step garage track, "Sit Down On The Melody", which was DJ Spoony’s Radio 1 pick of the week. Cassell also collaborated with rapper Ty on his ’Awkward’ album, the title track was selected to be the soundtrack to a popular Citibank television advert. Some of the many other artists he has worked with will undoubtedly cause a storm in the near future include Eska, Jade-Chloe, Smasher, Preshus, Jookie Mondo, Skarn, Dem Lott, Mpho and his exciting new prodigy Marie Kirby (www.mariekirby.com). In 2002, Cassell changed his name from Wylee Kyat to Cassell the Beatmaker. That was PHASE TWO. In 2005 Cassell is about to launch his own clothing line, and is one of the main figures at ‘In The Making’ an independent record label, which has already released,” Sound Like This “ whose video can be seen on Digital TV and MTV Base. Cassell in conjunction with Bassistry Arts has had the privilege to share his knowledge & skills with the community by teaching educational workshop programs in schools all over the country. Cassell’s beatmaking skills are peerless: the trademark Beatmaker sound derived from his innate ability at a drum kit means that whilst others are mostly using sampled drum loops, Cassell gives birth to live drums. This results in tracks and rhythms that have his unique groove that are the foundation of the Beatmaker signature sound. With Cassell’s growing experience and exposure he presents a rarity in the production world a producer who is at home in any genre. He constantly flits between R&B;, Pop, Garage, Hip-Hop, Bashment, Jazz, and Rock not to mention his soon to be infamous Drumline genre (Games Ours – Co produced with DJ Smasher 2005). In London, the reverberations caused by Cassell’s music are getting stronger, on an underground level he is earning the respect of many of today’s artists and urban radio stations for his production. He has long standing affiliations with other musicians/producers such as Colin Emanuel, James Yarde, Jason Yarde, Anthony Tidd, Eric Appapoulay and Red 1, who he knows from his early band days. He also works regularly with talented artists and DJ's such as 'The Starlight Crews' Emanuel, who work jointly to produce the E.C.M Foundation’s CD, which is a promotional outlet for unsigned UK artists. Cassell keeps his drumming skills honed and feeds his passion as a live musician by playing as the drummer for a variety of artists including the original Terri Walker band (Wise Children) and international recording artist 'Keziah Jones', touring the world and performing to sell out crowds. More recently Cassell has played drums for talented London based artist’s Akala, & Plan B. His also the resident drummer for Jade Richardson’s event ,”Live” where he has played for the likes of, Nate James, Jme, Jamma, Ears, Baby Bleu, Carmen Reece, Faith SFX, L Man, Roll Deep, Fuming, Lowkey. As a producer his currently producing artist’s such as Mpho Skeef, Kele le Roc, Jade Chloe, Marie Kirby, Dem Lott Family, Emanuel. Cassell has an immense back catalogue that he refers to as the “Vault” of tracks that have never been released. It is the vault that was the driving force behind this latest stage of his evolution. He has decided that it is now time for the entire world to gain access to the Vault. Get ready for PHASE FOUR. To find out more go to www.thebeatmakers.com
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