10 reasons to visit ADE Beats 2018

ADE Beats is the annual platform at Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) to network and connect with the international hip-hop, bass and bass community. Our conference program in Melkweg, Amsterdam on Friday October 19th is the central meeting point for all ADE delegates who work in these field. Come to our business and networking lounges, check out our presentations, connect and get inspired.

We talk business at ADE Beats! Find out where our industry, scene and global markets are heading, from Atlanta to Mumbai, from Amsterdam to Vietnam, and from the United Kingdom to Trinidad, we talk to key insiders about rapidly emerging markets, creating sustainable global networks and the many exciting business opportunities that a truly international approach to our industry has to offer.

ADE Beats 2018 hosts talks and panels with innovators in our field that push the industry forwards. CEO Ghazi Shami of EMPIRE discusses how his company has disrupted the distribution business for independent acts. Khady Thiam Gueye (CEO TMI Worldwide, COO KonLive, project manager Akon Lighting Africa) will deliver a keynote Q&A on the potential of a long-term, truly international and sustainable approach to our industry. Shanti Das presents her campaign Silence the Shame, on the important issue of mental health in the music business. Leila Fataar(Platform13) and Leeor Brown (Friends of Friends) discuss how brands and the music industry can work together best to achieve mutually beneficial results. A&R Bruce Carbone (Def Jam/G.O.O.D. Music) zooms in on the past, present and future of being an A&R. Abe Batshon of BeatStars takes us inside the global online beats market. Alex Boateng from Island Records shares his insiders perspective on the success of the UK urban music scene. And Big Dada founder and acclaimed music author Will Ashon delivers a keynote Q&A on the 25-year anniversary of Wu-Tang Clan’s ‘Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers’ and it’s crucial impact on our scene, culture and industry.

Prominent producers talk about making beats, making deals and more at ADE Beats. International headlining producers this year include American hip-hop legend Just Blaze and British production heavyweights Nana Rogues and Steel Banglez in an exciting package presented by Akai Professional, The Jillionaire of Major Lazer in an interactive talk hosted by Foot Locker, super star hip-hop producer London On Da Track from Atlanta and Dutch producers with a global sound Yung Felix and Jack $hirak.

In our legendary Meet the Pro-sessions, our delegates get the chance to discuss their music, projects and other industry related questions to key professionals. It is in these sessions that talent got their break during previous editions, getting in touch with the people that can help them move their career forward, and where industry professionals boost their network. Plan forward, come early, let’s build!

Together with media partner Noisey, ADE Beats hosts a thrilling line-up at a unique location. On Wednesday October 17th, we host our showcases @ Vice HQ in Amsterdam! We present exciting performances by Jay Way, Gianski, S10, FF Lean, Elijah Waters, Wally A$M, MocroManiac a.k.a. ManiBaby, Bokoedro, Jiri, Young Ellensand others. Entrance is free but please RSVP here.

ADE Beats has an amazing program for talent as well. Not just the chance to connect with established artists and influential industry figures, but also the opportunity to enter our demo competition Demolition – bring your own audio device– to hear what the judges have to say – the winner will be awarded with an MPC Live by Akai Professional. ADE Beats delegates also get the opportunity to win a new Akai Professional hard-hitter, the MPC X, in the on-the-spot beat challenge Akai Professional presents: The Ten-Minute Beat Challenge, where each participant gets ten minutes to make a beat from scratch on the latest Akai Pro hardware with all samples pre-loaded.

The hip-hop, bass and beats genres are globally growing stronger then ever before. In our panel Hip-Hop, Bass and Beats in The East we look into the latest developments, trends and opportunities in the East. Insiders Lee Lam(Piu Piu, Vietnam), Joy Singh (Raasta, India), Charles Chu (Revival Agency, France), Ayush Arora (UnMute, India) and Dutch DJ Wiwek who often works and tours in the east, discuss local scenes and sounds, and their vision on future developments and unique opportunities for artists and music professionals in their specific markets. ADE Beats als hosts an action-packed program in Dutch for the national scene every year; ADE Beats is where the Dutch scene meets and presents inspiring and insightful panels, beat pitches and beat competitions with a host of artists and key figures from the national scene. From the music director of FunX to the management of successful artists like Boef, Ronnie Flex, JeBroer and Broederliefde, and from a selection of prominent hip-hop promoters to artists such as Mula B, Leafs, Winne, JoeyAK, S10, Jack $hirak, Yung Felix and others.

The ADE Beats X Drum&BassArena is a fresh addition to our program: a full day of exciting content hosted by the genre's longest standing platform. Expect the full 170 BPM experience as we dig deep into the foundations with original scene titans such as DJ Hype, Aphrodite and Futurebound before exploring the genre's global roots and its great future. If you're into D&B, this is the place to be at ADE.

With ADE Beats, hip-hop, bass and beats have a strong, entirely dedicated position within the Amsterdam Dance Event-program, during the week the entire international music industry meets! So, let’s continue to build this platform together and give our thriving international scene the boost it deserves. Our team is waiting for you!