I recently saw a post on Instagram that had the tag, Nickel Plated Beats. When I listened, I was very impressed. Over the next few weeks I continued to check out these posts labeled Nickel Plated Beats. Each one had my head nodding and even spitting bars to them. I had to holla at this guy to see what he’s all about. Here’s what I found out.
The guy behind the beats is named Nickel Plated. He’s from Boston and he is a wizard with an MPC. He started with the MPC 2000XL, graduated to the MPC X, and is now rockin’ that new MPC Key.
He started out playing guitar in heavy metal bands but was inspired to explore hip production after discovering 90’s era New York hip hop while away from Boston attending college. He found inspiration in the production of DJ Premier, RZA, Pete Rock, Alchemist and the Diggin in the Crates Crew.
After struggling to make band commitments between Boston and Long Island, Nickel Plated thought it might be better to settle down and focus on production. His first placement was on a project from Krumbsnatcha called “Hidden Scriptures” in which he produced 4 songs. Since then, he has worked with Action Bronson, Blaq Poet, Canibus, Meyhem Lauren, Ill Bill, Nemz, Flee Lord and many others.
At the top of 2022 he produced an EP with OT the Real called “You are Who You Eat With.” Be on the lookout for new production by Nickel Plated on projects from XL the Beast, ETO, Recognize Ali and many others. Check out the ill production skills of Nickel Plated below on ”Murder Pig” by XL the Beast featuring Ill Bill.
