Music Review: Jackin' My Beats by Mighty Delrokz

When I was in high school, I watched a lot of Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. I loved the anime and "adult cartoons" that would air at night before heading to bed. Something that stuck with me were the Bumps. They were shown before and after each commercial break to remind viewers of what channel they're on and usually featured some kind of weird lo-fi video footage, like from a VHS, and some music to go with it.

The music was often lo-fi instrumental beats that, as a white kid who grew up on Motown and blues, got to me in a way I had trouble defining. I enjoyed it enough that I picked up some Adult Swim albums like the free Warm & Scratchy and my little brother bought me an album that included some tracks from The Mouse And The Mask. The new album "Jackin' My Beats" from local artist Gabe "Mighty Delrokz" Dela Cruz brings me back to those evenings in the mid 2000's and the strange dreamy feeling that those Bumps brought to me.

Local Music Means Local Culture

I want to put out there right away that I'm not a music expert nor a music critic. I don't have a lot of experience with this kind of music, but developing a local culture means supporting the arts in all their forms. So when I heard that local teacher, DJ, and record store owner Gabe Dela Cruz had put out a new project, I knew I would have to give it a listen.

I've yet to be formally introduced to Gabe Dela Cruz, but we've orbited around each other as people active in their community often do. Between starting up The Stacks Record Shop, performing DJ sets at local businesses like Buffalo Bill's, and supporting youth walk-outs at Mt. Eden High School, Gabe's investment in Hayward is as robust as anyone's.

From what I've seen at his shop, with jazz records alongside hip-hop albums and sidelines including MF Doom action figures and retro NES games, Jackin' My Beats brings a number of those influences into a 12 song set that will have you bobbing your head, possibly before you realize it.

Lo-Fi Beats To Chill Out To

The album is entirely instrumental, with driving beats, tunes over them, and some vocal samples. But the simplicity gives room for collaboration. The description on the Bandcamp page says "Built for lyricists. Crafted for beat heads." and I can imagine that a lyricist who was interested could work with these and make something bigger than the sum of its parts. Even on their own, though, the tracks would be perfect for any social gathering to keep the mood high while letting people mingle and chat if they want.

The tracks all have a strong beat that will get you bobbing your head. And many of the vocal samples are lo-fi and unobtrusive while still delivering something extra to those who listen. Themes of social justice and defiance run through many of the tracks. "The People" has samples of "Let's struggle" and "You know how we do, we do it for the people." While "Listen Brotha" has samples of "I did not come here... to impress you" and "We have created a situation where you youngsters have no choice."

But other tracks have a dreamy quality to them or a focus on art and poetry. "Is It Real" has a tune that that is dream-strange with piano-like flourishes that sound like the start of a dream sequence on TV. "That's My Poetry" also has some of these rolling piano-like flourishes which, along with the vocal samples, are ethereal and inspirational at the same time.

Personal Favorite Tracks

One of my favorite tracks is "NJPW", which likely stands for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. It opens with a sample from a Japanese announcer over a cheering crowd, likely for a wrestling match, and has a tinny organ-like sound that reminds me of Reno or the Las Vegas of 2001's Ocean's Eleven. It's got a great bouncy tune that any boxer or wrestler could be introduced to.

"Stay Mighty II" has a light and dreamy feel to it with flute samples and a jazzy female vocal sample that I can't stop bobbing my head to when it comes on. And "Sweep The Leg" has a darker tone that is almost out of place on the album, but it has running piano scales and a driving beat that could easily be the soundtrack to a martial arts warm-up routine.

Center Stage Isn't Everything

Sometimes the DJ isn't at an event to be a headliner and steal the show. Sometimes their job is to set a mood while letting people mingle and do their own thing. This album doesn't have earworm tunes or lyrics that will be stuck in your head. But every single track had me bobbing along to the beat, whether I was listening closely or not, and many of them brought me back to the mysterious late night bumps from my high school years.

While nothing is for everybody, this album would add a special sauce any event where people want to chill out, have a few drinks, and catch up with friends. Give Jackin' My Beats by Mighty Delrokz a listen on Bandcamp, where it's available for whatever you're willing and able to pay.