"Front Line" by The A3
A standout cut from the veteran producer's 15-year-old instrumental album.
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The A3 started making beats in 2001 with FL Studio 3.4 and Cool Edit Pro. Today he is a veteran producer whose credits include Young Buck, Reks, and the late Black Rob. He also has a slew of instrumental albums, collaborative projects, and a great YouTube channel that includes videos of him breaking down the Roland MV-8800 sampler.
In 2009 he released his instrumental album The August Files. The album is loaded with gems including the gorgeous “Mocha Brown,” which expertly layers guitars, horns, and a synth sample over a knocking drum loop. It’s a beautiful listen and deserves to be considered an instrumental hip-hop classic.
Another standout from the album is “Front Line,” which has a more intense mood accentuated by a perfectly placed M.O.P. vocal sample. The song highlights The A3’s deft production skills. He showcases his deep understanding of song structure and builds up the beat effectively right away from the song’s opening notes. He also adds elements to the chorus to heighten the emotional impact of the music. His sample layering is outstanding - everything blends perfectly.
The A3 deserves much more recognition as a producer. Hopefully, his inclusion in Less Than 1,000 Spins turns some people onto his music. You can read our 2018 interview to learn more about The August Files.
Listen to “Front Line” on any platform here. Make sure to check out Less Than 1,000 Spins on Spotify and YouTube. You can also check out Formerly On Less Than 1,000 Spins on Spotify and YouTube.
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