Quaalude Beats is a German music producer known for his electronic beats. Combining the sounds of electronica, hip-hop, and dubstep, he creates unique and fantastic beats perfect for any kind of trip.

What inspired the name Quaalude Beats?

The movie with Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wallstreet” from 2013, is based on the book “The Wolf on Wallstreet” by Jordan Belfort. Quaalude is the brand name of methaqualone, a sleeping pill from the 60s-70s. The funny thing about it is when you take it and resist sleeping for like 10 minutes after it acts you get a really hard trip. In the 80s they stopped producing these pills because of the abuse.
What connection does Quaalude have with your music?

I never thought about a deeper connection when I picked this name but there is a scope of what it could be. So this “drug” effects very explosively and hard, maybe like some of my beats?

How did you get started in music?

I started with music when I was 8 years old. At first, I played guitar and with 11, I started to rap. 4 years ago I started to produce hip hop beats and electronik music like dubstep, drum and bass and house.

How would you describe your sound?

I’m a big fan of dark and deep vibes and I think you can hear that influences in most of my beats. But I also prefer to be dynamic, so I also do sometimes stuff that is smooth and lightly like old school beats with nice jazz samples for example.

Who are your musical influences?

That’s really hard to say because I listen to a lot of artists in every genre. When I was younger I often listened to Linkin Park, Rammstein or Slipknot. Then I started to listen to rap and electronic stuff. When I look back I would say that I always loved, “in your face” sound but also respected quieter stuff like classic, jazz or pop. So my most influence is my love for music.

Why did you start making hip hop beats?

I started because I want to be independent. I don’t wanna depend on others, and so I started creating beats myself.

Do you have a favourite one of your beats?

In the last 4 years, I produced over 200 beats and I’m the type of producer who likes his work when it’s done and then starts to criticize it. So I like every beat for some weeks and then I start to make a better one.

How do they tend to compare to the original sounds or samples?

It depends on the beat. I work a lot with synthesizer and create my own sounds. Sometimes I’m using samples like in the snake jazz remix or some old school beats, where I’m using jazz samples from 1920-1970. So it’s hard to compare.

Why did you start on YouTube?

At first, I started on MySpace, because it was a good digital platform to promote my music, so people can hear it and give me feedback or tell me what they like about it. But then came Facebook and killed MySpace, so I used YouTube. Today I’m trying to promote my stuff threw every existing platform like Spotify, iTunes and so on. But in the end, I like it when people can hear my music and it gives them something.

What is the typical process of creating a beat?

I’m starting with the drums and then I compose a melody. When the melody is ready I’m starting to creating a bassline and then I work on the details like sound effects, grooves, timings and mastering.

What are some of your fondest memories throughout your music career?

In my beat producer career that would be the release of my first beat tape in February 2020 and that one of my beats was released on “fat cat beats” a YouTube channel with over 250.000 followers. Those are two things that I’m very proud of.

What are some obstacles throughout your music career?

Until this moment they don’t exist. I’m trying to have fun and doing what I want.

What advice would you give to musicians just starting out on YouTube?

If you want to get bigger on YouTube you have to upload regularly videos, like every second or third day (because of the YouTube algorithm). And also work on your content, make it interesting and put some creative ideas in it. Its never guaranteed that you will be a YouTube star but maybe you get someday a fan base of some hundred or a thousand people.

What are some projects you have in progress right now?

My last project was my beat tape vol. 1 that was released in February 2020 and now I’m producing beats for my rap project and some other people. My next Quaaludes project will be a drum and bass/house/dubstep tape, maybe it comes around August or later.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I try not to look so for. My work goes step by step and I just plan these steps and then I see where I am.

Learn more about Quaalude Beats by subscribing to the Switching Style’s Newsletter.