Ant: The big kahuna and best-dressed of local beatmakers. He co-founded Atmosphere and produces Brother Ali's records.
Medium Zach & Brandon Allday: The brothers who front Big Quarters, they also work behind the scenes with other artists and have become ringleaders via their monthly beatmakers showcase, "Last of the Record Buyers." (Next installment: Aug. 19 at Fifth Element record store in Minneapolis.)
Benzilla: This St. Paul native, who lived abroad as a kid, provided all the beats on DJ BK-One's intercontinental "Radio do Canibal" record and many on Toki Wright's "Devil's Advocate" disc.
Lazerbeak: Paper Tiger's cohort, he co-helmed Mike Mictlan's album and other Doomtree cuts. He used to sing and play guitar in the Plastic Constellations.
MK Larada: The third Doomtree beatmaker has anchored tracks by Dessa, Sims and P.O.S. (who is quite a reputable beatmaker himself).
Reggie Reg: This rising star fueled Wright's recent "Out of Nothing" single, and has worked with St. Paul Slim and others.
Mike Swoop: Another young'un who got his start at the Dinkytowner's Battle of the Beats when he was underage, he just issued his own cool, retro-soul-digging full-length album, "New Love."
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
