A Cosmic Safari: Praktikos Shares Self-released "Chillactic" ßeat Tape, Vol. 1 Ahead of Forthcoming Departure EP (Ambient Instrumental Hip-Hop)

"Born and raised in the culturally-diverse Bay Area, Haseeb Naweed (aka Praktikos) is an Electronic music producer presenting a unique blend of atmospheric beats, often featuring deep uplifting melodies and soulful female vocals," Praktikos wrote within an email sent about two months ago; quickly likening his "ambient, downtempo, chill hip-hop style beats with a relaxing uplifting spacey vibe" to The Witzard's recently covered Jenova 7 & Eddie Shinn's A Cosmic Safari album, which initially prompted him to email me his music. "His latest release, Chillactic [Beat Tape, Vol. 1] is a 10-track instrumental catalog of ambient chilled hip-hop beats, providing listeners with an intimate introduction to his work... Influences range from Nujabes, Flying Lotus, Bonobo, and many pioneers of the chill-out/electronica sound (Carbon Based Lifeforms, [Paul] Oakenfold, Enigma)," Naweed continued. Praktikos is currently finishing up recording a 5-track EP titled Departure, which will be released this upcoming November 21st. He's also actively working on a "new Bloodsport project coming soon... featuring samples from the film and soundtrack."


Praktokos' Chillactic Beat Tape (Vol. 1) is self-described by the artist himself as "a 10-track instrumental collection featuring a unique blend of ambient spacey Hip-Hop beats. Perfect for freestyling, contemplation, or just kicking back after a long day;" it's fittingly tagged on Bandcamp as "experimental hip-hop, instrumental hip-hop, rap, ambient, beat tape, beattapes, chill beats, chill hop, downtempo, instrumental, Oakland" and within its download file, contains a handy Leasing Rights PDF, so that artists can freely re-use its beats on their own personal projects. While listening to Chillactic's 10 contained tracks, I readily hear influence drawn from J Dilla, Brainfeeder mastermind Flying Lotus, and Enigma, as well as an almost Radiohead or Aphex Twin-esque sense of tediously planned self-destructiveness... akin to Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke's critically-acclaimed sporadic work with Stones Throw-affiliated masked villainous emcee, DOOM. Chillactic is currently available to stream at either Soundcloud or within the 3-minute "demo reel" player below, as well as for purchase from Praktikos' Bandcamp page for a reasonably-priced $7.99 (or more). His next project, the proper follow-up to Chillactic Beat Tape (Vol. 1), Departure EP is currently planned for a November 21st release.