AES News

— Sessions at this year’s AES Show highlight some of the biggest names in the R&B and hip-hop world, with an eye on cultural awareness and opportunities for BIPOC artists, producers, and engineers —

The upcoming AES Show Fall 2020 Convention will continue to break new ground for AES events as this year’s presentation formats and programming offer innovative opportunities for all attendees. This year the Hip-Hop and R&B track, led by co-chairs Armand Jennings and Paul “Willie Green” Womack, returns for a second year with a powerhouse program highlighting the audio engineering and production insights, artistry, and gear behind some of the biggest artists in the genres. From the mixing of Run the Jewels’ latest release RTJ4, to the feature Black Music Roundtable event, the AES Show will take on hot topics and recordings in Hip-Hop and R&B today, while offering unprecedented worldwide Convention access via livestreamed and on-demand content at AESShow.com.

“After the success of the inaugural Hip-Hop and R&B Track in 2019,” says Track and Convention co-chair Womack, “we were eager to pursue an even more ambitious, entertaining and enthralling program for 2020, all while providing compelling education and inspiration. We’ve achieved those goals, in spite of the pandemic’s impact on the Convention, and are excited to share a slate of programming focused on the creative, technical and social needs of engineers in the modern Hip-Hop and R&B worlds.”

Black music is essential to the music, film, and TV industries. While 2020 has proven to be a landmark year in the struggle for social justice in America, how that will affect the entertainment industry is yet to be determined. The AES Show 2020 Black Music Roundtable event will examine how the current shift in cultural awareness impacts opportunities for BIPOC artists, engineers, and producers in the industry. Moderated by Paul “Willie Green” Womack, this roundtable discussion will feature insight from industry veterans including Prince Charles Alexander (GRAMMY Award-winning producer/engineer and professor at Berklee College of Music), Leslie Gaston-Bird (Audio Engineer, Governor at Large – Audio Engineering Society), Jeriel Johnson (Exec. Director – Recording Academy [Washington D.C. Chapter]), and Carolyn Malachi (GRAMMY-nominated artist/songwriter, engineer, and professor at Howard University).

Run the Jewels is one of the biggest names in hip-hop at the moment, with the GRAMMY-nominated duo blending dynamic beats and musical elements with their own vocal stylings and social commentary for a hard-hitting sound that leaves an impact on the listener. The session “Legend Has it: Mixing Run the Jewels with Joey Raia” will take a deep dive into mixing Run the Jewels’ recent release, RTJ4, with a focus on Raia's approach to the group's aggressive sound, and his hybrid mixing setup. 

Other featured events in this year’s Hip-Hop and R&B events cover a broad spectrum of topics, from getting your sound to getting paid. “The Sauce – Exploring Vocal Treatments for Modern R&B with John Kercy” will explore modern vocal effects through the lens of four-time GRAMMY-nominated artist Lucky Daye’s acclaimed album, Painted. Further stressing the importance of keeping an organized and professional approach to presenting a final product, “Deliverables – What To Do When You've Finished the Mix with Ken ‘Duro’ Ifill” will educate attendees on exactly what assets you need to professionally deliver a mix.

Additional information and upcoming announcements on the Hip-Hop and R&B track events at the virtual AES Show Fall Convention, as well as for the whole “Audio Engineering Month” of October, are available at AESShow.com. Early Bird registration rates end August 31.