Floyd The Locsmif

Keeping alive the tradition of authentic hip-hop beats, Floyd the Locsmif channels the energy found in the 1960s and 70s-era jazz, soul, and funk crates that he frequently raids, making him one of finest producers to emerge from the south. Hailing from the humble town of Fitzgerald, GA, Locsmif currently crafts his one-of-a-kind beats down in Atlanta – the unofficial southern “Mecca” of innovative hip-hop – where he stays true to his name by unlocking the conventional limits of soul and hip-hop music production. Considering himself a “musical locksmith,” each of Locsmif’s unique rhythmic creations are almost never identical. From his “pause mix” experiment tapes of the late 1980s, to his first sampler investment in 1993, Locsmif continues to bless eardrums with a different sound experience, using his signature “chop style” of production and sometimes lush, almost classical, soul music.

Alongside DJ Jamad (Afromentals/The Aphilliates), Locsmif entered the mixtape scene in 2004 with the highly-acclaimed Outskirts: The Unofficial Lost OutKast Remixes, an OutKast remix CD, consequently expanding Locsmif’s fan base and laying the foundation for his widely received Divine Dezignz series. In early 2005, Locsmif’s Divine Dezignz #1: Discovery, a collection of his original soul and hip-hop instrumentals, made its debut at iTunes and was featured on three consecutive iTunes Street Official Mixtapes. Adding upon the success of #1: Discovery, Locsmif secured a national distribution deal with Fontana through High Wire Music to release Divine Dezignz #1.2: Re-Discovered.

Whether it’s jazzy soul or “overground” ruggedness, Locsmif’s clientele includes Atlanta’s own Cee-Lo, Diggin’ In The Crates Crew member O.C., J-Live, Swamp Headz, Stahhr tha FEMCEE, Sol Uprising, 4IZE of Disturbing the Peace, John Robinson a.k.a. Lil’ Sci, as well as Platinum Pied Pipers’ Waajeed, Mellotone Recordings artist Fantab, and CYNE. Locsmif’s versatility in the music marketplace landed him a commission to produce the soundtrack to Coca-Cola/Nestea’s national “Ice’n” campaign, which promoted the launch of NesteaIce.com in May 2005.