fLako - "Footprints" (MP3)
Hi-Res - "Watch" (MP3)
Elaquent - "Pixelated Mess" (MP3)

If you are not familiar with the traditions of beat tapes, let me give you a brief introduction. Producers publish beat tapes to introduces themselves to the scene and pave the way for possible cooperations. Usually, these tapes are collections of beats rather than perfectly produced songs. Typical beat tapes show a variety of styles in maybe 20 different skits, each lasting one to two minutes. The best-known beat tapes are "Donuts" by J Dilla (I mean, face it) and the "Rap Beats Vol. 1" CDR by Samiyam.

Here's three free beat tapes for beginners

fLako is a Chilean-German producer from Berlin now living in London. His tapes "The First Space Shit on the Moon" was published via the Kwatro collective and features 30 sketches of warm and semi-electronic Rap beats. His tape is highly musical, razor sharp and sounds pretty much now. Definitive must-have, kids!

Download fLako's "The First Space Shit on the Moon" via zshare

Next in line is Portland cat Hi-Res. This funky guy released his soulful tape "1080 Beats" via myspace just recently, and it's really worth a listen. Dusty-jazzy beats and samples set Hi-Res apart from most producers in the game and save the kid a top ranking in the Post-Dilla charts. So clap your hands to what he's doing.

Download Hi-Res' "1080 Beats" via zshare

Finally, don't miss Canda's finest Elaquent. "In Colour Vol. 3" is the third installation of a series of beat tapes which are deserve your attention all together. Elaquent is working with vocal samples and cut-up Rap vocals that made people compare him to Prefuse73. Maybe the most underground, most rough tape in this collection.

Download Elaquent's "In Colour Vol. 3" via mediafire