About D.R.E.S Tha BEATnik

Human Beatboxer... MC... Host... Lecturer... Ambassador... These are only a few words to describe a True Talent. Originally from the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia “Illadelph” PA, Andre Lett, a.k.a. "D.R.E.S. tha BEATnik," currently resides in Atlanta, GA, and has been described as a multi-talented phenomenon. His name is an acronym for the Divine Real Essence of Sound (D.R.E.S.). Creative Loafing named D.R.E.S. “Best Vocalist” in their Best of Atlanta 2002 issue, calling him the “rockingest esophagus in town.” D.R.E.S. simultaneously brings a unique perspective to the art of beatboxing and the culture of hip-hop.

Who is D.R.E.S

D.R.E.S. tha BEATnik has been compared to artists such as Rahzel the Godfather of Noize, Bobby McFerrin, Doug E. Fresh, and Biz Markie. In addition to the artists mentioned, D.R.E.S. tha BEATnik has also taken the stage with Black Eyed Peas, KRS-One, MF Doom, Busta Rhymes, Black Sheep, Nice & Smooth, Little Brother, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Slick Rick, Mos Def, Jurassic5, Dilated Peoples, Public Enemy, Talib Kweli, Redman & Method Man, T.I., Killer Mike, De La Soul, Eminem, Slaughterhouse, Rakim, Del the Funkee Homosapien, DJ Krush, Massinfluence, the Roots, Kanye West, DJ Green Lantern, Common, and Erykah Badu. D.R.E.S. tha BEATnik also lent his talents to Open Transport, a nationally-distributed video compilation featuring Pharoahe Monch, Reflection Eternal, and many other underground hip-hop artists.

D.R.E.S History

2015 was a breakout year for D.R.E.S tha BEATnik! Starting the year off with Hosting shows for Redd's Wicked Ale's Most Wicked Party Tour Curated by Afropunk. The tour had him on stages in Atlanta, LA, DC, Chicago. He rocked alongside DJ Suga Ray at TomorrowWorld, Hosted ‘De La Soul Day’ at The 2015 A3C Hip Hop Festival, he was official Host of Jack Daniel’s Present Art, Beats + Lyrics Tour that traveled to Charlotte, Miami, Houston, New Orleans, St. Louis and Birmingham. He closed out the year by being cast in an Upcoming TV Series Co-Written & Directed by Lee Daniels, creator of epic television and films, ‘Empire’ and ‘The Butler’. D.R.E.S was also named Atlanta's Best Hip-Hop host by Creative Loafing.
 
In, 2012, D.R.E.S. has been named Official VJ Host for World Star Hip Hop Canada TV, broadcasting His Unique Brand of Warmth & Astute Knowledge of Hip Hop Culture to the Nation of Canada. As well as Official Tour host for Gentleman Jack's ART BEATS + LYRICS which had D.R.E.S. Sharing the Stage with The likes of "The Funky Drummer" Clyde Stubblefield, Mansions On The Moon, Shock G of Digital Underground & Scarface formerly of the GETO BOYS. Thus adding to his already stellar resume.

2010 proved to be a banner year for Tha BEATnik, with being named the National Host for RED BULL EmSEE: The Road To 8 Mile - a National Freestyle Battle Tour with Eminem as the Guest Curator, The Tour traveled across the U.S. to find the Country's Top Hip Hop Freestylers. The Tour which was filmed for a TV Special is scheduled to broadcast in over 10 Million homes in 2011. Not resting on his laurels, He also contributed His Celebrity to bring attention to HIV/AIDS Awareness through the Greater Than AIDS Campaign via RADIO & TV PSA's that He Provided the Soundtrack for. Also, D.R.E.S. tha BEATnik added the title of Actor to his list of accomplishments in 2010 by making His Movie Debut in the Full Length Feature Film "STEP OFF". Which was released Nationally on March 15th 2011 through Lion's Gate Films. 

In 2009, Tha BEATnik launched the SMART IS THE NEW COOL Radio & The FOLLOWTHEHAT Movement. Through SINC Radio, D.R.E.S. challenges His Fans both Old & New & Future, as well as, Artists to be responsible for the Choices that are made from a Consumer & Creative standpoint. The Show has been received very well and still continues to this day. The FOLLOWTHEHAT Movement, is a marketing campaign launched by D.R.E.S. himself that makes His Trademark Hat the center of Attention. Alerting His Fans of where to go to catch Tha BEATnik live all of which is promoted via His Twitter Account(@dresthabeatnik). Thus once again eliminating the divide between Artist & Fan. As D.R.E.S. so eloquently puts it, "We as Artists are allowed to do this Job and We must be able to connect with Our Supporters in order to give them what they Want & Need through The Art"

The Year 2007 proved to be a Year of Milestones for D.R.E.S. tha BEATnik. In June of 2007, A painting of D.R.E.S. tha BEATnik created by Atlanta Visual Artist Corey Whithead was comissioned to appear on the Barbershop Set of TBS' House of Payne. The show debuted to a Record 5.8 million total viewers and 3.1 million adults 18-49 and has the distinction of being The highest rated telecast in the history of TBS. Also in October of that same year, D.R.E.S. entered a National Competition sponsored by SCION to find the Country's Best Live Show Host. The Competition called the SCION HYPEMAN Contest pitted D.R.E.S. against close to 30,000 Contestants. When it was all said and done D.R.E.S. tha BEATnik emerged as The NUMBER ONE Live Show Host in The U.S. and was dubbed SCION HYPEMAN!!!

Always embarking on new adventures, in 2006, D.R.E.S. toured the People’s Republic of China alongside Public Enemy’s Own DJ Lord. The 6-Week experience placed D.R.E.S. in front of Thousands of Fans who had only heard of Him on record. While in China, D.R.E.S. also made time to host a number of Hip Hop Clinics in which he educated the Youth of China on the Culture of Hip Hop, as well as, the responsibility of keeping the Culture of Hip Hop alive. He also took the time to film his accounts in China for a documentary called “The Beatnik Chronicles”. “I wanted to do this so that the world can see for itself what it’s like to walk a mile in My shoes... I’m always looking to make a mark in the world and I believe that Hip Hop is the key to communicating with the Youth”, D.R.E.S. said in a recent interview. “The Role or Responsibility of an Artist is to advance civilization, as we know it.” 

D.R.E.S. lent his talents to Showtime Networks in 2003 for a Hip Hop MC Battle Reality Show called, ”Interscope Presents: The Next Episode” – A 6 Part Series that followed the Highs and Lows of 10 MC’s to find the Country’s next top MC. The show had D.R.E.S. working with the likes of Cee-Lo Green of Goodie Mob & Gnarls Barkley fame, MC Lyte, Rapper Proof of D-12, Tommy Lee of Motley Crue fame, DJ Green Lantern & Xzibit. The show, as well as, D.R.E.S. was well received among Hip Hop’s Elite.

In 2002, D.R.E.S. released his second album – Have Mic… Will Travel: The Live Experience, the album recorded at the Apache Café in Atlanta, contains live renditions of songs from D.R.E.S.’ first album, as well as, new material. Artists featured on the album include, Atlanta favorites Slick & Rose, and DJ Rasta Root. Backing D.R.E.S. is Live Wax, his 4-piece band.

His stage shows are similar to an audio time machine, taking the audience from the roots of hip-hop, to its ever-changing present sound, and on into its very bright future. As the Southeast Performer put it, "Have Mic… Will Travel is hip-hop incarnate - her past, present, and future. Here you will find a balance of great song concepts, sound lyrical content, and dope execution of skills… DRES is indeed a legend in the making."