A Beat Happening is an all-ages, electronic/hip hop production showcase and music event, a YouTube channel, and record label, based in Portland, Oregon.

A Beat Happening* started in July 2017 as an all-ages, not-for-profit beat maker showcase hosted at Future Shock, a record shop/art gallery/designer toy and vintage apparel retail store located at 1914 E Burnside in Portland, Oregon. The YouTube channel soon followed as a place to archive past performances and events.

The intention for the event is to create a communal space dedicated to the growth of the Portland left-field beatS, hip-hop, and DJ scene. Whether you just started making beats or you’re a seasoned vet, we give equal space to all skill levels.

We are completely not-for-profit and volunteer run, dedicated to D.I.Y. principles and ideals. We are also dedicated to making our events a safe space for Black and Brown folks, young people, femme-identified people, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

So, please contact us if there are elements of community work that we can do better. Especially, reach out to us if you identify as a young person, woman or femme-identity, and/or LGBTQIA+ community member who makes beats and/or DJs, as we have found that these are the least represented groups in the Portland scene.

Hit us up here.

JONAS / LUVJONEZ
he/him/his
Puerto Rican / Latinx

Jonas is a co-founder and current host of A Beat Happening. He is an instrumental hip hop beatmaker/producer and artist/illustrator who performs under the stage name Luvjonez. He has released many instrumental albums, EPs, and singles available on Bandcamp and all streaming services, as well as his website www.luvjonezmusic.com . When he's not working on music, you can find him at art galleries, live music shows, museums, and traveling the globe.

FREE TILLMAN

Free Tillman (Lee H Tillman) is a music producer, sometimes rapper, and comedian now based in Portland, Oregon. Balancing music and comic shows all around the city, and popping up at festivals around the country, Free always brings a mix of humor and calm in everything he produces. Catch him on IG to follow the busiest calendar of anyone you know.

DERRICK
Derrick is a co-founder and former member of the admin team for A Beat Happening. He creates music under the stage name Sembla and you can check out his work here: sembla.bandcamp.com. When he's not doing music-related stuff, you can find him eating vegan food, working at a non-profit, and chilling with his wife in and around Portland.