Portrait of Kenny Beats

Kenny Beats

B. 1992

Kenny Beats was born in the United States and is based in Los Angeles. He is a Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and DJ known for his genre-defying sound that bridges hip-hop, punk, R&B, and experimental pop. His signature style, blending raw guitar textures with heavy beats, reflects a tactile, emotionally charged approach to music production. While his reputation was built in the studio, Kenny’s practice has become increasingly multidisciplinary. For Side Hustle, he channels his sonic instincts into physical form. The guitar, a custom collaboration with Fender Japan, was originally released as a one-day-only drop tied to his debut solo album Louie. For the exhibition, he created one final edition. Its green finish, a shade mixed exclusively for him, has never appeared on another Fender instrument. “When I found out Side Hustle was putting a gallery together, I made one last limited-edition guitar for them to use,” Kenny says. “It will be the last one I ever sell.” The instrument mirrors the sensibility that defines his music: intuitive, precise, and personal—proof that form can hold feeling as powerfully as sound.