Instrumental Relics contains many of Clams’ most notable early collaborations (Soulja Boy’s “All I Need,” A$AP Rocky’s “Numb”), as well as three tracks from his Rainforest EP on the late Tri Angle records (“Treetop,” “Drowning,” “Gorilla”), an original cut from the Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack (“Crystals”), and a handful of other strays. Clams was out there sampling Thursday in 2011, and now he works alongside a new generation who would probably not be making music without his influence: Lil Peep, Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, Ghostemane, and Nedarb, who credits “I’m God” as the beat that made him want to start producing. Without Clams, it’s hard to imagine Yung Lean or Drain Gang, and rap’s ongoing infatuations with the alternative rock spectrum might not be so passionate either. For more info on Clams Casino, follow his Twitter, and read his other well-done interviews at Pitchfork and Space Age Hustle.Clams’ influence on hip-hop has remained at the elemental level his work with rappers like Lil B, A$AP Rocky, and Soulja Boy truly shifted the sonic window. To celebrate Volpe's quick rise and beautiful work, here's a small sampling of my favorite Clams Casino productions.

(He put it out for free, so put your Google hard-hat on to find it.

His excellent instrumental mixtape has garnered rave reviews, and the glowing press has started to pile up. In a Village Voice interview with b contributor Brandon Soderberg, Volpe called producing 'a hobby right now' with no interest of 'going all in,' but you have to wonder how long he'll hold out.

(Without Clams Casino, the web-obsessed #based movement may exist, but it wouldn't capture its welcoming, earnest core.) Part Dilla, part Toro Y Moi's Causers of This, a Clams Casino beat is stark but genuinely moving, resonating with that wondrous sense of losing yourself in headphones - call it glitchy, digital sadness. He's worked with Soulja Boy and, most notably, Lil B, the Based God. Meet Clams Casino, aka Mike Volpe, a 23-year-old physical therapy student who just so happens to be making some of the most left-field, warmest and striking hip-hop beats today.

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