The Nextmen

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For the comic book, see Next Men.

The Nextmen are a critically acclaimed production/songwriting group consisting of Dom Search (aka Dominic Betmead) and Brad Baloo (aka Brad Ellis). Often incorporating hip hop drums and electronic basslines into their sound, they have worked with many artists from the UK, US and Jamaica.

The two members also run their own independent record label, Custom Records, a joint venture with Fat City Records.

They have been prolific remixers since 2000, have been responsible for a string of popular mixtapes, and are perhaps most well known for their two-man, four turntable DJ sets (often fronted by an MC, usually MC Wrec or Dynamite MC) which include music from all genres and occupy the space between turntablism and club based DJing.

The pair grew up in Cambridge and are based in North London. They are both musicians, playing guitar (Dom Search) and keys (Brad Baloo).

Their first album Amongst the Madness was popular on the hip hop scene, and included performances from MCs from the US and UK. The second album Get Over It, released in 2003, featured such artists as American rapper J-Live and Cutty Ranks. It showed a marked change in their sound, with a more electronic production sound. Dom Search appeared on two Groove Armada albums, Vertigo and Goodbye Country, Hello Nightclub.

The 2005 reggae compilation Blunted In The Backroom on Antidote Records included two new Nextmen tracks, "Blood and Fire" featuring Dynamite MC, and "Piece Of The Pie" featuring Demolition Man.

The years have seen their sound change, with the use of more experimental production techniques and live instrumentation.

In June 2007, The Nextmen released their third studio album This Was Supposed To Be The Future on Antidote Records. It saw another change in their sound; a prevalence of songs over rap tracks. Featured vocalists include LSK (faithless) Dynamite MC, Zarif, Alice Russell, Sway, Bridgitte Amofah and Kidz In The Hall amongst others. The first single was "Let It Roll", featuring Alice Russell. At their album launch, The Nextmen performed as a full 10 piece band, with members of the Part Time Heroes.

The Nextmen also produced the title track of Plan B's 2006 album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words on 679 records.

Amongst many mix CDs, The Nextmen created an exclusive mix CD for The Addict Beats Collective

The Nextmen collaboration/remix list.

Cutty Ranks, Groove Armada, Morcheeba, Public Enemy, J-Live, Dynamite MC, Ty, Aim, Z-Trip, Jess Mills, Fat Freddies Drop, Dallas, Louie Slipperz, YunGun, Penultimate, Soulson, Paul Epworth, Tali, P-Digsss, Niko, Plan B, Blackalicious, The Resin Dogs, Friends and Family, Corinne Bailey Rae, Demolition Man, Mark Rae, Zane Lowe, Atlantic Conveyor, The Pharcyde, Zarif, Mystro, Commix, Rodney P, DJ Yoda and MC Wrec, and have been remixed by The Stanton Warriors and Cyantific.