Douglas “Blaque Beethoven” Hardin-Artistry Over Violence

Entertainment, People You Should Know — By Buddy Sampson on July 17, 2025 at 9:57 pm

By Buddy Sampson

Our world has changed dramatically, and those societal changes have seeped into our culture, affecting the music we listen to as well.  Much of today’s music, particularly in hip hop, are draped in violence, drugs and prostitution; and, while fun to listen to at times, sends the wrong message to impressionable youth.

Douglas “Blaque Beethoven” Hardin is hoping to change that paradigm, with music that appeals to the masses, which can be listened to by adults and kids alike. “I grew up with positive music,” said Douglas “Blaque Beethoven” Hardin. “Church was part of it, too. The bands we were in never did any cussing- we did safe, positive music, we never disrespected women and we had music with messages. A lot of people live off music- to take them away from problems and what’s going on in the world today. A lot of artists today talk about fast cars, and how they’re selling dope and all the money they are making. Well, that’s not a good vision for a kid that wants to grow up and be into music.”

The songwriter, musician, producer and owner of Oceanfront Records has produced over 100 artists, including D’Angelo, Lala Anthony, Omar Cruz- known for the hit “To The Top,” featuring Frankie J; Latoya William, a back-up singer known for performing with Dr. Dre and Busta Rhymes and Xzibit.  He’s also worked on the Rick Ross Music Group Compilation album for the film “Crack In The System,” on the single “I’m From The Hood,” and an indie film “Deep Water Horizon,” among many other projects. He also produced a track for the late track star’s Florence Griffith Joyner’s daughter, Mary Joyner, “Tides and Waves.”

Currently, his artists include Lady Chin, J Cecile, DJ Lil X, and C Palmer.

When asked about working with Xzibit, who he connected with on Instagram, he had a candid response. “I met his management team,” said Beethoven Blaque, he said of working with Xzibit on a track called “Explosion.” “He put his vocals on the track, and when I got the track back, it had his verse on it and nothing else. I had C Palmer put his verse on it.” The dynamic track can be heard on a site https://www.n1m.com/oceanfrontrecords.

In addition, the talented record company owner has been featured on several TV and movie soundtracks, including the piece “What Comes Naturally,” that he co-wrote with songwriter Shari Verona, featured in the film “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.”

Originally from Magnolia, Arkansas, Douglas had roots in the church community, which gave him a solid foundation as a musician. “Being born there, my whole family was in the church,” he reflected. “It started with my grandmother, she was a director of a choir and played piano, too.”

He started playing piano very young and gained proficiency on the instrument. “I started playing the piano when I was around 5 or 6 years old,” he said. “Once I played in the church, I ended up getting into a band when I was in junior high school.” While in junior high, Magnolia Jr. High school, he learned how to play trumpet, trombone and tuba. His family relocated to California, and he picked up one of his primary instruments, the bass. “I started playing the bass at 12, 13 years old,” he said. When he arrived to California, he attended Dorsey High, where he took a jazz workshop class that helped strengthen his musical prowess. His musical ability, which came naturally to him was so strong, that while at Dorsey he taught classes there.

The jazz band at Dorsey High was so talented, they performed for the Playboy Jazz Festival. “It was very exciting,” he said of playing for the Festival. “I got to meet Larry Graham and Louis Johnson. It was exciting because they were telling me how bad I was and I met a lot of well-known bass players at the time. And, I met Stevie Wonder, too.” During that time, he played in several bands, including Top 40 bands and also performed with gospel artists, including The Imperial Gospel Singers. “It really helped me to learn how to be a professional,” he explained. That professionalism led him to a great opportunity- doing an after-school special in which Blaque Beethoven composed music in a segment called “The Children After School Special,” which aired on Channel 7, ABC, Los Angeles.

But how did he get the name Blaque Beethoven? He was given the name while living in the South, because of his incredible virtuosity on several instruments. “The name was given to me by a lady named Donna Rentz, who lived in North Carolina that worked in film,” he reflected. “I play a lot of instruments.”

Indeed, that could be considered an understatement. Blaque Beethoven plays bass, drums, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, piano, keyboards, guitars- electric and acoustic, various percussion instruments, MPC drum machines and reads and writes music. “That’s all I can think of right now,” he laughed.

He worked with Hampton Music Publishing in New York and learned that Ocean Front Records was available from a friend, who purchased the label. His friend, who was in declining health, gave him the label with one promise and caveat. “I’m going to give you this label,” he said. “Whatever you do, keep this label’s legacy good and clean.”

As the CEO of Ocean Front Records, which he took over in 2015, he has a philosophy about making music for everyone- there’s no profanity whatsoever in any of his artists’ music. “This label I have, I’ve owned, I want to keep its legacy alive,” he said. “It helps to set yourself apart, and not do what everybody else is doing.”

Like the original Beethoven, Douglas, “Blaque Beethoven,” is pushing the boundaries of today’s music, emphasizing artistry over violence, making music that inspires, with hopes of steering today’s music towards a more positive direction. “In this world, there’s room for a lot of different music,” said Douglas “Blaque Beethoven” Hardin. “I think a lot of people are ready for music with positive messages. I hope to be able to deliver that.”

Check out one of Oceanfront Records artists- C.Palmer, with his track “Vitamins and Minerals.”

https://music.apple.com/us/album/vitamins-minerals/1813866201?i=1813866203

Hear C.Palmer’s track “Donk,” here.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/donk/1819897147?i=1819897148

For more information on the talented Douglas “Blaque Beethoven” Hardin, visit his website at:

https://oceanfrontrecords.org.

https://www.n1m.com/oceanfrontrecords.

https://www.facebook.com/oceanfrontrecord

https://www.twitter.com/blaquebeethoven

https://www.instagram.com/blaquebeethoven

Contact: email:oceanfrontrec@gmail.com