Meet ‘Billy Beats’: The Polish Ambassador’s 10-Song Billy Strings Remix Experiment

The Polish Ambassador spent two months between tours exploring where bluegrass and hip-hop could meet. The result is Billy Beats, a bootleg album announced on November 11 that reworks 10 songs from Billy Strings’ catalog into what the producer describes as “lofi funk hiphop tunes.”

The electronic musician, aka David Sugalski, explained his approach in an Instagram post announcing the project. “I tried to keep a thread of the original keys and melodies while letting each song wander into a new universe,” he wrote.

Billy Beats opens with “Know It All” and includes reinterpretations of “Secrets,” “Dust In A Baggie,” “Taking Water,” “Gild The Lily” and “California Sober.” “Meet Me At The Creek” clocks in at just under three minutes, while “Watch It Fall” closes the collection.

Sugalski acknowledged in his announcement that hearing familiar songs reworked beyond their original intent might not be for everyone. For him, the project was an opportunity to explore Strings’ catalog and make something listeners could enjoy on road trips or at festival campgrounds.

“And shoot, if this can unite some people and build a bridge in some moments it’s played in your world that would make me a very happy man,” he wrote. “Maybe it’s time Bluegrass and Hiphop become buds.” Sugalski also thanked Strings “for pouring himself into his music.”

In an exclusive statement to JamBase, Sugalski reflected on his decision to share the free album and the response during its first day:

I was a little excited / nervous to release this bootleg record. When you’re going into a world of Billy Strings fans, you’re gonna get a little bit of everything. Mostly love and encouragement, and of course a handful of haters. I love it all though, and can def understand the different viewpoints. The announce has been received well though! No marketing budget. Just a free album for the people. A collision of worlds – Bluegrass and Hiphop. Word of mouth has gotten it to about 100K people in about 24 hours since release.

Strings originally released “Gild The Lily” on his 2024 album, Highway Prayers. Listen to The Polish Ambassador’s version below. For a link to the full free album, head to his Instagram announcement and comment BillyBeats:

Billy Beats Tracklist

1. Know It All
2. 7 Weeks In County
3. Secrets
4. Dust In A Baggie
5. Taking Water
6. This Old World
7. Gild The Lily
8. California Sober
9. Meet Me At The Creek
10. Watch It Fall