The Neptunes Chad & Pharrell Offer Production Advice
Here’s a quick video featuring Chad and Pharrell giving some basic quick advice to starting musicians getting started in the world of production.
Janne Suni Sample Jacked by Timbaland?
Here’s an interesting video alleging that Timbaland stole to beat for Nelly Furtado’s "Do It" from a Finnish Artist named Janne Sunni. I’d be curious to hear opinions, but it does’t surprise me that Timbaland was sampling or that an artist may have not gotten paid. However, I didn’t expect him to be checking those … Read more
Interview w/ Alchemist & Evidence – Weatherman LP
This video with the ALC Achemist interviewing Evidence from Dilated Peoples about the Weatherman LP. There’s not a whole lot of production talk going on, but it takes place in Alchemist’s studio and gives a glimpse into some of the joints he produced on the album.
Production Insights From The Alchemist
As many of you already know, I’m scheduled for a permanent move to Chicago at the end of June. I’ve lived in Boston for most of my life and, although it’s definitely time for a change, it’s proving difficult to imagine not living in my current neighborhood. The crazy thing about living in Boston’s North … Read more
Crate Kings Beat Battle Part 2!
The second Crate Kings beat battle is now under way! I’m excited because the deadline for final entires is Wednesday May 30th and there are already some tough contenders for the title. Check out the heated action in the forums and give our talented producers some feedback. Just like the first battle, the winner will … Read more
BeatTips Manual by Sa’id – Review
In addition to providing an outlet for my musical rants, obsessions, and other mental wanderings; one of my favorite aspects of running Crate Kings is the increased ability to run into great products and people. I am a self admitted fiend for anything production or Hip-Hop related and will scour the ends of the earth … Read more
Now Serving Deep Dish Breaks & Hip Hop
Life is funny. Just when you become comfortable with the status quo, something is thrown in to shake things up a bit. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. I took a quick trip to Atlantic City to see one of my closest friends get married, began digging intensely for records again, coders started work … Read more
Ski Beatz & Jay Z: The Making of “Dead Presidents”
Legendary producer Ski Beatz is here breaking down the entire making of Jay Z’s “Dead Presidents”. In case you didn’t know… Ski is same guy who, back in late 95, had me running around half of Eastern Massachusetts looking this elusive 12 inch single. In the end I had to settle for mailorder from NY’s … Read more
April Beat Battle Winner – MC Fever
The people have spoken and a jury of production peers have voted a winner of the Crate Kings April Beat Battle. My man MC Fever brought some serious heat by flipping Billy Paul’s "It’s Too Late" and ended up taking the crown along with the enitre collection of Crate Kings drums kits. Make sure you … Read more
10 Lessons I’ve Learned From Listening To Black Milk
After spending another 9 hours in the corporate cubicle farm returning frantic voice messages and replying to panicked emails, I was able to peel myself off the adjustable generic office chair and slink past the security desk to sweet freedom. Immediately upon liberation I pulled out my IPod, started rocking Black Milk’s August ’05 Beat … Read more