The Archives

Ty Fyffe Talks Rump Shaker, Murdergram, 4 Da Fam

Producer Ty Fyffe talks with Grind Music radio about his early days working work Teddy Riley on Wreckx-n-Effect’s album Hard or Smooth, Fyffe’s first album as a producer. Ty Fyffe also talks candidly about the role that Pharrel Williams played in the making of “Rump Shaker,” Pharrell did actually produce the song.

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12 Online Music Promo Mistakes And How To Fix Them

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One of the primary goals of Crate Kings is to highlight noteworthy up-and-coming producers while offering readers insight into the minds and work of established producers. During this time I’ve seen a great number innovative methods used to gain attention and what seems like an infinite number of ways to become permanently ignored.

Thanks to technology and new promotional and distribution tools, independent musicians and artists now have an unprecedented amount of freedom and access. However, along with this newfound freedom, some things still remain quite challenging. One of the toughest tasks that remain for independent musicians and artists is how to correctly go about online promotional activities without offending and alienating the very same media outlets that they are attempting to gain attention from.

Hopefully after reading this post you’ll be able to avoid a few costly online music promotional mistakes, some of which range from minor technical errors and time wasting to indirectly insulting those that might like to otherwise work with you.

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45 King Making The Beat Radio Interview

Normally I try to write a description about what a video or segment is about, but this might actually go down as the most awkward, rambling interview to ever appear on Crate Kings. Still, even with all of its awkwardness, you’ve gotta love listening to 45 King rambling about hip-hop. [via GG]

Sweet Turntables Bring Candied Musical Goodness

Who knew that licorice could sound and so good. Filmmaker Jake Humbles drops a quick audio/visual tease entitled “Sweet Turntables Man.” Finding inspiration from the shape of various confectionary delights, here he presents viewers with a visual of mixing classic hip-hop with classic candy. This could of been inspired by the story of Willy Wonka … Read more

Willpower / Supahot Beats 2.0 Boys Scratching Footage

Producer Willpower / Superhot Beats takes viewers in-studio for footage of he and Kawan “KP” Prather scratching over the beat for “2.0 Boys.” XXL Magazine drops a quick interview with the producer as he tells how the project initially started and how he became involved with it. “We were out in Vegas working on Wolf’s … Read more

MOTU Audio Express Interface Announced

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MOTU has decided to dial up the competition with their latest interface, the MOTU Audio Express. The compact 6×6 hybrid FireWire/USB interface promises to deliver the same professional, studio grade quality that the company has delivered over the years. Even better,

  • 6 x 8 physical input/output channels
  • Hybrid FireWire/USB 2.0 connectivity
  • 8-bus digital mixer
  • Stereo analog inputs
  • Stereo 24-bit 96kHz S/PDIF digital in/out.
  • Support for standard sample rates up to 96 kHz.
  • Stand-alone operation

The MOTU Audio Express is scheduled to ship later this month with a list price of $449 USD.

Get more information about the MOTU Audio Express Interface.

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Scram Jones & DJ Premier’s Hottest Beats of 2010

DJ Premier and Scram Jones run down their thoughts on the best underground and commercial beats of 2010. Among the producers who made the list: Sebb, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, and Scram Jones himself. Is there anything else that should have made the list?

Serato Studio Interview w/ J Rocc, Rhettmatic, Babu

DJ’s J Rocc, Rhettmatic, and Babu take viewers inside of the new Beat Junkies recording studio to talk about the significance of Serato Scratch Live, current projects, and musical workflow. It made peopel that enjoy music want to be a DJ, but it made the DJ’s that are really DJ’s like Superman almost. — J … Read more

Illmind – Behind The Curtain Album w/ Audio Stems

Producer Illmind (50 Cent, Eminem, Little Brother, Redman, 2pac, Scarface) has announced the release of his first instrumental album entitle Behind The Curtain. As a bonus to all of the production minded listeners, the album will also make available all of the audio stems of the tracks in the first 1000 CD’s and through his … Read more