The Archives

88-Keys On First Meeting Kanye West and J Dilla

Meeting J Dilla for the first time, gives insight into the personality of a young Kanye West and runs down his list of top 5 favorite producers. Top 5 Favorite Producers: J Dilla, Pete, Rock, Paul McCartney, Q-Tip, and Hi-Tek.

Most Slept On Hip-Hop Producers (Nominations)

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Earlier today there was a conversion on twitter about who Crate Kings readers thought was the most slept-on producer. I have to be honest. I was surprised and reminded of a lot of people that had somehow slipped my mind. By the way, if you haven’t followed Crate Kings on twitter yet, do it now.

Here’s your chance to get in on the conversation. Add your nomination to the list of most slept-on hip-hop producers in the comments section. In a few days we’ll post a poll to make the selection official.

UPDATE: It’s clear that the list has spiraled out of control and a poll isn’t going to work for a number for reasons.  First, there’s been the question of the definition of “slept-on” and who actually qualifies.  Second, the list has become way too long.  The good thing is that this has turned out to be one of the most interesting conversations that we’ve had here in quite some time.  Please keep the comments coming.

Reader nominated producers:

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Jazzy Jeff Explains “The Magnificent” Transform Scratch

Pure gold right here… The Cut picks up where QSU left off. DJ Jazzy Jeff steps up to the decks to perform his famous transform scratch and explains it’s origins. Qbert, Revolution, and Jazzy Jeff finally get into a roundtable discussion about the intricacies of the transform and I was the first person to let … Read more

The Story Behind J Dilla’s Donuts Album Cover

Have you ever wondered how the cover for Donuts was made? Director Andrew Gura gives the backstory behind the Donuts along with some insight into why your video will most likely not get played on BET.

It turns out that at the time that the Donuts cover was being created there were no photos of Dilla that had not been seen by the public. In the end, a shot from MED’s video shoot for “Push” was used. See if you can catch it at :22 in the video and compare it with the final Donuts cover after the break.

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Ma Dukes On J Dilla’s Childhood, Foundation, Memories

Ma Dukes sits down for an interview to talk about J Dilla’s childhood, her favorite memories, and the goals of the J Dilla Foundation.  You’ll definitely enjoy hearing her talk about Dilla spinning records at the age of two and hearing one of his beat for the first time? He was a strange child. –Ma … Read more

J. Dilla: Still Shining (Full Documentary)

We’ve all been waiting for quite some time, but it’s finally here. Brian Atkins’ film J.Dilla: Still Shining, which was created at the time of J Dilla’s funeral service and completed in 2006, is now available for public viewing.

Featured Artists: Karriem Riggins, Pete Rock, Common, House Shoes, Dwele, ?uestlove, Moni Love, and more.

He had the joint done before the MP was even turned on. — House Shoes

Chapter listing after the break!

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DJ Eclipse’s Record Collection + Home Studio Tour

DJ Eclipse takes views through a tour of his house and the immense collection of records contained within it. Yes, every room of his house is filled with records, including the kitchen. Studio highlights include Akai S950 and S-1000.

88-Keys – Beats No more: Operation Delete Beats

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I’m sure a lot of producers and overall file hoarders can relate to the most recent dilemma of producer 88-Keys. The combination of a lack of disk space and heavy New York snow finally pushed the producer over the edge to delete some of his old beats. Before doing so he was kind enough to upload 26 joints (so far) into a collection entitled Beats No More for our listening pleasure.

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J Dilla – Behind The Beat (Home Studio Poster)

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Crate Kings readers surely know by now the pictorial greatness of the book Behind The Beat, a collection of photos of producer home studios.

Stones Throw has come together with photographer Raph Rashid to make one of the most memorable photos from the book available as a 28 x 28 inch poster printed on flat (non-gloss) paper. The poster, which is only $12 and worthy of mounting in any studio, is sure to inspire greatness in anyone willing to will to embrace it.

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