Wonder Making Beats
Most of us know Wonder’s for his work with T.I. Watch as he compose a beat from scratch with nothing but a laptop, Reason, and M-Audio controller. Pay attention to how he lays down his drums.
Mannie Fresh Making Beats
Mannie Fresh is one of those cats that I give a lot of respect to, especially considering how long he has been in the business and his influence on Hip Hop/Rap music. Check him out using the Roland Fantom X6 and what looks like an MPC 1000.
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