Blog - Crate Kings

Behind Closed Doors DVD Vol. 2 (Trailer)

February 23, 2010

The organizers behind LouisDen Beat Cypher present Behind Closed Doors Vol. 2, a DVD hip-hop production magazine that focuses specifically on European producers. The creators of the of DVD travelled up and down the UK and across Holland to film producers Beat Butcha, FS Green, Sir OJ, Jaisu, Kelakovski, and more get down to business … Read more

45 King’s Making of Hard Knock Life

February 23, 2010

The 45 King cuts it up on his Vestax Handi Traxx turntables then explains the making of the unexpected Jay Z classic, “Hard Knock Life”. Both 45 King and Jay tell their sides of the story from finding the Annie soudtrack at a thrift store to recording the final version.

Cut Chemist Performs @ Freak City (Los Angeles)

March 3, 2010February 22, 2010

DJ Cut Chemist demonstrates multi-turntable mastery during a DJ workshop at LA’s Freak City. Update: Footage has been updated with extended 20 minute version.

Beatroot Bodega & Grand Championships (Hawaii)

February 22, 2010

beatroot-Bodgea-grandchampionships

Hawaii crate digging and production fans take note. Lightsleepers presents The Beatroot Bodega and Beatroot Grand Chamionships.

The Beatroot Bodega
Saturday, February 27nd, 2010 (12-5pm)
Hawaii’s First Record-Swap-Trade-Sell-Buy
Food, Drinks, and Vinyl

Beatroot Grand Championships Producer Beat Battle
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2010 (9pm – 1:30am)
Qualifiers Ely, TKO, DJah, Devious, Chris I, & Earwig Origami will compete along with Sentric, Joe Gosalvez, Oliver Twist, DJ Observ, & Kavet the catalyst.

Fresh Cafe Warehouse
831 Queen st.
Honolulu, HI

Hit the break for the BeatRoot Grand Championships promo video!

Ty Fyffe’s Beat CD & Track Selling Strategies

February 22, 2010February 22, 2010

Miss Drama interviews 50 Cent producer Ty Fyffe to explore his criteria for working with artists, track pricing, selling strategies, and beat CD sequencing. If pressed for time, skip to 7:02, which is when the most valuable aspects of the interview take place. They feel my music. They take my calls. Ya know, I don’t wear out … Read more

Erick Sermon Discusses The R&B Roots of EPMD

February 21, 2010

Erick Sermon discusses the influence of Teddy Riley, the musical basis for EPMD’s music , and the future of hip-hop as a political tool. Parrish Smith later joins in the interview where the two examine social revolution and the lives of Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. Rap music is R&B, it’s just sampled. We all sampled … Read more

Nascent & QB Da Problem On Web Collaboration

February 19, 2010

Nascent & QB Da Problem, producers of 50 Cent’s “Strong Enough” and “Redrum”, discuss meeting each other on MySpace, collaborating through Skype and iChat, and the importance of having a solid web presence.

Showbiz & DJ Premier Preview Beats + Talk Production

February 19, 2010

At HeadQcourterz Studios producers Showbiz and DJ Premier talk about the differences between past and present hip-hop. Interspersed throughout the conversation are clips of Showbiz demoing beats straight from his Akai MPC2500 for an upcoming project with DJ Premier.

J Dilla Documentary By Stussy

February 19, 2010

Parts 1 and 2 of Stussy’s three part J Dilla documentary features interviews with the late producer’s friends and creative partners. Houseshouse, Peanut Butter Wolf, Egon, Frank Nitty, Rhettmatic, and more discuss first meeting the producer and the evolution of his sound.

[via Stones Throw]

Part 2 after the break!

DJ Green Lantern: From Producer To DJ

February 19, 2010

DJ Green Lantern talks about his evolution from producer to DJ and using mixtapes to build a his reputation. In part 2 of the interview Green Lantern discusses his preference for software production tools after running down a chronological list of past samplers: Casio FZ-1, Ensoniq ASR-X, Akai MPC4000, Propellerhead Reason, and Logic.

Part 2 after the break!

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