Q-Bert and DJ Scratch (EPMD, Busta Rhymes, Redman, Wu-Tang, Jay Z) sit down to discuss past dj battles like the New Music Seminar, ITF, and DMC. They also touch on dealing with stage fright, production, and his innovations in DJ’ing.
Coptic (Black Rob, Notorious, B.I.G., P-Diddy, G-Dep) talks about how he became involved in production, working with Bad Boy, and networking with other producers. He touches on the concepts of producer vs. beatmaker, Hip-Hop vs. R&B, making sure a track is completely finished, qualities to look for in an engineer. Equipment favorites include Akai MPC … Read more
Producer Dame Grease tells the tale of how he and the LOX decided to make "We’ll Always Love Big Poppa".
Producer Dame Grease tells his preference for hardware equipment, but still likes to use everything ranging from the Akai MPC 2000 & 3000, Fruity Loops, GarageBand, and Reason. Later on he offers a beat critique and advises producers to keep in mind that a vocalist will eventually need to be heard over a track.
Oddisee talks about his working on Jazzy Jeff’s album The Magnificent, production equipment, and tastes in record digging. He claims to use only an ASR-X and dig for records by cover art… judging by his work it’s not a bad way to approach things. Check the full interview.
Harlem producer Ron Browz tells of getting his start as a producer with equipment left behind by incarcerated label owners, working with Big L, and surprise of finding out that his track for Nas’ "Ether" was targeted at Jay Z. Read the complete interview
Producer Ron Browz (Ludacris, Nas, 50 Cent, Jim Jones, Joe Budden) talks about the importance of studying production (drum patterns, tempo, eq, instrumentation, bass, etc.), keeping your ear to the street, and staying in touch with trends.
DJ Premier talks about his original name Waxmaster C, the importance of preserving elements of original Hip-Hop, and talks about which Gangstarr album is his personal favorite. He even goes on to lightly address his relationship with Guru and his signature sound. Gotta love Primo… when pressed about how large his vinyl collection is he … Read more
Producer Nicolay (Foreign Exchange) talks about opting to use stock desktop computer speakers and a $100 shelf system rather than professional studio monitors, being self taught about audio, mixing his own tracks, and the importance of not mastering your own records. He also speaks about his tendency to replay instruments and touches on broad concepts … Read more
G-Unit power broker Sha Money XL tells the story of his start as a music producer and being introduced to 50 Cent by Jam Master Jay. After declaring 50 as the greatest mc in the history of Queens, Sha Money talks about developing Traxxpad for PSP, the qualities he looks for when working with an … Read more