Producer Interviews - Crate Kings

Swizz Beatz Is A Production Empire

August 18, 2008

Forbes Magazine just dropped a feature on Swizz Beatz detailing his earning potential from music and collaborative efforts with cell phone providers and clothing manufacturer Tommy Hilfiger. It’s amazing to obtain a small glimpse into the scale of Swizz’s personal economy.

Last year he rode his royalty-spewing catalog of the 400 songs he’s produced up to No. 17 on Forbes’ Hip-Hop Cash Kings list with an estimated $12 million in pretax earnings. Like many rappers, he splurges on flashy cars (a Lamborghini Murciélago, a Mercedes SLR McLaren and a Cadillac Escalade, to name a few), but his finest possession is an art collection that includes original paintings by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. He can afford a few more. His earnings for 2008 will probably top $17 million.

Maseo Talks Prince Paul Production Tricks + Early Equipment

August 17, 2008

De La Soul’s Maseo aka Plug 3 touches down in Milwaukee to drop info about various production styles, equipment used in De La Soul’s early days, production tricks learned from Prince Paul, and the moment he knew music was going to be a real career.

88 Keys + Q-Tip – The Death of Adam News Clip

August 16, 2008

Mock news clip featuring producers 88 Keys and The Abstract prepping for the October 28th release of The Death of Adam.

DJ Amir & Marc Hype: Rare Records & Crate Digging

August 15, 2008

Don’t ask how we came this older German promo for the King of Digging compilation. Still, I could listen to Amir talk about records for days and can only imagine what his vault looks like.

Two Hand Band – History And Significance of The Akai MPC

August 14, 2008August 14, 2008

Here we’re presented with further testimony on what some consider to be the most significant sampler in Hip-Hop. Two Hand Band serves up a brief history of the MPC, its creation by Roger Linn, and the effect it’s had on the creation of contemporary music. The segment also interviews with Damu The Fudgemunk, P-Fritz, K-Murdock … Read more

Diamond D On Album – The Chronicles of Huge Hefner

August 14, 2008

D.I.T.C member/producer/crate digging OG Diamond D let’s us know what he’s been up to, his new "bigger" sound, and his upcoming album The Chronicles of Huge Hefner featuring production by Nottz, ILLMind, Jesse West, Accurate, Cook, Def Jef, Soul Professa, and Dirty Church. Check the interview for more.

Large Professor Main Source Interview + Studio Footage

September 30, 2008August 12, 2008

Sampling legend Large Professor talks about the difference in prodcution with his latest solo album Main Source and previous releases. We’re also taken into the studio, record library, and home setup. This is a video some production fans have waited years for! Respect to Z

Mike Gao Interview + Instrumental Collection (Download)

August 12, 2008August 12, 2008

Daily readers surely know by now that we have no problem playing favorites here at Crate Kings. Whether it’s the up and coming beatmakers, unrecognized producers, or just simply long time greats, we have no shame in politely beating you over the head with something that needs to be heard. That being said… we present … Read more

Cool & Dre In Studio Making “My Life” The Game f/ Lil Wayne

August 12, 2008

305 Uncut Magazine and Florida producers Cool & Dre take us into The Hit Factory recording studios for some behinds the boards video goodness and the making of "My Life" by The Game f/ Lil Wayne.

Instant Thoughts:

Anyone feel like playing a quick game of name that studio equipment?
Speaking of equipment… isn’t it about time that we start taking away serious rep points for using Auto-Tune?

Respect to OS for the heads up.

DJ Toomp Interview On Producing Ludacris & T.I.

August 11, 2008

DJ Toomp tells of working with Ludacris & T.I., upcoming projects, and keeping a look out for the DJ’s who actually have to spin these joints. Nice to see that producers are still keeping the turntable tastmakers in mind when they sculpt tracks.