RAYDO'S COME UP PT 3: INTERVIEW WITH THE AIR IT OUT GIRLS PT.2

RAYDO'S COME UP PT 3 : INTERVIEW WITH THE AIR IT OUT GIRLS PT.1

Native Instruments & iStandardProducers.com Present ‘Crafting In The Lab’

DJ PUERTO ROC In The Studio Making Beats

B.CORDER : BANGIN-TABLES EXCLUSIVE

DAME GREASE : BANGIN-TABLES EXCLUSIVE

Sample Documentary "Copyright Criminals" Will Air On PBS Next Week

UPDATE: The film will air on PBS's "Independent Lens."


With the issue of sampling and the legal ramifications behind it becoming more and more prevalent in Hip Hop, a new documentary produced by Benjamin Franzen and Kembrew McLeod seeks to answer the question of who truly owns music created through samples.

Titled Copyright Criminals, the documentary features over a dozen interviews with some of Hip Hop’s most recognizable figures, including Pete Rock, El-P, Chuck D of Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Bobbito Garcia.

Along with artists who have sampled during their careers, Copyright Criminals also highlights a handful of artists who themselves have been sampled. One musician in particular is drummer Clyde Stubblefield, who played in James Brown’s band during recording sessions. “I didn’t know anything about sampling until people came up and said some other artist is using your drum pattern…So many groups have sampled my stuff,” explains Stubblefield in the documentary. “They say I’m the world’s number one sampled drummer; I haven’t got a penny for it yet though.”

Copyright Criminals will be available January 26 via Amazon.com and iTunes, as well as in select local retail DVD stores. View the trailer below.

Drumma Boy Discloses How Classical Music Gave Him an Edge in Hip-Hop and Reveals His Top Producers

Music has played a major role in Drumma Boy's life since birth. Born to a mother who was a classically trained opera singer and a father who was the first black person to hold the first chair in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Drumma Boy was destined to carve a spot for himself in the music industry. After attending the University of Memphis and honing his production skills, he moved to Atlanta and soon became one of the most sought after producers in hip-hop. In a recent interview with rolling out, Drumma Boy talked out about his rich musical background and the producers who inspire him. –a.r.


Beyond growing up in a family that embraced classical music, what other components have inspired your production?

I came up playing the piano and clarinet. I could've been in the orchestra, but I really wanted to mix the best of both worlds in hip-hop with the street aspect of what we had going on in Memphis, [Tenn.]. It was the hunger and pain of knowing that you have to make something out of nothing. That's the foundation of gospel, blues, R&B and funk.

How has your background given you an advantage as a producer?

I started off making orchestra pieces and I did a couple joints for my school that helped teach kids how to remember quadratic formulas. But I was also capable of making music for acts such Yo Gotti, 8 Ball & MJG, and Three 6 Mafia. I made a name for myself in rap, but now I'm exploring avenues with artists such as Mary J. Blige, Goapele, and Keyshia Cole. My background in music is really an advantage for me because I have done the hardest part by learning different forms of music. Everything else is now second nature.

Which producers have inspired you?

Quincy Jones wrote, arranged and coordinated a lot of orchestra compositions in to his music, which is something I do a lot. I also like Dr. Dre's desire and his hunger to want to make his drums sound so clear and the technical aspect of him wanting things to be so perfect. P. Diddy has great marketing tactics, so you always have to respect him for keeping himself relevant.

RAYDO & BANGIN-TABLES WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL THE MEMBERS A VERY HAPPY & SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON!

J. Cole Speaks on Debut's Guest Producers

Roc Nation's young emcee says the album is done, adding that he now hopes to add new pieces before releasing it in March.

Currently, his as of yet untitled disc will feature production from Brian Kidd, No I.D. and Danjahandz but the bulk of the beats will come from Cole himself.

Blahzay Blahzay Sues Wyclef Jean For $2 Million Over Sampling "Danger"

When the east is in the house, lawsuit. A 2007 album by 'Clef reportedly lifted from the '96 classic, and it'll take big money to make it right.

Brooklyn duo Blahzay Blahzay made a Hip Hop classic in 1996's "Danger." The P.F. Cuttin-produced New York anthem featured the sharp cut-in vocals of Jeru The Damaja, Q-Tip and Ol' Dirty Bastard, with an equally popular remix by Gang Starr's DJ Premier.

Now, the duo of P.F. Cuttin and MC Out Loud are suing another east coast emcee/producer for using their own creation. Wyclef Jean sampled "Danger" on his 2007 song "Welcome To The East," from Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant. According to TMZ.com, Blahzay Blahzay is suing for $2,000,000 as they claim that Jean and his management used the song without songwriting credits, and reportedly have ignored previous threats of legal action.

Wyclef Jean has been called out over sampling issues previously. In 2004, legendary producer Diamond D reported that Jean never cleared the Cymande "Dove" sample used on the title track from The Fugees' The Score, forcing the producer to forfeit credit to the credit on the multi-platinum album.

Blahzay Blahzay has not released an album since their debut, Blah, Blah, Blah. Cuttin has since produced for Sean Price, Masta Killa and Thirstin Howl III. Next month, Wyclef Jean is expected to release an EP, If I Were President on Columbia/Sony Records.

B.o.B & DJ TOOMP working on B.o.B Album

Below is an excerpt from Pete Rock Courtesy of RR.

“I know one of Kanye’s bodyguards, and he told me that Kanye was looking for me. I just grabbed this bag of discs—these discs hold at least 50 beats apiece—and went to Hawaii. [Laughs.] That was my first time ever going to Hawaii, so I was blown back by the weather and the beach. It’s a beautiful environment to make music in. I immediately said to myself, ‘This is why he’s here!’ No one bothers you and you’re free as a bird; an important part of being creative is being able to be free in a good environment where you can make music and there’s no interruptions or disturbance or anything. When I got there, Kanye was in the chair in the studio getting his hair cut. He played the ‘Power’ song from before he even put the lyrics on it and he was spittin’ the lyrics to me. I’m real critical of emcees, but when I hear Kanye spit, it opens me up like a flower, man. I used to hear him spit my name in his own records before he even got with me, and I used to say to myself, ‘Damn, he says my name in more than two or three records! Maybe he’s trying to let me know he wants to work with me.’ The studio kind of reminded me of back in the days when I used to work on three or four projects at once, doing it all in the studio. That’s what he was doing—running back and forth from room to room to room to room. He had Kid Cudi upstairs, he was working on his album downstairs, then doing a mix on another record, and it straight reminded me of what I used to do back in the ’90s. He played ‘Runaway’—and as soon as I heard the drums come in, I just started laughing. He used my drums from Mecca and the Soul Brother! I used these drums in an interlude before this record called ‘The Basement,’ and those drums come on before the song. I never heard anybody make a song the way he made it out of those drums. I thought that was genius.”

Legendary Music Producer Quincy Jones Says There Is No Comparison Between Him And Kanye West

Us: Kanye West is similar to you in that he’s the producer everybody wants to work with in the last decade….

QJ: How man? No way. Did he write for a symphony orchestra? Does he write for a jazz orchestra? Come on, man. He’s just a rapper. There’s no comparison. I’m not putting him down or making a judgment or anything, but we come from two different sides of the planet. I spent 28 years learning my first skill. I don’t rap. It’s not the same thing. A producer has to have some sort of skills that enable him to be a producer. It’s totally different to know what to do with 16 woodwinds you know from piccolos down to bass clarinet. It’s a whole different mindset. No comparison. None.

via US Magazine

Red Bull Big Tune 2010: Denver - Finals

Red Bull Big Tune 2010: Denver - Round 1 and Semi-Finals

Kanye West Goes Into Fast Food With 10 Fatburger Restaurants

Hip-Hop star Kanye West will add to his discography today (November 22), when his fifth album, My Dark Twisted Fantasy lands in stores across the country.


But the Chicago rapper is planning to expand his career beyond music, with a possible new clothing line with high-end clothing line with French Fashion label, Lanvin and a chain of fast-food restaurants.

According to TheDailyBeast.com, Kanye West may turn into the next fast food mogul, as the rapper snatched up the franchise rights for 10 Fatburger restaurants in Chicago through his holding company, KW Foods LLC.

“It’s safe to say that we’ll be doing more strategic partnerships in areas like fashion and design,” Gee Roberson told The Daily Beast. “Music is the foundation for everything Kanye does, but he doesn’t want to be defined only as a musician. He’s really a designer. He designs his sounds, his raps, all aspects of his tour. He wants to do deals where he can have his fingerprints on the product.”

Kanye West, who already operates two of the restaurants in Orland Park and Beverly, joins a growing number of rappers who have invested money into the Fatburger franchise.

Hip-Hop musician Pharrell Williams opened two Fatburgers in China, Queen Latifah reportedly owns several of the restaurants, while E-40 closed his Fatburger in California in 2008.

By Mike Winslow – Allhiphopnews

NICKI MINAJ SHOUT-OUT TO HER PRODUCERS

NICKIMINAJ S/O to @KaneBeatz @PopWansel @THEREALSWIZZZ ,Esther Dean, JR Rotem, Drew Money, Bangladesh, & BlackOut. (producers on the album) loveuguys!
about 9 hours ago via ÜberTwitter

Kanye West's Studio Arrangement Analyzed In Complex Cover Story

From 90-minute power naps to pre-recording star-studded pick-up games of basketball, Complex unveils one of 2010's mysteries with their new cover story.

For their upcoming issue's cover-story "Project Runaway," Complex's Editor-In-Chief Noah Callahan-Bever traveled to Hawaii to watch Hip Hop superstar Kanye West create his fifth album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which released today on Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records.

Within the comprehensive piece, the reader gets an introspective look at the unusual studio conditions West created a bulk of this highly-acclaimed album. "During my five days in Hawaii, Kanye never slept at his house, or even in a bed. He would, er, power-nap in a studio chair or couch here and there in 90-minute intervals, working through the night. Engineers remained behind the boards 24 hours a day," NCB wrote. The piece is supported with quotes from Pusha T, Q-Tip, Nicki Minaj and Pete Rock.

While Kanye West worked tirelessly on this ensemble album, the Complex cover-story shows how the man cleared his mind before each day's lengthy multi-room sessions. "Every morning after breakfast, Kanye and most everyone else (save for stoner Cudi; me, who opts for the treadmill rather than bodying myself on the court; and RZA, who keeps his god-body chiseled in the weight room) throws on gym shorts, heads to the Honolulu YMCA, and plays five or six games of 21 against the locals," wrote the veteran journalist and editor.

THE COLOMBIANS : BANGIN-TABLES EXCLUSIVE

J. Cole Confirms Work With Dr. Dre

Prior to releasing his “Friday Night Lights” mixtape, J. Cole expressed his concern about making sure his formal debut album would reach as wide an audience as possible. Getting an assist from the man behind two of the past decade’s best selling artists should help in that regard.

“I did some work with Dr. Dre, without going any further than that,” Cole told Rap-Up.com. “I will tell you he’s incredible, absolutely incredible. He has life-changing music.”

The confirmation comes after Dre went on record with radio personality Big Boy and listed Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole as two artists he had his eye on. So far, two confirmed singles, “Kush” and “I Need A Doctor” have been released from Detox.

Past collaborators such as Bishop Lamont and Knoc-turn’al have said Dre takes a team approach to making albums, and a quick glance inside of 2001’s liner notes show’s ghostwriters such as Jay-Z listed with publishing credits. If the collaboration sees the light of day, the only remaining question is if it will be on J.Cole’s album or on Detox.

Lloyd Banks Names Top 5 Producers Of All-Time

Lloyd Banksb recorded a video blog for XXL where he let fans know who is favorite producers of all-time were. To little surprise Dr. Dre topped that list, but not just because Banks has had the honor of working with him.

"I definitely gotta start with Dr. Dre. His beats have been influential, you can't even put an amount, probably one of the first vinyls I had, including my homeboys, with the instrumental CD...or vinyl. Was The Chronic album, so that was crazy. Just to be able to rap over all those [instrumentals]. I would carry that around because I loved the production so much I would do more than one rap to each. Like part one, part two to 'Still D.R.E.' and things like that. So Dre, most definitely one of the best."

After a long pause, Banks figured out the rest of the list. "I definitely gotta say Swizz Beatz. I gotta put him up there, he's done countless hits over and over again so definitely Swizz Beatz. I enjoy Kanye West, what he's brought to the game, his production is crazy."

The Queens rapper also picked a former labelmate and collaborator. "Havoc from Mobb Deep is definitely one of my personal favorites. I just feel the sound he captures, ah man, it just brings me back to when I first got into rap...DJ Premier, DJ Premier brings me back to that 1990's feel so I definitely gotta put him in there and there's a lot more producers, but I haven't worked with y'all so y'all don't get a shout-out 'til I do."

The Planets Discuss Roc Marciano-Produced EP

On October 22, veteran London, England Hip Hop dup The Planets released their first project in five years in Planet Roc. Playing off of the Soulsonic Force classic single, the project partially takes its name from being fully-produced by Long Island, New York's ROC MARCIANO

Nomad: "I think the way the game is now its all about uniting with people that are on a similar tip. Over the years we have worked with producers from all over the world. We love Roc's production-style it's straight to the point and seems to suit our styles well, I also think it's a great way to tap into different fan-bases. His beats remind me of Wu-Tang [Clan's] [Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)] vibe, real grimy and raw. Skill recognize skill and we know that Roc is definetly talented. I can see him doing a lot of production work for more mainstream acts and getting those platinum sales."

Fif names the producers working on Black Magic

50 cents continues to work on his fifth solo album, to be called Black Magic. In an interview with MTV he revealed what producers he'd worked with so far; Swizz Beatz, The Cataracs, Boi-1da, and Alex Da Kid. Also dropping hints that he may be in the studio with Kanye soon.

MTV Shows

The legendary emcee and beatmaker says he's been waiting fourteen years for someone to jump on the Curtis Mayfield sample.

The last of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Fridays continue to hit the web, most garnering favorable reviews from listeners. His recent Jay-Z collaboration "The Joy" featured Pete Rock on the production boards, in what was a soulful sample of Curtis Mayfield's "Makings of You."

"First I want to say 'rest in peace' to Curtis Mayfield," Pete Rock told Vibe. "To reuse something that inspired us as kids--a song that my mom and dad listened to almost every other day is a great feeling."

Rock revealed on Thursday that he produced "The Joy" almost fourteen years ago. "I had to bring that back and reintroduce it to the young generation. I want to say big-up to Kanye West and Jay-Z for getting on that beat. I actually had that beat since 1997. I've been sitting on it for years."

"The Joy" will not appear on Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which releases on Nov. 22, but Pete Rock did express his hopes to work with Kanye again in the future.

"Kanye West Did Something That Hip-Hop Needed"

Kanye West is a focused artist. He invited out a lot of classic hip-hop producers to come and rock with him for his album. I think [it's] a real positive thing to reach back, and what I like about him is he has the capability to do it all by himself. He doesn't need no help in what he do but I think with him reaching out, it shows the unity of hip-hop which is kind of missing.

[With] a lot of artists who make it, the bigger they get, the further way they get away from the roots of things. I'm proud with him being one of the biggest artists in the world, still reaching back to the root of things. [Kanye's] got a lot of the dope emcees that's out today, he's got classic producers, classic emcees, he did something that hip-hop needed.

What hip-hop needed was to show the balance from both generations. Even though we only worked together a few times, he's always given me big ups and he would always be in the articles bigging up RZA, Ghostface and all of us who inspired him through our early work and helped mold him to the style that he developed.

Large Professor On Superstar Radio

Dr. Dre Talks About His Leaked Kush Record and more on BIG BOI'S neighborhood.

araabMUZIK showin the whole set what his foundation was b4 the mpc

Swizz Beatz To Release Reekboks

The Doc is back. Hip-hop’s legendary producer Dr. Dre is finally preparing to release his highly anticipated comeback album, Detox, and XXL got the chance to pick the rap icon’s brain for the December/January 2011 issue.

DJ Premier Talks Upcoming Production, Jay-Z

Drake Requests DJ Premier For Sophomore Album

For his sophomore album, Drake will look to accomplish what many see as a rite of passage for Hip Hop artists: securing a beat from DJ Premier.

In an interview with vibe.com, Preemo revealed that he linked up with Drake by chance. “I met Drake at the Jay-Z and Eminem concert at Yankee Stadium. A good friend of mine does some charity work for Derek Jeter and was also working with Drake,” explained the producer. “He told me Drake wanted to come say ‘what’s’ up real quick before he got on the stage with Jay.”

Premier described Drake as humble and genuine, and the two watched the rest of the show from the same suite.

Drake then asked DJ Premier lace him with one of his signature beats. “He said ‘Yo next album I want to do some stuff [with you]‘ and that’s pretty much the end of it.”

Drake is currently working on his second album, after setting aside his R&B mixtape.

Source: HipHopDX.com

D.DOT RECEIVES ISTANDARD'S LEGEND AWARD : BANGIN-TABLES EXCLUSIVE

The Craft // Episode 1 edIT

ISTANDARD IV BEAST OF THE BEATS PT2 : BANGIN-TABLES EXCLUSIVE

ISTANDARD IV BEAST OF THE BEATS PT1 : BANGIN-TABLES

One DJ Premier Beat Not Enough For Game

The Compton emcee can't get enough of DJ Premier for The R.E.D. Album


Last month Game confirmed via Twitter that DJ Premier contributed to The R.E.D. Album. That song in particular will also feature AZ. The Compton emcee isn't stopping there though, tapping the Gang Starr legend for some of his trademark boom bap. Premier revealed the latest to SOHH:

"Me and Game just did a banger called 'Born In The Trap,'" Premo said. "He was like, 'Can I get another one?' I said, 'What, you didn't like that one?' He said, 'No, no, I want to buy another one!' I was like, 'Shit yeah.' [laughs] He said mine is the second song on the album, so, I'm about to do another one for him but the one that we already did, he said it's going to be the second song. I'm excited about that. I know he's been leaking out a lot of stuff but he said a lot of the stuff he's leaking isn't going to be on the album. I haven't even heard anything. He knocked that sh*t out with me in one day and I mixed it the same day."

The R.E.D. Album has gotten several release dates in 2010 but there is nothing currently scheduled. The album will be on Aftermath, Game's first on the label since his debut in 2005

Producer CEO: DJ Premier - The Nas Album, A Jay-Z Collab, New Talent

RAYDO'S COME UP PT 2 :JIMI KENDRIX VIBIN :BANGIN-TABLES EXCLUSIVE

SCRAM JONES / ALCHEMIST SHOUT OUT BANGIN-TABLES

RAYDO'S COME UP PT.1 : MAKING A BEAT : BANGIN-TABLES EXCLUSIVE

TASK : BANGIN-TABLES EXCLUSIVE

ANDREW HYPES : BANGIN-TABLES EXCLUSIVE

Avid Unveils Pro Tools 9, See it First at Sweetwater!

DJ Premier Gives Details Of Pete Rock Album, Wu-Tang Clan To Appear

Premier has confirmed one guest for his collaborative album with Pete Rock; a Wu-Tang member. But who?


There is a lot of anticipation for DJ Premier's first compilation album dropping next month, but the excitement may pale in comparison to that for his collaboration with Pete Rock. The album was announced by the Number 1 Soul Brother this summer via Twitter, and is slated to come out in 2011. The idea behind the album, which will be billed as DJ Premier vs. Pete Rock, is to have each producer record their half of the 12 song album keeping their guests a secret.

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem caught up with the legendary Gang Starr beatsmith and got some details about the project.

“The Pete Rock project, we just started that last week," Premo said, who is also being tapped for Watch The Throne. "To finish the compilation album I had to put that on the back burner. I addressed that with the artists I got on there. Pete’s not supposed to tell me who he got, and I’m not supposed to say who I got. I got four already, I just need to get two more. We’re doing six songs each and then we’re ready to go.”

The Texas-born producer has already broken the rules though. “Pete came to my studio and laid one of them with one of the artistes. I took sneak listen and the shit sounds hot. He doesn’t even know I heard it, but that’s what he gets for doing a session in my studio.”

“It is a competition, but a fun one of course," Premier continued. "The lineup I got is Illmatic! People are going to go crazy on this shit. I’m going to be done with that hopefully by the end of December. We feel that people are going to buy it just on the strength. So when you hear the artists that we got for the battle, it’s going to be so much fun. It’s rare artists in the industry where everyone is going to be like ‘oh shit, how’d you get with him?’ I have to come up with two more.”

Prem did reveal one of his guests. “I’ll tell you one that I got…The GZA, Me and GZA? Oh my God. That’s the only one I’ll tell you.” Exciting news for Premier and Wu-Tang fans alike, as the two veterans have never worked together before.

SHA MONEY XL SPEAKS ON 9TH WONDER

SHA MONEY XL SPEAKS ON 9TH WONDER from Pricefilms on Vimeo.

Swizz Beatz Named Producer in Residence at NYU Music Biz School

Superstar producer Swizz Beatz has been named the first Producer in Residence at the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

Swizz Beatz, who has produced hits for everyone from Jay-Z and Beyonce to Lil Wayne and Metallica, will guide the students through group lectures, mentoring, one-on-one sessions during the 2011 academic year.

"I’m excited to be able to take my many years of experience in the music business and use it as an example to instruct students,” Swizz Beatz said in a statement. “The invitation from Mr. Davis and Professor Rabhan is humbling and I’m honored."

The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music provides students with professional business and artistic training for success in the music industry.

Students who attend the school take courses such as "The History of Def Jam," "Branding" and "Emerging Music Trends."

“Swizz Beatz’ amazing track record as an artist and producer, coupled with his commitment to education, makes him the ideal role model for our students,” added Jeffrey Rabhan, chair, The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music. “We consider it a great honor to have him involved with this unique program.”

Swizz' first label, Full Surface was a joint venture with Clive Davis and J Records.

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How To Build A Recording Studio
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RZA's Crib

The Beatdown - Indie Life Edition:

The Beatdown - Indie Life Edition:

11.7.10
U Street Music Hall (1115A U Street NW, WDC)
Doors open: 8:30
Performances: 10
Beatdown Showcase: 11

Purchase tickets here. ($10 in advance, $15 at the door)
Producers:

88 Keys (producer of Kanye West, Kid Cudi)
Bink! (producer of Jay Z, Kanye West, Rick Ross)
DJ Spinna (producer of Eminem, Pharohe Monch)
Kev Brown (producer of De La soul, Busta Rhymes)

DJ:
Marc NFinit
Performances (w/ bands):
Sm City and Ra The MC

Event Description:

(Washington, DC – October 25, 2010) - November 7th marks the return of DC’s
premier Hip Hop producer event The Beat Down at U Street Music Hall. Headlining
producers for this event have worked with Kanye West, Eminem, Busta Rhymes
and many others. Throughout the night, DJ Marc Nfinit wlll be spinning music to
keep the party going.

The Beat Down is not beat a battle. It’s a platform for established producers to
showcase their latest music to their core fans before they become hits. The guests of
honor 88 Keys (Kanye West, Kid Cudi) DJ Spinna (Eminem, Pharoahe Monch) and

Kev Brown (Busta Rhymes, De La Soul) will premiere music that has never been
played for public audience until now. U Street Music Hall features one of the city’s
best sound systems, making it the perfect venue for this event.

Originally created in 2007 by Inner Loop Records, The Beat Down’s past headlining
producers include Bink! (Jay-Z, Kanye West), Illmind (Skyzoo, Redman), Khrysis

(Little Brother, Jean Grae) , Oddisee (Diamond District) and Marco Polo (Masta
Ace, Heltah Skeltah) among others. Carrying on the tradition of previous Beat
Downs, this will be a night to remember.

The Beat Down’s return is in collaboration with SmCity’s The Indie Life movement.
The Indie Life is a series of events, music and film projects from SmCity in the spirit of the independent music experience. Previous events include a film premiere at the Navy

Memorial Heritage Center, as well as a short film and album of the same name.
To kick off the show Twenty20’s SmCity and Studio 43’s Ra the MC will perform
both backed by live bands. Earlier this year SmCity released his album The Indie
Life available on iTunes and Ra the MC released her mixtape Heart of a Championfor free via DJBooth.net

DETOX sounds like East Coast Underground music.

Veteran hip-hop producer Dr. Dre's long-awaited Detox album is continuing to take form and is influenced by the East Coast underground hip-hop movement.


SOHH recently spoke about the highly-anticipated album with burgeoning producer Nottz, who is working on both Dr. Dre and Busta Rhymes' upcoming efforts.

"We did the first joint on Busta's new album," Nottz revealed. "I also did the first joint on Dre's Detox. It's going good. With Busta, I really, really think this album is dropping soon. You know it's going to be Extinction Level Event Part Two, so that's what it is. It's just like anybody who does a part two to a record, you know that's gotta be banging. It's gotta be banging way better than the first joint. And from what I've heard? Oh my God. It's crazy. Busta. That dude is so amazing man. He really be having records. Records, records, records, records. It's crazy man because the dude is so consistent." (SOHH)

Nottz also explained how Dre's long-awaited LP surprised even himself.

"Both Busta Rhymes and Dr. Dre are gonna be dropping," Nottz promised. "Dre is moving like a snail, but [the album will come out]. He's gonna drop, I know it. Dre played me so many records, it's a lot of records that has you thinking, "He's rapping over this?" And it's dope sh*t. He played at least about 40 records and each one of them joints were like East Coast sounding stuff. And it was crazy, East Coast underground sh*t. Like, if he drops this, it'll be over."

"Tracks with Tristate" episode 37: Making the Beat - Jimi

DJ Spinna Studio Tour

araabMUZIK Visual Treatment prt 3 of 3 FINAL

E-A-Ski talks about production.

Much like another veteran left coast sound-provider, Sir Jinx, played an instrumental role in the early career of Ice Cube, E-A-Ski was an important part of the early success Spice 1 enjoyed during the peak of the west coast’s chart dominance in the 1990s. The Bay area-based producer/rapper was also influential in the early stages of No Limit Records when the eventual southern Rap impresario Master P was still a northern California record store owner.

In 2010 E-A-Ski is still helping future stars break through, as he preps the solo debut of MTV and Grind Time battle rap champ Locksmith.

A lot of times artists with raw talent is not always the artists that’s able to stand out because they all over the place. Sometimes that talent need to be channeled… It goes back to producing, when you producing records and you take an artist and you can really channel that talent, [then] they get a chance to really, really become way more talented than what they know… And with Locksmith…I just sit him down – [he’s] like my little brother – and I just tell him, Hey, this is how we need to make these records. This what we need to do. Sometimes I let him do what he do and go in. But yeah, man, I really tried to create a monster wit’ him, ‘cause he is a monster.

Spice 1's “Trigga Gots No Heart” still stands as the shining star in my production discography

I think a lot of those records was super tight… “Trigga Gots No Heart” went through the roof, because it was the lead single for the Menace II Society soundtrack… [But] I think all the [songs] that was done [by me and CMT for Spice 1], “Runnin’ Out Da Crackhouse,” “R.I.P.,” “East Bay Gangster,” [“Dumpin’ Em In Ditches,” “Young Nigga” and “187 Pure”]… If those records was [pushed] the way they did the “Trigga Gots No Heart,” I think all of those records woulda [went] through the roof, because the production back then – to me – was ahead of its time. I was doing stuff that a lot of people weren’t doing. In the ‘90s a lot of people were sampling… Doing production [with] live music and instrumentation at that time for an artist like that to complement his vocal delivery, it really shook people up. They really felt the passion of what he was saying… People forget the power of production. They just get so caught up in making beats. I’m not a beat maker, I’m a producer.

 My next project is called The 5th Skithoven  because it’s real musical. It’s really getting you away from just the normal [stuff you hear]. Rap is over 30-something years old. There’s no reason for us to be still having the same drum sounds and the same music like we don’t understand what piano’s and strings and melodies and really getting intricate with the music.

SCG Beat Battle: Victory to the Winner

Tyorzel “Victory" Gatson, a 24 year old music producer from Dover, DE is blazing a trail one beat at a time. He recently put his city on his back by winning the SCG Beat Battle during State City Weekend, in front of a panel of well established producers. He plans to keep the momentum going by staying consistent and kicking down all doors!

I have been making beats since like 16 or 17. But before that I was rapping since the age of 9 and I was DJ’ing since the age of 6. So I guess you can say I am a DJ turned Rapper turned Producer. I’m 24 right now so I‘ve been involved in music my whole life. Everything just evolves, you know? I may learn how to break dance one day, and be over all the elements of Hip Hop!

MySpace.com/grickyfontaine.

Thisis50 Interview With Symbolyc One [Producer Of Kanye West's "Power"]

Timbaland Announces Timbo Thursdays

Kanye has G.O.O.D. Fridays on lock, Swizz Beatz has claimed Monster Mondays, and now Timbaland wants a piece of the action.


Following in the footsteps of his music industry peers, the super-producer revealed that he may be releasing his own free music on Thursdays.

“So my brother told me kanye is puttin out a new song every friday call good fridays, swizz got mondays,” said Timbo, who recently joined Twitter. “I dont know if they are on twitter but can you hit them up and tell them reserve that thursday for timbo da king baby. We’ll call it timbo thursday cool?”

While we await the music maestro’s first offering, fans will be happy to know that he is finishing up his next album Shock Value III.