Interview By R.M. London
WDIR got the chance to sit down with sit down and politic with Silent Knight the interview below was the product.
After accidentally coming across 8thw1’s new "Love, Money and Music" record I was immediately hooked. 8th not only has a smooth flow and enthralling lyrics, but he has that special "it" factor that somehow snatches a hold of your attention.
Ever since hip hop heads worldwide expressed their love and appreciation for Foreign Exchange, Nicolay, the emerging producer from the Netherlands, has become one of the most sought after producers in the genre. Teaming up with fellow OkayPlayer message board contributor, Kay, a Houston MC equipped with smooth storytelling skills and a lovable delivery, we are now blessed with Time:Line. A beautiful album that morphs sonically from the 1960’s to present day all while giving us a glimpse into the catacombs of MC Kay.
Today, We Do It Right got a chance to have a quick chat with Nicolay and Kay to talk about the new record, Nicolay’s production techniques, Kay’s outlook on the Texas hip hop scene, and what we can expect from them in the future…
WDIR: This is the 2nd time Nicolay has met an MC via the internet and made an album– How did you guys come across one another and why did you guys feel you two would mesh well together sonically?
Nicolay: We were introduced to each other on the OkayPlayer message boards, similarly how i met Phonte, and from 2003 on we have been shooting the shit, which later on translated in two tracks for kay’s Talk Show album. When we did those, we knew that we had a lot of chemistry…
WDIR: Do you feel that collaborating over the internet takes away from recording in a studio? (”What We Live” seemed the most complete, cohesive, and beautiful song on the record– which is the only you recorded face to face)
Kay: Actually, a lot of that was recorded separate. But I think hanging out helped the sequencing process. We talk on the phone quite a bit now. Whereas when he was overseas we would just IM.
WDIR: Is this just a one time deal or can we expect a stream of releases from you two in the future?
Nicolay: If i have anything to say about, yup! A stream of releases, but in various shapes and sizes and formations.
Kay: We love music so we will always record.
WDIR: Time:Line is a conceptual album that cascades through various periods of music (60’s, 70s, 80s, and on) and follows the trials and tribulations of an MC. How did you all come up with this concept, what was the inspiration, and what can people learn from the story?
Kay: It just deals with the cycle of life. It was inspired by the variety of styles of tracks Nic was producing. I just tried to follow in words.
WDIR: What was the inspiration behind the production?
Nicolay: Once Kay had come up with the concept I kind of took it upon myself to really “style” the different tracks after the periods that they pay homage too. For instance, Michael Mcdonald and other ‘yachtrock’ artists for ‘Through the Wind,’ or Herb Alpert and Burt Bacharach for ‘I’ve Seen Rivers’, Prince for ‘As the Wheel Turns’, etc. I basically got to pay homage to a lot of different styles and genres.
WDIR: Do you all feel that storytelling is an element of hip hop lyricism that is missing from today’s music?
Kay: I think that so much emphasis is placed on singles that artists don’t focus on linking songs. I try to work on that and improve on writing cohesive albums. I feel that you can keep folks attention better that way.
Nicolay: Yeah, they really focus on singles wayyy too much, so generally most songs that get big are pretty much similar in context.
WDIR: Kay, did you ever get writers block while making Time: Line? How did you overcome it and gain motivation for writing the lyrics?
Kay: Sometimes it got tough because of the concept. Plus, there is a lot to live up to being a lead emcee on a Nicolay project. I just tried to be as honest as posible in my writing and be Kevin. Hopefully people will hear that in the album.
WDIR: Nicolay– Crisp. Lush. Beauty. 3 Words that I would safely say sums up your production. How do you get your production to sound so “CLEAN” (for lack of a better term)? When did you get into production and what equipment do you use?
Nicolay: I’m the Rico Suave of Beats!! Hahahaha. I think the main thing, and this is gonna sound cliche, but its my ears, really. I must say that i spend a lot of time on the sound. That’s what i have become known for and so the more i push the envelope, the more people expect me to push the envelope to a point where the anti ups everytime I drop a record, because people’s expectations are really high. So, its sort of a gift and a curse, but to get back to the subject:
I started making beats around 2001-2002 and in the two years leading up to “Connected” I just trained myself. I basically lived music during that time. People don’t always understand that It Takes Time (pun intended), time and patience. I think personally switching to Pro Tools has *really* been the key to unlocking my potential much more, but others will have to decide on that.
WDIR: Did you ever use fruity loops?
Nicolay: Nope, i have never used it personally. Even though that pops up from time to time. Before Pro Tools i used Cool Edit Pro and I sequence with modplug, which is something of a secret weapon since nobody has heard of it.
WDIR: Kay– “I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.” This is a line from the Langston Hughes piece that inspired “I’ve Seen Rivers”– Can you tell us about the track, how you relayed the message and inspiration of the track to Nicolay to create the beat around it, and how often you look towards literature to inspire your own words and poetry?
Kay: Nice! I think that the poem he wrote was made to instill pride in a people that needed it at the time. To let folks know that the Negro had been a part of many great civilizations. I thought the idea that the rivers being a constant in that poem should have been touched on as well. As a writer if your words could feed civilizations…that would be so dope. That’s what we all should strive to do. To place a mark in time with our words– then music wouldn’t seem so cheap.
WDIR: What sets apart this record from all your past (solo/collab) releases collectively? What sets it apart from all the other hip hop records that are coming out lately?
Nicolay: I just see it as the next chapter in the book. All you want to do as an artist is get better, get more to the core of what you do, and i feel that in that sense. This is just the next step in our development and a step closer to the realization of our goals. Something that sets it aside from past releases is that we are doing this one 100% ourselves. So, it makes it “our baby” even more.
WDIR: When you say 100% yourselves– what does that entail exactly?
Nicolay: I started my own label last year in order to be able to release my music independently, and so this is an all in the family grassroots movement where pretty much every decision comes from us.
WDIR: Kay– Unfortunately, despite the dope indie scene with Bavu Blakes, Strange Fruit, Project, Mojoe, The Niyat, etc. Texas is most noted for candy paint, grills, and materialistic music– What is the Houston/Texas scene really like and what do you add to it?
Kay: It could be better. But I do support all my fellow Texans on both sides of the spectrum because for a while no one was getting any love. I just try to learn from the Grind of a UGK or a Slim Thug and apply it to what I’m doing. Then try to help others out. Start a movement…hopefully.
WDIR: You”ve been in the game for awhile now– does the grind ever get to you? Get hard on you? Ever make you want to give up?
Kay: Not really. I just realize that being a person that people are willing to listen to even if I don’t have distribution is a beautiful thing. I just want to do something that i can be proud of while i have my 15 minutes of shine.
WDIR: Nicolay– Europeans seem to be more open to new music. Do you feel that Euro’s know hip hop better than the Americans? Is the support/love for your music different between the continents?
Nicolay: Well, Europe and Japan both definitely seem to have a little bit more of appreciation for ‘art’ rather than…well, the opposite of art i guess (Laughs). But, I don’t think europeans ‘get’ hiphop better. In fact, they get some aspects of it and other aspects of it they totally don’t. I think that while hip hop has grown to be an international genre by now, the birth of it was specifically something that happened in America’s inner cities, but now europeans have given their own swing to it.
[Unfortunately, Kay had to break out with his family. Nicolay stayed to finish off the interview.]
WDIR: What ONE record would you say is your most prized posession (Not the most expensive or rare, but the one that you would dive into a burning building and save) and why?
Nicolay: That’s a very good question! First of all I’d probably be heartbroken about all the other records, but it would probaby be one of my Prince 12″ inches that I would try to save. Something from the “Parade” era. That’s when a lot of my interest in music got sparked!
WDIR: What sets apart Nicolay + Kay from Foreign Exchange?
Nicolay: There’s a lot of similarities and a lot of differences. The main difference obviously is Kay. I have a great chemistry with both Phonte and Kay, very different chemistry, but great on both parts. I think this album just shows Kay’s personality more than anything…
WDIR: You all have used new technological advances to make great music together over the internet. How do you feel about other technological advances such as file sharing, bootlegging, and blogs that post full album downloads for free? How does it affect you as an artist?
Nicolay: I mean, it’s pretty much unstoppable at this point. It’s just the human character I guess (Laughs). The only thing is– downloading is one thing, to kinda testdrive the music I guess, but its important that people start understanding that the independent artists that they love do need their support or its a wrap! Support your favorite artists!
WDIR: Can we expect a Nic and Kay tour? Tell us why fans would want to go see a LIVE show?
Nicolay: You can definitely expect some shows. Not necessarily in the form of a big tour but more ‘hit and run’. We are really interested in taking it to the people…
WDIR: What future projects can we expect from Nic? Kay? Both of you together?
Nicolay: I’m doing the new Foreign Exchange album next, as well as a new installment in the Dutch Masters series. Kay is doing several projects too, but we’re also continuing to record together, so people will definitely see more Nicolay & Kay stuff throughout the year(s)!!!
Interview By R.M. London
Nicolay and Kay- Time: Line In Stores Now!!
www.myspace.com/nicolay
www.myspace.com/kayofthefoundation
We Do It Right is usually very on point with releasing new J.A.M.E.S. WATTS material, if your wondering what happened on his final installment of the “Two Minute Warm Up Series” (aka Pt.6) I was prepping this interview with him. J.A.M.E.S. WATTS in my personal opinion is a business savvy artist/producer which will with no doubt in my mind make an impact on music as we know it. He is also in my top lists of so called “Hipster” labeled artists that are taking over todays market. Below you will find an in depth discussion about the music industry more specifically his thoughts an involvement inside the machine. It is a must read for anyone who takes interest in the music business, enjoy.
WDIR: How is the J.A.M.E.S. WATTS on Shameless Promotion different from the artist you are today?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: I mean, the James Watts that made Shameless Promotion was definitely a good artist - I feel like I was a great rapper and a good producer then, but at the same time, I think I was still trying to find myself as an artist overall. I was a little immature in regards to my direction, and how I wanted to present myself.
WDIR: Would you say that you’ve found yourself now?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: I feel like I’m still walking towards that, but its coming about more naturally. I’m not forcing anything; my growth is occurring organically. More so than ever, I’m really just being myself and putting that out on the forefront for the public.
WDIR: When people ask about the next full length J.A.M.E.S. Watts project — your general response is “when the public demands it”. Would you shed some light on that?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: I feel like right now, the “marketplace” is saturated; and I use the term “marketplace” loosely, because none of the product that’s out now is being sold. Everyone’s material is just out on the web for free consumption. New artists are popping up everyday, and everyone has a new mixtape or an album - I don’t know how well anyone’s getting to know any of these people, because so many of them just hop in the game and hop back out. With me, I just want to take time and build a legitimate base again, a base who actually wants to hear what I have to say. Once I feel like I’m there, and there is a demand for a full length project, I’ll be ready to give it to them. Right now, to the listeners, I feel as if I can still be lumped in with a lot of other artists, despite the quality of the product.
WDIR: Truthfully, I feel the same way; it seems like everyone is dropping a new single or mixtape every other hour. However, I like the idea of the Two Minute WarmUp because it’s consistent and gives people something to look forward to every week or two.
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: That’s what I’m trying to do with the warm-ups. They haven’t been as consistent as I originally planned, but it’s getting easier. You hit the nail on the head - I want people to have something to look forward to, and to potentially be excited about. On top of that, they provide a look into my character through the lyrics, so hopefully there will be anticipation of what I can do again with a 100% original project.
WDIR: You’re taking the independent route , which a lot of artists seem to be gravitating towards. However, you’re no stranger to the “industry”. A few labels have actually reached out, and you’ve declined, correct? (Despite being from an era where come-and-go artists would die for a deal.) Was there any particular reason for turning down a “deal”?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: Let me clarify; I was never formally offered a deal by any label, but there were a few who definitely expressed interest. Things could have gone farther, but I think I was the reason that they didn’t - I always felt like the people at the companies wanted me to be a dickrider or, calling the A&Rs every week or something; that’s not me, though. Artist or not, I’m a man first. That may be foolish pride, but it is what it is; a lot of industry people expressed strong interest and reached out only to then act as if I was the one who was chasing them - it was like dating a chick with issues or something. (Laughter) It didn’t make any sense. As far as being independent, I feel like we’re in an era when you don’t need a label to manage and promote your project - there are so many avenues that indie artists have to get their music out to the world, and they’re avenues that even the majors are using only because the little guys used them first. Myspace, YouTube…those were all channels for the little guy, and then you see Puffy doing video blogs every week. I feel like going to a label is counterintuitive to the artistic control and business savvy all musicians should be working towards. The industry is a backwards business model, and I feel it hurts us more than helps us.
WDIR: To me, internet is the new radio, but artist aren’t getting their cut, which is great for fans, but it really hurts the artists who aren’t getting any royalties. What’s your personal take on the status of the internet, music and your wallet as an artist?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: With the internet, there needs to be a way for all this work to be monetized somehow. We’re all getting famous, but no one is really making any money. I agree with you when you say that the ‘net is the new radio, but for right now, it’s not translating to anyone being able to make a living from their art, at least as far as I can see. I’m still trying to figure that one out for myself.
WDIR: You’ve recently re-opened your blog, why don’t you tell the people about that?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: I love to blog. My blog is just a way for me to stay connected to my supporters - a way that they can gain insight to who I am past what they hear on my songs. I like to post not only what I’ve got going on, but things that I’m interested in hopes it helps people understand my point of view a little bit better…at least I hope it does. (Laughter)
WDIR: You recently collaborated with Mickey Factz, who seems to be in the same market of up coming artists that some are filing under a “hipster” category. What’s your take on the whole “hipster” identity?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: This whole hipster thing, I don’t know. I can see how people feel its negative, because it’s a label. Then again, I feel like all of the artists who are labeled as such have commonalities, so they’ve created a category for us. And its logical, because people need neat boxes to put things in; it makes life more comfortable. I personally don’t feel like I’m a hipster at all, but I’m not mad if people put me in that box - I’m trying to reach everyone I possibly can, and if it so happens that the majority of my supporters are hipsters or streetwear kids, that’s fine. It’s something natural, not anything contrived or deliberate. As for Mickey, I think he’s a dope MC first, everything else second.
WDIR: I feel like being a streetwear inclined person is a fashion choice, not a label suited for music. Especially when there’s so much more depth to some of the artists who are so called “hipsters”. With that said, what would you say is the true inspiration behind your music?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: There definitely is something deeper; I don’t necessarily make fashionable or stylish music, or “lifestyle” songs. I’m more inclined to things that are soulful or personal, my recent freestyles notwithstanding. As far as my inspiration, it’s just all life - my experiences, the people around me. All of that contributes to the kind of songs that I do, nothing more, nothing less. People who talk all that 24/7 in the studio grinding nonsense are crazy - you can’t make good music unless you’re living a real life. Life inspires art.
WDIR: Your marketing idea/catch phrase is “The Game Needs J.A.M.E.S.” Why does the game need you?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: I say that the game needs me because I feel like I’m a real person, and music needs something authentic right now. I’m not a marketing scheme or an image, I’m not hype. It’s because of all of the images and the hype that we’ve lost our way. The game needs that feeling, that heart back, and I think that’s what I provide.
WDIR: What’s your take on the status of hip hop right now?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: It’s alive. It’s definitely alive. I just heard a new song from Wale where he says something about the fans being dead or something, but I don’t know. We’re just going through a transition period right now. The business is changing and the culture is changing, so it’s a little uncomfortable, but we’re still here.
WDIR: What artists/music are you keeping heavy rotation right now?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: I’ve been listening to a lot of old music recently; I’ve been rocking this mix of old school party joints, like Rod Stewart and Prince. Besides that, I listen to Lupe, Kanye; I’ve been getting into B.O.B. from Atlanta, and I love that new Usher song. I also tune into WDIR everyday to get my mp3 fix!!! I really listen to everyone; I’ve got my favorite artists and albums, but I don’t discriminate - good music is good music.
WDIR: I definitely appreciate the love! Any final thoughts?
J.A.M.E.S. Watts: I would like to thank you for all your support and the good work you do with WeDoItRight; of course I want to extend that to all of my supporters. I always say I don’t have fans, just friends and family. Oh yeah, and shouts to everyone reading this interview! Good looks on that! If you haven’t, make sure you check out the myspace and blog. Shameless promotion!!! (END)
We Do It Right are proud to present you with its second interview featuring the ever so talented producer Judah. He has been making a name for himself by producing for up and coming artists such as Wale among many others. If your a new producer or just have an interest in the behind the scenes ordeal that that is the music business I highly recommend this read, enjoy.
WDIR: My man, how you been?
Judah: I been good brother just making beats staying recession free you know.
WDIR: We first heard of you on the Wale 100 Miles and Running mixtape but you been doing it before that right?
Judah: Yes sir! I have worked with Pastor Troy, Lake and Cormega, Ness, C Rayz Walz, Rell and a few others.
I been producing for like 10-11 years you know. Branding the name loving this train ride we call the industry. I have ghost produced for some of your favorite producers too but I can’t speak much on that because of legalities. Oh and I have been running one of the top studios in the DMV for the last 10-11 years. And for those that don’t know what DMV stands for it means D.C, Maryland, Virginia.
WDIR: How was it working wit C Rayz Walz?
Judah: He is one of my favorite artist to work with because its none of that fake a$$ I’m a rapper type of BS with him. Its fun when we together plus we love the women so we keep the studio occupied when we work together.
WDIR: The DMV has been making a lot of noise in the industry lately. How have you been a part of the noise making?
Judah: I put a lot of work in on the music scene in the DMV and other places in the world. I remember when the industry used to s*** on us now they piss on us a little(laughing) sike nah we still don’t get what we about to take. The industry rap the go go sound, they come party here and all that well its time to let a new region in the game.
I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say we tired of these clone, 808 drum kit rapping lames. (Laughing)
I also started the indie mixtape movement in the DMVback in 2001.
Raheem Devaughn, Wale, Tabi. And a few others have opened some doors for artist. As far as producers, Chucky Thompson, Rich Harrison, Chink Santana and Myself of course have opened doors for producers.
WDIR: Is that a south diss?
Judah: Nah that’s a universal diss. NY sound like the south, parts of the west sound like the south, the south sound like the south, the midwest with a few exceptions sound like the south. I mean that’s not a diss! That’s just how it is!
WDIR: Wales 100 miles and running made received a lot of attention. Do you still work together? Are you on his debut interscope release?
Judah: That was a blessing being on that project. We actually have a lot of music together. I mean a lot of monumental music together. We haven’t worked together lately for various reasons. I don’t know if I’m on the album.! No one has hit me about doing records or using some of the stuff we already got.
There is a phenomenon in the industry I call “I got you on the next one” syndrome. When cats get deals they forget about the people that broke their backs for them and gave them a lot of “free” energy before they got their deal and when you say something to the artist they be like “I got you on the next one”. The way the game is now you may not get another chance so…………..Let’s just say I hope Wale don’t come down with the “I got you on the next one” sickness. (Laughing)
WDIR: Yeah, there doesn’t seem to be much loyalty in the game huh?
Judah: Nope, they isn’t much loyalty at all. One thing I actually like about lupe was that he introduced the world to his producers on the first album and he still rocked with them on the second. He went out and got some big name but he still put the guys that worked with him before the deal. I respect that!
50 introduces the world to new producers also. I mess with him for that. Most artist just go straight to the “super producers”. When they do that over and over and over that’s not cultivating Hip Hop music and the up and comings in Hip Hop! That’s why hip hop is old!
WDIR: So What’s in your tapedeck?
Judah: The Pillage by Cappadonna. Crazy album that people forget about. I got a dual tapedeck so on the other side I got some Jay Electronica.
WDIR: We just released a Jay Electronica mixtape, so thats been in heavy rotation. Moving along …. what equipment do you use to create your production?
Judah: I use Ensoniq EPS, Records, MPC and my imagination. But on the real I got a lot of equipment man. Let me spit you this line. “The intentions when making music is so real, I don’t use reasons and fruity loops because it just don’t give me the feel”. Thats off a record you gonna hear soon. I started rapping because the cats out now don’t inspire me so I needed to inspire myself.
WDIR: Any plans for the future?
Judah: Man to just keep making music especially on the indie scene because the majors are “on their heads” I use that term when someone or something isn’t doing well. Plus when the industry slows down you still make money on the indie scene. F the fame give me the money!
I am also working with this talented dude from Oakland named Balance.. I’m bout to do something with Theo from Rhode Island (ed. we told you Theo is doing it large in ‘08) . I was working on trying to get on that new Cool Kids joint but um………….. Email Replies are non existent! (Laughing)
Oh and my man Tabi Bonney album is dropping in the summer and this dude is crazy talented. 3 vids on MTV that’s something to see! He has no deal just a good spirit and straight b boy. I think I got like 2 one there and this album is going to be monumental.
WDIR: Any last words to the readers of We Do It Right?
Judah: Watch out for some new Wale (Laughing), watch out for that new C Rayz Walz in July…. I think! My label just stamped a label deal with Steve Rifkind and SRC/Universal so we gearing up for our artist Marky release and just continue enjoying life and all that comes with it. Visit www.myspace.com/judahbeats and www.judahbeats.com when u get a chance.
For up and coming producers establish yourself independently and you’ll make money till you decide to quit. The game isn’t like it used to be. When Timbo and Neptunes and all them came out they had hits and kept making hit and was on every artist project. Now producers get one hit and you don’t hear from them anymore. What happened to dude that did “I get money” by 50? Where the hell he at? (Laughing). Hold on where the hell is dude that did “duffle bag boy” by Playas Circle? Man I can go on and on!
MP3: Judah - Track 1 (Off The No Free Beats Mixtape)
Download (Click Here)
MP3: Wale - Please Listen (prod. by Judah)
Download (Click Here)
We Do It Right recently had a chance to converse with wiz kid producer Marcus D, who has received a lot of attention with his album Marcus D: Revival of the Fittest featuring collaborations with some very dope emcees. The interview goes through a handful or topics ranging from Marcus’s origins to how he managed to network and achieve so much at such a young age (Marcus is 18). The interview should have been posted a week ago. However, life is known to get in the way of things this is a paradigm example of that. Id like to apologize to Marcus for the delay, without further ado I present to you WE DO IT RIGHT’s first interview, enjoy. Links to music from Revival of the Fittest are provided below courtesy of Marcus himself. FYI ..I left out the Hey’s and How are you’s?, I figured that small talk is redundant in interviews.
WDIR: So, how did you get started in making music?
Marcus D: Let’s see…. I started out by getting involved with rapping with some kids at my school that’s when I realized that I’m articulate and good with words. However, emceeing just wasn’t for me lol, so I started by trying to figure out how the music behind the words was made.
WDIR: And where did your great taste in music come from? I mean from the beats, to the artist you work with its obvious that you have a love for “traditional” Hip Hop.
Marcus D: My taste in music came from my family, morals, and the artists I surrounded myself to begin with. I’ve always been more into conscious hip hop just because it’s got some type of substance to it. If I’m going to listen to an entire album, I want to be able to listen to things that’ll keep my attention, story tracks for example. I don’t want to sit down and listen to this new style of mainstream that really isn’t saying anything in particular. It’s poison, and in all honesty, I just can’t get into it there’s no musical value to it.
WDIR: Yes, I completely agree with you. That’s one thing you’ll notice about WE DO IT RIGHT. We don’t post music for the sake of posting something that might get us a million hits. If we post something it’s because there’s something special in the music which could be potential or just flat out belief in the artist or project.
Marcus D: And that’s what hip hop needs more of, people that actually listen as well as follow through with supporting real hip hop
WDIR: Which is initially why I reached out I didn’t know you at all but I didn’t have to I heard it in your music, were on the same musical wavelength.
Marcus D: Isn’t that the beautiful thing about music? That’s my main goal is for people to be inspired by my music, to get a sense of who I am and what I stand for through it.
WDIR: Exactly, music has historically been that one thing which breaks cultural barriers. It’s the one thing that will bring a diverse group of people together and I love it for that.
Marcus D: I agree, I mean I’m a white kid from the suburbs of Seattle and I still get a lot of love from places like Detroit. I also have a lot of fans from Japan which is great too that my music has reached people that I don’t even know. I love it.
WDIR: Japan has some serious hip hop heads.
Marcus D: They really just vibe to the music, crowds go crazy over slow jazz hip hop normally you’d use a hype track out here to rock a crowd. In Japan it’s a completely different scene.
WDIR: I’ve heard you’ve been compared to J. Dilla? It must feel good have your name mentioned a producer of Dilla’s caliber. (FYI: People aren’t gassing Marcus D up his music speaks for itself.)
Marcus D: Yea, I’ve had a couple comparisons to Nujabes and J Dilla, but each time, people have told me that I have my own distinct spin to my beats. Still, J Dilla was loved and revered by many people and real hip hop heads everywhere being compared to someone of his stature is an honor to say the least.
WDIR: I know there are a handful of producers that check out the blog, so my next set of questions will involve your input on the creation of music, as well as how you went about your networking to make your project a reality. Firstly, what kind of equipment are you using?
Marcus D: As for the equipment I use a Fantom X-8 which is a fully weighted 88 key Roland workstation. It helps a lot since I play the piano, you can get that real piano feel from it. I also use an MPC2500 and Pro Tools, as well as a LOT of vinyl, lol.
WDIR: I definitely think it’s essential for a modern day producer to find a balance between the analog and digital gear realms.
Marcus D: Exactly, I like software because it’s really easy to manipulate, but at the same time I love hardware even more because it just makes me feel like I’m playing a bigger part in the production of the track as a whole.
WDIR: It doesn’t hurt that you’re a classically trained. However, in all fairness your ear for music is really incredible to me. I know a lot of musicians that have been playing instruments there whole lives but lack that musical genius. That genius I might add extends to your networking Id like to know how you managed to get people like super emcee Substantial to be a part of your project.
Marcus D: Haha, Thank you. Stan (Substantial) was probably my favorite artist to work with on the whole album. He’s a real laidback person as I’m sure you can tell from the “Enjoy Yourself” song
WDIR: Your networking is defiantly very on point.
Marcus D: Nowadays it has to be, or you don’t get anywhere at all. I always say the music business is 40% talent and 60% who you know. Honestly, most of it was just my reaching out to the artists, but my manager also had some of his own connections that helped out. Still, I was really surprised with how quickly the artists responded to me I think the fact that a collaborative album to help bring hip hop back intrigued them somewhat.
WDIR: I’m not surprised at all your production is nothing short of amazing, to set the record straight the album wasn’t a compilation of tracks you’ve done for artist’s. The songs were specifically made for your project, correct?
Marcus D: Yes. Basically how it worked, is I would talk to the artists, then I’d send them a beat that I wanted to have them over, and if they were feeling it, they’d do a track to it for my album. Also, when I was looking for artists, I picked the artist based on how well I thought they would sound over my beat. Like Substantial the “Enjoy Yourself” track was made for him I couldn’t have anybody but him on it. Same story applies for the Royce 5′9″ track.
WDIR: That’s something I bet a lot of up and coming producers wish they could do make a track with someone specific in mind and have them jump on it. So what’s next for you, any new projects or collaborations we should know about?
Marcus D: Definitely, now that my first album is out. I have a product that I can market, so I’m doing my best to do that right now, but I’ve got a lot more time to work on beats again since the rush of the album deadline is over. Substantial and I actually had talks of doing a producer/emcee collaboration album together, but nothing’s official yet. I’ve also been producing a few joints for a new album of his that’s going to be coming out called “Lyrically Stan Getz…” which features Stan Getz samples in all of the beats. Also My man Presyce Lee also has a project coming out called “Powerful Muzik” which I have a couple joints on, and we’ll also be working on a collaboration project in the near future as well. Justis and I will also be putting together a full length producer/emcee duo album very soon. As for the next album you might see a lot of familiar faces as well as some new ones including Royce, Termanology, and even more.
WDIR: Termanology! That’s one of my favorite emcees right now. I know they say age doesn’t matter, but everything you’ve accomplished this early in your life I can easily say that you have a very bright future ahead of you.
Marcus D: Yea, starting so early has really been a blessing I’m just glad I got introduced to it at an early age, hip hop movement has really played a part in shaping who I am.
WDIR: Yeah Hip Hop does that to you. Marcus I’d really like thank you for taking time to do this interview and blessing me with some music to give our readers. Is there anything you would like to get in before we conclude?
Marcus D: Not a problem, thanks for all the love and support, I appreciate this opportunity. Lastly, I’d just like to say thanks to everybody that supports my music and real hip hop in general. If you want to make beautiful music, don’t hesitate to hit me up.
FIN.
MP3: Marcus D Ft. Substantial - Enjoy Yourself
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MP3: Marcus D Ft. Tekneek & Uno - Open
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MP3: Marcus D Ft. Justis & Presyce Lee - Hip Hop Is
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MP3: MARCUS D Ft. Royce Da 5′9”, Justis & Kid Vishis - I Shine
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Marcus D’s Myspace:
www.myspace.com/marcusd206
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