Daily Mix: January 2008 Archives
Mixtapekings.com
With an intoxicating melody and a syncopated drum line, the production of P.C.P. Muzik is sure to make you feel "shermed out". With a mixture of East Coast boom bap and down south screw the production coming from Primate and CamJay is a sound seldom heard from the ring tone rappers and cookie-cutter production that is saturating hip-hop nowadays. This is music for the people. People say hip-hop isn't dead it just lives in the South, and hip-hop is alive and well in this
JS: Ok, let's get down to business. First things first, I've heard about the brand new Lutinent G single, what's the deal? I'm sure its fire, but when can we hear it?
Primate (P): First off, we got up with Lutinent G's manager via internet, and he liked our different sound. You know?
CamJay (C): Its good to note that Lutinent G has a producer by the name of Sky and he (Lutinent G) didn't want to fuck with us at first. He thought that our music was just going to be wack, but he heard us and then compared us to the
JS: You know, some people believe that the South is over-saturated with a lot of music that all sounds the same, how do you guys avoid the "dime a dozen" production that makes money but bad music, and how would you describe your sound?
P: I would describe us as a mix of my East Coast background combined with Cam's
C: I mean I'm so southern, but I'm not influenced by D4L, I'm influenced by real southern music, I mean, UGK, (rest in peace Pimp C), Scarface, Outkast, the real hip-hop. True hip-hop. The people that will still ring out thirty years from now. Our music is a perfect blend of East Coast with Primate's background and my southern swag just adds something different, and hopefully our music can bring two conflicting groups together and ease the tension from coast to coast. I mean East Coast people will hear the vocal samples, the cuts, and enjoy it, and the Southern folk will hear the shuffles, bass, and drops and enjoy it. You gotta make music for the people, wherever their from.
JS: Primate, I hear that you are doing big things as a DJ as well, from working real close with Al Kapone, to starting the Legion DJ's. What's the deal?
P- Well, Al is a great influence, and working with someone like him is such a great opportunity, you know? But the Legion DJ's is a worldwide DJ collective started by DJ Chev and myself which just recently performed at the Memphis Industry Showcase, an event which brought together a lot of artists in the Memphis area and the deeper south to showcase and network before the Southern Entertainment Awards. It went real well, CamJay came through and both P.C.P. Muzik and the Legion DJ's were in full effect. Kapone, Frasier Boy were all there...Wendy Day, I mean everyone that is involved in the Memphis Hip-Hop movement. The Lutinent G track was played and it got a real good response, I mean it was at the New Daisy, which is definitely a historic venue.
JS: How's the
P:
C- Yeah, I mean I'm a real Texan myself, but I'll bring some influences from DJ Premier as well as Lil' Jon for example. I mean people in
JS: So what's next for P.C.P.? Any big plans in 2008?
P: Well, first off, big up to MixtapeKings.com, thanks for the opportunity to be featured on such a quality website. As for 2008, the Lutinent G single is coming out. Also, look for the new single produced by P.C.P. by Young Rufus called "She's A Pro". Hopefully we'll start making a name for ourselves that's more than just
C- There is no question about P.C.P. blowing up, it'll happen. We're just trying to stay positive and look out for the future. We love Hip-Hop, so we're just trying to further ourselves and the art form. We don't have time to hate on artists. I got a mixtape coming out called "Texas 2 Tennessee Vol. 1" hosted by P.C.P.'s own DJ Primate. We out here getting it, grinding, making beautiful muzik. Hopefully all our fans from "Texas 2 Tennessee" to
If you want to get in contact with these virtuosos shoot them an e-mail at pcpbeats@gmail.com or check the MySpace: myspace.com/pcpbeats.
Mixtapekings.com
MTK: What was the thought process going into the "Mic Controllers" project?
Sha: While living in Brooklyn I would produce the neighborhood aspiring rappers and singers. After a while, I got a good collection of songs competed. So I said I should try to do something with it.
One day I came home and it was like almost on a whim. I compiled songs that I thought might be good enough. And proceeded to go through the process of getting it on to the internet. It seem like it began to take on a life of its own in a sense.
MTK: How did the relationships with the artists who appear come about?
Sha: I was introduced to everybody from being the local neighborhood producer .Everybody knew I made beats. Somebody would tell somebody else "I know this kid who makes beats" and they'll bring 'em by my crib. Some of them I knew for a long time. Some of them I met through other people. John Jones is a singer, he sings "Street Life" on the cd. I knew him when he went to The School Of Performing Arts in Manhattan. When we started writing together he was just developing, now he a excellent singer and songwriter, he is definitely ready for the world, check out his cd " John Jones Loves Smile, I produced a few songs on it, the album is really tight. He's probably the artist on the cd that I knew the longest.
MTK: Is there going to be a follow up to "Mic Controllers"?
Sha: That's in the process right now. Some of the same artists are going to be on it. I think it's going to be much better because now i'm more focused. When I listen to it [The Mic Controllers] I be like I could've tightened that up. I could've done that better. A lot of things could've been tightened up. But at the end of the day it just turned out to be what it is. On part two, I'm thinking let's fine tune it to the maximum. No sloppyness, from the performances to the mixes it's going to be right where I believe it should be. I was in the studio last night with Dun Wright and a M.C. from East New York named Young Jims. Tango, got another joint, and John Jones,and I already got tons of songs. Sha Skillz Introduces The Mic Controllers Part 2 will be coming around very shortly.
MTK: "My Life" is one of the songs that stood out amongst the rest, are there any plans to continue working with Stash A Mill?
Sha: I would like to but he's locked up right now. Aint no option to work with him. He's in jail right now. That song right there.....what he spitting in that song, that's him. He from out of Bushwick & Bedstuy. I knew him for a long time, through his cousin. Me and his cousin was real tight. At the time of recording My Life Stash was in a depressed state of mind, his lyrics express exactly what he was feeling at that moment. He got himself in some shit that he's going to have to see through. I don't think he's going to be recording for a minute.
MTK: What's your approach with artists when you have them in the studio? Do you already have beats for them or do you build something together?
Sha: It happens different ways. Sometimes I give them a pre made beat, so we're not sitting around all day brainstorming. Once we get a good performance on tape from there I usually remix and tighten up the track on my own. When they come back and listen they be like "Damn you changed it up." or "Wow you flipped it " When It's done , I just want them to say "You flipped it. It sound better than what it was before." Always a step up, not a step back. That's usually how it goes down.
MTK: I noticed that the artwork has sort of a throwback feel. Was that intentional or indicative of what you feel you bring to the table?
Sha: I draw. I always been into art. I used to go to school for art. Graphic design is something that I enjoy doing on the side. Instead of hiring somebody I decided to execute the vision I had in my mind. I wanted something that represents what the cd is about; mic controllers, MCs. MCs stands for mic controllers so I wanted to represent somebody who's a mic controller. For me coming up, the M.C. was on the corner rhyming at the block parties, or jamming on the corner or park. So I wanted to take it back to that essence. That's why I put this dude with a mic in his hand, standing on the corner rhyming. That's the streets right there. That's what it was when I was coming up.
MTK: How long have you been making beats?
Sha: I've been making beats for a long time. I'm a musician. I play several instruments. Guitar is the instrument that I really focus on and try to be proficient in. Understanding music helps when making beats.
MTK: In regards to making beats do you prefer software or hardware?
Sha: I'm a hardware guy. I use reverb, sound generators and compression hardware. I also use a hardware mixer as well as a computer, I integrate software and hardware. Both of them are essential to me. I tried working strictly in the computer and the results were okay but I prefer the additional support of physical equipment.
"FUCK YOU", rang out in choral unison at
I have heard rumblings that Lil Wayne's performance left Richmond concert goers unsatisfied, however, the people that sat through the long delay were treated to a great show, and real Wayne fans definitely got their money's worth.
I am no stranger to the arena of live hip-hop, I would even go so far to call myself a "connoisseur" of real live rap shows. I have had the pleasure of seeing countless hip-hop wordsmiths, rip microphones leaving thousands of spectators gasping for air, unmoving, and almost unable to comprehend that mastery of the English language that was just put on display, yet I have seen no one as good live as Lil' Wayne. From a vicious freestyle, to a shirtless devouring of "Best Rapper Alive" to a wailing guitar solo on "My Leather's So Soft"
Mixtapekings.com
Kia Shine of "Wow" and "Krispy" fame was involved in a brawl at the 5th Annual Southern Entertainment Awards in Tunica, Mississippi. An eyewitness told MixtapeKings.com that although the altercation seemed to break-out after some scathing comments about Kia Shine's record sale numbers by industry vet Wendy Day in regards to faking sales, there had been many negative remarks made towards Kia Shine throughout the entirety of the weekend, which finally erupted into a full-blown altercation after Wendy Day's remarks. Kia Shine took the S.E.A. stage and turned it into his own pulpit, reacting to the allegations that Day had made, and as soon as he exited the stage, an altercation broke out between Kia Shine, a Memphis, Tenn. native, and the TMI Boyz, an up and coming independent group based in Houston and Galveston, Texas. Witness statements declared that, "After everything cleared, Kia Shine was still standing." Despite the brawl the S.E.A.'s continued without interruption for the rest of the night.
The Southern Entertainment Awards are in recognition of achievements in Southern hip-hop. The award show occupies an entire weekend every year, with the emphasis on recognizing accomplishments in Southern Hip-Hop, but also aiding the networking and conferencing of different Southern artists. Artists such as Yo Gotti, J. Mill, B.O.B., and Gorilla Zoe were all in attendance.Shout out to our partner site Rapmullet.com for winning Best Website of the Year.
Mixtapekings.com, Rapmullet.com, Kingping Aka Hanibal King & Black Fist Prod. Present - Still Speaking Native Tongues Coming Sooner Than You Think.
Stay Tune!!!!
By Dimez
Mixtapekings.com
The year is over kings and queens and if you're a true mixtape fan, then you know that 2007 was the "year of Wayne". That one artist was the subject of so many mixtapes that we decided that for the "Top 7 of the Year", we were going to pick the best one of hundreds and that went to the Empire. However, we couldn't ignore the success of "Blood, Sweat & Tears". Mick Boogie didn't do much this year, but its clear that he's chosen quality over quantity. It may have come late in the year, but "Dilla-gence" is an original.
After Cam and 50 went head up on Hot 97, 50 was easy to find, but Cam was hidden like he was in witness protection until "Public Enemy #1" dropped. Joe Budden took the game by storm with "Mood Muzik 3" and that may have the labels going nuts, because it was by far the biggest hit of the year. What can we say about Kanye that hasn't already been said? "The Best of Biggie" may have been overlooked but its a classic like Jordan retro'san so you have to respect it. Not to mention it flew off the shelf like beer at a frat party.
On another note, please be sure to check out our apparel section for the official "Mood Muzik 3" t's as well as the new line "Illestrations" by famed mixtape graphic artist Miami Kaos. They will be in stock in two weeks. The demand has become greater than we expected, hence the delay. We appreciate the support and are looking forward to 2008. See you there sons and daughters of royalty.
The Market Place
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