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Whatever Grease touches, whether its scoring films or producing tracks, can be basically guaranteed success.
Two Words. Most Imitated, Grammy Nominated. If everything in the universe were right, both of those two previous phrases would ring true, however, one of those proposals is false, but the other, holds as true as it did in 1993.
Donny Goines - to the average fan of snapping fingers and "supermannin' that ho" the name rings few bells, but to those that are truly and deeply immersed in hip-hop whether in the board room or the bodega the name Donny Goines resonates. With a blessing from the late Disco D (producer of such hits as AZ's "City of God" and 50 Cent's "Ski Mask Way") and an ability to switch flows from track to track similar to the rap chameleon's Jay-Z and Method Man, Donny Goines is ready to bear the torch for "real" hip-hop. Ring tone rappers you have been warned.
If you want to check Donny Goines Mixtape Off the Books go to for a FREE DOWNLOAD :
http://www.mediafire.com/?fdiujdbuyox
And listen to a real emcee do his thing. Look out for a Donny Goines contest on MixtapeKings.com COMING SOON!
Mixtapekings (MTK): So, first off before I get into anything else, let's talk about the mixtape. Off the Books is fire, plain and simple. What did you have in mind for this mixtape and what would you like it to do for Donny Goines and for hip-hop itself?
Donny Goines (DG): Thank you. I wanted to display something a little different from the normal music I put out. I mean, people know me for songs and concepts, but I felt like people needed to hear that other side of me, because that's another aspect of it. Also, I wanted to put out a "real" mixtape, I mean that everyone nowadays just puts a bunch of songs together with a few hosts and calls it a mixtape, but I think that if your going to do a MIXTAPE, the emphasis should be more on freestyles.
MTK: I've had Off the Books on repeat ever since it came out. On it you rip beats that have been originally christened by legendary, god-like emcees, such as Slick Rick, Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye West to name a few. However, I believe that you really show your versatility when you rip a track originally done by Timbo and Nelly Furtado then switch to an original like Take a Walk Wit Me or Hip Hop's Lazarus, while still killing "Juicy". Which is your favorite track, and for what reason?
DG: Good question... I would have to say Alarm Clock honestly, because I really like my flow on there and that was the main idea that I had for this mixtape. A focus on flow and delivery, not so much on concepts and songs, and I think I nailed that track.
MTK: To follow up that question, I know your focus on this tape was to show your breadth of ability with flow, delivery, and pace, but on all the tracks you spit real shit. Do you think that you being a true emcee just shines through or was it a conscious choice to avoid the cotton candy rhymes that seem overly popular in hip hop today?
DG: Well, I hate cotton candy music so it was definitely a conscious effort [laughs]. Regardless of whatever it is, you know, albums, songs, mixtapes, et cetera, I will always be lyrical and will speak on topics that are real to me. I'm not dumbing down or sugarcoating anything. Either you like it; or you don't. And there's a million and one ring tone rappers out there if you're looking for singles, but I feel like you can be a great emcee and still make party records or dance records. Like take, Biggie's "One More Chance" or Jay-Z's "Girls, Girls, Girls" for example.
MTK: That's what you're saying on My Occupation [the Timbo/Furtado cover] right?
DG: Exactly, I just feel that most people out there, feel like they need to sound like a child on their records for it to hit. They just come with the same ol' "ABC 123" type wordage, and that's not true! You can have dope mainstream records and still be lyrical.
MTK: You moved around a lot growing up. What do you consider your true "hometown" and how did the diversity you went through during your youth affect your outlook musically?
DG: New York. All Day.
MTK: Any particular borough?
DG: I don't give a fuck where I lived or where I go I'm a New Yorker. Period. New York taught me a lot of what you see and hear in my music. I grew up in the Bronx and Harlem, but I don't tie myself down to a particular borough, I'm a New Yorker.
MTK: Also, many people have argued that mainstream hip-hop has been in decline recently, I'm not going to name names, but sometimes what is heard on the radio is a poor representation of hip-hop, but with people like you, and Wale from D.C., etc, looking ready to pounce on the scene, hip-hop's future is looking bright. How do you feel about being a "torch bearer" for REAL hip-hop?
DG: I can name names if you want [laughs], but it's more about doing what YOU can to make it better. The best way that I can describe it is with a quote. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi. If I am complaining about the lack and substance and art, then I need to do something about it, and if that puts me in the forefront, or gives me a "torchbearer" tag, then so be it. Honestly, it feels great. You see money isn't everything, if I get rich and famous in the process great. But those aren't my goals really. I really want to make an impact musically, and then everything else will fall into place and I will get what I deserve. But as long as I am true to what I do and try to make a difference, it was all well worth the sacrifice.
MTK: Disco D, the late producer and a true legend on the pads, was your mentor right? How did his passing affect you and your music? Did it push you in any direction artistically?
DG: Yes. He is a big reason for the change in my music and I'll tell you why. Before I met him I was lost musically, and I did a song called "Fuck the Source", to make a long story short I got into some issues with the magazine about an Unsigned Hype column that I was supposed to be in during 2006, I'm past it though, but basically I made a song talking about The Source magazine. Before that all the songs that I had made, Disco had said that they were "good" or "aight", but after I made that track, he said that it was the best song that he had ever heard from me, not because of it's negativity at all, but because it came from the heart, and from that moment on I vowed to make sure that all my music came from the heart and that I never just made what I thought that people wanted to hear.
MTK: Besides Disco D, who has been your biggest influence in Hip-Hop?
DG: It varies to be totally honest with you. Certain times I may feel a certain way, but the next year or even the next week my influences may have changed. At first, Jay-Z's movie Fade to Black, was like an epiphany for me, and I wrote a song that very night entitled "Inspiration". But in 2007 I was really inspired by under appreciated rappers, or rappers that aren't in the spotlight, like Bishop Lamont, Crooked I, underdogs you know? Joell Ortiz, Sha Stimuli just to name a few.
MTK: The release party for Off The Books is tomorrow night, I know that's going to be a great night. Anything special in store?
DG: The party to be honest is to meet a lot of people. I mean everyone knows me via the internet but rarely do people get a chance to interact with me face-to-face. I mean I don't have anything too special planned, I'm just going to bring together good people to have a good time, and listen to good music. It's all about unification and having a good time.
MTK: Your unsigned. Have the major labels made any big plays for your services? It seems like someone as talented as yourself would be in high demand right now?
DG: [laughs] You would think right? I'll be honest, my type of emcee, right now, we're like underdogs, but Soulja Boy types, the ring tone types are in high demand. They're a quick turn-around financially, and the industry is a business.
MTK: Industry Rule 4080?
DG: Exactly, They are not looking for talent but profits. An emcee like myself, or take Joell Ortiz for example, you will never see his shit on 106 & Park or TRL, but he put out a great album and had great video singles, that deserved a lot more mainstream play than they got. It's hard for an emcee like myself to be profitable in the eyes of the suits, I mean if I have a million YouTube hits or a dance it would be crazy. I mean, don't get me wrong, they are definitely interested, but they want a single not a career, and I'm just looking for the right home creatively, artistically, and financially, it's not just them, it's me as well.
MTK: What's next for Donny Goines? Big plans for 2008?
DG: Well, right now I'm working on my first official album with Dame Grease as my executive producer. As far as "album albums" are concerned, everything I've done previously has been either a mixtape or a concept album, so I am making a real album, which I am taking to a major label and a major distributor. I'm working on this album as we speak actually, I'm really focused on that and finding the right home to launch that album. My main focus is making a fucking fantastic album, to please everyone from the underground heads to the mainstream fans. I'm definitely dropping it this year you can expect that for sure.
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.
By The X Man
ElCircuitoTv.com
When I think of "three way" this is not what immediately comes to mind, however, I was fortunate enough to contact not one; not two; but all four of the band members known as Criollo - and the call didn't drop once (Thanx Nextel!)
My first greeting came from Salvador "Sol" Valdez, who I later learned is the conscience minded one of the four. Sol stays reflecting on things like humanity, and matters of the heart, while always trying to take the groups music to the next level, and it's not that hard for this talented group of individuals who seem to know exactly where they want to go, but more importantly - how to get there.
Alexis "El Gordo" Grullon introduced himself next, and shared the majority of the history surrounding how and where the group met (four young Dominicanos, in Canada?? Yes, this is not a typo, I said Canada). El Gordo, being the Hip-Hop specialist of the group, shared his passion with me for the whole lifestyle of hip hop - but especially the Graffiti! The expression of art comes all too natural for him, and it doesn't matter if it's a stage, or canvas El Gordo reps to the fullest.
Gilbert "Giby" Capellan cleared his voice to be heard next, and shared his piece. "Giby" being the "Romantic" of the group, plays the Gituar, and leans more towards the Bachata aspect of the groups mix. I'm told that "each one... brings [their] own flavor to the Bahire style" (the "Bahire" being a term coined by the group, representing: the fused influences of: Bachata, Hip Hop, and Reggae), and judging by the sound of things - the mexcla they put together hits the spot!
Last, but far from least, Jose "Chiro" Mata, the business minded member finally spoke. Chiro was born in the Dominican Republic, and made it to Canada sometime in the late 80's; his English isn't as fluent as he'd like, but I'm sure speaking both Spanish, and French should compensate for something.
The group got together to collab on a track or two, which then turned to four or five, which then led to the inevitable - 19 hot tracks compiled into their first album titled: Bahire under the label One Island Music. These guys not only engineer their own songs, but they produce and direct music videos to boot! Make no mistake, these guys are the total package, and Canada is just the first stop.
One thing is for certain Criollo wasn't planned, but they were sure meant to be.
THE ALMIGHTY MIXTAPE has been responsible for launching countless careers in the hip-hop world and such is the story of these four youngins from the Bay Area known collectively as THE PACK.
One day rap veteran Too $hort was driving to a show in Berkeley when he heard somebody bumping The Pack's latest mixtape. He got out to see who it was and instantly decided he needed to find this group. It just so turned out he knew Uno's father and the rest is history as they say. Mix that type of serendipity with the hard work and grinding it took to put the mixtapes out and add the infinite reach of Myspace to their Based music (a combination of hyphy,crunk and Miami Bass) and you get instantaneous success. "I gotta be a star. Anything else would be uncivilized," casually says Stunnaman.
All under legal drinking and voting age, this hip-hop Based Music quartet has blown up and achieved monumental success spreading their California sound across the country. Their single "Vans" did for skateboarders what "Air Force Ones" did for Midwesterners, their episode of "You Heard It First" was the most viewed and downloaded show in MTV.com history, and their video held the #1 spot on MTV2 for several weeks and they have yet to release their debut album. And we thought Kanye was the only one who got that type of buzz before putting out an album.... Nope and with a record like this Mixtape Kings had to sit down with some of Jive Record's youngest and hottest in the game right now.
It was truly a pleasure to talk to Lil B, Stunnaman, Uno, and Young L. They are full of jokes, laughter, insight, and love for their mamas (yes they are mama's boys). Of course the first thing I had to ask is what has it been like working with Too $hort, the originator of raw and uncut rap. No crazy stories or outlandish adventures (at least none the minors shared) but they were full of admiration and respect saying $hort has taught them a lot about rap music and being focused to get your hands on the prize. In addition to having $hort as a mentor, Uno's dad used to rap back in the day with $hort, Stunnaman's brother makes beats, and his mom is a poet who started him acting at a young age providing multiple sources of advice and support for the teenagers.
Being fresh faces on a rap scene that has become redundant, The Pack has inspirations that range from James Brown, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Hendrix to modern day Jeezy, Fabolous, 2 Live Crew, and Pac, with their biggest influence being themselves. "I try to keep my mind fresh so I can create my own thing because when you are influenced by someone you somewhat recycle the person who inspired you," says Stunnaman who looks to himself for most of his inspiration. Perhaps this why they have made a made a courageous decision to have no features on their debut album outside of production, an 8 bar and a vocalist who makes a guest appearance, a rarity for an emerging group but fully confident of their skills and charisma the groups says they are not looking for other people's names to boost them.
With solid minds in place to keep them grounded, these young men are much more than rap's latest carnation of the boy band. They are well rounded and educated ensuring that a hit song or cd will not be the summation of their life. "A lot of people say I want to be a rapper and they focus 100% of their energy on that and don't look back. They don't have a backup plan. Anybody who wants to be anything in life needs to make sure they are in school," says Young L who was in college studying business until tour demands became too much. Stunnaman, on the other hand, reminds us that we can go to school even if we are not in school. "I'm from the hood off the block. I never could pay for college and I don't want to go into debt owing nobody nothing. My mother always taught me school is supposed to be free.I am going to make enough money and then pay for myself to go to college so I am not left owing. I am not knocking school or what professors teach but learn how to pick up a book because you want to and don't let school kill your creativity."
On that note (and after a back and forth about being self taught and going to college along with a whole lot of cracking on each other and jokes) the guys had to run to the next interview but before I let them go I had to find out what they had on their feet and see if anyone was wearing Vans. The answer: one pair of Vans, throwback 1996 Nikes, some Creative Recs, and Pradas.
Their last words to Mixtape Kings on the importance of the mixtape: "Having mixtapes out is a real push. It was a big help putting music out and flooding the streets. It is always a major boost. It gives everyone a chance to get a feel for you and helps you build life long supporters."
The Pack's debut album, "Based Boys" drops on Octoer 30th.
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