KPLtv CHOP SUEY the beat conductor series featuring 88-keys
February 9, 2010
From sample to fully constructed beat, producer 88-Keys runs through a collection of vinyl then begins chopping on his trusty Akai MPC3000, which he’s owned since age 15.
KPLtv CHOP SUEY the beat conductor series featuring 88-keys from KPLtv on Vimeo.
VIDEO:88 Keys Sold His First Beats To J-Live For $3000
January 12, 2010
In part two of his interview with Media Gasface 88 Keys says Mos Def and J-Live rescued him from homelessness…
Parents Don’t Understand from Gasface on Vimeo.
PREVIOUSLY
(Spotted @Nahright)
Two blocks away from his Harlem home, 88-Keys sits back and recalls the day Q-Tip introduced him to a little detroiter named Jay-Dee during a Beats, Rhymes and Life recording session. Back in 1994, Dilla hadn’t accomplished much yet, but somehow skillz recognized skillz, and 88 gave him a beat-tape with his beeper number on it… (props to Gasface)
Another Day Another Dilla from Gasface on Vimeo.
REWIND:88 KEYS Nodfactor Interview
August 23, 2009
Giving this oldie but goodie some light cuz it’s still one of my favorite interviews to date. Go cop Death of Adam!
It’s about time 88 Keys started yelling. The totally off the radar producer has been quietly amassing an enviable discography. From Black Star’s “Thieves in The Night” (thanks Eskay!) to Beanie Sigel’s “Watch Your Bitches” and Musiq Soulchild’s “Her” he’s kept heads ringing for years. Now he is preparing to release his first solo album, The Death of Adam, executive produced by Kanye West. Yeah, that Kanye West. On the eve of the Brooklyn Hip-Hop festival 88 Keys took a moment to speak with Nodfactor about the little death, producing for Jay-Z and why he’ll never give up his MPC-3000.
VIDEO: 88 Keys Interview W/ Illvibes
August 17, 2009
88 Keys is a Lo Life
February 11, 2009
Fidduck the sweaters, do you see that record collection? LOL
And Then What Happened…88 Keys Gets Played
November 11, 2008
There are 8 Million stories in the naked city and half of them happen in the recording studio. So from time to time I’m going to drop some narratives from your favorite producers and DJs. (Some of ya’ll remember “Tales From The Booth”…if you don’t, you can catch up now).
In our first installment of “And Then What Happened…” 88 Keys recounts how a shady engineer started twisting on his girls knobs…
88 Keys and Q-Tip Buggin Out, Taking “Viagra”
August 25, 2008
In preparation for his debut CD, The Death of Adam, producer 88 Keys has released this commercial/news report on the demise of his lead character:
Now only if he can get Q-tip to put out that CD…Consequence seems to know something we don’t..
Also, peep the new joint from 88 Keys featuring Kanye West “Stay Up” (Viagra)
Mixtape Review: 88 Keys’ Adam Case Files
June 19, 2008
88-Keys is a versatile producer who has worked with a diverse selection of artists ranging from Black Star to Beanie Sigel to Musiq Soulchild. Adam’s Case Files is a mixtape intended as a prelude to The Death of Adam, his upcoming concept album about relationships. The songs explore the ups and downs of relationships from a man’s point of view. Keys narrates the mixtape and explains what happened to his friend Adam before his untimely passing. The tape sounds cohesive, as the songs are connected by the dusty, sped-up samples that start each track. Rappers featured on Files include Guilty Simpson, Mr. Bentley, Izza Kizza, Serius Jones, the group Tanya Morgan & 88-Keys himself.
The beats are appealingly soulful, often built on stuttered samples chopped 9th Wonder style.
A few of the emcees work well with Keys’ sound and effectively play off the themes that the tape is structured around. These pairings result in the best tracks. On “Cuddle Bums,” the three emcees in Tanya Morgan kick verses about their girls, accompanied by gentle keys and a warm guitar loop. Simpson’s gravely venting of his girl problems on “Just LIKE A Man” is another highlight. On the entertaining “Wasting My Minutes,” Kid Cudi rap-sings about an airhead girlfriend over 88-Keys’ bouncy keyboards and claps.
Unfortunately for the most part, the quality beats are wasted on the lacklustre raps kicked by the guests. Hopefully The Death Of Adam will fare better with features from Redman, Kanye West, Bilal and Phonte of Little Brother, among others. -Aaron Matthews
Download a free copy HERE
