New Versions of Kanye’s “Flashing Lights” video Released
May 29, 2008
Click it before it’s gone…
and another one…uh..
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League: Black Superhero Music
May 27, 2008
Name:J.U.S.T.I.C.E League (Just Undeniably Some Of The Illest Composers Ever)
Based out of: Tampa, FL
Members: Rook, Colione, and Kenny
Hit List: Young Jeezy “Bury Me A G,” Mary J. Blige “No One Will Do,” Rick Ross “Maybach Music” and “Luxury Tax” 2 Pistols, “She Got it” ft. T-Pain
Awards: Grammy for Mary J. Blige’s “No One Will Do” Myspace
Nodfactor.com: First off, congratulations on the successes. Your name is real hot in the streets right now. How did the three of you come together to start making music?
Mixtape Review: Skillz, J. Period and Don Cannon-Design of a Decade
May 26, 2008
Skillz – Design Of A Decade v.1 (The 90s) (hosted by J Period & Don Cannon)
Shaquan Lewis aka Skillz is an immensely talented rapper. Unfortunately, he’s been overshadowed by the name brand artists for whom he ghostwrites. And while he often brags of being “your favourite rapper’s favourite rapper,” he’s released just two full-lengths over his 12-year career. [Read more]
Bloggin 4 Beats: Project Mayhem
May 21, 2008
Opposites attract but sometimes for the wrong reasons. I was told by a trustworthy person that this beat was just too soft for the lyrics. When I started chopping Ronnie Laws’ “Stay Still(and Let Me Love You)” I didn’t imagine making an angry record. But I’m also pretty sure Da Beatminerz didn’t imagine Laws’ “Tidal Wave” would make a record like “Who Got The Props.” I blame it on the drums. This snare pattern sounded like an uzi going off and even though the song was full of flutes and other minor chords I rearranged them into something with way more energy, way more aggression. The chops sounded like glass shattering on the ground. Could this be an R&B record? Sure, but it’d be one really hard R&B record. [Read more]
J. Period and G. Brown Release New Biggie Mixtape
May 21, 2008
(Brooklyn, NY)—One year after commemorating the 10th Anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.’s passing with the award-winning March 9 Remix Project (New York Magazine’s “Top 10 Mixtapes of 2007″), J.Period & G.Brown have assembled another mixtape classic to complete the March 9 Series: MARCH 9 V.2. Scheduled for release on Wednesday, May 21 (the 36th anniversary of Biggie’s birthday), J.Period & G.Brown will also pay respect with an Invitation Only Tribute Event, featuring a full night of live Biggie remixes!
Behind The Scenes: RZA Video Shoot for “You Can’t Stop Me Now” & “Drama”
May 20, 2008
In preparation for the new Bobby Digital album, Digi Snacks, RZA shot two videos for “You Can’t Stop Me Now” and “Drama.” Photographers Byron Chan and Charles Bae took exclusive snap shots of the filming. A video for the trailer has also been released. Watch below.
Bun B’s 2 Trill Recruits Underground Kings
May 19, 2008
With an O.G. flow and to-the-point lyrical content Bun B has established himself as one of the South’s elder statesmen on the microphone. For his second solo CD, II Trill, he doesn’t stray too far from the southern comfort zone of heavy 808s, synths and hi-hats but there are several surprises that help it stand out.
Ironically some of the strongest beats on the CD come from outside the south. Boston’s Clinton Sparks opens things up on the title cut with some frantic hi-hats and claps establishing Bun B’s sense of urgency. Self Scientifics DJ Khalil bangs out “Another Soldier” with some waling guitar and drums that have lived a hard knock life. And Chops blesses 3 cuts with “Keep It 100″ being the best of the trio. His slithering bass on “Damn I’m Cold” would have done great with Devin The Dude on the hook, (maybe because it reminds me vaguely of my favorite DTD track, “Just Tryin To Live.”)
Enigma brings the marching band brass attitude on “Swang On ‘Em” and on “Get Cha Issue” Bigg Tyme lays the bed for one of the most quotable songs on the CD. Funky keys and guitar give it a pimptastic modern day western feel.
Sample wise the choices are a little too obvious for my taste but they serve the purpose of broadening Bun’s audience. Mr. Lee flips Jodeci’s “Cry For You” on “You’re Everything” and on “Good II Me” Bigg Tyme replays what else? “Just Be Good To Me” by the S.O.S band. However, “Underground Thang” gets some 70s swagger thanks to Cory Mo’s use of “Stepping Out” by Steel Pulse. The only one I can’t hate on is the “Angel In the sky” that tweaks Stevie Wonders “Ribbon in the sky” because its a tribute to the late Pimp C.
Big namers like Jazze Pha, J.R. Rotem and Scott Storch will get Bun his radio and club spins but sonically, 2 Trill belongs to the underground kings behind the boards.
-Jerry L. Barrow
Bloggin 4 Beats: The Simon Says Remix
May 19, 2008
Sometimes it’s hard to let go of a thought. Months ago I started making a remix to Pharoahe Monch’s “Simon Says” using the horns from Isaac’ Hayes’ “Ike’s Mood.” I felt the aggressive intro horns would be a nice substitute for the monstrous Godzilla score that Monch himself sampled for the original. [Read more]
Bomb Squad Opening For Public Enemy on European Tour
May 19, 2008
After recently announcing that they were reforming, BOMB SQUAD (Hank Shocklee & Keith Shocklee) the original sonic innovators, who produced classic Public Enemy albums including Yo! Bum Rush The Show, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back and Fear Of A Black Planet, have confirmed that they will be the opening act during the upcoming Public Enemy European tour.
Hydrosonics-Jack Nickelz
May 18, 2008
Name: Jack Nickelz
Representing: Hartford,CT
http://www.myspace.com/jacknickelz
1) I see in your setup that you have both an MPC and Fruity Loops. Which were you using first and do you use them together now?
I originally started to learn how to make beats on the MPC 2000XL. And to be honest…I tell everyone if you can get your hands on an MPC 2000XL go on and get that because it is pretty much one of the best machines in my mind to work with. Once I load a sample into it, I pretty much have free reign over it. There is no opening up this program and thing swinging everything over to that program. It’s a one stop spot. The only thing is, I don’t have the mobility with it. Now like all producers I had a rough spot where I was aching for dough and had to choose rent or the MPC. Hated to do it but the MPC had to go. Thus forcing me to get with the 9th Wonder backed FL Studio. It took me a little bit to get used to, but now I love using it. Right now I’m strictly FL Studio. And I’ve learned to do everything inside the program. I’ve remixed songs using just FL and created a lot of joints on it. I love the fact that if I load it on a laptop, I can pretty much make a beat any and everywhere.
2) You seem to have a lot of experience working with indie artists. How did you get started? I started in this game as a DJ, then I became an emcee. One of the main reasons I started making my own beats is so I didn’t have to wait on anyone for a track. Plus the fact that sometimes some producers don’t listen to artists and I didn’t want to always have to deal with that. As I started getting better with my craft, some of the guys that I spit with would come to me for a track. My boys Casino Dialz and Sinis were the first guys to trust in my sound enough to let me do their whole project. That lead to other people hearing my tracks and wanting to work with me. But to be honest things really started popping off when I started using MySpace more than normal. I would jump on MySpace and connect to indie artists and talk to them about working together. I’ve given away a lot of tracks in order to work with a lot of people. But hey…sometimes you have to do things like that. And now I can say I’ve worked with a variety of people such as Apathy from here in CT to Pestalance from Houston and Kehmak in Canada. I’ve come to realize that a lot of guys like working with me because of my unique beat style and sample selection and my ear for the music.
3) You replayed Bob James’ “Angela” (The theme to taxi) on “Latka Kravitz.” What did you play it on? Are you trained in keyboard or did u learn by ear?
The Latka Kravitz actually is the simple chopped up sample from the actually song. I never played it out. What I did was chop the piece I liked and placed them in the order that I would like to hear them song wise. A lot of people think I played it out because of how smoothly the chopped sample pieces connect. Of course the whole track was produced on the MPC for a beat CD project I did with my boy, MF Swayz. As far as being trained in keyboard, of course like everyone else I took classes in school…but I mostly play by ear.
4) Do you have a studio where you record? If so how did you put it together?
Right now I’ve started to get things set where I can record in my own crib. But I’ve recorded in various studios from Jaxsn Music, Studio 26, The Halfway House, etc. As for what I’m putting together in my crib, the pieces I have now are my lovely hand built PC running FL Studio, Adobe Audition and ACID Pro 6. I plan on getting my M-Audio interface so I can move up to Pro Tools or rock with Cubase.
5) Do you have any up-coming projects? Lord do I!! Right now I just finished remixing joints from Blak Philly.
I just finished doing a joint for Apathy as I mentioned before. I have projects from guys in my crew like Casino Dialz, Myk Fevah & Kinkade Tha Bully. I’m currently doing joints for Sinis, Original Soul, Pestalance, ROCKOLEONE, A Rock band named Rotary and others. And I’m really looking forward to hooking up with my old partners, The Forgotten Soulz, Doc Vaporz and Jimmy Fontaine on our upcoming joint. And as always, I’m always looking to work with more people.
To be considered for Hydrosonics send an MP3 or link to a song (imeem or Myspace is fine) to [email protected]. Registered users will get preference in response.
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