Check, @OneBeLo

I was chillin' w/ the homie One Be Lo, and we got into a discussion about various projects/trading ideas to see how we could smash on you foos for 2010. What resulted at the end of that discussion is this a quick impromptu video interview (conducted with my Blackberry Curve, so excuse the poor quality).

In the video he talks about his anticipated album entitled, B.A.B.Y. (being a black youth), a new Binary Star project (of which I'm helping engineer some of the beats... 'Lo produced some incredible joints), an album with Black Milk (the bonus track on Black Milk's Popular Demand is a track from these sessions), Bean One, a project with Zumbi from Zion-I, various other collaborations, and a brand new show set in the works that I can guarantee will blow your mind.

As was leaked early in September 2009, Pigs is a track that was recorded during the B.A.B.Y. sessions and features Mike Posner on vox. The album itself is amazing and hasn't left my car stereo since 'Lo dropped it off a week ago. It's gonna be released on the MYX Music label and features a host of great underdog MC's and vocalists. Rappers like Freeway (it's the ROC!), Phonte, Jean Grae, Longshot, Supastition, and other dope, DOPE cats rip their features with swift ninja-like skills. Producer Eric G is a relative new comer to the scene, but he contributes ALL of the beats...ALL of them. A few live musicians were contacted as well to really the album some edge, guys like Miles Bonney easily weave through Eric G's production and add great sparkle to beats that already shine...anyhow, enough about that...onto the interview!

Check, @_INSIGHT_

Today's interview is with quadruple threat (programmer, DJ, MC, producer), Virgin Island born, hip-hop artist--Insight. He has been releasing music since 1997 and has a staggering 60 releases under his discography. He has done music for and/or recorded with: KRS One, Consequence, Ed Og, Mr Lif, Edan, OC, Opio, AG, and more.

This guy was the first one to ever teach me about the music business (back in...2003) and how to keep moving in such a fast paced industry. I owe alot of my industry knowledge to this guy! Check out a quick conversation we had in AIM (AOL Instant Messsenger) about what he's been up to lately.

Check out his site or blog for more info!

me: Yo, ‘sight

insight: Yooo. Sup kid, I’m in France

me: haha, I knew you were somewhere—world traveler

insight: lol. I’ve been busy programming a VST that has an iPhone version, but its 16 tracks with time stretch, automation and a sampler.

me: sounds similar to FXpansion’s Guru?

insight: This is a step sequencer with swing settings that is touch based. It also has an internal puncher, compresser, and effects and a sequencer. I’ve been [working on this project] so I can do music 100 percent without worrying about financial stability.

me: So, your vst, you're a programmer and a rapper? How do they go hand in hand How did you get into programming?

insight: I started out as an artist, DJ and producer. Instead of simply being a producer, I wanted to create a machine. Instead of being limited to functions in particular software, I wanted to develop my own. There is nothing wrong with having goals greater than your reach. By working towards those dreams, I still arrived to a new territory. I believe that since music will become more interactive, programming builds the bridge to it's future. Society is ready. Music files should include other interactive forms of media…especially since we have devices capable of handling and syncing technologies. When I say that the music should be interactive, it's that simple

me: Will you also be including new insight music in the VST package?

insight: I will feature some songs in the vst as demos

me: How did you come to learn programming languages? Which ones are you most adept in?

insight: One big thing that got me into programming was a C toolkit called Juce.

But now I only code using C, C++ or Objective C. I started programming php, mysql and actionscript when Flash was Flash Paper. That was almost nine years ago. Three years ago I started learning C, and I also started programming basic midi applications. Although my goal then was a full fledged sequencer, I didnt know how much information I’d really need. So, I started programming basic windows applications. A year an a half ago, I got a mac, and learned objective C

insight: No doubt bro!

me: What's your direction after the VST is finished?

insight: Some big companies want me to develop applications based on music synthesis. But another Insight album will drop at the same time due to the unsteadiness of the music industry. Something like a co-release with the VST will greatly help the marketing of the new product.

me: Are you still using the mpc 3000?

insight: Yes 3000, although I've been using whatever I'm around.

me: What're some tips you can give to a cat who just finds himself on the 3k or any other drum machine?

insight: Use swig functions more!

me: What're some swing settings you'd recommend?

insight: Experiment with adjusting start time offset to allow drums to punch more, but understand that simply syncing sounds with the machine using midi, wont actually give you the benefit of the machines quality. Understand that simply syncing sounds with the machine using midi, won’t actually give you the benefit of the machines quality.

me: Do you shift in step edit, or do you do it manually?

insight: That depends. I prefer precisely placed patterns so I do drums manually, then go in and manipulate things further to match the samples.

me

Thanks for the time! Always appreciate it ‘Sight

insight: No doubt bro!

insight: No doubt bro!

Check, @imOutasight

The first interview of the series kicks off with my dude from NYC, Outasight. This east coast native has seen a lot in the past few months. There's so much back story about the past few months...where do I begin?

In any case, he just dropped a new track yesterday (September 02, 2009) entitled "Downtown In My Mind" produced by D/Will...so, I took the time to catch up with him this morning.



What's up OU? Right off the bat as a fan....I gotta ask, where's your album [From Here To Eternity] at? I was hoping my summer bbq's would be filled with your music playing in the background.
Well, thank you for the props…The album is just taking time in terms of distribution and getting the right people behind it. Trust me, it’ll be worth the wait. When I drop my album, I want it to be done the right way, so as many people as possible can hear it….


You leaked Downtown in My Mind yesterday, what's the story behind the track?
Downtown in My Mind is a joint that reflects when someone who wants to get away from everything, including their own thoughts. I’m a New York City cat, so downtown is a place of vibrancy, a place that is different than say the usual drudges of everyday hustle. Going downtown in your mind is basically opening yourself up from those routine moments…



We've seen you and 6th Sense collaborate on a ton of tracks, how did that initial meeting come about?
6th and I met last December through a mutual friend by the name of Black Element. We live in the same area and are both music geeks, so we hit it off right away and have been making music ever since.



We've also seen a good friend, Cook Classics, on a few of your tracks as well. Matter of fact, I think "What I Know" is my favorite song in 2009. How did that relationship develop?
Cook and I met through 6th actually, as Cook was in NYC at the Knitting Factory at a small show 6th had put together. I rocked a song or two and afterwards Cook and I chopped it up. He sent me some joints the next day and I knew he was a monster from then on. We got a lot of dope joints people haven’t even heard yet, some really big stuff. Cook is definitely the homie too for allowing 6th and I to crash on his couches for over a month this past winter as we mixed and recorded records!


In your pictures of shows and your last mixtape [From Here to There] cover, you're dressed very differently that an average hip-hopper--almost gq-ish. what's your inspiration? Are there any brands you recommend to someone who's trying to get their gentleman game up?
I have always been into more classic styling’s. Basically, a no logo approach. I figure that you should be in style today...what if someone took a photo, 40 years from now? There are a lot of great brands out today, from J Lindeberg, APC, and Dior. But times are hard, so people can even hit places like H&M or Banana Republic and piece it together. The key to fashion is to be yourself, and wear $-!t that fits well, never too baggy and never too tight either!


What are some of your passions besides music?
I’m and avid sports fan-Knicks, Yankees, and Giants. Football is great because it’s once a week so following is way easier than the day in day out grind of baseball or basketball. I play basketball still, regularly, great exercise and I can shoot…

I also enjoy reading and fashion as well.

I am a simple man in a complex world ahaha!


How's the daily grind? Do you currently hold a day job? How're you surviving in a city that has a notioriously high standard of living?
I have not had a day job since October of last year! I am a working artist, via writing, placements, and of course putting out records. I am surviving pretty well. Truly I feel blessed that in these hard times I am able to make a living doing what I want to do. I am thankful on a daily basis!



Time to get tourist. What are some of your fave spots to grub in NYC?
If I were to visit, what kind of food would I be looking at?
First off, you gotta get Pizza. I recommend a spot called Stromboli’s on St Marks and 1st Ave in the East Village. Totally Underrated.

Then on 2nd ave, there’s a spot called Paul’s Burgers. Insanely greasy, insanely delicious.

Sunday brunch at 7A on 7th street and Ave A is where it’s at, just get there before 1 if you want to sit outside, and have a bloody mary, they're delicious!

And if you can, travel up to the Bronx and have authentic Italian food at a little spot known as Patricia’s, their Gnocchi Bolognese is beyond incredible.


Lastly, what will we be seeing from you in the couple of months?
Well I got a new project I’m going to drop September 28th, called the Brand New Day Sessions, which will have a slew of new stuff for the listeners to enjoy. It’s a way to keep people in the know and happy as we prep the album. I’m also rocking the A3C festival in Atlanta and look forward to doing some more show across the land as time goes on. Oh, and the video for Brand New Day!

Artist on Artists Series (Pause)

The next series of posts will be interviews with some of my friends. Check soon for interviews with Reyn @ potholes in my blog, One Be Lo, Jern Eye, The Farralones, El Prez, Trek Life, Tunji of Inverse, and loads more! Be on the lookout!

Descry - Experiences in Full Duplex

Descry
Experiences In Full Duplex: Episodes
[2006, no label]



In 2005, I collaborated with Swamburger from the Sol.illaquists of Sound (if you're not familiar, check them out here: Epitaph Site and Solilla Site). It was my 2nd year into production, and I was extremely excited to work with such an incredible MC.

At the time of the release, music was going through a transition phase. Hip-hop was starting to see a return to form through Common's "BE," and other incredible albums were released that year such as the self titled Clap Your Hand Say Yeah LP, Sufjan Steven's "Illinois," Bloc Party's "Silent Alarm," and the proper revealing of John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk's live performance at Carnegie Hall.

Thinking about it, 2005 was a great year for music.

In any case, check out the tracks which saw a limited release of 200 copies.

Artwork was helmed by David Chun

Enjoy!

Music

I'm sorry folks, I've been MIA for quite a while...alot has happened since.


In mid October 20080, my garage was set ablaze by the Porter Ranch Fires. It's about mid April 2009 I still have yet to move back into my home....


No worries though, God is good and He is sovereign so I don't stay up worrying.


Since my departure, I've made sporadic posts here and there and can definitely say that I can now devote a chunk of time back into the blog. I'll start doing audio equipment reviews and the like.


In the meantime, there's a great deal of music released by artists that I respect. I won't post links because there are loads of blogs that can supply you with the needed information (ala 2dopeboyz.com).

The first being U-N-I. Their debut album entitled "A Love Supreme" is heralded everywhere from Okayplayer to XXL and boy what a release this is. Production completely handled by Ro BLVD, these cats (Thurzday and Y-O) definitely have a bright future ahead.

The next is Outasight's "From Here to There." Outasight delivers my favorite mixtape so far in 2009 and is one of the artists I'm watching out for when the summer hits.


Third, we've got Cook Classic's "The New Classics." The homie Cook delivers some heavy hitters with this Vimby collaboration. This is one of those albums you can play it on repeat and discover something new every time.


Lastly, Print - Comic Book: Unlimited. This is THE BEST concept album to date this year. It features an awesome lineup of all stars and is based upon every 80's/90's kid's dreams...comic books. This is one you don't want to miss.


More to come...

2009

It’s definitely been a while, and I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with the blog

Definitely changes will be coming.

Happy New Year.