John Doe- "99 Problems" Juggle

Nice video of 'Til My Tape Pop alumni John Doe destroying some doubles of Jay-Z's "99 Problems".  This is one of the cleanest beat juggles I've seen in a minute.  I just wish John posted the entire routine instead of two snippets of it.  Irrefutable proof that he can rip it live just as well as he can compose a classic tape.

Bink! Interview with PMP World Wide

Nice interview with Bink! (now going by Binkdog?) where he talks equipment, influences, and sample clearances.  I like the influences part of the interview and found it interesting that he credits RZA for putting a lot of people on to sampling soul records.  He also states that before RZA, a lot of producers were looking for jazz records because of A Tribe Called Quest.  It's also refreshing to see a producer acknowledge that hip hop doesn't have to be one specific sounds (i.e. sampling crackly records), it can be a variety of sounds.  To learn more about Bink!, check out his production credits at Discogs.

J-Force Rocking the SP-1200

I love beat making tutorials, but I'm also a fan of fly on the wall videos where the audience simply watches a producer make music.  Unkut TV recently posted a perfect fly on the wall video of SP-1200 destroyer J-Force going to town in what appears to be his home studio.  Shout outs to Unkut for doing some great work with their video series, I hope they keep postings videos like this.

Howard B. Knox Using the iMPC

When Akai first released the iMPC app, it wasn't exactly embraced by the beat making world.  It does seem to be gaining traction, however, and I've noticed people like Dunc from DTMD giving it their co-sign.  I think it's a great program for the price tag of $6.99.  It functions as a portable sketch pad and helps you get out ideas in the moment.  While the sound quality of beats produced on the iMPC cannot measure up to more advanced programs like Maschine, I think Akai is taking the right steps towards making it an effective mobile production unit.  

I'm curious how much Akai will invest in this app.  As companies like Ableton AG and Native Instruments continue to blend new technology with the analog button pushing aesthetic, it will be interesting to see if apps can ever become a serious part of the producing community.  While the iPad itself is expensive, I'm sure the affordability of various production apps like iMPC makes them attractive to younger producers and amateurs alike.

The amount of YouTube content featuring people on the iMPC continues to grow and I'm willing to wager it won't be long before a major player makes a video of themselves rocking with it.  One of my favorite videos featuring the iMPC has DMV producer Howard B. Knox using the program while riding in the passenger seat of his friends car.  What he makes in the brief video (there is also a Part 1) sounds great and I'd love to hear the finished product.  Seeing Howard make a beat while riding around in a car is cool as shit.  He should take this idea and turn it into a series.  

Shout outs to the folks behind this clip, Digital Hustle Films, for producing an endless stream of high quality videos and introducing me to Howard B. Knoxz.        

Samiyam- Boiler Room SP-404 Set

This is without a doubt one of the most impressive live SP-404 performances that I've ever seen.  I like the way Samiyam continuously tweeks his music throughout.  He is a ridiculously talented human being and I can't imagine how many hours of practice it took to compose this set.  Make sure to check out more of his music here.  

"Rhythm Roulette" with Lee Bannon

Mass Appeal has done a great job with their "Rhythm Roulette" series.  The idea is simple: have a producer go to a nearby record store, throw on a blindfold, and randomly select three records.  The producer then has to construct a beat from the records selected.  Both the concept and the execution are flawless.  I hope Mass Appeal recognizes how stellar this idea is and continues to run with it.

While watching the Lee Bannon and Statik Selektah entries, I couldn't help but notice that Lee Bannon rocks an SP-404  with Ableton to make beats.  I have heard some of Bannon's tracks before but was not aware that he used a 404.  Hopefully I've discovered another dope producer who I can talk to for 303s and 404s.

14 KT- "Lady"

I became an instant fan of Detroit, MI producer 14KT after discovering him through Nick Tha 1nda a few weeks ago.  Lately I've been listening to anything and everything featuring his production and his talent is overwhelming.  The trailer for his upcoming instrumental album Nickel & Dimed sounds absolutely fucking insane and has me eagerly awaiting the release date (August 27th).  His "Single" instrumental, which serves as the perfect introduction to his catalog, also deserves your immediate attention.

Below is a video I found on YouTube today of him reworking the D'Angelo classic "Lady" on the Maschine.  A cool video for both casual fans and producers who enjoy watching other producers create.  Enjoy.

14KT Remakes D'Angelo's "Lady"

DJ Pain 1

I first discovered DJ Pain 1 while looking for beatmaking tutorials on YouTube.  The first video I found was a great two part tutorial on Acid Pro, a program used by super producer Danger Mouse.  Since then I've become a fan of his video blog, free sample packs, and instructional videos.  After working with artists such as 50 Cent, Public Enemy, Young Buck, and Young Jeezy, Pain remains humble and approachable.  He also continues to create and share content that is useful for both veteran and new producers despite his busy schedule.  If you have any interest in producing rap music, I highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with his YouTube channel and his Twitter feed.  Also make sure to download the soul sample he is currently offering for free from one of his unfinished beats.        


DJ Pain 1 Chopping Samples with the ASR-10 and Making a Beat with Acid Pro

"The Fire"- The Roots feat. John Legend

This is one of the more intense music videos that I've seen in a long time. The music contains the same kind of energy that I fell in love with during the Do You Want More?!? days. I still haven't checked the new album, but after hearing this, there is no question that I'm going to buy it.

Feel free to post interpretations of the video in the comments section.

Killer Mike's Birthday With Adult Swin

Hands down one of the most interesting/talented dudes in the rap game. Period. Great lil' feature with Mike done by the folks at Adult Swim. The part with Miss Ann is hilarious.

Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx's "Nobody" Video

Directed by Todd Angkasuwan

All I can say is wow. This video got me so amped when I first watched it, I thought I was going to throw my computer screen through my window and punch myself in the face. I guess there's something wrong with me though, because none of my friends seem to be feeling it like me. Story of my life.

In all honesty, this is the first time I've listened to a track from The eXXecution, Marco and Ruste's recent collaborative long player. Once payday cometh on Wednesday, i will be copping the album based on the strength of this song and video. Marco Polo is a monster beat maker and Ruste spits venom on this bad boy.

Any further thoughts or feedback on The eXXecution my interneters?

Your Essence is Divine Son

"Realize that your essence is divine son."

True Royalty.

New WC Song

There seems to be a serious West Coast legend comeback happening as of late with great stuff coming out by people like DJ Quik and now...WC?! Damn, I was never his number one fan to begin with, more of a casual appreciator, but I haven't heard from Dub in a MINUTE. This song thumps hard and the video comes complete with crip walking and forty dumping. What more can you ask for?

Anyone who feels like chiming in and adding helpful info on WC's upcoming/recent projects is more than welcome to.

LaPorte

Being an Indiana native (Bloomington to be exact), I was excited to find out that Jason Bitner is creating a documentary film based on his incredible LaPorte, Indiana book. LaPorte, Indiana the book is a collection of beautiful photographs Jason purchased from local LaPorte establishment B & J's American Cafe during a road trip meal break. Bitner, who spent hours sifting through hundreds of photos, hand selected each photograph to create an unforgettable visual time capsle. I instantly fell in love with the book after purchasing it three summers ago.

Lucky guy that I am, Jason agreed to do an extensive interview with me about the book. In case you missed it, here is the link.

Now, nearly two years since our interview, in which Jason hinted at a documentary film project, a film is in the works.

LaPorte, Indiana Trailer from Joe Beshenkovsky on Vimeo.

The film is going to be directed by Joe Beshenkovsky and produced by Bitner.

These guys need your help in raising funds for the film. They are trying to raise 7,500 dollars in the next three weeks. To find out more about making a donation, click here.

To learn more about the film, click here.

To purchase the Laporte, Indiana book click here.

Robot Video- KRS One and Buckshot

This is a special video for me because one of my best friends, dancer Jedi, is featured in it. We grew up together, went to high school together, go on summer vacation together with the same group of friends every summer (for the past 11 years!), etc. I want to give him huge props for following his dreams and getting to perform in the video of a true hip hop ICON. Check for him around the 2:08 mark.

DJ Quik and Kurupt - 9 Times Outta 10

Wow. This song has me excited to hear their full length album. A really grimey, minimalist beat by DJ Quick with some crazy sample chops and Kurupt spitting some vintage flow. This video reminds me of some 90's shit, just a bunch of dudes standing around and begging you to fuck with them. I love this, it's like the anti of every stupid fucking trend in rap music today. THANK YOU Kurupt and Quick.

Songs to Listen to After Getting Dumped

Here are some of my personal picks.

Feel free to write suggestions in the comments section.

Brooklyn Where We Live At!

I always loved Smif-N-Wessen and the entire BCC. I really liked that S-N-W joint "Super Brooklyn" where they sampled the Mario Brothers beat. Some people clowned it for being corny, but to me it was mad creative. Anyhow, here is a video of my dude Jaycee killin' doubles of that song at his crib. Enjoy.

Rich Medina Interview With Current

Ada Pinkston over at Current (a peer to peer news and informatiion network) just emailed me a link for this cool video interview with the legendary Rich Medina. For those readers unfamiliar with Rich, he was recently featured in my Can You Dig It? series. You can read his entry by clicking here. Check out the video for some interesting insight on club ethics and a quick look at Rich's vinyl stash.

RIP Pimp C

Over a year later and this one still gets me every time. This song is the definition of CLASSIC. Check out the video as the Roots help Bun B out with Internation Players Anthem.