When it comes to entry into the game, not many producers can claim a body of work as influential and commercially successful as Patterson, NJ native Justin Smith, better known as Just Blaze. For the iconic producer, an internship at the storied Cutting Room studio in New York City led to him landing major placements that spun into a run that snapped the sound of hip-hop at the turn of the century.
When it comes to the world of music production, few are as commercially varied — and as forthcoming with inspiration —as Ramon Ibanga Jr., better known as Illmind. With a catalogue of songs that traverses artists like Grand Agent, Supastition and El Da Sensei, to JAY-Z, Drake and even the Moana soundtrack (he produced “You’re Welcome”), not many producers can lay claim to his steady ascent into the upper echelon of the producer world.
MC Serch, formerly one half of the group 3rd Bass, recently stopped by VladTV’s studio to chat about a plethora of topics, including helping Nas get his deal. One story in particular though raised a few eyebrows; not so much for its intricacy, but more so for its historical inaccuracy.
hen it comes to career longevity without selling out the original vision — and ultimately the core integrity — of your brand, no OG rappers have managed to continue rocking shit the way that way Sadat X (a third of Brand Nubian) and El Da Sensei of The Artifacts have. Longtime fixtures on the European scene, the two have been peers for years, but it wasn’t until three years ago that the two decided to bless longtime fans and deep-rooted Hip Hop heads with a joint LP titled XL.
Producers from around the globe converged on Toronto from November 7 to 11 for the 13th annual Battle of the Beatmakers — a competition that has helped launch the careers of producers such as diamond-selling producer Boi-1da and multiple platinum-selling producer WondaGurl. After two days of primaries, the top 64 faced off in an exciting showdown at the Opera House, hosted by comedian Trixx, on November 10.