NATE OG @NATEOGDET INTERVIEWS INDIANA'S BEATSMITH WELL KNOWN TONE

1. Whats Good bro, I know you are dope at what you do but for those who may not know who are feel free to tell the readers more about who you are? what you do? and where you are from?

Whats good homie and thank you the opportunity. First off for those that don’t know me, I go by Well Known Tone. Im from upstate Kingston, New York, currently residing in Lafayette Indiana near Purdue University. I am a sample based hip hop producer and  full time Computer Information Systems student.

2. Not to show your age but when did you start producing and what was the moment that you decided to pursue music?

I officially started producing in November of 2012, so a little over a year as of right now. Back in 93 after listening to the first Wu-Tang record is when I knew music was what I needed to be doing. I started off emceeing and always had a fascination for rare beats. I collected gigabytes of rare instrumentals and was always intriguied by the construction of sample based beats.

3.What are some of your influences and what did you learn from each as a refection of your production?

My major influence was The RZA. I think I get a lot of my darkness in my beats from him. Pete Rock, Preemo, RJD2, Nottz, Dilla, Alchemist, Black Milk, ya know….the usuals.

4.What is the current scene like where you live?

Here in Indiana, my style of production doesn’t really have a place amongst the Trap Heavy scene. Not to say cats out here are not doing there thing. Lotta dudes out here have great work ethic and drive. Lots of local dudes doing shows on the regular.

5.Does the current scene in any way affect your creative process?

I am kinda out of the loop as far as the scene here goes. My name is out there and my production has gained a certain level of respect. The kids out here are just trying to keep up with the trends as far as music goes and my vintage sound doesn’t fit the bill for this demographic.

6.Im a producer as well but what is your lab set up and how has it changed over the years?

I started off with an akai mpk25 (which is still a staple in my setup) I didn’t wanna start off spending a ridiculous amount of money on gear and then lose intrest, but once I got in the groove and I fell in love and slowly started upgrading. I bought a lot of used gear to start off with. Now my studio consist of Maschine Studio, my MPK25, custom built desktop computer with all the trimmings I need to do what I have to do. I also have an ION iLP usb turntable that I use to play my samples on. KRK Rokit 8 studio monitors and a Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 interface. Im slowly progressing. 

7.What is your creative process i know sometime it changes but in general without giving away too many secrets?

Ususally I listen to old records all day, or when I learn something new I’m always anxious to get in the lab and try it out and of course that always gets my creative juices flowing. I pay attention to a lot of other artist and feed off their energy

8.As a producer what is one thing you hate to see  producers do?

Well, don’t discredit anyones crative process. Everyone is different and however you get it done is how you get done as long as the end result is dope, I tip my hat

9.Do  you have any jewels for aspiring producers that may want to pursue music that you would like tp pass along?

Don’t follow trends create your own sound. Every style has to be unknown before its hot. Perfect your craft and don’t be afraid to try new things

10.Do you represent any companies and if so who are they and how long have you been affiliated with them?

Right now I represent myself. Really just focusing on building my brand as a production company. I am an in house producer for NO PEACE MUSIC GROUP and that’s my squad all day.

11.Do you have any shout outs or special thanks if so feel free to do so here?

Definetly wanna shout out my NO PEACE family and the whole entire 845 Upstate New York.

NATE OG @NATEOGDET INTERVIEWS FELLOW GORRILLA SQUAD MEMBER AND NC VERBAL MARKSMAN ROYAL ENTRY

1.Whats good family, thanks for blessing me with this interview. Now we family but for those who may not be familiar with how dope you are at your craft feel free to introduce  yourself?

 Peace and Blessings to all.  I am Royal Entry a talented MC out of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

2. Now Royal Entry, Thats a dope name and has a presence to it what is the definition behind the name and did you come up with it?

The name Royal Entry came to me in a dream. The dream left a strong impression that has had lasting affects on me as an artist and as a person.  As I grew older, I found out the true definition of Royal Entry, which is a triumphal entry, a formal entry by a ruler or the entrance of a prince into the city, where he was greeted and paid appropriate homage.  

3.What are some of your influences and how did you incorporate them into your style?

My number one influence is life.  From my hardships growing up to seeing my children grow up.  I incorporate all of that into my music.  That's what drives me and keeps my style unique but grounded.

4.What was the moment that you said to yourself I want to become and MC?

I've always had a passion for music.  I remember hearing my mom say that even during her pregnancy with me, that when she would play music, her stomach would do waves.  So music has always been in me even before birth.  It wasn't until the age of 14 that I truly decided to become a MC.

5.Howl long have you been an MC not to show age but what year did you start?

 I would say after grooming and homing my skill, at the age of 16 is when I first broke out publicly and allowed people to actually hear me rhyme. So with that being said, almost 12 years going strong.

6.What is the Music Scene like where you live?

Music from Fayetteville, NC is mostly trap/commercial base only for the radio music.  Not to knock anybody's musical hustle but MC's in Fayetteville are truly hard to find.  Most people want to do what's popular instead of broadening their horizons musically

7.What s your creative process, Im a producer but love hearing about the creative process from a MC's View?

Well like any true MC that has 5 rugrats running around, I have to have my own home studio/man cave.  Starting on any project I always enter in with a sober mind, no "recreational activities".  I like to embody the beat, so I let it play a good 5 to 10 times before I pick up the pen to write.  I always start with my 2nd or last verse depending on the format of the track.  I feel like my most hard hitting bars are gonna come out first and like the saying goes, 'save the best for last'.  

8.Does the local scene affect your creative process at all?

No.  I tend to live by the beat of my own drum. So I don't let the local scene affect me at all.  I do a lot of reaching out so that I can let me creative energy flow.

9.What are some of your current projects and where can fans cop them from?

 I have my first 3 projects, Lyrical Mastermind Vol. 1: The Birth of Entry, Mind of a Soldier EP, and Listen to my Tape EP, all for free atwww.royalentry.bandcamp.com   

My first official album entitled Gorilla Season, will be dropping very soon and will be available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play etc etc. So support support support.

10.What are some of your future projects and which ones are you looking forward to the most?

I'm looking forward to all ym future projects.  Because each play a significant role in the progression of Royal Entry as an artist.  So here's the list:

* Me and producer G.I.C., collectively are Imperial Supreme, and will be dropping our first EP, The Working Class soon.

* Me and producer Kris Audio, are doing our long awaited, 2 years in the making, Search Lights.

* Me  and producer Nate OG are also doing an EP together

11. Are you affiliated with any companies if so feel free to name them and how long have been affiliated with them?

 I am currently as artist on the Sadie Hawkins Music Record Label based out of Raleigh NC

12.Im a member of your crew Gorilla Squad but tell the readers more about theis movement?

GSM, (Gorilla Squad Movement) is a collection of artist and producers that I know personally that I am bring together so that we can make impacting music.

13.Do you have any jewels for aspiring artist hoping to make this a career?

 

You have to be passionate to really want to do this as a career.  There are many ups and downs and trials and tribulations that come with wanting to be a musician in general.  So stay positive, focused, determined, never quit and most of all stay humble.

14.Do You have any shout outs or special thanks feel free to drop them here?

 First and foremost, shout out to my wife and kids and most importantly my grandmother.  Shout out to all the producers that have blessed me with material to rhyme on.  And also my musical family (Sadie Hawkins, GSM, Soul Mafia, Cast Troy, G.I.C., Nate OG, 1100 Huntaz)  And for those I forgot please forgive me

15.Any final thoughts for the readers feel free to do so here?

 I appreciate you guys checking out this interview, I thank Nate OG for doing the interview. And all I ask is you to do is support not just me but local hip hop as a whole. Peace and Blessings and thank you for your time.

NATE OG DET @NATEOGDET INTERVIEWS THE INSTRUMENTAL ASSASSIN AND LOW BUDGET CREW REPRESENTATIVE EARLY REED

1.Whatupdoe big bro, I really would like to say thanks for granting me this interview and for the convo earlier. I know your dope at your craft but for  those who may not be familiar with your work. feel free to introduce yourself?

This Early-Reed yah.....co-founder of Low Budget.....reppin NW/DC. I did some tracks on Sean Born's 909 Pause-Mix CD.....Antoine from DTMD.....and just recently THE DOSE w/J. Scienide.

.I am a huge fan of your work, and your one of my influences as well but without showing age when did you start producing?

DAMMMM!!!! LOL!!!! Back in 88-89...my cousin Royal T(who was part of a collective wit Kev Brown)literally dropped the seed for all this back then.

3.Who are some of your influences and what was somethings you incorporated into your production from them?

WOW!!!! I can go on but....ok....first off the break is the homie Kev Brown(more on that in a minute)....I've seen him grow personally and what it takes to get down. Primo.....Dilla....Pete Rock....Battlecat....Unknown....Madlib....DJ Pooh....NO I.D n DUG IF.....Rza.....True Mathematics....like I said I can go on b.....LLS!!!! But to be honest when I created my path that long ago one off my rules was to never sound like anyone else. Even when I dj'd I was a always switching up being different. That's just how I am....if Imma bang out Imma snatch somethin so slight and make it nice and neat. Alot of the older cats like Barry White....Ray Parker Jr.....Herbie Hancock....Leon Sylvers III.....Funk Broths.....Gamble n Huff....Stevie Wonder....Jimmy Jam n Terry Lewis....L.A n Face are some of my inspirations. Too many to name but all(whether new or old) have had a major impact on what I do....can't forgot my pops E SR.

4.What was the moment that you said to yourself this is what i wanted to do and pursue?

 Well....I've been off and on thru the years watchin Kev and others learnin the game as much as possible b4 I came back a couple years ago. I see how my beats get out there influence ppl to do or move somethin....a positive wave if you will....plus the Al Green album was a heavy one too. That was a very underrated CD and I vowed that if Imma do this I gotta bang out....str8 up. 

Now your from the DC Metro area which is a hotbed of talent ranging from poets to musicians ad producers but what is the scene like where you live from a insider point of view?

The scene is alrite....just gotta find out what's poppin. In some nights it could be 3 major events goin on and you just stuck in the middle. Me....I kinda stay away....just to keep me into my beat craftin...

6.Does the scene where you live affect your creative process at all?

NOT AT ALL....my sound has already been created. Its alot more easier to get out there....when you try to establish by yourself its hard cuz folks don't know who you are. Even tho the crew is LOW BUDGET I still gotta work hard to be heard. I don't ride names or coat tails....I know what hard work is and what it does.
7.Now your repping my favorite labels and crews Low Budget, how long have you been affiliated with the team and how did  your connection  come about?

Ha.....I founded LOW BUDGET way back when. When we was doin what we had to...turntable to tape deck-pause-mixin...brand-name or radio shack we did it. I've known Kev since the beginning...(him and my cuz Royal T had a group of them named the Mailbox crew) Errybody else came later on...thru the years we made own chemistry up. Meaning anyone can team up and knock'em down.....we are Early Reed....Kev Brown....Cy Young....Sean Born....KennefCold(Kenn Star).....Kaimbr bka Al Green...Quartermaine(n Calibur of Critically Acclaimed)....Marshal Law....Hasaan Mackey.....Roddy Rod.....Oddisee....THIS IS MY FAM ALL DAY!!!!!

8. What is your creative process like, I am a producer as well and without giving any secrets that are sector 7 classified?

Just listenin....whenever I'm listenin I would stop....find and outlet and go in. I've made a certain coffee shop my home for that.

9.What is your lab setup like, I been watching your episode of Gadgets Behind The Beats and your killing it with the SP-606 or 555 but how has it changed over the years?

Actually that was Kev's crib and its a 505.....it still bangs out tho. My set-up is....a phone. I gotta app on my Droid wit an eq....I fine tune that part I need and commence. Now we in sector 7 b.....HAHA!!!

10 .What are your current projects I know you got a project out with one of my fav MC's J.Scienide but do you have any other projects out and where can we find them?
 I got some jonts in the works rite now....I'm workin on this project wit RnL from FAR EX.P. We remakin the KIZZ MY BLACK AZZ EP....OH YEAH!!!!!

11.What are some of your future projects and which ones are you looking forward to most?

Working on a beat CD also. Alot of other stuff is in the works so when the blueprints get filled in I will be promotin them.

12. .Are your affiliated with any other companies if so what are they and how long have you been affiliated?

My only affiliations is LOW BUDGET....I keeps that magic homebase. No companies or anything like that. If folks wonna work together I has no problem collaboratin.....

13.Do you have any special shout outs or special thanks if so feel free to place them here?

S/O to my LB FOLKS....J. Scienide....Fleetwood....Nik the Wonda and Lounge Of 3....DJ SOKO....Mike....Zo n Noah over at Starbucks....Awthentic.....Dave SCAR....its so many but to some gotchu up I love all yah for listenin and checkin some of my work out. Until next time.....the whole worlds' a circus don't YOU be the clown......EarlyReed/LB signin out....IM OUT!!!!!

NATE OG @NATEOGDET INTERVIEWS DETROIT WORDSMITH AND BIG BRO NAMETAG

1. Whats good big bro, wanted tot say thanks for blessing me with another interview. Now I know your the dopest at your craft but for those who may not be up on you. feel free to introduce yourself?

What's up y'all, I'm  Nametag. Songwriter, Emcee, Publisher, Performer, Visionaire from Detroit, MI.

2.  Now last time we spoke, you were working on the Redo project, which im copping soon trust me but are there any more plans for you to collab with one of my fave producers Nameless and how has the Redo project been recieved?

Thank you. For Namesake- Redo is a rare gem and can be found on iTunes and any other digital store courtesy of Brick Records (plug, plug!) Actually, yes. Nameless and I are working on what's titled for now, as For Namesake II. We had jumped right on the idea while doing Redo, but I have a couple projects to release first.

3.I understand you have a movement called Starfleet, can you tell me more about the movement and what is the meaning behind it?

Starfleet isn't my movement. It's actually a movement sparked by Mudd and Thyme of 5 Ela. However I support it still, because of the cause it represents which is positivity and unity. As hippy as that may sound, it's still dope because those keys are rare in Hip Hop today...actually, that's just rare in everyday life. My brother, Black Bethoven is a lead producer of that movement, so it's even more a plus to get my support.

4.What are some recent news that you would like to share with out revealing anything top secret since our last interview?

Well, I'll just spill it. If all goes as planned, I have a mixtape titled #Taglines that DJ DDT and I collaborated on, that will release soon for free. Following that will be the first official EP under the new name titled "This Day Forward" scheduled for 5.16.14. I have an EP with a producer from Cali named Time Stretch we're putting final touches on, and then of course, Nameless and I will be back at it. I'm not confirming dates for nothing besides the EP.

5.To me your one of a rare breed in hip hop but can you explain the difference between being an MC and a Rapper from an MC's standpoint?

Nowadays, especially nowadays, EVERYBODY can rap. However, everybody can't MC? It's not even really considered a gift anymore like how it may have been some time ago if you could "just rap". Prime example, when my homies and I were in high school, when you told people you could rap, they'd say "Spit something" and when you did, they were tuned in, and amazed if you were good. Now, you more than likely tell somebody you rap, and their rebuttal would be, they can to, know somebody else who does, or they will not take you seriously. Basically, it's NOTHING special to just rap. It's rappers who can rap but can't really rock a crowd and put on a good show, but an MC can. It's special, everybody can't do it. MC, master of ceremony, mic controller.

6.Tell me more about your L.A.B.L. company.how did it come about and what is the meaning behind it?

L.A.B.L stands for Lead And Be Legendary. It's an idea I came up with in May of 2013. The idea was to just jump start a movement, have some t-shirts, hoodies and that be that, get a message out...at first. It basically represents owning your lane, not being a full fledged sheep. If you have a gift, whether you're an artist, designer or whatever, use that gift for good and motivate others by you just simply being great at what you do. You'll be looked at as a leader, and more than likely a legend in due time. In my case, a lot of pioneers in Hip Hop have had this impact on me, so you can understand where I'm going. I decided to make it a record label to create a platform for not just my music but other artists as well, not even just Hip Hop. Looking to branch even outside of that.

7.What are some jewels that you would pass along to aspiring artist that you have learned along in your career?

Easy. You have to invest in you. Nowadays, you have to wear many hats for folks to see you're focused. Do not count on anybody. Work with those willing to work. Build a true proven fanbase, it's bigger than just social media. Come off that internet here and there and get on your grassroots grind. Again, invest in you.

8. Do you have any special thanks or shout outs feel free to do so here?

Yep, The Most High God always, 'Kila (my fiancee, mother of my child), Paris (my daughter who gives me purpose), extended family, friends and of course fans and believers.

9.Is there anything on your mind that we haven't covered feel free to do so here

The music listeners, you don't have to let commercial radio, or television dictate what music is good or great to you. It's other worlds outside of that with plenty great music and talent you can discover. I have so many people I've spoke with from my town that will say they don't know of an artist because they haven't heard them on local radio. That's not bad, but I hope they understand certain stations have a specific format to follow regarding what artists they air. Tap further into Youtube or Spotify, see who's really working. Don't limit yourself just because it's convenient.

www.TagAlexander.com