NateOGDetroit! Interviews Seat Pleasant, Maryland Beatsmith and Wordsmith Joe E. Blessed

 1. Now not only am I a major fan of your work, but you're are one of the dopest at your given crafts in my eyes as well. Why dont you introduce yourself to the readers. Tell them who you are? where you hail from? what your given crafts/passions are?

I am the artist formerly known as Big Shank alias Killah Joe. Now known professionally as Joe E. Blessed (or Joe L. Da Vessel). I am from a town right on the Washington D.C. line called Seat Pleasant which is in PG County, Maryland. I'm a producer, an emcee, a husband, a father and a son of the Living God. I love making music and spending time with Yah, my family, friends and loved ones all while just trying to be better and do better in this thing called life. By the way, I'm a big fan of your work as well Brother! 

2. Let's start with your professional name Joe E. Blessed, What is the science behind it and how did that name come to you?

I had a deal back in the early 2000's under the name Big Shank that I walked away from. I had stopped doing music for a while altogether. One day, sitting in my living room praying and reading the Holy Bible - the Lord spoke to me loud and clear and gave me the name Joe L. Da Vessel. He gave me the meaning and everthing all at once. Joe comes from my birth name Joseph and my middle initial is L. but it's also derived from the namd of the prophet Joel in the Old Testament. Da Vessel (the Vessel) simply because I'm a carrier of Yah's Spirit and His Truth. Joe E. Blessed came later simply because I've always loved aliases lol. 

3.Now Joe, I overstand that you are a hybrid of being both a Producer and Emcee, When did you start doing and pursuing both passions?

I actually started out as a dj and emcee in '84 with my brother Phragmintz. We were a team but we came to the conclusion that I was nicer on the mic and he was better on the 1s and 2s. Not long after that around, '86 I started producing. My cousin gave me a Tascam 4-track recorder. A family friend gave me a bass guitar and a Yamaha RY-11 drum machine. My folks already bought me a Casio SK-5 sampler and Synsoniq Drums...plus I already had my 2 turntables...you couldn't tell me nothing lol! 

4.Which side of the coin do you enjoy more, Being a producer or an emcee? 

These days, I would have to say it's about equal. I love doing both and the fact that I'm able to take my time with it and do it as the Lord gives it to me is priceless. 

5.Walk us through your creative process of being both an emcee and a producer? how are the the same and how are they generally different?

They are very similar. They both usually start with a beat, melody or flow I hear in my head or I may be inspired but something I hear - music or otherwise. Once I get a basic beat or flow I wait for the rest of the flow to hit me and go from there. Beat wise, there's no formula - sometimes I start with the sample/loop/chops and sometimes with a kick, snare and hi-hat - it just depends on what I'm feeling at the time. 

6.When did you realize your talent as a producer/emcee? 

As an emcee, early on around '85. After hearing T La Rock "It's Yours," Kool G. Rap's original "It's a Demo" and "I'm Fly," MC Shan "Marley Scratch" and LL's "I Need a Beet" I realized that they sounded different from the other Rappers/Emcees that were so popular at the time and so did I. But it was solidified in '86 when I heard Eric B. & Rakim's "My Melody" and "Eric B. For President" around the same time I met my sensei Sir Lord Professor P from Flatbush Brooklyn and I knew I had my own path as an emcee. 

As a producer, it wasn't that clear lol. I did beats that me and my crew used to rock to but as I got older and really started learning how to produce a whole song, it still took me years to feel confident enough to push my production to the forefront so that led to me rhyming over other people's production for the longest time - even when I had my deal with Sony in '01. 

7.Who are some of your influences as a producer/emcee and how has each influenced your distinct style?

As a producer: Marley Marl, Premo, Pete Rock, Buckwild, Jay Dilla, Kev Brown. Not necessarily in that order but overall their timing, sample selections and the way they all chopped samples along with the way the choose certain drums that are just right for the melody or rhythm of the sample the choose. 

As an emcee: Kool G. Rap, Rakim, Kane, my Brother P., Melle Mel, Nasty Nas, Jay-Z, B.I.G., OC

Again, not necessarily in that order but in terms of the different styles and their delivery. My brother P though, is the one who taught me to think outside the box and how to rhyme not just on but all around the beat.

8. What was your\ earliest recollection of music? and When did you fall in love with music?

The answer to both is growing up in my household, my Moms had me listening to everything! From Soft Rock to Gospel to Country to Reggae to Funk, Jazz and Soul music…you name it! Plus her my Pops and other family members were always taking me to concerts even before I could walk. For example, Moms took me to see Funkadelic at least twice when they came to the Capital Center. She took me to see Prince in a blizzard at the DC Armory. Ramsey Lewis, The System; etc. Not to mention, she took me and my man Terry to our first Go-Go to see Trouble Funk. 

9.What is the local music scene like where you reside?

Being born in DC and raised mostly in Md, Go-Go is our homegrown sound but the DMV has always been a very artistic, creative and musical area. Hip-Hop has been here from the start. Hip-Hop and Go-Go are cousins! 

10. Does the local music dictate or affect what and how you create?

I would say that it influences how I create.

11. What does your lab set up consists of? and how has it changed from when you first started? 

MPC Key 61

MPC One

SP 404 Mark II

Ableton Live 10

Reason 12

Fl Studio 20

Studio One 5

2 Presonus studio monitors

HP Gaming laptop

12. What is the one thing on your list that you feel artists and producers are missing in today's musical climate?

I couldn’t pinpoint it. It’s really to each his own.

13. How do you feel about the Analogue Vs Digital Music Production Equipment Debate?

I used to be hardcore analogue until I lost my MPC 2000 xl during a move and the guitar player from my band gave me a midi keyboard and introduced me to Ableton…I was hooked!

14.How do you feel about the E-digging Vs Actual Crate Vinyl Digging Debate?

Man I say get your sounds wherever you can find them lol! 

15. Where Does your inspiration to create come from initially?

It varies but sometimes all it takes is for me to hear an emcee killing a beat that I’m vibing to real heavy. For instance, I’ve written several joints just vibing to “Mural” by Lupe Fiasco. Overall, I just try to give out what the Most High gives me.

16. Do You represent any Record or Production companies? and If so, How long have you been affiliated with them?

Not anymore Bro. I had a deal with Sony in 2000-2001 that I walked away from. I was also part of a couple different production companies as well as my band. These days I’m 1000% independent and loving it! 

17. What are some of your current projects that are available and where can we find them?

I have 2 older projects on Apple Music and I think Spotify. The first one is called “Testimony 1: Lyrics 4 Life” and the other one is called “The Big Shank Redemption” under the name Joe-L “Da Vessel” and Melodic from the days when I was with my old production company called Daas Wuz Up Ent. 

Me and my son Black Galaga put out a single on Bandcamp called “Shotz Firred” pt. Deux under the group name Genetikz (video on YouTube). 

My last full project was one I produced with my brother Blac Nashon from Chicago called “PressureMakezDiamondz” also on Bandcamp under the group name fRee RaDikalz. 

18. What are some of your future projects in the works? and Which ones are you looking forward to Most?

I’m working on an EP with my son - not titled yet - but we both have singles dropping in March Lord willing. I’m also working on my new solo project called “War In Peace” and a single ready to go for early summer called “Summatyme Fyne.” Hopefully me and Blac Nashon can get “PMD2” done soon but I’m also working with a few other artists and producers on some upcoming projects. I’m just trying to stay busy and keep up with you King! 

19. Where can we find you online , so that we can be kept up to date on your work? feel free to paste all social media and music links here!

FB: Joe E. Blessed or Joe L Da Vessel

IG: Joe E. Blessed 

Twitter: Joe E. Blessed or Genetikz Muzik

For bookings, features or production:

joe.e.blessed@gmail.com

20. Any Special thanks or shout-outs? feel free to do so here. 

Salute to you my brother and thank you for having me…it’s an honor and a privilege. Also to my beautiful wife Cyndi-Boo and my son Lil Joe aka Black Galaga…of course my Momma lol…and to ALL the real emcees, Dj’s, beat makers, producers, artists; etc.

21. Do you have any advice to pass along to other artists and producers that are just getting started?

Regardless of your influences, be the best YOU that you can be in life and in music and that will always set you apart from the rest.

22. Was There anything that we didn't cover? that you would like to add, or final thoughts for the readers? feel free to do so here.

I would just like to say, God is real and I know for certain that He gave me gifts and talents to glorify Him, to help others and to shine my light on the world in a way that reflects Him! 

Shalom! 

Big Joey Blizzessed (Joe E. Blessed)

NateOGDetroit! Interviews San Antonio Texas Beat Craftsman D-Recka

1. What's good Family, thank you for honoring me with this interview. Now I've been a fan since 08, When I Ran across you on YouTube. Would you like to introduce yourself to the readers?  Who Are You?, Where Are You from? And What is Your given craft?  

First and foremost, it’s a privilege to be interviewed by a fellow beat maker, content creator. This is dope. So who am I? Well I go by Derek in my day to day, but if you watch my youtube channel (old content) You would know me as D-Recka! But Dude, I’m just a simple guy, who started making music in the late 90’s. I’m from all over..Pops was in the military so we traveled a lot. But I finished my high school years in San Antonio Texas, so I claim Texas as my home. Shortly after I graduated, I to decided to join the Air Force. I’m currently the Superintendent of Aircrew Flight Equipment at Hill Force Base.

 

2.Now D-RecKa, that's an Ill name,. Kinda is reminiscent of terminator x in a small sense. What is the science behind the name? Where did it come from? What's the meaning behind it?

 D-Recka is a play off my actual name Derek.  Back in the day (waaay back) I used to rap. In one of my early songs, I had a line that sort of went like “Its ya boy D-Rek, I’m a mic wrecka”…some friends heard the line and started calling me D-Recka, then it stuck. Now I (humbly of course) wreck these beats.

 

3.What is your local music scene like and does the local scene affect what and how you create? 

So I travel a lot, which it has its benefits. The local scene changes for me every few years. I started rapping when I was living in Maryland, so by default I catered to the east coast lyrical miracle flow and beats. Then I moved to Texas and completely fell in love with Chop and Screw (Swisha House). I stopped rapping and started making beats. So my foundation is boom bap but I feel most comfortable making organic south type beats.

 

4.Who are some of your influences and what jewelz did you learn from them? And how did you apply them into your own signature sound? 

When it comes to influences man I have a few.  Timbaland is the GOAT for me. He had a sound/bounce that none of us heard before. I think the biggest jewel or gem I picked up from him was, try everything, do you and operate outside the box and build a hefty sound library. I know Tim pulls sounds from all over the world. So I try to use that approach when creating. No sound, region, genre is off the table for me. Next would be The Alchemist and 9th Wonder. These two are walking examples of what happens when you actually take time to master the tools that are in front of you. For the longest, I always wanted to have the top-notch equipment. Therefore I delayed my entry into making beats until I had enough funds to cop the Roland MV-8800 (which I used in my very first youtube video). I learned very quick that you can have the most expensive gear/setup and still produce some GARBAGE. Practice and master what you have. I think 9th was making some slaps only using Fruity Loops.  So when it comes to my sound, I don’t think I have one. I really don’t want one, I just want to make music based off raw feelings and fun.

 

5.What is your stance on the digital audio workstation vs analogue hardware

 production equipment debate?

I love hardware. Something about twisting the knobs and pressing pads sort of certifies the beat making process for me. I used to think having hardware also shows everyone else that you’re invested/serious about your craft, you’re not a tourist. But with time comes change and accessibility and convenience.  These days you can throw a rock and hit someone who makes beats using a laptop and few VST’s. To be honest, majority of their beats actually slap. Personally, I feel like you lose the creativity piece when working exclusively with DAW’s. With the abundance of beat packs, expansions that’s on the market and for 9.99 a novice “beatmaker” can sound like Pharell Williams, Timbaland, Marco Polo, Zay Toven in minutes.

 

6.What is your stance on the physical crate digging vs e-digging debate? And which do you prefer most? 

Man this is tough, because I have recently begun building my e-library. I currently have 957 vinyl records, out of that…Maybe 200ish actually got some dope samples on them. So there’s definitely a benefit to e-digging. If you know what you’re looking for, you can easily search online, set up your audio interface and sample until you pass out, all while drinking coffee in a holey wife-beater and flip flops. (I meant muscle shirt, hopefully I don’t get cancelled).

 

7.What is your earliest recollection of hearing music and how did it make you feel?

 Bruh! I remember driving with my Dad and he had a box of cassette tapes, he would ask me to hand the box over.  While at a stop light he would dig through the box of tapes and I would PRAY….like hands folded looking up, whispering to God …that he didn’t pull this one tape. My prayer would go unanswered. In his hand was a clear cassette tape with white letters…Al Green. Dude I hated Al Green with a passion! I mean he passed up Bel Biv Devoe, MC Hammer, Salt and Pepper for Love and Happiness? As soon as the infamous rift would play to love and happiness, I immediately hated everything about that car ride. Around 12-13yrs of age, I realized Mr Green was not for the play play, dude is cemented in my top 10.

 

8. Not to show age, but how long have you been producing? When did you start producing? 

My first beat I ever made/recorded was in 1996 with a ping pong ball and me beat boxing for about 5 minutes straight. I had a boombox that had fixed mic on it. So I would press record and beat box for about 5 minutes, then…this is sad…but to mimic a hit hat, I would bounce the ping pong in front of the mic for another 5 minutes. Then a bootleg copy of Fruity Loops fell into my lap around 04-05 shortly after another bootleg copy fell into my lap, it was program called Reason.  That’s when I realized I had a true passion to create music.

 

9. What does your lab set up consist of? And how has it changed over the years? Not to give away any sector 7 secrets though. 

Currently I have a pair of KRK 6 inch, a pair of KRK 8inch G4’s, midi controller, focusrite audio interface, MV-8800, M-Box Pro 2 and a MPC-X, USB Turntable and Reason 12 (mainly as a sound module). My setup hasn’t really changed over the years I had Yamaha DJX back in the day along with a Roland BR-1600 (when I considered myself a rapper).  

 

10.What is your production process like in da lab? I produce as well but still enjoy watching or hearing about the creation process of other producers and artists? 

Depends what I’m doing. Let’s assume I’m in a boom bap mood. First I’m crate digging, I’ll normally pull about 3-5 records. Then I’ll listen to the beginning, middle and end of each song. I can normally play each section for about 3-5 seconds to make a decision (to sample or not to sample, that is the question). While crate digging, I’ll have MPC playing a generic 4 bar drum loop playing in the background to assist with selecting a song to sample.

 

11.What was the situation, that you realized you had a talent for music?  

When I was rapping, I would make my own beats. Then I would upload them to certain websites like acidplanet, soundcloud, myspace etc…folks would be like “who makes your beats?”…not the reaction I was looking for at that time…lol. I was waiting for comments like “dude that 16 goes hard” or “you the next Jay Z”…Nope just inquiries on who made the beats and what software/equipment do I use.

 

12. When did you decide that you wanted to pursue music? 

When local artist started requesting I make beats for them, after hearing some of my old music.

 

13. If you were locked in the studio for 3 weeks, to complete a project with an artist, Who would that artist be?

 Jay Electronica, School Boy Q,  Earl Sweatshirt, Danny Brown.

 

14.What are some jewelz you learned along your journey in music , that you would pass along to aspiring producers and artists?

 Finish your beats! Or at least structure them out (intro, hook, verse). Some beats are not for everybody, and somebody will hate your music. Don’t let the sway your drive. Seek feedback whether good or bad. Your worse beat is the one that you don’t post/upload to your streaming platform. So post everything.

 

15.What we're some of you best moments or accolades...that you said to yourself..I can do really  do this music thing? 

When I heard a local Texas rapper rap on my beat and DESTROYED it. I had a few mixtape placements throughout the years, again just local artist.  I would say my youtube traffic and analytics gave me a huge boost in confidence. Til this day I still have folks hitting me up, asking when will I drop another beat video.  Jay Electronica actually liked a few of my beats on Instagram which was cool, hopefully they were intentional, if not I’m still claiming a Jay Elec nod. lol

 

16.Do you having any routines ..was gonna rituals...far as certain things you do in order to prepare your self to create? Like 9th wonder takes of his left shoe and walks around and his roster can tell that means he's ready to work. 

Coffee puts me in the that creative vibe, and I dim the lights, for some reason I feel more locked in when the lights are dim. Besides that, I try to stick to my policy/challenge of 1 beat a day. At minimum I try to press a pad or twist a Q-link at least one time a day.

 

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

First and Foremost, shout out and a special thank you to you, Nate OG Detroit! Awesome platform! Shout to all the beat creators on IG and Youtube. Special shout out my wife and kids, and sorry for shaking the house.

 

18.Do you have any current projects available and where may we find them to support? 

Not at the moment. I’m really trying to master the art of sound design to include drum design. Once I get better at EQ’ing, mastering my projects, I’ll drop a beat tape.

 

19. Do you have any projects in the works or future projects that you are working on? And which ones are you looking forward to most?

 Nope, I’m part of a few producer groups, we are just building relationships at the moment.  We shared a few samples, and kits with each other but that’s it. I just finished a telephone interview with another blogger, I wonder if this is a sign.

 

 

NateOGDetroit! Interviews Buffalo NY'z Production And Dj Specialist Cee Gee

1.Whats Good Fam, Now Ive Known you for a short amount of time but im a major fan of your work and you're dope beyond dope at your given craft. Feel free to introduce yourself to the readers. Who you are? Where are you from? And What Is your craft?

Yo what up, this is the one and only Cee Gee "In the Place to Be". 1/2 of Green Giant, 1/2 of The Almighty Rebelz, DJ, Producer, Gamer and Collector from Buffalo, NY

2.Now Cee Gee, thats a dope production name...kinda reminds of the legendary producers Ced Gee and Kay Gee. What is the science behind the name and how did it come about?

Well, Columbus Green is my real name which also it stands for, its basically from my family and friends during the early years, because I was named after my late grandfather and my late uncle (both is my late dad's father and brother).

3.What is your earliest recollection of music? And how do you recall hearing music made you feel?

Going to record stores, flea market or yard sale in my younger years made me wanna go to collect music, video games and all the other media formats. Hearing the music is something I've never heard in my life from the sound, melody and everything.

4.Now Cee Gee, not to show age but what year did you start producing and deejaying?

Producer in 2009 and Deejaying in 2017. At first I was interested to be DJ in my young age before planning on making beats but i have no experience to it at a time, By then i was an mixtape DJ, 

5.Between DeeJaying and producing, which do you enjoy most?

I'm enjoying doing both, most of the times I'm making beats in my daily routine but I'm very rare when someone booked me to DJ or doing live beats.

6.If you could be locked in a studio for a month to produce an album with any artist or group, Who would you choose?

Elzhi, Little Brother and Skyzoo

7.What is your stance on the analog vs digital debate far as music production equipment?

It depends what the set up u got or what u already have, as long as u got a speakers and a pair of headphones to listen to the beat.

8.How do you feel about the debate between Vinyl Djing Vs Digital Djying?

Vinyl DJing is mostly an real tradition of the culture, but the problems is u gotta carry like five or six crates of records in each shows or gigs. Digital DJing is easy for DJ's to not breaking their backs by carrying records.

9.What is your stance on the crate digging vs edigging debate?

Edigging is like simple way to find some gems thru YouTube that nobody don't even know about. Crate digging is real tradition for DJ's/Producers like myself although u gotta have some real mad bread to find some ill gems to cooked up. 

10.Who are some of your influences as a producer and DJ?

As a DJ: Kid Capri, Funkmaster Flex, Jam Master Jay, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Grandmaster Flash. As a Producer: DJ Premier, RZA, Q-Tip, Alchemist, Pete Rock, 9th Wonder and J Dilla.

11.What Does your lab consists of and how has it changed since you started producing and Djing?

When I decided to start making beats, It took very small steps to set up like a laptop and a software. I didn't even get a MPC until 2016 because the whole time I was make my beats thru the computer from 2011 to 2016. Buying more records, CDs or other music outlets expanding, everything I did is thru my own bedroom. So that's basically how I set up my own lab.

12.What is your creative process like as a producer? Not to give away any sector 7 secrets tho.

Whether something I heard before or didn't heard. My creative process as a producer is like a machine to me. What I heard the sample, just seeing what can I come up with and worked out dope.

13.Congrats on the Broadway Joes placement With Westside Gunn on his Hitler 7 project. How did that placement come about?

.I met Westside Gunn back in late 2014 when he was Hitler Wears Hermes 3 release party in Buffalo. That was a same night when he brought Skyzoo in the city. Keep you in mind, I was already friends with W$G on FB in late 2013 but I didn't tapped in what's going on musically in my own city at a time. Plus the same night, I met Conway and I already met Daringer awhile back. I was already approaching West to link up for some music but they was upcoming in the industry and I was upcoming thru my own city, so I wanna get know them and support their movement first. So five years later after building, supporting and following what they was doing, the beat was putting together when Benny the Butcher dropped The Plugs I Met but I didn't presented to West until three weeks later, when he threw a release day party in Buffalo for FlyGod is An Awesome God (also he was in town), By then, i wasn't in a right place thru out the whole weekend and so I came down in the club to get my mind off what happened. My friend and fellow music associate Neph recommended me to do some productions whether is West, Conway or Benny. I already got beats made for them just in case they wanna reach out and send them but that one day, I pull West to aside briefly I told him that i got some joints and he said inbox him and send them tomorrow, so i did that to the next day. Then couple days later he reach out to me, choose a beat and let him handle his business without me explaining more. The next time i seen him when the back to school giveaway, so I ended up being over there to say what's up and then he pull out his phone then let me hear something, it was over my beat and I was impressed as hell. I kept this whole thing to myself until West was putting together his next installment of Hitler Wears Hermes series, he dropped the tracklist which including the song produced by yours truly, tape finally came out and the rest is history.

14. Also congrats on the release of your new album "Classically Gifted". What was the creative process behind that project?

After i did The Research back in May 20, 2017 which it was on my birthday, I was debate about whether if i'm gonna do an follow up to the first album or not because at a time, my main focused is working on some collaboration/group albums like Green Giant (with Frigid Giant), The Almighty Rebelz (then known as Supreme Black Acez) (with SemiAuto007 fka Gunsmoke Shabazz), Program, etc. because i have beats and songs ready to go. But everything got put an halt indefinitely due to their personal lives or working on individual projects. So i decided to start working on my follow up. Album title Classical Gifted was based on my name, Artwork was inspired by Schroeder from Peanuts Gang (Salute to Darius Johnson). I've been on and off working on that project because figuring who's gonna be on my tape, what beats i'ma use or make for the project, where i'm gonna record the joint, what's the concept of the album, I spend 2 years and an half to putting a lot of work of this masterpiece just make an improvement what i did on my last joint. Plus, the creative process was magnificent and touch up what was going on around my city and my life's perspective. it was a very long journey for me and i'm proud of myself how's it came to be, especially after my placement of WSG's Hitler 7 back in November and it was an new decade.

15.What are some of your current projects and where can we find them?

Most of my projects on Bandcamp and SoundCloud.

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

I'm working on Green Giant 2 with Frigid Giant, Untitled EP with Singer/Rapper Genecist, Almighty Rebelz tape with SemiAuto007, other collaboration projects like Elcamino, Jae Skeese and others i can't speak on it right now. Future production placements from L-Biz, Chaotik Kojima, Dan the Underdog, Da Joker, Madhattan, G4Jag, hopefully i can do some with Termanology and more joints for Westside Gunn and possibly Benny or Conway. oh yeah it's the only beginning for Yours Truly, there's more rappers out there wants to do some work with me.

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

Not yet, everything is all independent to me.

18.Do you have any jewels that you would like pass along to aspiring producers and djs?

.Keep working on your crafts, support everybody whenever u can, you'll be straight.

19.Do you have any shout outs or special thanks?

Peace and Salute to my Green Giant bro Frigid Giant, my Almighty Rebelz bro Skrap aka SemiAuto007, Toneyboi, Camoflauge Monk, Ooze Gang, Neph, Shaun & B, Westside Gunn, Conway, Benny the Butcher, Rick Hyde, DJ Shay, Beats Anonymous, G Premacy, Chuckie Campbell, Program, Mostro, to all my family, friends and the rest of my associates. 

20.Is there anything that we didnt cover..and final words for the readers?

Classical Gifted Is Out Now!!! Be On The Lookout For What I Got In Stores Next!!!

NateOGDetroit! @NateOGDETROIT Interviews B-Mores Beat Mechanic King Cameelio

1.Whats good fam, Id like to thank you for blessing me with this interview. Now we go back quite a bit and im a big fan of your work, So why dont you go ahead and introduce yourself to the readers. Who Are You? Where Are You from? And What is your given craft?

What’s good my brother from another. Yes yes, it’s been quite a while since we’ve been chopping it up man. You’ve been a great inspiration to me myself in more ways than one. 

2.Your Producer Name is Dope as well as unique, So how did it come about and what is the science behind it?

So yeah, momma named me Aaron Charles Cook. My producer name is kingCameelioSalamandar. It’s a mouth full but I like it. Haha. I wish I could explain to you where it came from but it’s too much to type lol. I’m now a resident of Charlotte North Carolina but Baltimore will always be home. I’m definitely a true Baltimorean at heart in the south. As fair as my crafts go, I have a few. I’m a God gifted visual artist (pencil, paper, paint, ink and tattoos etc.) I’m an educated graphic designer but you MUST be talking about these beats lol. (Can you tell I’m super sarcastic lol?) I’m a beat maker, crate digger, loop digger, sample dicer, writer and producer. I love music! Though I’ve drawn for as long as I can remember, art was always accompanied by music! 

3.What is your earliest recollection of music? And How did hearing music make you feel?

 

I’ve always loved music. I almost can’t tell you what my first recollections of music were but I’ll tell you one of my fondest memories of both music and family. Around 88-89, my grandmother had the fresh box Ford Crown Vic. It was silver with blood red velvet seats and leather interior. I can almost still smell what the car smelled like. She’d ride around with me in the back seat while listening to 88.9FM which was Morgan State University’s Jazz station in Baltimore during the day. Music is like a time machine that way. I can remember riding down Pennsylvania Avenue in the back seat with like Roy Ayers on the radio. That’s my foundation of how good music was supposed to sound. That’s probably why a lot of my beats are more on the jazzy side now days. 

4.Not to show age, but when did you start producing?

It’s been a little while now. I think it was like 2009-2010 when I started learning FL Studios so I’m coming up on a decade now.  But I’ve gone from working the keyboard and mouse in FL, to the MPD24 and 32 as my midi controllers. Then I switched from PC to Apple so I ended up learning Logic Pro. Now I’m using Maschine inside of Logic Pro X. 

5.Which process do you enjoy more Producing On Emceeing?

 At this point in my life, I personally enjoy producing more because I’m creating and in most cases using my hands to do so. Just like art, music has layers, moods and colors. I still LOVE to hear a dope emcee but I just don’t feel like enough people appreciate lyricism the way we used to so I feel like I’ll just stick to beats lol. 

6.What is your creative process consists of as an Emcee and Producer? And how does the process differ between the two?

I’m strictly a mood emcee and producer. I generally wrote what was on my heart at the time and that made it organic and easy to do. 

As far as production, it’s the same kinda. I can’t force myself to sit and make beats. Well I can but the beat usually sounds forced or I ended up deleting it lol. I have to hear a sample that moves me and I’ll save it for later or Shazam something that catches my ear and save that until I can sit down. Then once I’m in a vibe, I’ll pull those sample out and go to work. Then I gotta FEEL the beat. It’s gotta make me feel like I’m in my grandmother’s car again. It’s gotta have that vibe. My partner Jerome and I call it “That Feel Good Music!”

7.How do you feel about the age old Analogue vs. Digital Debate as far as music production equipment?

I’m more of a “It’s the man behind the machine” type of thinker. If it sounds dope then that’s all that matters. I love the genuine sound quality that you get from most analogue hardware, especially the vintage ones but now days they have VSTs that give you close to the same sound qualities and textures so again, it’s more of what you can do with what you have. 

8.How do you feel about the crate digging vs edigging debate?

This is almost the same as the previous question. I prefer the sound and textures of vinyl of course but can I make a digital sample sound like it’s off of vinyl? Yes absolutely! Plus ediggjng is super convenient especially me being a mood producer like I am. 

9.What is the local music scene like where you live?

I actually don’t know. I’m currently in the south so there isn’t a huge market here for boombap or soulful hiphop music but I will say that the south is thriving in the mainstream rap area. There’s a big underground hiphop scene in Atlanta full of dope beat makers and events but I don’t get down there from Charlotte too often. 

10.Does the local music scene where you live affect how and what you create?

I will say it did at first because coming from Baltimore to the south with the intentions of working with southern artists caused for me to make a slight shift in what I was doing but then that goes back to me being a mood producer. I couldn’t force myself to make southern sounding or trap tracks so that stopped quickly and I went back to what I knew. It’s never steered me wrong and it’d be crazy to switch up now. But the beauty of it all is that most of the super trappy artists LOVE my sound and are real hiphop lovers. Many are just trying to get in where they fit in for the bag so they make what sells but that vintage hiphop sound still gets mad love and respect in the south. You just never hear about that. 

12.How would you define the difference between being a beat maker vs being a producer?

I think beatmakers simply make beats and leaves everything else up to the artist, the engineer, the writers and producers. A producer on the other hand makes the music with arrangements, vocals, and the mixing all in mind while generally knowing what content would sound good on that track. A good producer can and should guide the artist. Even in the context of a music producer for film, that producer should be able to convey the feeling and or sales point of that film or commercial when scoring that music. There’s definitely a big difference. 

13.If You could be liked in the studio with one artist or group of artist to produce a complete album for them, Who would you choose?

That’s tough because there are so many. I’d definitely love to do a project with Black Thought for obvious reasons. Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) would be a dope collab because he’d give me hiphop with some jazz on the side, crazy lyricism and then might put some melodic vocals in there as well.  I’d also love to work with and pick Kanye’s brain. I know he isn’t everybody’s favorite tight now but somewhere inside of all his madness is a genius. I’m an original Kanye fan from day one so.....

15.How do you define you sound?

Always a vibe. Feel good music! Soul mixed with hiphop. It’s always going to be soulful even if I don’t sample a soul track. 

16.What separates you from the million other producers and emcees?

I separate me. I have many producer fathers but there’s only one me. I am the beat at what I do. I’ll declare to the heavens that nobody can chop a sample like I do. Nobody can chop a drum loop and then program a drum cadence like I do. I am the master at what I do. I am king of what I do and there isn’t a person on this earth right now or ever who’ll ever do it the way I do it. 

This is not to seem cocky or to put down my brothers behind the boards. In fact it is to encourage. God created one you. You are here with purpose because of you had no purpose, you wouldn’t exist. We do ourselves a great disservice trying to fit molds that other people make.  So it’s in this spirit that I say that not even 9th, Dilla or Pete Rock can chop a sample like me just like I’ll NEVER be able to chop a sample like NateOG Detroit. You are the king of your own lane, hence the title “king” I’m front of my name. God is the big King who’s gifted me so I’m the little king. 

17.What are some of your current projects and where can we find them?

I am currently working on and releasing the 3rd installment of my beat tapes “ The Peanut Gallery “. This will be volume III. I was going to release it in November but I decided to save it for first quarter of 2020. I also have a discography of work at www.charlie1.bandcamp.com.  You can find the first 2 beat tapes there as well as a few solo projects by myself. 

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

The only thing I’m gearing up for besides my next beat tape will be film and tv placements for my music. It’s really a thriving market right now for both beatmakers and producers and it’s really untapped. (A little gem for y’all) I’ll be getting my feet wet for the first time with that early 2020 so I’m super excited about that. 

19. Not to give away any sector 7 secrets but what does your lab consists of and how has your set up changed over the years?

Lol....no secrets here bro. Just running Logic Pro X with Maschine 2 as a VST in logic all on my old school iMac. I keep a turntable of course but my setup is digital. I have an old keyboard I’m using as a midi and I have a Maschine MKII as my controller. 

I’ve come a long way from the mouse and keypad Fruity Loop days. 

20.Who are some of your influences and how have each influenced you?

Man bro, I’ve been influenced by everyone from Stevie Wonders and Issac Hayes’ and Quincy Jones’ to Dilla, Ski Beats, Wyclef and Nottz Raw. I can’t tell you what exactly I get from them all but they all make feel good music to me lol. I love the way some score and actually write music and then I’ll like the way one chops their samples but then I’ll love the way the other plays their bass lines. My style is like a music history melting pot. 

21.Do you represent and companies or labels? If so who are they and how long fave you been affiliated?

Nope. I represent One life Productions and kingCameelio. I represent the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. I wanna be seen as a representation of God’s gifts manifested through man. That’s all. 

22.Any advice for aspiring artist and producers that you learned along the way that you would like top pass along?

I can’t stress being yourself enough. Trying to fit the mold of what the mainstream says is “hot” will place you in a box and in most cases cause a block because you aren’t creating from a genuine place. We don’t need any more Dillas. We don’t need any more Dr Dre’s. We need more originality. Just be yourself and create what makes you feel good. 

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

yeah man! Absolutely just wanna continue to thank the Creator for the gift of music both in the earth and in me. I gotta thank my brother and production partner Jerome Mitchener. He’s my Mr. Miyagi lol. Lastly but not least, I wanna thank you my brother, NateOG for all of your personal support, for being and inspiration and most definitely for the opportunity of this interview. 🏾

Follow me on Social Media Please!

Instagram: @kingCameelioSalamandar 

YouTube: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFRQEF8FXv7D74eGecJW_gA 

Be on the look out for music being available this year on all of your streaming platforms. 

Get familiar haha. Much love. Gods grace and peace be with everyone reading this.