Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
2009 Top Canadian Producer Picks by Canada's top Dj's
G'day Yall! We up in the naughty north, whe're just about anything goes... bring to you a perspective that may not have considered... With Canada's entertainers and producers killing it of late, we'd like to present to you the perspective of the DJ, and how they in 2009 saw our producers doing it; Canadian Stylee! Without further ado, we start this out with @idjmanifest, @djlaw3000, & @djandre905 with their picks and take on the top Canadian Producers of 2009. click the title links for preview
In 2009, it's almost too easy to say that the quality of production coming out of Toronto was world class. The Grammy nods and countless international collaborations among the upper echelon says it all. To pick two beats literally is a hard task, so the following producers for me highlight the producers who put out the best projects for 2009 (highlighted by my choice for their best track):
with hosts Flo & DJ Manifest. Also heard on ROGERS DIGITAL CABLE CH. 945
and streamed live to www.chry.fm (for the best in R&B/Soul)
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**NEW**NEW**NEW** 2010 BOOKINGS/MEDIA KIT:
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There are way too many hot producers in Toronto to name so Imma just go off the top of my head with the first 2 that come to mind. 2 Producers that I can never complain when I hear a track from would be Tone Mason & Rich Kidd.
Both camps are versatile on who they work with and have there own unique sound which makes them leaders and not followers.
Here's a track by both producers that did it for me this year:
Saukrates feat. Rich Kidd
- Salt and Pepper (prod. Tone Mason) 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Drake Ft. Saukrates - The Search (Prod. by Rich Kidd) 2009
--
Stylus Award winning Dj law 2007
www.myspace.com/djlaw3000
www.rapbay.com Dj law & Gonzoe 24/7
www.projectbounce.com
www.urbnet.com
My favourite producers are Rich Kidd and 2oolman. Both are phenomenal producers. Below are two of my favourite songs produced by both producers. 2oolman burst onto the scene with the mixtape called "Hit & Run" with artist Scorsese. 2oolman handled the production for every song on the 29 track tape. He has since produced Hit & Run part 2. My favourite songs produced by 2oolman are Champion. The production on that joint is mature and dope. Its an easy flowing sound that will blend great with any crowd.
My second favourite 2oolman joint is Textual Healing by Scorsese. The production is bananas and this song is sure to bang at any club you play it in. The production is almost Neptunish but has a unique flavour that only 2oolman can add.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/
http://www.sendspace.com/file/
www.2oolman.com
The song "Soaring to heaven" by King Reign f Tona, Saukrates, & Rich Kidd (produced by Rich Kidd)... Producer Rich Kidd sings on this song. He sang the chorus into his cellphone and recorded his cellphone recording.
I have attached the DJ pack for it (clean, dirty, instrumental, 8 bar, acapella). Here is the link to the DJ pack - http://sharebee.com/5cfadebfAnother favourite
http://www.sendspace.com/file/
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=
www.myspace.com/richkiddbeats - Rich Kidd
Royalty Radio Tuesdays from 8-10 pm at www.cfreradio.com
djandre905@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/djandre905
www.facebook.com/djandre905
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Origionally posted @ the Producers Manual
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Who's Next - Boi-1da [Producer Of Drake's "Best i Ever Had"]
We also gonna re-up the first interview Legion Music & Media and the Producers Manual did with Boi 1da last year:
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Legion Of Beats Media tracks down one of the busiest and sought after producers from the dot (actually Pickering). After many attempts we finally sit down to conduct this interview:
Boi 1da, 
the producer that started out banging out beats for his (then) group, Straight Grimes to bangin' out hits for Drake, G-unit, and the upcoming Ludacris album. Tell us how you started out.
1da~ I started out in highschool, rapping with my crew, SG. I eventually figured I had no business being a rapper (lol), but wanted to still be involved with my crew...
You mean, you wanted to get into managing the group, marketing, promo?
1da~ Nah, I still wanted to be involved musically and we were tired of spittin' over industry beats, so I tried a hand at producing.
Oh, what was your initial weapon of choice?
1da~ Fruity Loops, now known as Fl Studio.
So where did you meet your crew members from Straight Grime?
1da~ Oh we all went to school together and met up in Grade 10 at Pickering High School.
When did you start to get noticed as a producer?
1da- I entered the first Battle of the Beat makers in Toronto
and surprisingly won.
And that's when people started recognizing the talent?
1da~ Yeah actually, Aristo was hosting and we linked up after the show. I didn't know who he was before, but saw what he was working with. I ended up producing two tracks for him, "East Meets West" and "Right Now." They got airplay, which helped me out as well.
What did you learn from that experience that you can share with other producers?
1da~ Well besides the exposure...DONT TRUST RAPPERS!
LOL! So, what was the next step in your career? What did you do next to keep it moving?
1da~Yeah, had to keep it moving. I went on and started a "camp" with D-10 and Voyce Alexander. The camp eventually fell apart over some management issues and Voyce ended doing his own thing. We dropped the management and created a new camp which includes, Drake. The new camp is known as, ATF. Since then we have been with , Keshia Chante, Devine Brown, Adreena Millz, Big Sauks, and working on Drakes album.
So ATF, All Things Fresh is You, D-10, and Drake? What a team!
1da~ Yes Siiiiiiir! And we have other "contributors" to the team as well.
And how did you end up meeting up with the other artist you've worked with?
1da-~ Directly, either thru D-10, Drake, and from other artist recommending us.
By the way, I recently heard that "Red light Green light" track on the G-Unit mixtape, "Elephant in the sand." How did you guys get on that?
1da~ We got that thru Esco, who is known for his beat/production placements. He got mixtape placements in the past for peeps like Soundsmith.
Is that Esco from Beat Traffiker?
1da~ Yeah, he manages peeps like me and Megaman for placements.
Nice! So how did Red light Green light come about? Take us thru the creative process on that one.
1da~ Aight, it was me and Tony2Tone, the Beat Juggernaut on the set of The Incredible Hulk. Some scenes were shot down town Toronto, you'll see the popular down town scenery when it comes out...
Seen!
1da~ ...So 2Tone and I were tryna get our Drake on (lol) by being extras in the movie... Tony walked with his lap top and had this crazy synth loop he was working on...
And the rest they say, is history. So tell us about Boi 1da, the producer. Your influences and where you want to take your creative skills?
1da~ Well...my influences mainly come from producers like, Swizz Beats, Timbaland, Dr. Dre. I also listened to and grew up with a lot of dance hall music thru my parents, relatives, and friends.
You were born in Jamaica, right?
1da~ Yah mon. lol.
And now that we see your past influences, where do you want to go from here musically?
1da~ I want to keep my mind opened musically. Like, I not only produce Hip Hop, I produce R 'n B, Pop, and anything that I can make work. I want to continue on with the open mindedness...it can't hurt and is definitely a plus. For example, I attended Ole Song Camp...
Like "Band Camp," as in American Pie? lol!
1da~ LOL! Not exactly (still laughing). It was a cool production and songwriting camp held by Phase One Studios... I would say, I came out of there with some great insight and knowledge. I created a country song while there as part of a project. I like things like this that keeps my mind expanding.
Do we see Boi 1nda on a country album in the future?
1da~ lol. you never know, anything is possible... lol lol lol.
What other people or circumstances in the industry has been an influence and inspiration to you?
1da~ I gotta say peeps like Sauks, who like to teach me about the (industry) game, how it works, etc. and Noah Shabib aka 40/40, who is the best vocal engineer and mixer in the game. Big shout outs to those two.
Nice. What artist would you like to work with?
1da~ Oh man, there's this dude named Lacrae. He's this sick Christian rapper outta Atlanta. I tried to holla at him, but nothing yet.
Cool, cool. Which of your productions got you the most spins to your knowledge?
1da~ I would say, probably Drake's, "Replacement Girl" which was co-produced by T.Williams and Rochester's, "Pull Up."
The Replacement Girl video should have done more...but we won't get into that.
Aight. When you are producing for different types of mc's, different type of artist, how do you go about it with the artist in mind.
1da~ I learn the style of the artist. For example, Drake or someone like Bishop, I go at it grimy, with something "catchy" in mind. For someone like Saukrates, it has to be different, crazy shit!
Thats (some) crazy, ill insight right there! You mentioned earlier to me that you are on an upcoming Luda album. How did you manage to get thru to Ludacris?
1da~ That was my boy T-Williams who's manager at Lavish Live Management got the beat out to the man himself. I think we'll have 1 or two on there...
And on the Kid Famous album? Kardinal Offishial's?
1da~ I think around 7 or 8.. and two on Kardi's album, who incidentally is the artist I enjoyed working with most. Shout outs To Kardi!
You rackin' em up, Boi! You gettin' em! Its nice to see the local scene getting the attention it well deserves with cats like you, Kardi, Famous, and Sauks to name a few.
1da~ Yeaah, the local scene is growing and striving like no other time. I think peeps are starting to organize and support one another for the common cause....finally!
I noticed that your beats for radio play and the ones you brought to the battle of the beats are different. Why is that?
1da~ When you go to a battle, you gotta bring heat, sick beats. And I gotta say the experience at the BBM's helped to improve my skill. When it comes to radio play, we gotta bring it differently... for obvious reasons.
Yep, well said. I understand their was recent controversy at the last Battle of the Beat Makers surrounding you and another producer. Your thoughts on it?
1da~ Oh yeah, that was between Arthur McArthur and myself. Let me start off by saying that Arthur is my boy, he's good people. There is and never was any beef between him and I. But I do gotta say, when people have their crew cheering and hollering for them, the perception in these contest can be jaded. The first beats from McArthur and myself were both good, both banging, and the judges scored it a tie. In my opinion, it was my second beat that wiped him out. His was real good, but the judges scored in my favour. Once again, this is nothing against Arthur. He's dope and he is my boi!
Any more BBM appearances?
1da~ Naaaah, I think I'll leave that alone. Too much politics.
Whats your take on Sampled vs. Played production?
1da~ I was on the heavily sampled tip, but now I favour the played shit heavily. I prefer to make non-sampled beats for the lack of sample clearance and all the other nonsense that goes along with it. lol.
Its funny, I first heard of you a few years back thru a friend of mine. He was bragging about his nephew, Mathew, the next big thing in Canadian production. Its funny cause what he said back then, is holding true now.
1da~ Ya Raj (Diamond Tusk from Secret Society), thats my fam. His sister married my uncle. Its nice when your family biggs you up, it's like a stamp of approval from the fam.
Its nice to see a West Indian (Caribbean) born Canadian doing it for the country. We got you fam! Any final words?
1da~ Yes, GOD BLESS EVERYONE!
Boi 1da production credits include the following artists:
Kardinal Offishall, Drake, Deuce-Deuce, Rochester aka Juice, Tru Life, Andreena Millz, Bishop Brigante, Saukrates, Point Blank, JD Era, Darryl Riley, KRS-One, Devine Brown, Trey Songz, Snoop Dogg, Keshia Chante, Jim jones, Stack Bundles, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Tony Yayo, Ludacris, Clipse, Massari, Fabolous, Young Jeezy, Jadakiss, and Sheek Louch.
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Origionally posted April 2008.
Taken from the Megacity Producers
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Producers Ontha Move, vol.1 Rich Kidd
Rich Kidd
Rich Kidd produced: Drake, Busta Rhymes, Billy Danze (M.O.P), K-os, Suakrates, Nelly Furtado, Andreena Mills, Kadinal Offishial, Cali Snipes, Tona, too name a few.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Boi 1da, behind the making of Best I Ever Had & Forever
I chopped it up with Boi 1da, the producer of Drakes, Best I Ever Had, Killa (w/ Nipsey Hussle), Forever (w/ Ye, L'il Wayne, & Eminem), Im Still Fly (w/ Page); to name a few.
We went thru the process of creating hits with Drake. Boi 1da goes in to describe their usual process of Drake recording hooks on his Berry, sending them to 1da, and Boi 1da inturn creates/produces around Drakes hooks.
This was how Best I Ever Had came about for instance. "I was going thru a sample folder and came accross the Hamilton Frank and Joe sample. I flipped that sample and finished the beat in FL," says modest Boi 1da. And the rest they say is history.
The song, Forever was based on a beat that Boi 1da sent to Drake. "I thought the beat was hot, so I sent it to him." And by the way if you don't know, Drake & 1da have been a team for awhile, ie. ATF, Octobersveryown (see the interview with Boi 1da, in Megacity Producers for more info). Back to Forever. If the hook sounds familiar to those in the Dot, it is basically a remix with Em', Ye, & Weezy which is gonna be on the LeBron James, More Than A Game soundtrack.
When I asked 1da what we should be looking out for from him, he said," The (Drake) album, Thank Me Later." Release, slated for...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
THE PRODUCER'S SHOWCASE CHALLENGE OFFICIAL REVIEW
Approximately 300 people jammed into Downtown Kathy Brown's to witness New Industry Canada's, PRODUCER'S SHOWCASE CHALLENGE on NOV, 7TH.
I told you all it was "GONNA BE ONE DOPE ASS EVENT, DONT MISS IT!" I Told You! And it was.
The Performances
Bizz from crackhouse radio and livetheculture.com exclaimed, "Rich Kidd's performance... he crushed it!" "Point Blank was the most jovial and outgoing I've ever seen...I finally got a Point Blank t-shirt."
Yes the performances were incredible that night.
New Industry's, Rugged One: Strik9 & Flex set the whole vibe of the show by opening the event with high energy and positive records, Rich Kidd & Junia-T did they thing for sure, letting Londoners know whats happening out in T-dot.
Judge, Mic Boogie: I was impressed alot by Rich Kidd. Didn't know he rapped. He was live. Got the crowd into it for sure.
Top indie group, Point Blank put on a solid performance as always and showed what they can do as a top Indie group in Canada. "They did like 6 songs," says Bizz, "including their singles!"
Okay, now for the main course. The Producer Battles.
Boogie: As far as the beats go. All the producers brought some dope beats. Some had more consistent production as they got into further rounds
...biggest surprise was Neenah. The only female in the whole contest.
Her first round beat was insane. It was probably the grimiest beat I heard all night. And she don't look like she makes beats like that. I had to spit a verse on it.
Rugged One: Our judges panel consisting of (heavy weight rapper) Mic Boogie, (T-dot's choice producer and now rapper) Rich Kidd, (champion rapper) D-Sisive and Londoner (and one of Canada's new favourite and respected rapper) Shad K.
Some of the highlight battles were the surprising first round outcome where C4 knocked out Contejous Management's, Vokab... and that was only the beginning for this explosive producer who took out Vokab without a single...sample.
Big Pops vs Memorecks was another memorable first rounder.
Boogie: ...Pops, from the first round he was just banger after banger.
Some guy rushed the stage and fell down (lol).
C4 was definitely very consistent from round to round. His beats were all dope. Nice heavy low end in his beats. I'm definitely going to work with him.
Those two matches set the tone for the night.
C4 went on to battle Contejous Management's, Neenah.
C4: ...next round was against Neenah. I knew that was going to be tough. For one, she's Vokab's girl so I knew she was going to try to take me out (like, you cant beat my man and me too).
So I dropped something different; that I felt would get people hyped....Next was J Staffz.
I asked judge Mic Boogie if he found the judges differ in scores; "or where you all pretty much in agreement during most battles?"
Boogie: We all had our own preference as for production style.
Any closely "scored" battles?
Boogie: Yeah, Big Pops and Black Ghost to go to the finals
The Finals, C4 vs. Big Pops ... 3 rounds ding ding!
C4 felt the first round against Pops was ruined.
C4: The sound guy played my beat at low volume and restarted it 3 times; it played for a total of 5 mins. That's not the way you take people by surprise.
I think that Pops is great at what he does and I don't think he's responsible for what happened but I would like to see an uninterrupted final.
Boogie: As for C4, the only reason why he lost I would say was that Big Pops beats just had a bit more feeling and life in them. More emotion with how he chopped up his samples.
His beats were monsters...
all of them.
For the night each producer there seemed to have their own crews with them, but for sure Big Pops stole some peoples friends away.
The Event as a Whole
The Showcase was a great success. The Producers came with some of the most incredible production and the crowd response was a testament to that. A good place for artist to meet up with talented producers." Ultimately Big Pops' thunderous production styles dictated the outcome and had him crowned the grand champion of the evening. But that in no way takes away from the caliber of beats we heard all night from all the competitors," said producer Rugged One.
Boogie:Yeah for sure a good way to connect. I made some connects...
Legion: you mentioned working with a few of these producers in the future, anything peeps s/b looking forward to hearing soon?
Boogie: Well Im waiting on some beats from C4. I hit up Black Ghost about a beat he had I want to do something with. AND Big Pops... I could do a whole album with him.
More from Mic Boogie
C4: There's a lot of talent out here and I look forward to making hits for as many people as I can. I work with Jd Era quite a bit..i've done some remixes for Elephant Man and Akon in Toronto. Funny thing is; my day job is making jingles for commercials. I do hip hop for the love.
Congratulations to Big Pops, all the contestants and performers and Ruggerd One for hosting and putting it all together with New Industry.
New Industry Canada is a sister company of New Industry Records based in New York City headed up by Pottersfield's Boss St.Laz (http://www.myspace.com/stlazpottersfield)and world renowned Dj Fade.
NEW INDUSTRY CANADA is committed to that effort for our Canadian talent and will help to promote, build and strengthen our underground music scene until it is out in front enough that we can start allowing these talented artists to live off of their work.
Contact info:
Producer's who wanna get @ Mic Boogie, email: mb@micboogiemusic.com
More from Mic Boogie
New Industry Canada
Rugged One
C4
More on Bip Pops
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Mastering Hits, pt.3
PHIL "TALKS SHOP," ABOUT THE TOP MASTERING ENGINEERS IN THE WORLD... Profiling world class mastering engineers and their social habits.
3rd of the Mastering Hits, Mastering Edition series...part 1 & 2, here.
myspace.com/phildemetro