It's About Artoflife in Nc
For People
Sick of name brand clothes.
Sick of Cocaine and crack
Which brings sickness to blacks,
Sick of swoll head rappers
With their sicker-than raps
Clappers and gats
Makin&; the whole sick world collapse
The facts are gettin& sick
Even sicker perhaps
Stickabush to make a bundle to escape this synapse
- Trugoy
Yo My Man Sir Raleigh Been Serve up A Lot of mc's around Raleigh
Has good Local Buzz just any moment he's going to get hat push over The top. you can check out his music right here
yo check out the music on this artist reverb nation page got a lot attention around raleigh if you like ti,trick daddy, then check out the music free download @ [url]http://www.reverbnation.com/sirraleigh[/url]
We All know and most likely very firmlar with the Classics What's going On, and Let's get it on .
But sometimes what is forgotten is Marvin Gaye work after these albums which was also an interesting time in his life .Marvin as many great artist put alot of hisself in his music or at least portrayed that to the public.
At the end of the album lets get it on there is a song Just to Keep You Satisfied (which was an preview of the album "Here My Dear" But we will talk about that later)
c/razy is local producer I heard on the internet through had an interesting sound he's From Raleigh, North Carolina and seems to have a real passion for music.So decide to get quick Q@A
Questions
1. Where are you from originally?
Queens, New York
2. What are your first memories of music?
My dad was a dj, music always been with me
3. What are first memories of rap music?
Rob base, mc milk, lol an my dad an those basement parties
4. When did you know you want to make rap music?
First year of high school, hats when rap took over me.
5. What were the first songs you produced?
Of course it was one of my songs, called welcome to Raleigh, off old mix tape "operation get money"
6. What other genres are you interested in other then rap music
I like all music, I believe most producers are like that.music is gonna be music.whether its beatboxing or techno.you smell me
7. What are favorite albums from these other genres and why?
Way too many to name
8. What are your favorite artist from these genres and why?
Queen, Stevie nicks, Chicago, Marvin Gaye, incubus, Paul Simon, Michael Jackson, Sade. To me they thought out of the box, and either had a dope voice or dope musicians.
9. Do you think lyricism is better rap or in other music such as Soul, Rock, etc:
Its, all feeling and emotion. I think it’s harder to come up with a rap , can’t say it's better because no matter the genre a songwriter is a songwriter Paul Simon was a beast
10. I see you produce what interested you in this aspect of rap music
Black jeruz was my mentor.watched him then went home a practiced.lol an he Most Likely Don't even know it.
11. What equipment you use
Right now fruityloops9, protools, alesis q25, mpd16, and a Roland d-20
12. Why you choose to you use this equipment
For one the cost.and i learned it's not what you use, it’s the sounds you own. So I stacked up on my sounds instead of equipment.saves dollars and makes sense.
13. To do it matter what equipment you have
Not to me, if I use a spoon and a beer can to make a beat and it’s hot I’m going to run with it. I will say the programs and effects make the difference.
14. Do you sample and why
Yes. some of my hottest beats are samples, can’t really say why, but if I hear something I like my brain makes a beat almost instantly...chop it an smash it
15. Do think rap music is
Better when artist produce and raps
For me it helps, it makes it easier. But I like when artist come together.best of both worlds
16. Who are some your rap influences
Deniro of skull gang, young bladz of so fly ent, gavrillo garvey and t.eddison of cap city ent ...don't know em' use google
17. Who are some your production influences
black jeruz,sunrise,9th wonder,illphil,zeikbeatz..too many to name all nc producers tho
18. What are some your favorite rap verses
ok sorry this question almost made my head bust open,wow too much passin threw my brain, get back to you on that one
19. What are some your favorite beats
triumph,imma huslter, too many anything high energy
20. Top 5 producers
swizz,lex luger,alchemist,arabmuzik,ryan leslie
21. Top 5 Rappers styles p, jayz,drake,wayne,lloyd banks
22. Top 5 artist
jayz,drake,ti,ross,pac
23.Who are some your favorite artist to sample and why?
i sample what feels rite there is no particular person i search for...
24.What type of rap producer are you(southern,east coast,underground) and why do you chose this style
well i try to do it all,from up north but live down south so im mixed...cant really do tha backpackish underground ish not my lane...respect it tho
25. any other thing you want people to know about you and your music?
yeah, that this is really all i have now..so get ready and watch me kick into high gear, just found myself so the music making process is more fun than work. come check me and my team out
26. What do you feel About All the Violence, sex, and materialism in rap music and where do you think rap is headed
If that what these artist feel like talking about.go ahead...violence,sex are everywhere and almost everybody walking is materialistic so... raps cool goin steady not sure where it's headed tho
27. Do you feel as If Today rap artist are honest about there feeling
There are some artist that make you feel where they coming from but for the most part no.j cole,drake, jaye are sum i can actually tell have thoughts an emotions
By now your most Likely fimlar with the producer s1 who produce the song power for kanye west The group strange fruit project got introduce try'n to find some postive rap with southern senseabilties sort of like outkast for years i had heard the little brother comparsions about the group .Me being me i waited and slept on the group till one day i came across one pof there songs on youtube and really enjoyed it was'nt the sound i excepted the beats instead being like 9th wonder they were very jdilla influnced.After enjoying the songs on youtube and preview there albums on Napster i decide to download there frist three albums .The things i discovered about this group is the lyrics are very postive ,spritual type rap thats what knits the rappers together s1 (christian)myone(polytheisis)myth(5% nation of gods and earth) and interesting thing how they come from all different relgious backgrounds and they can coexist in harmony.Lyrics as group there decent rappers i would say none of them are above average except myone there music is mostly vibe music simlar to slum village .Illmind is frequent collabator with the group usual to me drops the best beats on there album there best album to me is soul traveling but all there albums are worth downloading so check out The Strange Fruit Project.
the process of writing this album has been difficult .For one because of finding a studio or studio time thats affordable has been har.the whole writing process has took alot of time with me losing a notebook i had which contain around 6 songs for the album along with me loseing a ipod that had beats i wanted to write to .the album is going to be very different the topic i want to cover are state of black america, the way i think media trys to force people to rush into sex,my personal happiness,respecting women,love falling in love,rejection,my struggle in becoming a man i want the record to say things i wish other rappers would say which olny reason i'm doing the album is because i feel like these subject don't get touch on enough to me whole entire album going to be very creative out the box for a hip hop release or society today .alot sense rap try'n to get people to wise up the beats for the blum i 'm picking from varioous beattapes from ayatollah,apollo brown,9th wonder,midi marc,jlaine,mablib,etc soulful type of production is what i'm aiming for
in meanwhile i recorded a few tracks for fun at a computer lab
you can catch them here
You : which is love song a wrote to another beat but decide to recorded to this one a different type of joint takeing about lady that has some self respect plus a needful song in our sexed up culture
Here an artist that got familiar with on face book decides to go to his band camp and check his album its dope. Posted on the blog. He’s got very jazzy type sound continues with North Carolina tradition of being outside the box.
Also there may be a video of the interview coming soon. So stay tuned. Like there anyone who reads this blog.
Here's the interview that my man was so gracious to do shout C.minor for bless the blog
. Where are you from originally :
I was born and raised in New Bern, North Carolina but I stay in Raleigh, NC. Thats my Home now.
2. What Are your first memories of music :
That's a tough one. But my first memories of music had to be when my dad was practicing on his keyboard and his saxophone. My father has been playing music for 20+ years and he's been teaching music for 10+ years. One of my favorite memories was of me when I was still a toddler and I climbed into my dad's keyboard stool and I started banging on the keys pretending to play the keys. Those were good times.
3. What are first memories of rap music
Man cookouts in the Summer time. Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince always got play at the cookouts and family reunions. In my area back then R&B/Old School music so we weren't really getting what everyone was getting. But what hip hop we did get was pretty solid. Some of my cousins bumped a little De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest. Other than the other commercial stuff out there like MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice, etc I really wasn't raised around a whole bunch of hip hop. I had to go out and get an understanding of it on my own and I had to do my homework.
4. When did you know you want to make rap music
I wanted to start making rap music when my boys got me started rapping. I was really into church as a kid and some of my boys wanted to start a gospel hip hop group. My other homie was rapping about other stuff that he was hearing on the radio... ya know a whole bunch of gangsta stuff and he was freestyling and thats how it really got started for me. He just started tryin to get me to freestyle but I felt more comfortable writing and then I heard Mos Def and Talib Kweli's Blackstar Album and the rest is history. Pun intended
5. What were the first songs you wrote
My first few songs were Christian type joints... but I kinda fell away from that for a few reasons at the time. But there was a black history program at my school that was going to have a spot for a rap performance. So my teacher made the beat and got all the guys together including myself and we all wrote out our own verses. The song was called "Black Man, Born Free".
6. What other genres are you interested in other then rap music
Other genres... hmmm... That has to be undoubtedly Soul Music and Jazz. I have an ecletic style. I like Gospel, Rock, Country, Bluegrass, Dubstep/Techno/Electronica, Alternative, etc. The list goes on but Soul Music and Jazz just touched me in a special way. It still does to this day.
7. What are favorite albums from these other genres and why?
My favorite Jazz album of all time has to be John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme". That album means a lot to me because Coltrane is a personal influence in my life. He truly made music that came from his soul and that album wasn't just an ordinary album. Coltrane said it was his first offering to God after he quit heroine. And it was the first of many albums to display that type of devotion he had for God. You don't find a lot of people really making music with the purpose to better themselves in mind. It's mostly about expression and thats what art should be about. Expression... but Coltrane took it to another level to me.
As for Rock it has to be Pink Floyd's Darkside Of The Moon. That has to be one of the most creative concept albums I've ever heard of in my life. Pink Floyd reinvented themselves with that album after their lead singer dropped out of the group and went into seclusion. It was simply a flawless album.
As far as hip hop goes... I don't think I have a favorite. Most would say Illmatic or Resonable Doubt. I wouldn't say I have a favorite but I do have some that have really influenced me. Such as Mos Def's Black On Both Sides, and Common's "Like Water For Chocolate". Especially Mos Def and Talib Kweli's Blackstar Album. There are a few other honorable mentions such as A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight Murauders", De La Soul's "Grind Date", Kanye West's "College Dropout", and Lupe Fiasco's "Food and Liquor". I gotta mention Illmatic and Reasonable Doubt. But I could go on and on about dope albums.
8. What are your favorite artist from these genres and why?
Thats a good question. It has to be guys like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, The Beetles, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and Ray Charles. They were innovators. They made some of the most timeless music I've heard in my life. I know I've said that a few times but to me thats the key. Music that ages well and still gets spins years and years after the album is released... and it definitely says a lot when you're music is still getting play years and years after the original artist is dead. When you have artists doing covers of your songs years and years after you've retired and for a lot of those guys when you're dead... that speaks volumes about the music that you've created because you haven't only just created great music. You've created a lasting memory. You've impacted lives that you may never see and you create a long lasting legacy. I always wonder what it would be like to be immortal. I plan to make music that will live on and impact people long after I'm gone. Not only that... but they taught me how to think outside of the box and not to be afraid to express myself and make music I can be satisfied with. The artists I mentioned dropped music that got me through tough times and some sticky jams. Those memories are tied to that music too. I'm sure there are A LOT of names I forgot to mention but those right there are the ones that really stick out to me.
9. Do you think lyricism is better rap or in other music such as soul,rock,etc
I don't think lyricism can be greater in any genre really. As long as the music has a message or is painting a picture for the listener that's all that should matter in my opinion. For instance... Lets take Mos Def's song "There Is A Way" off of his album Tru3 Magic. He pretty much keeps up the same 2 or 3 lines he has in the whole entire song. It isn't Lupe lyrical at all but the message is truly the most important thing in the song that people should be hearing in my opinion. "There is a way, No Matter what they say" and "Don't Give Up, Don't Give In". That's all he really says in the song. Now there are some individuals in hip hop that are less lyrical than others... but I don't knock them or whatever. They do their thing and they do it well. As long as they stay in their lane thats cool with me. Just don't go outside your own perverbial box to prove a point... do you. I do my thing and I know that others may not feel my music which is why other artists are out there to appeal to those people that may not feel my music.
10. I see you produce what interested you in this aspect of rap music
Well all the legends I grew up listening to like Dilla, Premier, Pete Rock, 9th Wonder... Then Kanye really got me interested into it. I always wanted to know how these guys did it. Then I started messing with Fruity Loops (FL Studios) and just studying the game. Learned different techniques and experiemented. There is a method to everyone's madness and it's always interesting to view how other artistic minds process and work things. Well at least it is that way to me.
11. What equipment do you use
I use Fruity Loops, Reason 4, Pro Tools, The MC Roland 909, The M-Audio Axiom 64 Key Midi Controller, My Ocean Bass guitar, My Hartke Bass Amp Head.
12. Why you choose to you use this equipment
Well some of it isn't by choice. lol But they offer me a lot of variety and they deliver the goods. I get results. Thats the most important thing to me.
13. Does it matter what equipment you have
No not really. It's about what you do with it... not what equipment you have. Some guys don't even have half of what I have and have made dope music with it. All 9th Wonder had was Fruity Loops 3 when he made all the instrumentals for Little Brother's Classic album "The Listening"
14. Your mix tape [A] Summer Soulstice what was the inspiration behind the album
If you really want to know. It was a Woman... A very special woman in my life. She gave me the amount of tracks she wanted to hear on it and set the deadline... and I got it done. I mean I wanted to put something out but I wasn't sure how I wanted to execute it and she provided the inspiration for me to make it happen.
15. I see you did some production on the album. Do think rap music is better when artist produce and raps.
I wouldn't say that... But it definitely does give you a greater edge in my opinion. Especially if your beats are pretty dope and you can still rap circles around the competition. The best I see doin it now is Big K.R.I.T. That guy has some pretty dope beats and he can kill his tracks lyrically as well. But there is something about two individuals coming together and taking their talents and combining them to make some truly beautiful music that is dope as well.
16. Who are some your rap influences
I'd have to say Mos Def, Common, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Jay Z, Elzhi, Kanye West, Q Tip, Phife Dog, Phonte/Big Pooh (Little Brother), Chaundon as well. He's pretty dope. He's always on his grind.
17. Who are some your production influences
I'd have to say J Dilla first and foremost. His music changed my life. Madlib, Dj Premeier, 9th Wonder, Pete Rock, The Justice League, Ski Beatz, Just Blaze, Kanye West, The Alchemist, 88 Keys and all the producers I personally know like my homies, Millie Vaughn, Vino, and Ill Will. Even though Will doesn't produce as much as he used to he kept me sharp and on my toes. I think thats one reason why I always got better because I had someone that I felt could keep me on my toes ya know?
18. What are some your favorite raps
My favorite of all time is probably "Respiration" By Blackstar (Mos Def and Talib Kweli) ft. Common. That record really was the blueprint to the emcee I am today. I love that song and my favorite verses of all time are on that one song.
19. What are some your favorite beats
Man I can't even goin into that. I got a lot of Dilla jams I love. Ski Beatz is really killin it right now and 9th Wonder keeps getting better and better all the time. Just Blaze got a lot of em, and so does Kanye. I can't even answer that question man. There are too many beats to name. lol
20. Top 5 producers
1.) J Dilla
2.) Pete Rock
3.) Ski Beatz
4.) Just Blaze
5.) Kanye West
Honorable Mentions that should be on this list include...
9th Wonder, Dj Premier, Madlib
21. Top 5 Rappers
1.) Mos Def
2.) Common
3.) Lupe Fiasco
4.) Big K.R.I.T.
5.) Talib Kweli
I wish I could mention the local emcees I know too like...
Drique London, Tuscon, Ghost Dog, Live L!ght, Lazarus, S.Gold, Sky Blew, Azon Blaze, Rome Jeterr, a lot of dope cats around here in my area. Most of the world thinks it's just J.Cole... We have so much more talent here in this state its not even funny.
22. Top 5 artist
1.) John Coltrane
2.) Jimi Hendrix
3.) Jaco Pastorius
4.) Marvin Gaye
5.) Mos Def
Well I’ve Know J-kits for a while now .I went to middle school with him in 1998 .We also went to High School together I can remember him trying to put together complication of artist from the school which I thought was dope. because I thought we had a lot talent people at our school. (some I see them today they say they don't rap no more I’m wondering why cause I thought they were dope)but seeing him take his dream to the next level and continue to pursuing them after high school is to me the amazing thing. He gone on to produce songs for people like Trey Songz, -Shyne, Katy Perry,and Atozzio.And if I'm not mistakein he's done some ghost prodution work as well.I can remember asking him about music when I was in school I always enjoy his answer to stuff i knew nothing about like sampling time. I rember asking him why the complication never came out .and rember him saying it was'nt right? I thinking it sound alright to me .I guess he has different ear then what i have .I thankful that he decide to do the interview and he was gracious enough to do it and here's the interview links at the bottom of the Page.
Questions
1. Where are you from originally :
A: Raleigh NC, born & raised
2. What Are your first memories of music :
A: Listening to funk music to from my little league football games w/ my father. And getting my first keyboard at 12.
3. What are first memories of rap music :
A: I can't really remember the the first memories to well, but I'd have to say the Digital Underground "Do the Humpty Hump" video as kid.
4. When did you know you want to make rap music :
A: Well in particularly, rap music became an interest to produce around the time Ruff Ryders was poppin. I was about 12 and got my first keyboard while i was taking lessons. My practice time usually became devoted to making beats lol.
5. What were the first songs you wrote :
A: I didn't really write too many songs, but i did attempt to rap around 13 or 14. But i ended up sticking to my motif lol.
6. What other genres are you interested in other then rap music :
A: ALL OF THEM! From the bottom to the top. It keeps me inspired and open to new elements.
7. What are favorite albums from these other genres and why? :
A: Washed Out "Life of Leisure", St. Germaine "Tourist" ...and many others. I just like albums that aren't always mainstreamed. Underground is where its at.
8. What are your favorite artist from these genres and why? :
A: Tooooo many to name lol.
9. Do you think lyricism is better rap or in other music such as soul,rock,etc :
A: I could never say that its better in any genre. They all have their own unique expression. I think there is some level of expertise in lyricism for every genre of music.
10. I see you produce what interested you in this aspect of rap music :
A: I would say hiphop is my root. Thats what i began with, and its always with me throughout my productions. But i just love dope hard beats & rhymes. The simplicity of the vibe is what gets my ears clicking.
11. What equipment you use :
A: I produce in Pro Tools mainly as my sequncer, b/c i have a lot of dope plug-ins to mix and tweak on the spot. But mainly virtual instruments and software to create. I also play the guitar, bass, and keys too.
12. Why do you choose to you use this equipment :
A: It just fits my style and work ethic. I never feel limited.
13. Doest it matter what equipment you have :
A: At the end of the day, it starts in the mind. Its how you use or manipulate the equipment to create that exact idea you feel. Never blame the equip lol
17. Who are some your production influences :
A: Quincy Jones, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Kanye West, The Neptunes, The Funk Brothers, Timbaland, Danny Elfman, and so many more. Too many to name them all.
20. Top 5 producers :
A: Quincy Jones, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, The Funk Brothers, Timbaland, Danny Elfman
21. Top 5 Rappers :
A: Tupac, Kanye West, Eminem, Nas, Jay-Z
22. Top 5 artist :
A: Michael Jackson, Beyonce, James Brown, Prince, Earth Wind & Fire
Here J-Kits Production List :
-Trey Songz:
"Love Me Better"
"Here We Go Again"
-Shyne:
"Roller Song"
-Cyhi Da Prince:
"Pockets on Swole"
-Katy Perry ft Mims:
"I Kissed A Girl - Official Remix"
-Ernie Gaines ft T.I. :
"Sip It"
-J Holiday:
"Adam & Eve"
-Ashley ft Nicki Minaj
"T.E.M.P.O.
-Atozzio:
"Reverse Effect"
-BET The Game:
Season 4, Episode 8 -"A Very Special Episode" / Dani Wright - "Beautiful Sex"
About 6 years I thought it was one of the best rap albums I’ve heard but as I’ve gotten older I don’t feel the same about the album maybe it’s the violence or whole drug dealer thing .as time goes by production tends to date it's self. To me doesn’t real have a good flow from track to track I' remember about 9 years asking somebody about the blueprint they said that it was his best album I look at like he was crazy but you know he most likely telling the truth .reasonable doubt is flawed but you still can hear the hunger the grittiness even thought he put "aint no nigga" up there the stories on album real vivid some much some would believe there true .How he builds the character throughout the album likes it all together.
Can't knock the hustle
Scheme on the ice, I gotta hot your crew
I gotta, let you niggaz know the time like Movado
My motto, stack rocks like Colorado
Auto off the champagne, Cristal's by the bottle
It's a damn shame what you're not though (who?) Me
Slick like a gato, fuckin Jay-Z
My pops knew exactly what he did when he made me
Tried to get a nut and he got a nut and what
Straight bananas; can a nigga, see me?
Got the US Open, advantage Jigga
Serve like Sampras, play fake a rappers like a campus
Le Tigre, son you're too eager
You ain't havin it? Good, me either
Let's, get together and make this whole world believe us huh?
At my arraignment, screamin
all us blacks got is sports and entertainment, until we even
Thievin, as long as I'm breathin
Can't knock the way a nigga eatin - fuck you even!
Poltics As usual
You feel my triumph never, feel my pain I'm lyin
Low in the leather Zion, the best that's ever came
The game changes like, my mind just ain't right
We 'gwan get this dough, I guess it ain't your night
Suckin me in like a vacumn, I remember
tellin my family I'll be back soon, that was December
Eighty-five and, Jay-Z rise ten years later
got me wise still can't break my underworld ties
I wear black a lot, in the Ac', act a lot
Got matchin VCR's, a huge Magnavox
to nitch, green like spinach pop wines that's vintage
It's a lot of big money in my sentence
Hittin towards a mil', lip a, written I kill like that
chick faked me one-two cat, yeah, I do dat
Ain't no stoppin the champagne from poppin
the drawers from droppin, the law from watchin, I hate em
deep emtional album could did with out few tracks anint no nigga,cashmere thoughts,22 twos,
me personal album stuck little closer to its concept but still dope album .thats has real atomosphere to it.But does'nt compare with illmatic,midnight maruader,low end theory,etc
