Fade
The Beat Strangler
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illest o.g.
eXampuL_oNe's 'WHAT!' won our latest Beat This! Competition, which focused on the 'SOUTHERN' theme. This interview gets into the fascinating world of this Milwaukee - native beatmaker!
Holla @ ya boy! How are you? What's the latest?
I'm good man, just been busy with a whole bunch of things. The latest is I have been working on about 3 different projects. One is getting set for release and the other two are in the creation process still.
Congratulations on winning the competition! Well done! Please share your recipe - How was 'WHAT!' created?
Thanks a lot, I was surprised about winning that because there were others in my opinion that were better, there's so much ill talent here. Anyways, "What!" was created with a lot of inspiration from the newer south music. I pretty much wanted to create something with a real crunk vibe but not all the way crunk. When I was working on it I re-did the drums about five or six times. A lot of my beats, when in the process, go through this, drums are crucial for a good beat.
How long have you been involved with music (producing in particular)?
Well, I have been making beats for about 4 years. I have been involved in music since about 10 or 12 (used to play trumpet and at about 14 I started DJing, I'm 20 now). I have been producing on and off for about 4. Lately, I have been so busy with other things that I have just been making beats and dropping them in with an engineer and then I may stay and give a little input or I will leave because I have so much to do that day. A lot of the times I believe the tracks could have came out better when I do this. It is better for a producer to really be there and give input and make the artist sound good. That is a skill all in itself.
Who are your influences? Are you trying to sound like someone else, or are you looking for your own individual sound?
My influences come from all different artists and all different types of music. In particular my influences are cats like Dr. Dre (obviously), Kanye West, Stoop, Hi-Tek, Herbie Hancock, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, Organized Noize, a lot of cats. I like to mix all of those sounds together with a little bit of my own spice but still keep it Hip-Hop. I try not to sound like anyone else but sometimes it just kind of happens. I believe that's a good thing though, not to jack someone's style completely but to take what you like from it and apply that to what you're doing. This is how music evolves.
What equipment do you use? Do you change gear/software on a regular basis?
My equipment on the hardware side is fairly minimal. I have a Korg Triton Workstation, which is one of the best synthesizers today (even though I like the Motif better but let's face it, I ain't got cash to fork out like that too often). As far as the software side, I like to fluctuate. I have all types of plug-ins and stuff that I use with Fruity Loops 4. Also, I use Cool Edit Pro 2.0 along with Logic for sampling.
What are your thoughts regarding the music industry? Would you like to produce for big shot MCs? Are you trying to break into the industry?
Awwww man, where do I start? Right now I think the music industry has become so overloaded with these one hit wonder cats and they are messing it up for cats that really got talent. Mainstream Hip-Hop right now? Horrible! Although some of the underground shit I hear is also horrible! I don't like when cats try to get too futuristic and take away from the full flava' of this music. Then again, we do have some diamonds in the rough. I would like to see Hip-Hop now turn back into Hip-Hop from back in the day when I was growing up.
Do you collect vinyl/CDs? In your opinion, is digging an essential part of the Hip-Hop culture?
I do collect vinyl and dig still. It is a part of the Hip-Hop culture but I strongly believe that synthesizers and original composition are also a part of Hip-Hop culture. Just think about it, if sampling was made by live instruments and artists, why should we not carry that into our music? I love to sample and I will never stop doing it regarding all these laws. If I get sued then maybe I'll just be a little more careful but until then I'm going to sample who and what I want to.
Digging itself is an art. You can just go in a record store, grab a vinyl and make a beat. But, it takes more to take your time and listen to the record and think about how to flip the sample. I could hear an ill ass loop that someone else has already sampled, but you have to figure out ways around just looping it (even though I'll admit that sometimes I'll take a loop and pretty much just leave it and throw drums over it and call it a banger). Lately, I have been going against my instincts when sampling. I'll sample something completely odd and mess with it by tuning it or adding certain effects, time stretching and even using an old sample I've used before to layer over it and make it sound better.
What are some of your tips for the newbies who read this interview? Where should they put the accent, when learning how to create music?
Don't be scared to do your own thing. It's one thing to try and be the next Kanye West but a completely different thing to come up with a whole new approach to doing what you do and making it sound good. I think we have too many producers trying their hardest to make beats like their favorite producer. Like I said before, it's okay (in my opinion) to take something you like from a track (the way the drums hit or the swing and tempo of the song) and incorporate it into what you're doing. But, please we don't need anymore Kanye West wannabes or Just Blaze wannabes. Experiment and do what you do regardless of what people are telling you.
Your ultimate 5 steps to a perfect eXampuL_oNe beat?
- Get the vibe set (I can tell I'm going to make a banger before I even sit down at my workstation by the vibe I'm getting from it).
- Choose my drums (For every beat I make I have to have a good set of hard hitting drums).
- Start to lay down my melody/sample.
- Go for the drum track and make that shit BANG!
- (One of the most essential parts to a good track) Sequencing, this is what makes your beat come to life next to what you've just created. Dropouts, sample flips, change-ups, these are essential for a good eXampuL_oNe beat!
Well, because I'm a leader and the best way to lead is by example. I used to be DJ eXampuL but when I started making more and more music and not really DJ'ing I figured I'd do cats like Q-bert and Craze the favor of taking off the DJ part if I wasn't a supreme turntablist. I spell it differently because I just like how that looks (lol). Plus I used to be a big graffiti writer and we always spell shit wrong on purpose because it's dope!
Has IllMuzik helped you in perfecting your craft?
Oh yes, most definitely. Without IllMuzik I would still be stuck in my room figuring out how to do things rather than asking for advice and getting the answers I need! I still have lots and lots to learn. Cats like Formant make me feel like a damn novice!
How was your childhood? Has it affected your personality & character in the long run?
My childhood is a long story. I've had a lot of emotional set backs and whatnot that I'd rather not discuss (nothing extreme or anything but things that could have made it much better). It has helped me because it's created me into a person with a lot of care for others and helping others. I always get a lot from helping someone in need. There needs to be more people like that. Nowadays, so many people are too into themselves and worry about how they can live a better life but not even thinking about the people that are going through their worst days ever and living in a hell on earth. I'm the kind of person that will help someone in any way I can, and I can thank my childhood for that because without the way I was brought up I would probably just be someone who didn't care.
How's Milwaukee? Can ya tell us some juicy stories?
Argh! Milwaukee's alright man. It's a good place to visit sometime. Don't come to live here. The racism and segregation are becoming so bad it's disgusting. Currently, murder rate is almost 2 times as much as it was this time last year and still counting. That's not something I can be proud of at all. There's way too much tension, anger and greed here, but I can imagine you will find that just about anywhere in the U.S. Then again, it has its good days. I've definitely had some wild and crazy experiences here and yes when it goes down "IT GOES DOWN!" I can guarantee no one in the U.S. can drink as much beer as we do (lol). And don't believe the hype. We aren't all about beer, cheese and bratwursts dammit!
Where do you see yourself in a few years? Would you like music to be your main occupation?
In a few years I can see myself laying next to my lovely wife Halle Berry, we're getting married next month. Yes it's true, she's mine. Nah I'm just kidding. Hopefully, on a success path for a way better future. In a few years I hope to be making really good money and moving to the west coast. I would really like music to be my main occupation and it just might happen but I will be happy just creating music for dirt if I have to for the rest of my life.
What are your top 10 albums? Who are your top 5 producers? Who are your top 3 MCs?
Oh Damn! Top 10 albums? Hmmmmmmmmmmm!
- Raekwon - Only Built for Cuban Linx
- Nas - Illmatic
- Outkast - Atliens
- A Tribe Called Quest - Beats, Rhymes and Life
- Mobb Deep - The Infamous
- Big Pun - Capital Punishment
- Dr. Dre - Chronic 2001
- Wu-Tang - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
- Cypress Hill - Temples of Boom
- Talib Kweli & Hi-tek - Train of Thought
- Hi-Tek
- Dr. Dre
- Organized Noise
- Stoop
- Havoc
- Raekwon
- Nas
- Big Pun
As far as the top 5 producers go there is so much talent here but I'm going to have to go with the cats that I think will go far and actually do something with their talents. Cold Truth, Classic, BigD, Cleverwon, and Beats 101. The most knowledgeable members in my opinion are Formant, BigD and when he is around, GOD.
Hip-Hop: Is it an art or is it just a passing hype?
It's an art. There's no other way to explain Hip-Hop, it's an art and lifestyle.
Has commercialism contributed to Hip-Hop, or has it only done damage?
I think that the commercialism now has just ruined Hip-Hop. We just got a lot of rap right now. Nothing really that some B-Boys/Girls could put on and break to or anything like that. Then again, music has evolved so this is what Hip-Hop is now! It's sad to see something change for the worse when it was something you loved growing up. I am just in love with that boom-bap sound!
Are you an optimist or a pessimist? What is your viewpoint on the meaning of life? Do you enjoy your existence on this planet; are you trying to make the most of this experience?
A little bit of both. I think we are put here for a reason and I believe that everyone has his or her own set path. I do enjoy my existence and I am defiantly going to make the best out of it. "Live every day like it was your last!"
What kind of person are you? When you look in the mirror, are you satisfied with what you see?
I'm a leader and I like to help lead others in the right direction, but never mistake my kindness for weakness, I can definitely hold my own. I do find myself quite good looking, lol nah I'm just kidding I ain't like that. When I look in the mirror I see a successful human being soon to take shape into his major place in life.
Do you think that music has healing powers?
Well, I don't know about that but I think it can definitely help you through hard times and help you in need.
If you were the interviewer, what would you ask yourself?
I don't even know, I've never really interviewed someone, sorry...
What is your ultimate motto for better living?
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!
I wish you good luck in your future adventures! Peace!