Funky Drummer featuring Clyde Stubblfield on Drums

Droop-E what’s going on man? How’s everything?

Everything is great right now thanks to the Lord.
At producers skill.com, its customary that we ask this question to producers.  How do you rate your skills as a producer on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest)?
I rate my skills at a 7.5. I have much more room to grow. Much more.

It’s amazing and inspirational to the youth out there that you are so young and that you were apart of pioneering the Hyphy movement. How did that come about? You took the country by storm.
I started producing music at the age of 15, but I’ve been around the industry since I was 3. In the last 5 years I have produced a discography with over 150 tracks. I work hard and have fun. People in the bay respect me and my grind because I’m simply humble and hungry. They see that I never rode the coattail of my Father and that I had a unique sound that made people want to move.

The fun nature of the Hyphy movement is not forced like others have been. There is a genuine quality about it.  It’s like a way of life out in the bay. How were you able to capture that in your tracks?

I would notice how certain songs would make people react in different ways. The one’s that make people happy would usually always have a hard bass and a simple melody. The unique part about hyphy music is that it is fun but realistic. The artist on the songs would talk about things that are really happening in the streets, over these up-tempo, fun beats.

Now, it’s not just the Hyphy sound that you go for, so is there a different state of mind when approaching a different type of track?
Yes, I love different kinds of music; Electronic, Film, and Video Game music. Of course I also love soul and r&b, but I truly love music that I feel like I don’t know how to make. So I take different elements of what I like and simply mix it into my style.
You’re E-40’s son but you haven’t been really marketed that way, which is a good thing. He’s let you embark out on your own and truly make a name for yourself. How did you take advantage of the networking he had for you without taking it for granted?
Being in the position that we’re in is definitely a blessing, so I never abuse it. It’s cool because people get an extra spark of interest when they hear “Droop-E…E-40’s son.” They want to know if I’m mildew, or if I’m raw because of the fact that my father is a legendary platinum recording artist. So I make sure I deliver every time.
So let’s get down to the lab. What equipment are you working with? Hardware, Software or both?

I started off with an MPC2000XL and a Triton. But now I’m 100% software. I use Logic Pro and a midi controller.
I always like to ask this because sometimes I get funny answers. Do you have any weird rituals or settings you prefer the studio to be in?
I like for video games to be on, whether I’m playing or someone else is playing. It keeps my mind clear and not so focused on the computer screen. This way I can slightly keep my natural creativity flowing and the logic of my brain out of the music. That might sound weird, but it works lol.

How do you feel about sampling? Do you do it or are you strictly original tracks?
I usually do original tracks, that’s what I’m known for, but I love sampling. Why not? Do whatever works, no excuses. Even Garage Band loops or good if you work them right.
What can we look forward to from Droop-E in the near future?
I did a track for Nelly called “Bay.” I did 3 tracks on my pops album. I’m working on my second compilation. I’m grateful.

Thanks for your time. Is there anything else you’d like to tell the people out there?
Stay focused on your destiny, anything is possible through God. Thanks for the opportunity Digga.

Shok what’s going on? How’s everything?
Everything is real good, I am blessed and looking forward to the future and what it has in store.

At producers Skill. com, we try to ask every producer this question. How do you rate your production skills on a scale of 1 to 10 ( 10 being the highest)?

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Who are some of the producers you looked up to early on?

Kraftwerk, Man Parish, Rick Rubin, Arthur Baker & John Robie (Tommy boy & Streetwise record’s) , Pumpkin (Enjoy record’s & profile), Marley Marl, Pete Rock, Diamond, and Premo.

Who are some of the producers who do great drum programming?

Timbaland, Premier, Swizz, and Pete rock

You keep a low profile (which is a good thing) and focus on the music more than getting your face all in the cameras. People are familiar with your work but might not know it was you that did the production so please give us a run down of your impressive track record.

Hits are “Slippin” DMX, “Spit these bars” Drag-on & Swizz, “Imperial” Rah Digga & Busta, “Training day(dirty riders)”lox.  I have also worked with everyone from Kool Keith, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Teena Marie to Saigon, Fat Joe, and Eve and too many to mention.

You emerged on the scene in a powerhouse label that built from the ground up and formed a monster team. Ruff Ryders was a family that functioned so effortlessly. How did you get involved with Ruff Ryders?

Actually I started out on the underground. I had a label called Mass Vinyl and we had a Hit with an artist Hi-Tech, it was called “24/7”. We ran it from my dad’s basement and sold over 10,000 units of that single as well as put out some more records. I learned about radio, retail and how to make a dollar out of 15 cents.  A friend of mine brought me through to powerhouse studios (RR studio) in like 97 and that’s when I first got familiar with the whole operation. About a year later a friend brought Waah through to my dad’s basement and we kicked it and He invited me down to play some tracks.  When I came through I had a dat with about 12 bangers and the feedback from the camp was good and I especially hit it off with Swizz because he was familiar with my underground work especially the Shok Beats 1,2 and 3. They were beat albums he actually thought my name was Shok beats for a while. I waited like 2 weeks after that first meeting and then came back with around 70 tracks on a few dats and one thing led to another and I signed with RR.

Now you did a bunch of classic tracks but I personally remember picking up the Drag-On “Spit These Bars” single and seeing you produced it. However, a lot of people thought Swizz did the track because he was featured. I was disputing that with a lot of people and making sure I let it be known that Shok did the track! I was riding for you!

Ha… Thanks it’s nice when people read the credits, from a business perspective it was the first single and the company was investing in Swizz so they were not really interested in making that very clear to people.

As of recent, you’ve headed down the religious path and focused on Gospel rap/ music. When I took a listen to some of your tracks, it really reinforced the fact that music is music no matter what and the concepts don’t mean the beats have to change. You still have some grimey beats that work well with spreading your message.

Thanks, I believe that Music and art are primary ways of communicating within our culture. It is a language that transcends barriers and reaches to the heart.  When I gave my life as a living sacrifice to God it was a natural thing to use my gifts to bring Him glory. A lot of people have an impression about following God that it is all roses and smiles, but the reality for me is that the truth He spoke in His word to me ripped my life into pieces and as a producer I know those kind of lyrics fit into more “grimy” tracks but if I’m praising the Lord that track is going to be more musical and have a more uplifting feel to it. So it’s all about hitting the target as a song writer and producer.

So explain to all the readers what your set up is like in the studio.

MPC 4000,Logic, Roland 2080’s, triton rack, Kerzweil 2600 and vinyl.

Any weird rituals or habits you have when in the creative mode?

I call on God to use me as His instrument.

To dip back in to your history, you worked with Pun. What was that experience like? He seemed like a real cool and funny dude.

He was a funny dude and was extremely talented and had a wide range of musical influences. It was a blessing to have known him for the short time I did.

What advice would you give up and coming producers?

Take the money you make and save for a rainy day. Be one of the guys who do not change their lifestyle. If you’re good and work hard you may have a good run at some point but always put something aside for those low points in between projects.  You can have the biggest record out and be broke; that’s the reality of the business because of the pay cycles, agreements and the fact that lawyers tend to take a really long time to iron out agreements.  Don’t make music the focus of your life, people are more important, your family, who you are as a person and how you treat others and most of all put God first and everything will fall into place.

Interviewed By EP

According to an interview with MTV, Timbaland says he will produce the entire upcoming Jay-Z album. Recently, Jay-Z has been on touring, but still plans on returning to making music full time in the near future/

“Jay should never chill,” Timbaland shared with MTV. “We had a long talk, and I really talked to him. Jay-Z does it for the love. That’s different. When somebody does it for the love, you don’t stop. He has everything, but he’s still current. A million people are buying his album regardless.”

In 2000, Jay-Z and Timbaland created the summer anthem of 2000 when they teamed up for “Big Pimpin” featuring UGK.

What up Ski?

What up. I’m chilling.

I want to present you with the PHD award. This award goes to producers that have demonstrated Production at the Highest Degree. How do you feel about that?

Definitely a honor to get the PHD award always feels good when your work is appreciated.

What type of skills do you think a great producer should have?

I think great producer should be skilled in all areas of music production, from knowing the latest in production technology to being able to work with artist and musician and creating quality material.

How do you rate your production skills on a scale from 1 to 10?

Wow lol i guess this is when i get to toot my own horn huh. If i had to rate myself i would have to say 7 theres still so much to learn. i feel like I’m just scratching the surface.

When was the moment you knew you graduated from being a beatmaker to being a full-fledged producer?

My first group the Bizzie Boyz that’s where i got my production diploma from. We did a lot of records in the early 80s and 90s that where really big in our small town of Greensboro N.C

Some people might not know that you started out as an MC?

Yeah that’s my first love.

Now, were you actually producing while you were in Original Flavor?

Yeah i was making all the tracks and writing.

How did being an artist help with your production skills?

Well being and mc you kind of know what another mc would want to rap to so i basically made tracks that i would rap too.

As a producer, what is your approach in trying to bring the best out of an MC?

Don’t really have and approach i just use my ears and listen to how the records make me feel theres a certain feeling i get when i hear a hot record.

You worked closely with Jay-Z during the beginning of his career. I’m not talking about just Reasonable Doubt. I’m talking about before the album, when it was just you, him and the music. Can you talk about the importance of working directly with an artist during this critical time?

Well when you work that closely with and artist you can almost read there minds you kind of get in there head and paint the pictures they see with your music.

In my opinion, you are largely responsible for helping build the foundation for Rocafella records. I remember the cassette single with “My Lifetime”. They were selling it out of the trunk. Do you think the role of the producer gets left out of history sometimes?

The game was kind of different back then producer i don’t think producer where so much worried about being in the spot light as much as they are today it was more about the art of production and mastering the craft.

Do you feel that it’s common for an artist that reaches a certain level of success or recognition to look at a producer differently, even though they may have had success with that same producer in the past?

You got to remember its a business in order for and artist to last he has to reinvent himself constantly so he has to stay fresh and current with the times if the producer not bringing the heat he needs then hey its business.

You’re one of few producers that can say you have produced an entire album or the majority. What type of skills do you need to accomplish a task like that?

The love for the music.

What producer has the hottest drum programming?

Timberland hands down that’s the hottest producer out right now he’s incredible (pause)

What about sample chopping?

Just Blaze is crazy with the chops but its this new kid that’s on youtube named Boon Doc. he’s nasty wit it!

Let’s talk about the technical side. What was your first set up?

a turntable and sp1200

What do you use now?

Now i use Roland Mv 8800 Abelton live, Reasons, Fantom x6, and a gang of plug ins

With today’s technology, beats can be created with software with unlimited features and options. Did your old setup enhance your production because of its technical limitations?

Definitely I had to come up with creative ways to make certain things sound the way they did

What do you think is the biggest difference between being a producer now in the digital music age, versus when you first started?

Not as much Hardware anymore which is fine with me i love new technology i embrace change

You have utilized the filtering technique on some of your beats in the past. For example, “Dead Presidents” by Jay-Z and “Luchini” by Camp Lo. Can you talk about that process compared to now?

Well I only filtered back then because I could play keys at that time so filtering was a way to isolate the bass line of a sample by cutting the hi end, but now I can play or i can hire someone to play the Bass for me.

Your style is real melodic and yet hard at the same time. You can go from Rock samples to smooth jazz. Without giving your secrets away, how do you make that combination work?

I have no idea i just feel my way around it when it feels right its right.

What keeps you motivated to continue producing?

Hearing other hot producer that’s my motivation.

As a veteran in the field, what attribute do you think is most important for any producer to have?

An open mind to learn and not to get stuck in your ways when making tracks just being able to step out the box.

How has the business changed for you? Shopping beats? Promoting yourself, etc?

The major change for me is the beat shopping process, now a days artist like to 2 track your music which slows up the check cutting. Sometimes they don’t even use the track which is really crazy when you got another artist who might wants the same beat. Ain’t like back in the day artist hear a track they like then bam!!! next day or two your getting a check.

What are you working on now?

Well I’m started my website ,Beattalk.ning.com for up and coming producer who want info on making beats and learning the latest in hardware and software production. I’m working on a new “CAMP LO” project along with my partner “THE APPLE JUICE KID”working on my artist “PITTSBURGH SLIMS” new LP. I got my own Project in the works”HALF MAN HALF AMAZING” Doing work with ring tone company”TONE MAKER” you can check out what I’m doing with them at myspace.com/tonemaker. Its really hot and of course I’m always shopping beats.

In a personal note, I just wanted to tell you that you along with Teddy Riley were personal inspirations to me. When I first started, I remember going to your crib and to Teddy’s crib. I saw how you were on the grind and it made me continue pursuing a career in production. Do you think producers should help the next generation?

Yes sir each one teach one. That’s what will help the game.

Any last words

Thank you
And if producer want a cool place to talk about production they can join my site beattalk.ning.com.

Interviewed by Darrell”Digga”Branch

1. Quality( Sound)
2. Originality (Does it sound like….)
3. Marketability (Can the track be played in today’s market)
4. Signature Sound (Sounds like no other)
5. Influence (Projected and Current on production)
6. Impact On Hip Hop
7. Technique (Sampling, instrumentation,sequencing)
8. The Essense (Usage of elements ex. vinyl,sampling,breakbeats,etc)
9. Feeling (Does it envoke emotion)
10. Overall Production Skill

Please send only one track and a high resolution photo for consideration to: leakabeat@producersskill.com

Che’Zee Da Beatmaker’s Crib
(Rumors)
DISCLAIMER:

All content within this section is pure rumor and generally have no factual information. This is purely for entertainment (wink, wink) read on.
What’s up yall? Welcome to my crib. Right now, I’m working on some beats but be sure to come by every now and then to talk some sh** about production, hip hop and everything else.

Johnny J is best known for his production work on Tupac Shakur’s albums All Eyez on Me (’How Do U Want It,’ ‘Life Goes On,’ ‘All Eyez on Me,’ …) and Me Against the World (’Death Around the Corner’)

According to early reports, Johnny J jumped off a tier in the jail causing his death the night of Oct. 3rd. He was in the county jail on a DUI charge.

1. Quality( Sound) 8-

2. Originality (Does it sound like….) 7-

3. Marketability (Can the track be played in today’s market) 6-

4. Signature Sound (Sounds like no other) 5-

5. Influence (Projected and Current on production) 6-

6. Impact On Hip Hop 6-

7. Technique (Sampling, instrumentation,sequencing) 7-

8. The Essence (Usage of elements ex. vinyl,sampling,breakbeats,etc) 5-

9. Feeling (Does it evoke emotion) 6-

10. Overall Production Skill 7-

TOTAL: 58

Music 4 Life Productions is bring back that New York vibe reminiscence of the early 90 ’s (ala Mobb Deep).  Definitely a joint to lace your Timberland boots up to!

As The World Turns (A.T.W.T) By Deacon Legacy

1. Quality( Sound) *******7
2. Originality (Does it sound like….) *****5
3. Marketability (Can the track be played in today’s    market) ******6
4. Signature Sound (Sounds like no other) *****5
5. Influence (Projected and Current on production) *****5
6. Impact On Hip Hop *****5
7. Technique (Sampling, instrumentation,sequencing) *****5
8. The Essence (Usage of elements ex.  vinyl,sampling,breakbeats,etc) *******7
9. Feeling (Does it invoke emotion) ******6
10. Overall Production Skill ******6

TOTAL: 57