"In 90, Takin' Shorts Is Behind Me!" - @llcoolj rockin' The Shirt Kings Sweatshirt
DJ Step One over at "Only Built For Z-Share Links" has up loaded a stuuuuupid rare snippet of Famous Radio DJ/member of Donald D's 1st Group "The BBoys" Chuck Chillout's birthday party from 1990 at The Fever or The Tunnel. This section has LL performing 'To Da Break Of Dawn' live over Keni Burke's 'Rising To The Top' and a possible Un-released "Is She Rockin'" DAT track over Amen Brothers break. The The show also features Stetsasonic, Run DMC, Big Daddy Kane. LL's DJ is "Phillpot" the second Cut Creator . DJ Step One: LL Cool J live at Chuck Chillout's birthday party (Mama Said Knock You Out 1990) Rare Download!!! Here
Check out The Kool Skool's Interview with Dr Butcher: here
"[LL Cool J’s DJ] the ORIGINAL Cut Creator, not the imposter! Just so happened that the original Cut Creator’s name was Phil and the LL Cool J imposter was named Philpot. So when LL says Cut Creator Philly Phil he is actually referring to the original, but due to professional differences they parted ways and the then road manager Philpot took over as the "new Cut Creator." - Dr. Butcher
The Kool Skool interviews DJ Rob Swift Member of
the X-Men, X-Ecutioners, Recording Artist & Akinyele’s DJ
Queens New York representer DJ Rob Swift was a
second generation member of the legendary “X-Men DJ’s”. The X-men took their
name from the band of Mutant super heroes, in response to the original DJ Clark
Kent and his Superman DJ’s, who dominated the New Music Seminar in the late
80’s. According to Dr. Butcher, the X-men consisted of Rob-Swift,
[1994/95 DMC US & World Champion] Roc-Raida R.I.P., [1990 N.M.S. Superman
DJ Champion] Steve-D, [1995 DMC East Coast Champion and Common Sense’s DJ]
Mister Sinista, [EPMD’s original DJ] Diamond-J, Total Eclipse, Johnny-Cash and
Fatman-Scoop. The group revolutionized Hip-Hop DJing and Turntablism at its
early 90’s turning point, as Hip-Hop MC’s focused on themselves, and a new wave
of up and coming Turntablists were changing the scenery.
Rob Swift X-ecutioner Style
"Are You Ready For Star Time?!!!"
For many Hip-Hop heads, their first introduction to DJ Rob Swift was
in his role as Akinyele’s original DJ, providing all of the cuts for their Large Professor album
Vagina Diner. As was discussed in The Kool Skool’s interview with X-Men
original member DR Butcher, the link between the crew and Large Professor and
Kool G Rap goes deeper than just the fact that many of them come from Queens.
The nexus surrounding Large Pro at the time represented a core of MC’s
Producers and DJ’s that pushed Hip-Hop creatively, while retaining classic
Hip-Hop feeling.
21 years ago DJ Rob Swift met Roc Raida at the 1991 DMC Competition, Roc Raida invited Rob Swift to join The X-Men. The relationship that followed would become one of the most important DJ Battle
Crews in Hip-Hop and define a generation of Djs. The younger X-Men went on to become The
X-Ecutioners, that over the years has consisted of Roc Raida (R.I.P.) Rob Swift, Mista Sinista,
Total Eclipse, DJ Boogie Blind and DJ Precision. The Crew has released several
albums and DJ Tutorial DVDs, and actively support the new Generations of DJ’s.
Rob Swift has just released several solo projects, and has just
released “Roc for Raida”, a selections of classic and unreleased Roc Raida
routines and, sets inspired by the essence of who Roc Raida was, and features
The X-Ecutioners Rob Swift, Mista Sinista, Precision and Total Eclipse as well as The X-men's Steve D.
So The Kool Skool's Shucks one linked up with Rob Swift to promote the new mega project, also answereing some questions about his origins, DJ Technology, Large Pro, and dropped some dome jewels for up and coming Turntablists.
Rob Swift "A Friendly Game of Baseball"
When did you 1st see a DJ and think that’s what I
want to be!
Rob Swift: The first DJ I saw was my Father in our living room recording
mix tapes with Salsa, Merengue and Cumbia music for his friends. But I didn't
actually want to become a DJ until I saw my older brother and his friends use
my Dad's equipment to recreate the kind of Hip Hop music they heard crew's like
Cold Crush Bros and the Treacherous 3 perform at the historic park jams of the 1970s.
THE X-MEN Legendary session on WNYU
Pete Rock & DJ Riz in the Studio
I know the line up has changed over the years, are you an original
X-Men member?
Rob Swift: The original members of the X-men are Steve Dee, Sean Cee,
Johnny Cash and saving the best for last, the GrandMaster Roc Raida (R.I.P.)
Why was it necessary to evolve from The X-Men, to The X-Ecutioners?
Was it just a copyright infringement issue, or was it a need for the new
generation of the crew, to make the crew their own.
Rob Swift: We changed our name from X-men to X-ecutioners because when
we signed our deal with Asphodel records to release our first in independent
album, our lawyers advise us that we ran the risk of being sued by Marvel
Comics. I think in a way the name change also signified a metamorphoses. We
went from being battle DJs to recording artists. So when I look back, the name
change was symbolic.
Where in NY are you from. I always assumed you were from Queens
because of your early associations?
Rob Swift: Queens represent, represent, sent... Jackson Heights
represent, represent, sent!
Did you get down with rappers and other DJs in your area, or was it
more about people who were good irrespective of where they came from?
Rob Swift: I make music with who ever is around...
Psycho Les (Beatnuts), Chuck D (Public Enemy), Rob Swift's older brother Universe & Rob Swift Late 80's
Traditionally DJs kind of repped their local areas, obvious ones are
Cut Master DC (Brooklyn), DJ Too Tuff (North side Philly), for example. Did you
make hood tapes, mixtapes, or had that sort of tradition already passed?
Rob Swift: You should check out the documentary film
"Scratch." I rep Jackson Heights, Queens all day!
Akinyele - Vagina Diner 1993
Produced by The Large Professor and All cuts by Rob Swift
You were Akinyele’s DJ on his 1st album, how did that
come about?
Rob Swift: Akinyele heard about me through my mentor Dr. Butcher. He
then came to see me compete at the 1992 East Coast DMC battle. I guess he
wanted to verify for himself whether or not what he heard about me was true.
Days later I became his DJ.
Large Professor always appears like a really positive guy, and he
always seems to put people on. From the outside, it kind of looked like a loose
unit around Large Professor, you, Akinyele, Mista Sinista and Common, Kool G
Rap and Dr Butcher and others. It must have really amazing to work in that
environment, it felt to me like the DJ had input into the creative recording
process again, is that true?
"The Extra P"
Rob Swift: Large Pro knows how to spot talent. And when he does he
exposes it to the public at LARGE. That's one of the things I've always
respected about him. And yes, coming up in an environment where at any given
moment I was practicing with Mista Sinista at home or performing cuts for
Akinyele in the studio really got my creative juices going!
How important was it for you to be involved in the recording process?
Did you learn a lot just by being around Large Pro and Dr Butcher in the
studio, and seeing the various machines being used and recording tricks?
Rob Swift: Akinyele and Large Pro always involved me 100% in the
recording process. Everything I've accomplished as a recording artist today is
directly related to all I learned in those late night studio sessions.
Original X-Men/Producer/ LL Cool J's early DJ DR. Butcher
Check the exclusive Shucks One The Kool Skool Interview with Dr. Butcher (DJ/X-Men/Producer) HERE
You have recorded 12 Solo Albums not to mention the many X-Ecutioner
Albums, where do you start in the creative process?
Rob Swift: After lending my talents to other folks, I think there came a
time for me to create my own work. That's when I started releasing joints like
"Soulful Fruit", "The Ablist", "Sound Event"...
etc.
What is a Turntablist to you?
Rob Swift: a Turntablist is a musician whose tool is the turntable.
Would you classify yourself as a DJ or a Turntablist? Is there a
difference?
Rob Swift: I'm both. A DJ plays music for peoples enjoyment. A
Turntablist alters music for people enjoyment.
Rob Rocks The Spot
Do you play Party DJ sets anymore?
Rob Swift: I just rocked a party set last night in Brooklyn, NY. I had
fun too! I enjoy making people dance just as much as I enjoy entertaining
people with my cuttin' and scratching.
DMC World Championships 1995 DJ Roc Raider R.I.P.
I went to many of the DMC in the mid to late 90’s, and although
obviously there was a need to progress from people just juggling Peter Piper,
as a spectator, there did seem to be a shift to more technique orientated
competition, and less emphasis on funk, style and party rocking. It seemed to
me it just went somewhere else. Is that a fair assumption?
Rob Swift: Yes, the approach battle DJs are taking to creating music has
changed. The funkiness is missing in most battle sets. I think Electronic music
has a lot to do with that. It's OK though. I'm still here and I'm still funky!
How has the Turntablist changed in your career?
Rob Swift: Turntablism hasn't changed my career I would say. It's
actually shaped my career. It's exposed me to a world I wouldn't have seen if I
decided to follow a different career path.
The X-Ecutioners Electronic Press Kit.
What has it been like growing from a boy to a man in the Hip-Hop
community? Does Hip-Hop allow for being an Adult, by that I mean, is all that
Hip-Hop stood for has been reduced to Battling, trash talking and Dissing?
Rob Swift: Watching Hip Hop evolve as a kid, to now as a man has been an
incredible experience. When I first discovered the culture it was specific to
my city (New York). Now it's worldwide! As for your question about Hip Hop, it
means different things to different people I guess. To me, Hip Hop in its purest
form equals PEACE, LOVE and HAVING FUN through music!
Grandmaster Roc Raida of the Body Tricks
I like the way you have featured with Pogo & Biznizz of the Enforcers in your Table Talk series. I interviewed Biznizz many years ago; he
comes from that B-Boy background. One of the things they mention in your video
is the aspect of “Biting” or copying. In Hip-Hop nowadays nothing is sacred,
people take everything and do not credit the originator. Graffiti styles,
samples, album titles, flows, names, DJ routines and that are just a few
examples! That would just never run in the old days, why do you think we are at
this stage?
Rob Swift: We're at this stage because no one cares. It's unfortunate. I
still care though.
When did the DJ and Turntablist separate, by that I mean, I remember
going over to certain Turntablists houses and the only records they really
owned were Battle Break records, and that to me kind of signified a split in
the culture.
Rob Swift: You pretty much answered your own question. When DJs stopped
digging for actual songs, singles, albums... and started buying a collection of
sounds and beats on one piece of vinyl the split between DJ and Turntablist
began.
Mista Sinista X-Ecutioners
A little while ago, I was talking to UK foundation DJ Fingers of The
Sindecut he was discussing his issues with Serato and similar technologies. It
wasn’t in a “Luddite” kind of context, he was breaking down the fact that
Hip-Hop people always used their ingenuity and took existing technologies and
made it their own, where as a lot of modern tools that Hip-Hop people use now
are “off the shelf”. Is that a fair assessment, if so is it making people lazy?
Rob swift: I agree. For whatever reason, today's generation seems to be
using technology in a different way than my generation. I rather find out how I
can make something work opposed to how I can make something work for me.
Sea of Cameras, is the screen becoming our only way of viewing?
If you go to live shows at least a third of the audience is filming
the show, sometimes viewing it through the phone/camera screen or on the stage
screen, and the DJ is staring at their laptop screen, is there a worry that
peoples live experience is defined and framed by screens?
Rob Swift: I am concerned about it. People don't experience life in an
organic, authentic way any more. Video has replaced real time life.
As someone who came up with Roc Raida, and knowing him so well, what
was it like to see the outpouring of grief, respect and love, that was shown
internationally for his sad passing?
Rob Swift: It was humbling. We spent so much time practicing, training
to be the best DJs on the planet that we never stopped to pay attention to how
much respect and admiration we generated off our talent and accomplishments.
But it all became very clear to me at his Funeral. When I saw DJ rivals of
hours show up to give respect... That’s when it really hit me.
Total Eclipse, Mista Sinista, Roc Raida R.I.P. and Rob Swift
Why have their been so many changes in the line up for the The
X-Ecutioners?
Who are some of the up and coming Turntablists you are checking for?
Rob Swift: Too many to mention man. I'll put it this way, I'm checking
for everybody. I'll always stay a student of the art form.
Do you feel the age of the Internet and the Bedroom DJ has changed
the essence of Hip-Hop culture?
Rob Swift: The Internet definitely has changed the essence of Hip-Hop
culture. When I was coming up I experienced Hip Hop in parks, on the streets,
in basement parties and youth centers. Now, people encounter it on youtube or
blogs. Hip Hop in it's purest form is something you must experience in the
flesh. Not from pixels on a screen. As for the "Bedroom DJ"? Didn't
we all start of DJing in our bedrooms?
Wack Battle DJ Gimmicks
What do you feel is the wackest DJ battle trick gimmick?
Rob Swift: Hmmm, who am I to say what another DJ does is wack. It's all
relative, you know? I rather see a DJ do a "trick gimmick" and use
turntables than some other dude who pre-records his sets and acts like he's
doing something on stage.
For a long time the era of the "Platinum Rapper" moved the
DJ to the
background again. However as MC's are more reliant on their Tours and
stage shows to bring in money, it seems like they are bringing out proper DJs
again as opposed to play & stop "CD Mixtape DJs", and bringing
their skills back as part of the show. There are quite a lot of examples, DJ
Scratch, Mix Master Mike, DJ Who Kid, A-Trak etc. Have you seen that?
Rob Swift: I've seen that yes! And I think its dope when an MC is on
stage with an actual DJ. Kudos to them!
Have you been asked by anyone recently if not would you? If so what
would be your dream gig?
Rob Swift: Yes I have. My dream gig, damn, my dream gig would be to rock
on stage with Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, Miles Davis...
There are plenty of female DJs. Why do you feel that there aren't
more women in Turntablism?
Rob Swift: For what ever reason, I think the physicality involved in
being a Turntablist just doesn't appeal to most Females. But that's just my
guess. I could be wrong. I think that' a question a female DJ would answer much
better.
What is the best Battle you took part in?
Rob Swift: That's easy! X-men VS Invisbl Skratch Piklz
When I saw Roc Raida and Scratch Pickles (they were called Rock
Steady DJs back then) at DMC, it felt like at the time the X-men
&
Scratch Pickles were the two top crews. Was the competition fun back
then, did it get you amped to progress? Did you guys get on?
Rob Swift: It definitely got me amped! But that's what happens when you
compete against the best. It brings out the best in you.
Q-Bert (Rock Steady DJ's, Scratch Pickles) & Rob Swift
Was the fact they were from the West Coast add to the Positive
Competition? I don't mean in a Biggie/Tupac way, but did you feel
like you guys were holding it down for the East & New York?
Rob Swift: I wouldn't say where ISP was from had anything to do with how
we felt competing. It was just dope to be on stage battling it out with another
dope crew!
Who were some of the DJs in that era you guys felt were a threat?
Rob Swift: LOL, we didn't see anyone as a threat.
Is there anything in your career you would do over differently if you
had the chance?
Rob Swift: Nah. I'm grateful for every good and bad decision I ever made
man. The ups and downs made me the DJ and person I am today. No regrets.
"It’s a certain special skill that takes much practice I got it good, apparently you lack this" - Big Daddy Kane
If there is any advice you could give to young up and coming DJs what
would it be?
Rob Swift: Practice, practice and practice some more. Be original.
Learn how to evoke your own unique personality out of the music you play
off your turntables.
Thanks a lot for your time Rob, is there anything you want to add?
Rob Swift: Thank you. And to all you reading this, please be on the look
out and support my latest project Roc for Raida. It's a tribute Mixtape to one
of the GREATEST DJs of all time and my best friend, the GrandMaster Roc Raida.
It drops March 20th and you can purchase it straight from my website,
www.djrobswift.com
Large Professor & DJ Rob Swift Roc For Raida
Memories of Roc Raida
"I met Roc Raida at the 1991 East Coast DMC qualifying round. It was the
first competition I ever entered. As I walked up in there with my mentor Drew,
better known as Dr. Butcher, I recall encountering the mighty X-Men for the
first time. They all were there, Steve D, Johnny Cash, Diamond Jay, Sean C and
Roc Raida [at the time he actually spelled it Rock Raider]. They [the X-Men]
were loud and drawing attention to themselves. You’d hear them laughing and
joking throughout the entire preliminary. But what I found interesting about
Raida was he was the complete opposite of his crew. Raida was the quietest one
of all. That really intrigued me and his silent temperament made him stand out
even more, than his rambunctious partners." - Rob Swift
DJ Rob Swift's "Roc for Raida" video trailer
Rob Swift "Roc 4 Raida"
"Roc for Raida, my tribute to my partner, my best
friend, my brother!"
"Roc for Raida" is a collection of songs (some unreleased) and
battle
style routines that defined Roc Raida the artist. I also recorded
original scratch/beat juggle compositions dedicated to Raida. In
addition to the assortment of music, I included what I thought were
lost interview archives (courtesy of John Carluccio) which take you,
the listener, into the minds of X-men's Steve D, myself and of course
the man of the hour, Roc Raida. I'm happy to say, Mista Sinista,
Precision and Total Eclipse also make cameos paying tribute to some of
our favorite Roc Raida battle sets.
In a day when DJs DJ for free bottle service at a club... In a
technological age where DJs let a computer program do all the DJing
for them... "Roc for Raida" is a reminder that Raida's accomplishments
stemmed for a true love of DJing. Enjoy! Roc Raida FOREVER! Peace!" - Rob Swift
Shucks One The Kool Skool Interview with Dr. Butcher (DJ/X-Men/Producer) here
Shucks One The Kool Skool Interview with Dr. Butcher (DJ/X-Men/Producer)
Hip hop history is a rocky word of mouth terrain, with many a foundation participant overlooked, or edited out of history. Dr. Butcher (not to be mistaken for producer Joe ‘the Butcher’ Nicolo) is just such an example. The Corona Queens native was born in the thick of the golden era amongst the best, LL Cool J, Kool G Rap, Large Professor, you name em’. Contrary to popular belief, it was the real Dr Butcher NOT DJ Polo that did most of G-Raps cuts, and his hand-skills won him a spot in the X-men (the original X-ecutioners). Not just handy at slashing up wax, over the years he’s also produced the Artifacts, Kool G Rap, Akinyele, MF Grimm, Coolio and several video games, commercials and movie scores, ‘New Jersey Drive’ being one.
Tableturns“Hip hop on Wax” (remix)
Dr. Butcher, Akinyele, Rob Swift and Large Professor
In 2004 he dropped the “Hip hop on Wax” (remix), a Queensboro’ who’s-who posse cut with Akinyele, Rob Swift and Large Professor on Tableturns Records. The good Doctor has a bunch of tricks in his blood-splattered apron, so we got an appointment and this is his diagnosis.
Shucks One: What was the early scene in Queens like?
Dr. Butcher: It was crazy! I was about 8 years old and had little contact with the Bronx scene. But with the music attacking your ears from every direction you were forced to take notice. My neighbours were DJ’s. From block parties to house parties every crew was trying to out do the others sound system. Being so young I wasn’t allowed to attend the block parties due the violence associated with the music. At home I created my own scene…. Hahahahah! I convinced my mother to buy me a Gemini mixer (no turntables) for Xmas and would pretend to be the world’s greatest DJ.
LL Cool J can't live without his Radio!
How long have you been Djing?
Minus the days of pretending… (Laughs), I would say about 20 years. I met some friends who had equipment and were looking to start a rap group. I figured it would give me access to the equipment and joined on as an MC. Whenever possible I would jump on the turntables until someone kicked me off…hahaha! Fortunate for me I was surrounded by a couple of excellent DJ’s for that time. One named Cutmaster Vinni Vince and the other was [LL Cool J’s DJ] the ORIGINAL Cut Creator, not the imposter! Just so happened that the original Cut Creator’s name was Phil and the LL Cool J imposter was named Philpot. So when LL says Cut Creator Philly Phil he is actually referring to the original, but due to professional differences they parted ways and the then road manager Philpot took over as the "new Cut Creator." The original Cut Creator actually laid the scratches for “I Need A Beat” and “Dangerous” [from LL’s 1st album ‘Radio’]. Everything thereafter was performed by Jazzy Jay and [another of LL Cool J's DJ's] Bobcat. That’s the original Jazzy Jay from the Zulu Nation. To my understanding Rick Rubin and him are good friends. He used to do a lot of Rick’s scratches hence, [T La Rock’s] "Its Yours".
Did you go to school with LL Cool J and Kool G Rap?
I actually didn’t go to school with either. LL and I met at a talent show that my high school was sponsoring. I was 14 years old at the time. We hit it off well and after the show decided to form a group with another rapper named Royal Rich Little. The group was called the Extravagant-3. Man that sounds old school! Hahaha! LL is one of the best and most prolific writers that I have ever met. I was introduced to Kool G Rap through a mutual friend who was in a group with him called the Rapperteers. Both being from Corona, he and I quickly became neighbourhood favourites. Our relationship developed from there.
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - Road to The Riches
Is it true you did a lot (if not most of) the cuts on the first two Kool G Rap and Polo albums?
No. Marley did the scratches on the “Road to the Riches” album. I did mostly everything thereafter. “Wanted Dead or Alive” was my DJ debut. Funny thing was Kool G didn’t even know I could DJ. I remember talking to him about Jazzy Jeff one day and told him that I could also get busy. He thought it was a joke until the day he visited my crib and told me to show him something. He thought it would be a good idea for the group to have a rapper of his calibre team up with a DJ on the level of Jazzy-Jeff. Next thing I know, I was in the studio showcasing for Eric B. [Kool G Rap] told me that I was going to be the new Dr. Butcher and the rest is history.
How do you feel about not only getting no credits, but also no shout outs on the albums as they were both legendary?
G Rap and I are better than shout outs, so it never bothered me. Everyone knew me as Dr. Butcher so the shout outs meant little. He gave me recognition within the songs and that was good enough. It was all in the spirit of making good music. Most people don’t know but I am the ghost rapper on “Jive-Talk” [on ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’]. He, I and Large Pro were just having fun that night and they kept about a minute’s worth of my vocals at the end of the song.
Did you tour with G-Rap?
I performed with him a couple of times. For me, the most notable show was a performance at the Apollo featuring Ice Cube.
Was that the legendary night King Sun tried to get on stage and get Cube?
Not to my knowledge. The only drama that night was K-Solo getting booed off the stage... hahahahahaha. I remember Redman Djing for him and he kept saying to me "I can't wait ‘til my album drops".
You met Large Professor while working on “Wanted Dead or Alive”, what was it like working with all of those guys?
The Extra P - Large Professor
Magic. Everyone was at the top of their game. Like [the Chicago Bulls] Pippen playing with Jordan. You had Large on the beats, G Rap on the mic and me and the tables. We never wanted to leave the studio. I was in college and Large was still in high school. Every session was an adventure. It felt like Def Comedy Jam most nights. Nothing but laughs. Having fun is how we created good music.
Rare Large Professor & Dr. Butcher in the Studio in the early 90's
Did you do a lot of production for people back in the day?
No. My production career started after the completion of “Wanted Dead or Alive”. Large and Polo suggested that I get involved on the production side of things since I had a natural ear. He (Large) let me borrow an SP-1200 until I was able to purchase my own. My solo production debut was the intro track for the Artifacts’ first album “Wrong side of the Tracks”. I had previously collaborated with producer C4 on the LL Cool J song “Soul Survivor” from the “14 Shots To The Dome” LP. Things took off from there, including movie scores, video games and TV commercials. Large Pro and I teamed up after his departure from Main Source. When that ended due to his label woes, I hooked up with Akinyele. We toured together for about six years.
As an original member or the X-men [X-ecutioners], did you ever enter the seminars, DMC, ITF?
No. Looking back I probably would have done very well in those competitions, since I like to perform live. Battles are all about the unpredictable and being able to execute under pressure. I am at my best under pressure. A battle is like a boxing match. You have to be prepared to go 12 rounds. That’s how we (the X-Men) prepared for competitions.
Dr. Butcher tear up the wax at WKCR's Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito show.
Are you still a member of the X-men/X-Ecutioners?
No. Both crews have disbanded. At the end of the day we're [Akinyele’s original DJ] Rob-Swift, [1994/95 DMC US & World Champion] Roc-Raida, [1990 N.M.S. Superman DJ Champion] Steve-D, [1995 DMC East Coast Champion] Mister Sinister, [EPMD’s original DJ] Diamond-J, Total Eclipse, Johnny-Cash and Fatman-Scoop. We’re all still Xmen/X-ecutioners for life!
Total Eclipse, Mr Sinista Rock Raida R.I.P., Rob Swift
You’ve done production for Akinyele and MF Grimm. Can you talk about that?
M.F. Grimm
They are both very easy to work with. They require little direction. You can give them tracks and they will give you songs. From a producer's standpoint it makes life easy. It allows you to be more creative as you feed from their ideas. After creating a track and listening to it a million times you get exhausted for ideas. Hearing something new in the form of a song gives the music new energy. I have been surrounded by talent my entire career. I guess that why I have such high standards when it comes to working with new artist. I want the artist to approach the music with the same intensity that I do. Never settle for less is my motto! If it can be better then make it better. You only get one first impression.
DR. Butcher at The Butcher Shop
What is your view on the state of hip hop?
Hip hop is no longer a state, it’s more like a country. I love it and look forward to working with artist from all parts of the globe and to continue working with new artists and release a few solo production projects independently. At this point in the game it’s all about building a catalogue. The first is “The Good Doctor presents” mixtape and “The Butcher Shop of Horror” album. Bottom line is you will be hearing something from me in the very near future...
New Dr. Butcher & Understanding "In This World" Digi-12 now available!
Fresh from the vault, Dr. Butcher and partner in rhyme Understanding come together to release their first digital single from the upcoming album "From the Vault". This material is truly classic; recorded during the 1990's and found just recently. Both tracks are produced by Dr. Butcher and featuring verses from Understanding, instrumentals included. Look out for the full length album later this year on Domination Recordings.
