The drums knock and the samples are meticulously chopped, but it has always been that way. Showbiz’s discography is deep and ever-expanding with craftsmanship and, above all, a level of dedication and genuine love of an artform that has provided the backdrop to his life’s work. His beats have contributed, as well, to the myriad music spanning back to the early ‘90s. This interview, however, is not a look back at classics made, but a look forward to the classics in the making. The machines that he concocts beats with may have changed, but the sound is unmistakably there -that undeniable feel that separates his creations from that of his D.I.T.C. brethren. See how Showbiz has a reignited love for making music with his MC cohort, A.G., how DJ Premier has played an instrumental role in getting these much-needed songs to the masses, and understand that Pre-Loaded is just the precursor of bigger and better things to come.
The Pre-Loaded album is superb; especially considering it is free release. What was the genesis for making this project and upcoming projects in 2012?
Let me take you back a little ways. In the song we did called “The Bond,” I explain how making music is a part of my life. I got into this for the love and then the industry began changing our outlooks. The money gets involved and changes the dynamics of certain relationships –personal and professional- we have in this industry. A.G. and I were growing and branching off in different directions. We always remained respectful to each other, but we had to go through our own journeys to get to this good space right now. We had personal issues that we had to handle outside of the music. I lost some family members and friends and was going through it. We can create the music we want to make now and be appreciated as some of the guys that came into this sh*t for real, holding it down. We want to get back to the love again, making music from that standpoint. We’re feeling good about music again. All of the negative aspects of the music industry, we can do it independently and avoid those hassles now. We just want to deliver the best music we can now without stepping on toes. The mainstream can have their lane and we can have ours.
Read the rest after the jump! –Allindstrom
How does this independent model of doing business compare to the days of selling records out of the trunk and being on Payday?
When someone invests hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars into you, they’re looking for a return on that investment. When the Runaway Slave album came out, the label wanted to put out “Bounce Ta This” as the first single, capitalizing off Dres’ buzz with Black Sheep and “The Choice Is Yours.” We wanted to go with “Hold Ya Head” instead. The staff wanted to run with the Dres joint. Even with creative control, which we had, they still had their input. Back then it was music people running things at the labels though. Now, it’s not music people running the label and controlling things and there are accountants and lawyers who only see black and white. We saw this trend continuing at the labels as music people were getting pushed out.
How did success affect you and those around you?
It broke up a lot of friendships. After everyone got deals, people stopped coming around the sessions, and we had a lot of cats coming through before. With a little success, it changes the situation and the people around you. It became a little overwhelming. Before the success, I did music and that’s it. I woke up, hit the record store and made the beats. Women and other personal interests took a backseat. I spent all my time making beats and trying to perfect that, riding around in the car listening to my beat tapes. This is what I was dedicated to and that’s why so many people’s first albums are crazy. We had more than enough time to make it right. With the second album, it doesn’t come out the same way because you have to do interviews, tours and dealing with more and more personal issues. It became a job. That’s why Dr. Dre takes so long to put out an album. When you get more and more success, the number of obligations increases as well. Now, it’s back to dealing with making music; we can monitor everything. If I didn’t want to this interview today, I don’t have to. (laughs)
Did all of these obligations and changes affect your music?
Yes. It was always about me doing the music my own way. I want to do it and have fun doing it. I lost the love along the way. When I saw all of the traps of the industry, I didn’t like it. I had some personal issues, as I mentioned before, that took away from me doing music and the obligation of having to do music takes away from the passion. Most relationships in this business break up over money or egos. You ever see the TV show “Unsung?” Unfortunately, every story seems the same! If no one is there to help you monitor your business and finances as you progress, problems can arise. When you come from a poor environment, and I’m not just talking money-wise, it’s poor in education and knowledge. When you’re thrown into an unfamiliar situation like this, you make bad decisions. We had no guidance in this business. A.G. didn’t have it and I didn’t have it. Most of the cats around us didn’t have it. People were looking to us for guidance because of the level we were on. We didn’t have the knowledge. Coming from a broken home, we didn’t have a lot of positive male figures around. You have to be around a man to become a man. If that man, that role-model is not around, you’re not going to know how to act right and you’ll be doing things recklessly. The decisions I made at 22 are not the same ones I would make now. People also need to know that the Hip Hop industry is not the streets. You can’t just run up in an office and demand to be released from your contract and threaten staff. These younger kids don’t have someone to tell them otherwise. I know because I was one of those new artists and have seen the ins and outs of the business.
What is some advice to people trying to maintain some longevity in the music industry, or any industry for that matter?
I was like this before the music business. I was already good. I lived in a house and had three cars. I had everything I wanted in life up to this point. A lot of dudes get caught up in making music because they have to, because they need a check. I don’t judge them, but I don’t want to do that. I’ll give away this album or five free albums away to show that I love this music.
How can producers be successful in this business by making money as well as the music they want to?
It depends on your foundation. Take this example: Let’s say you’re with a girl; I feel I chose girls wisely. You need to find someone that truly holds you down. If I’m grinding and trying to make my dream a reality, she is doing her part to help support me knowing that when things happen for me, I’ve got her, too. You could have a business partner, an older brother, or family like that. It’s putting yourself in a situation where you’re don’t have to worry as much about paying bills like you would if you were all alone. Don’t get me wrong: You gotta deliver on your end, too. It’s a two-way street. Please don’t confuse this example with getting caught up in the street life. I never made a record about glorifying it because that shit is wack! It’s about sharing a vision and having someone that really trusts in you and believes in you, a genuine support system.
Looking at these other groups from era when you and A.G. first came up, what keeps you going and making records?
When I look at De La, they have to be super strong to still be making records 20 years later. I was cutting their records back and forth as a DJ before our thing popped off and I even thought about making a record; so, I appreciate that even more. If you haven’t gone through the struggles in the industry, you can’t fully understand what has gone on with groups that have broken up. You can never fully understand it. Do you know how much it hurt me that Tip and Phife broke up? I would see Tip and I didn’t feel it my place to ask him about the breakup. I would ask him if they were making another album and he’d say, “No.” It was just sad, man. I love Tribe, The Love Movement and all their records. It’s because I love them making music.
When do you as an artist put aside selfish desires and put the fans first?
I didn’t know about the fans we have out there. The Internet response was huge and I was like, “I fu*ked up!” (laughs) I didn’t realize how much fans and people in general really appreciated what we do. I met Peter Rosenburg (Hot 97) and he said, “My older brother put me up on you. We talk about Hip Hop with other people and if they don’t bring you guys up, we stop talking Hip Hop with them.” You know how easy it would be for me to take this familiar record, chop it, have a guy rhyme on it, and put it out there? That’s not me. I’m still cutting the drums and chopping the samples. There’s A LOT of work that goes into me making this music. I’m seeing now that the fans want it. Once I got on the computer, I really began to realize this.
This may be a little off subject, but tell me the story your encounter with Kool Herc.
I was back in my hood in the late ‘80s and I see Kool Herc walking by. Flash and them would be around from time to time with their cars and everything. I’m bugging! Dude is one of the founders of Hip Hop and I yell out, “That’s Kool Herc!” No one around me knows who that is, but I do because I’m familiar with all the guys that were around the artform from day one. Years later, I’m at Sutra Lounge where Tony Touch spins at and I’m standing there with DJ Premier. Kool Herc walks in and comes up and says, “Yo, Show, I need those red labels, the EP.” Do you know how crazy that is? That is one of the highlights of my musical life. That’s what I mean when I say I was being let down by people who were getting in this that don’t respect the music and the culture. Every day I need to be able to look myself in the mirror. It’s easy to emulate someone else but it takes something special inside you to stop looking around and be yourself.
Speaking of DJ Premier, what impact is he having on you and the movement now?
We talk every day and he was one of the cats that really pushed me to get this music out there. We’re in the same studio. He helped me get back to where I’m at right now and he’s a big reason for me and A to be doing what we’re doing. I have to give him a lot of respect; he’s big bruh right there.
What gear are you using now?
I’m using the MPC 1000 and the MPC 2500. They use the same language, so to speak. I went cold turkey and got rid of all my machines and that’s how I got used to the 1000 and the 2500. The old gear was gone and I didn’t have it anymore to fall back on. The other day Ski (Beatz) showed me the Ableton Live software and the various things that it can do with samples. He put me up on that. We were up in HeadQcourterz and I lost my mind with the things he showed me. I use Ableton to help straighten some of the samples out so I can put it back into the machine and chop it up from there. It’s crazy. That was one of the best presents that someone’s ever given me. (laughs) You know hard it is to chop a sample into 16 or 32 pieces. Now, with this software, it takes five minutes. People do not understand the music that I make. They don’t understand the amount of work that goes into the chopping, the programming and final sound that the masses hear. I don’t make my music for supermodels. (laughs)
Mugshot Music is the follow-up to Pre-Loaded that you and A.G. are dropping soon. Describe the sound and feel of that project.
It’s pretty much done with the exception of a few more sequences and edits. It’s totally different from Pre-Loaded. It’s much more aggressive than this album and it’s really going to shock people. It’s put together better than Pre-Loaded. I like Pre-Loaded, but Mugshot Music is better with faster tempos, more aggressive beats. A lot of producers think all their stuff is hot. I tell them to take five songs and sit on them for three weeks. Keep the joints that you love after you’ve allowed time to be a judge of the music. Mugshot Music embodies this concept and I’m being really creative with this one.
Be sure and check out some of Showbiz’s current releases below:
-Free Pre-Loaded Album Link: http://www.vibe.com/article/v-
Deluxe Version iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/
Showbiz Still Diggin’Vol. 1 is for sale only here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/
Thanks to Showbiz (@bronxDITC) and Jonathon Kim for making this article happen. Many blessings to them and their endeavors. GOD BLESS
