DJ Muggs produced the self-titled debut album for Cypress Hill in 1991 using jazz, R&B, psychedelic rock and metal samples as the soundscape for B-Real and Sen Dog to kick their weed-fueled rhymes over. With the album released over a year before Dr. Dre came out with The Chronic, DJ Muggs and Cypress Hill had already crafted stoner anthems like “Light Another” and “Stoned … [Read more...] about Conversations With Chad: The DJ Muggs Interview
Dr. Dre
West Coast Producer E-A-Ski Continues To Get Gold & Platinum Plaques
Producer E-A-Ski, known for his work with Spice 1, Master P, Ice Cube and others, keeps reaping the rewards of a long and successful career in the music industry. The Oakland, CA composer recently took to Instagram to unveil he had received gold plaques for two projects released in 1997, the West Coast Bad Boyz II compilation ("IMG") and Def Jam's How To Be A Player soundtrack … [Read more...] about West Coast Producer E-A-Ski Continues To Get Gold & Platinum Plaques
Unvaulted: Exploring Hip-Hop’s Unreleased Albums – E-A-Ski “Earthquake”
E-A-Ski's Earthquake was set to be the west coast producers debut solo album in 1997 and was originally to be released through Relativity Records. It was set up to be an incredible debut record for E-A-Ski, as so many great things were happening fofr the Oakland, CA-based producer. After producing several cuts on Spice-1's gold-selling albums, 1992's Spice 1 and 1993's 187 … [Read more...] about Unvaulted: Exploring Hip-Hop’s Unreleased Albums – E-A-Ski “Earthquake”
Unvaulted: Exploring Hip-Hop’s Unreleased Albums – Rakim “Oh My God”
It started off a dream hip hop scenario one of the best lyricists of all time, with one of the best producers of all time. What could possibly not work? Oh, My God was set to be Rakim’s third solo album and was to be released on the biggest label at the time Aftermath Entertainment. It was gearing up to possibly be a huge move for not only Dr. Dre, but also Rakim. So many … [Read more...] about Unvaulted: Exploring Hip-Hop’s Unreleased Albums – Rakim “Oh My God”
Dr. Dre Detox Song “12 Steps To Recovery” Leak (Audio)
In 2002, Dr. Dre had gone on record about hip-hop’s now-unreleased masterpiece Detox. 16 years later, and after numerous discussions, articles, interviews and song leaks about the project, another song from the project has leaked. In this Chad Kiser exclusive, the song "12 Steps to Recovery", opens with Dr. Dre bellowing: "break out your fuckin' Swishers, light up your … [Read more...] about Dr. Dre Detox Song “12 Steps To Recovery” Leak (Audio)
Kurupt: The Exclusive DubCNN Interview
Kurupt has been a part of hip-hop history since he first stormed onto the scene with his appearance on the songs “Lyrical Gangbang”, “Stranded on Death Row”, and “Bitches Ain’t Shit” from Dr. Dre’s multi-platinum solo debut The Chronic on Death Row Records in 1992. Since those incredible verse-stealing guest appearances, Kurupt has gone on to have a 25-plus year career in the … [Read more...] about Kurupt: The Exclusive DubCNN Interview
Dr. Dre’s “Topless” featuring Nas Leaks With Unheard Verse From Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre‘s once-anticipated Detox is no longer. However, a new version of the previously-leaked “Topless,” has leaked out today. This Chad Kiser exclusive “Topless” version features a never-before-heard verse from Dr. Dre. “Topless” opens up with the Chronic producer/rapper reminiscing back to 1996 and leaving Death Row Records behind, rapping “1996, I left it all behind / … [Read more...] about Dr. Dre’s “Topless” featuring Nas Leaks With Unheard Verse From Dr. Dre
Fredwreck On Scoring Classics For Snoop & Nate Dogg, Kurupt, MC Ren & More (The HipHopDX Interview)
Interview By Chad Kiser Multi-platinum producer Fredwreck has been creating classic compositions for the likes of Dr. Dre, Xzibit, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Ice Cube and numerous others throughout his long-standing and highly successful career. On par with his West Coast producing brethren DJ Battlecat, DJ Quik, Dr. Dre, the Palestinian-American producer — most notably known for … [Read more...] about Fredwreck On Scoring Classics For Snoop & Nate Dogg, Kurupt, MC Ren & More (The HipHopDX Interview)
Sample The Funk: In Memory Of Junie Morrison (Parliament-Funkadelic & Ohio Players)
Walter “Junie” Morrison, who played keyboards in Parliament-Funkadelic and the Ohio Players, died on Saturday. “It is with great sadness that the Ohio Players have lost on this earth another one of the original members of the band Walter ‘Junie’ Morrison,” the group’s James “Diamond” Williams wrote on Facebook. “When I got in the band in 1972 he was my roommate … [Read more...] about Sample The Funk: In Memory Of Junie Morrison (Parliament-Funkadelic & Ohio Players)
Battlecat Talks Producing For Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg (The HipHopDX Interview)
In a career that spans nearly 30 years Kevin Gilliam, better known as Battlecat, has produced timeless and iconic music for several artists such as Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound (“Cali Iz Active”), Xzibit (“Get Your Walk On”), Tha Eastsidaz (“G’d Up”), Kurupt (“We Can Freak It”), Domino (“Ghetto Jam”), E-40 (“Nah, Nah..”) and countless others. Known for his signature fat, synth … [Read more...] about Battlecat Talks Producing For Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg (The HipHopDX Interview)
The D.O.C. Uses His New-Found Voice In Radio Interview
The D.O.C. confirmed via Twitter this past weekend that he is getting his original voice backafter a 1989 car crash crushed his vocal charts. This came after his appearance on Sirius XM’s “From The Press Box to Press Row,” where he debuted the voice to the public. “About a year and a half ago, my voice started coming back on its own and if I concentrate, I can speak with a … [Read more...] about The D.O.C. Uses His New-Found Voice In Radio Interview
MC Ren Talks New LP, E-A-Ski, Hip-Hop & N.W.A (Exclusive DubCNN Interview)
MC Ren, well-known for his role in legendary group N.W.A. with Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E and DJ Yella, is prepping his fifth solo LP. Never one to mince words, MC Ren let it be known exactly what he thinks of the state of hip-hop when he dropped off his DubCNN World-Premiered single, “Rebel Music,” last month. Needless to say, “The Villain In Black” is back! With a new … [Read more...] about MC Ren Talks New LP, E-A-Ski, Hip-Hop & N.W.A (Exclusive DubCNN Interview)
Truth Hurts – Gotta Believe (Prod. Dr. Dre) [2002]
Another unreleased track that didn’t make the cut of Truth Hurt’s Aftermath debut, Truthfully Speaking. … [Read more...] about Truth Hurts – Gotta Believe (Prod. Dr. Dre) [2002]
Q&A With Producer Rick Rock: Talks Experiences With Dr. Dre, Tupac & Who He Wants To Produce For (The BallerStatus Interview)
Bay Area-bred producer Rick Rock may not have the headline-commanding name of a Dr. Dre, or the media prowess of a Kanye West, but the multi-platinum producer feeding your ears a steady diet of classic tunes for close to 20 years. Since those early years of producing for the Conscious Daughters, MC Eiht, Spice 1 and others, he has provided the sonic back drop to many of your … [Read more...] about Q&A With Producer Rick Rock: Talks Experiences With Dr. Dre, Tupac & Who He Wants To Produce For (The BallerStatus Interview)
Production Credit: E-A-Ski (The XXL Magazine Interview)
The ground-breaking roots of rapper/producer E-A Ski trace back deep within the concrete history of Bay Area music; you can find the musical fingerprints of E-A Ski with rapper Spice 1 before (and during) his time with Jive Records in the 90s. E-A Ski produced three tracks off of Spice 1’s self-titled debut album while signed to the record label, and contributed another four … [Read more...] about Production Credit: E-A-Ski (The XXL Magazine Interview)