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Dedicated to my father Abdul Rashid (R.1.P), my son Tykeim Sol Rashid and bedroom producers worldwide.
HIP HOP HOME STUDIOS
BY RAPH

GINGKO PRESS
Published in the United States of America

First Published in 2005

Second Printing , March 2006

Gingko Press Inc.
5768 Paradise Drive , Suite J
Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA
(4 15) 924 96 15 ' FAX (415) 924 9608
email : books@gingkopress.com
www.gingkopress.com
ISBN: 1-58423- 197- 1
© 2005 Rafael Rashid .
LCCN: 2005930760

Author: Raph
Co-editors: Greg Foster, Mark Pollard, Khalil Hegarty
Design/Layout: Rex
Illustrations: Beci Orpin

www.crookneck.com I www. beciorpin .com

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced

in any manner whatsoever without written permission from t11 e publisher
Printed in Hong Kong
' Introduction 1
Young Einstein 10 ...
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Chief Xcel 14
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OJ Spinna 18 ...ffi
J Thes One 24
The Nextmen 30
Dan The Automator 34
The Grouch 40
OJ Ransom 44
Farma G - Taskforce 50
Oa Beatminerz 56

c NTE TS OJ Shadow
Mario Caldato Jr.
60
66
Huw72 - Beyond There 74
Cut Chemist 80
Sereck 84
Kutmasta Kurt 88
Skitz 94
Mad lib 98
J -Zone 106
OJ Premier 110
Nu -Mark 116
Fat Jack 122
deNorthwode 126
OJ Swamp 130
OJ Design 136
Jehst 140
E-Swift 144
J Oilla 150
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I T DUCTION
I have always been fascinated with studios, big and small. Back in 1990,
I walked into my friend Frenzy's studio. It consisted of a 4-track, some
turntables and an early Mirage sampler. I was totally blown away by the fact
you cou ld overdub vocals and sample records.
When studio equipment became more affordable for people wanting to
make music, bedrooms all over the world were redesigned to accommodate
samplers, turntables and mixers. It has been a big change. Not long ago,
making a record could only be done in a studio. Now most people do it at
home. Consequently studios are now truly personal spaces - tool shed , study,
den, all rolled into one. They are a sanctuary, a place to just get away from the
day and tinker around, sharpen some snares, filter some bass, whatever.
In this sense, a 'good' studio isn't about the latest hi -tech gadgets. Hip Hop
producers they love their gear, but they are very much about getting
a machin e that works for them and sticking with it. At the end of the
day it's not what you have but what you do with it. As strange as it
seems, there are sti ll some producers out there who haven't even gone
into the world of computers.
These photographs encompass far more than equipment, they offer a glimpse
into the lives of DJ's and producers at the forefront of an evolving musical
form . Some amazing studios have never been captu red on film and never will
be. If I could turn back time, I would love to have visited Jazzy Jay's house.
Decades on from Hip Hop's birth, producers have an enormous presence,
. commanding underground and even pop followings. But more often than
not, to most li steners, producers are just a name on a record, always in the
background. These pictures capture the visual side of the beats they make.
They are the images Behind The Beat. Raph 2005.
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Thanks to all the Prod ucers who kindly opened the door of their studio to make this book possible.
LONGBEACH,CA,USA
 Ug ly Duckling Fresh Mode 1500 Records 1999

Olympic Lifts Ho ri zontally Vertical UD/Young Einstein Remix Bungalow 200 1

DJ Format Ill Culin ary Behaviour Remix Genuine 2003

Lyrics Born Do Th at There Hoo- Hoo Remi x ouannurn 2004

Young Einstein I Zaakir Have And Have Nots Kajmero 2005

Y UN El STFIN
It was my first trip to Long Beach when I visited
Youn g Einstein, beat maker for Ugly Duckling. A
self-pronounced bedroom DJ , Einstein's studio is
situated in the atti c of l1is mother's house .

Thi s is a classic bed room setup , with a real, raw

approach - just a Ves tax turntable running into a
MPC 3000 .

All of his records are stored in his bathroom before

th ey're sorted and filed in t11e 'Hall of Record s.'
Scattered around th e house are vari ous reti red
samplers and pieces of equipment.
 Chief Xcel Fully Charged On Pl anet X Solesides 1996
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Tl1e Watts Prophets Doin g Everyday The Hard Way London Records 1997
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Maroons feat. Erin Anova Golden Rule ouannurn Projecls 1999
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Lifesavas Head Exercise Movement 2 Remix OuannumProjecls 200 1

C IEF l
Arriving late due to a blizzard -delayed fli ght out of
New York , I finally made it to Accompong Compou nd
- Chief Xcel 's spot. Producer and DJ for Blackalicious,
4.
his room was part of a bigger studi o complex w ith an
adjoinin g stu dio housi ng an SSL desk where Xcel often
tracked hi s sounds.

He had only just moved into this room and was sti ll
find ing hi s way, but already seemed really comfortable
and was busy working on upcoming releases for hi s
own label, Ouannum Projects. Hi s sou lful production
remains timeless.

Check DJ Shadow's original MPC60, w hic h he had lent

to Xce l a few years earlier.
 D 0 TIO
0 Rude Rydims Experiment Everybody Bounce Freeze 1995

0 Mr. Complex Visualise Raw Shack 1996

0 DJ Spinna Heavy Beats Vol.1 Rawkus 1999

O Michael Jackson We' re Almost There Remix Motown/Polydor Japan 200 1

0 Bebel Gilberto Ceu Di stante Remix Ziriguiboom Germany 2005

J SPINNA
The home studio, Thi ngamajig, located in the basement
of his Brooklyn residence is where you'll find DJ Spinna
hard at work. Highly regarded as one of the most prolific
and original DJ/Producers to emerge in the 90's, his
discography includes a vast array of remixes by artists
from DJ Krush to Ronny Jordan and Mary J Blige.

DJ spinna brings his soulful sound to everything he

touc hes, and has released on numerous labels worldwide
including his own Beyond Real and Wonderwax records.
Successfully producing in both Hip Hop and House music
arenas, he gets up early and starts in the studio around
Sam, probably a little early to be tracking vocals, but you
never know.

He has produced for a wide range of rappers from J-Live

to Eminem and also teams up with Krim to form the
Jigmastas. Highly respected for his production Spinna
also tours the world as a DJ and is renowned for
turning a party out.
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PUTS STU
 People Under The Stairs The Next Step PUTS Records 1998

Jigrnasters feat. Sadat X Don't Get It Twi sted PUTS Remix Beyond Real 2003

Thes One Noonen 12" Tres 2004

Bloquera Bloquera EP Tres 2004

Giant Panda Super Fly 12" Tres 2005

TES N
With a studio located within an old mid -city Los Angeles
hou se, Til es One prides him self on hi s professional
gear. As the producer and MC for People Under th e
Stairs, Til es One reco rd s everything onto analog ue
tape, spending mu ch time repairing and servicin g l1is
equipment.

Not long after this shoot, a Neve console replaced the

desk pictured, a heavy lift up a floor to the studio.
A belt -drive turntable was one of th e quirky equipment
preferences revealed during my visit to Tiles' place.

A heavy vinyl collector, Tiles One recently designed hi s

bedroom decor around the theme of KPM record labels,
painted in all shades of green.
II
 SELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
0 London Posse Style Remix 12" Bullet 1996

o The Nextmen Break The Mould/Clarity/Mental Alchemy 12" scenario/FatBeats t999

0 The Nextmen Among st the Madness 75 Ark 2000

0 The Nextmen Get Over It Scenado 2003

O Tl1e Nextmen Spin It Round/Average Joe 12" Custom Records/Fat City 2005

T EN XTME
Brad Baloo and Dom Search are The Nextmen. Born and
bred in Cambridge, the pair moved to London in 1998 and
have since had a steady release of records, including two
albums. They have collaborated with a broad spectrum of
artists includ ing Cutty Ranks, Rodney P, J-Live and Ty.

Constantly switching up the fl ow, The Nextmen keep

their ideas diverse, to say the least. Understand ing the
dynamics of the records they want to make and then play
in clubs has helped them rock dance floors worldwide.
The studio was set up in Brad's living room and although
they are running Pro-Tools the pair prefer to mix their
songs through the Yamaha 02r desk.
II
 RODUCTION
, 0 Automator Music To Be Murdered By Homebass 1988

Dr. Octagon Blue Fl owers Bulk 1996

Tom Tom Club Happiness Cant Buy Money HBMS Remix Rykodisc 2000

Dean Martin Jingle Bells Remix Six Degrees 2003

HBMS (w/ Prince Paul) White People Elek1ra 2004

DA THE AUT MAT

Dan had limited time and continued working while I go t
the opportu ni ty to take photos of the Glue Factory, the
studio where classics like DJ Shadow's "Endtroduci ng"
was mixed and the record with Kool Keith , "Dr Octagon",
was made.

Dan's produc ti on over the last few years has incl uded
Gori llaz, Deltron 3030 and Handsome Boy Model ing
School with Prince Pau l. His collaborati ons with other
artists have been so me of the most eclecti c match-ups
to date. Dan works a wi de spectrum of stu dio gear.
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 SELECTED PRODUCTIONS.
0 Grouch Success Is Destiny Ou111ouse 1997

0 Grouch Simple Man 12" G&E Music 1999

0 CMA Overall Mary Joy Recordings 1999

0 Grouch & Eligh G&E Vol 2 EP G&E Music 2000

0 Murs & Slug Felt A Tribute To Christina Ricci Rhymesayers 2002

THEGROUCH
Underground Hip Hop pioneer The Grouch told me to
be at his place by 9am on the day of the shoot since he
had to make a flight out of LA at 10:30. After knocking
on the door until 9:30, I literally woke him up to get
these photos done.

Set up in a converted garage the studio has been graced

members at some point. Innovations like the [Pictured]
mouse The Grouch devi sed in the vocal booth (allowing
a rapper to have direct control of recording equipment
while on the mic) make the studio user friendly. The mural
on the wall by Bicasso, Gavin Grant and Tomashi is
also a nice touch.
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MELBOURNE , AUSTRALIA
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SELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
0 A:K:A Brothers Poetry In Motion 12" Stra;1 up t9B9
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0 DJ Ransom The First Cut Is The Dopest MXLt 995 : ~
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0 Raph Picture Thi s 12" Crookneck 2002 ....iii
0 DJ Ransom 90's Revival crookneck 2003

0 Crackpot Shelf Hypnosis Tummy Touc11 2004

DJ RANS M
In Melbourne, Australia, there are few people who have
done as much for Hip Hop as DJ Ran so m. The guy
started the country's first independent Hip Hop label, he
DJ s more styles than you can imag ine, runs cl ub nights,
is one-third of the band Crac kpot and DJ for Mnemoni c
Ascent. DJ Ran som is a damn fin e producer and
walking through his studio is a trip into Melbourne's
musical history.

In a suburb about 30 minutes from downtown Melbourne,

Ransom 's studio is a well thought out place to just get
down to business. The side and back wall s slide on
rollers allowing the room to be reco nfigured at w ill.

But this wou ld be a completely different place if the

studio wasn't broken into a decade ago . Close to half
Ransom's records were stolen, as were a whole bunch of
fini shed recordings, as well as a most of his equipment.
Some may say 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'.
Maybe so, but personally, I'd rather be a little bit weaker
and still have my records.
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 E DPRO U TIONS:
Bury Crew Hide Graveyard Records 1999

0 Taskforce Voice Of The Great Outdoors EP Lowlife 2000

0 Mud Family Fuck A Concept PM Muzik 2002

Jehst Hi story Lowlife 2003

0 Taskforce Music From The Corner Vol 3 Music frorn 111e corner 200•

FAR MA
TASKF
When Farma G told me on the phone that he had comic
strips stuck all over hi s wall I couldn't quite picture it.
The first floor council estate flat has been Farma G's and
brother Chester P's home for the past 26 years.

Together the brothers are Taskforce, one of the UK's

finest Hip Hop groups. Over the years they have
collaborated wit h Mark B, DJ Vadim and Skitz.
As I took the photos, Farma pl ayed some beats
and hi s nine-year-o ld son ki cked some raps. 11 1 I I I I I 1 1 I I
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 SELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
0 Black Moon Enta Da Stage Nervous 1993

0 Smif 'n'Wessun Bu cktown wreck 1994

0 D'Angelo Cruisin EMI 1996

0 Sadat X Th e Interview Loud 1996

0 Da Beatminerz Fully Loaded w/statik Copier 2005

DA BEATMI E Z
I bumped into Evil Dee of the Beatminerz, holding his
MPG and a bag of records, the night before thi s shoot on
a co rner in Manhattan. He had just fini shed teac hing
a cl ass at the Scratch DJ Academy. The next morning
I found him still awake from th e ni ght before making
beats at the Dewgarde Crib of Hits.

Da Beatminerz is a five-man production crew made up

of brothers Evil Dee and Mr Walt alongside Choco late
Ty, Baby Paul and Rich Black. As th e DJ/Producer
for Black Moon, Evil Dee keeps hi s living-room/stud io
packed with records everywh ere. 24-track tape reels
li ne the hallways whi le the tape decks are a great
reminder of th e mix tape days.
 SELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
0 DJ Shadow Influx 12" MoWax 1992

0 DJ Shadow Lesson 4 12" Hollywood Basic 1992

0 DJ Shadow Entropy 12" Solesides 1993

0 DJ Shadow Dark Days 7" MCA 2000

0 DJ Shadow Private Press MCA 2002

DJS A W
DJ Shadow's home studio, Reconstruction, is nestled
within a leafy San Francisco suburb. Moving to the area
mainly to be closer to the local record store, Shadow
on ly keeps a small selection of vinyl at home with
th e rest occupying storage units around town . Local
record dealers are often found dropping by to trade or
just talk records.

His 1996 debut album, Entroducing, had a profound

effect on producers and listeners worldwide. It was
created on an MPC 60 and an A-Dal, proving that great
records can be made from home with limited equipment.

Shadow's production predo minantly encompasses

sampling with two Akai MPC 3000's, although he
recen tly picked up a Korg Triton for a certain song
he had in mind. At the time of my visit, DJ Shadow's
schedule had him at the studio around 2pm and working
until 4 in t11e morning; sometimes moving on to other
studios during the night for to record or mix. These hours
have likely changed with the recent arrival of his twin
daughters Kianna and Annika.
II
 LECT 0 RO UCTID S.
0 Beastie Boys Check Your Head capital 1992
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o Planet Hemp Os Caes Lad ram Mas Acaravana Nao Para Sony Bras;1 1997

Day One Ord inary Man As1rn1werks 2000

0 Jack Johnson On and On Bushfire 2000

0 Marcelo D2 A Produca Da Batida Perfeita Sony Brasil 2003

MA 10 CALDATDJR.
Famed for his production of the Beastie Boys, Mario
Caldato Jnr houses one of the most impressive home
studios around. The studio takes over the whole house
including a control room, recording room, basement with
plate reverbs and vinyl lathe.

Any spare room is taken up by instruments of all kirids.

You name it and I'm sure it is in there somewhere. Mario
still continues to collect vintage equipment and has several
fri ends on the lookout for gear at flea markets regularly.

Not long after this shoot, Mario's Silverlake studio was

shut down due to business zon ing issues precipitated
by the com plaints of a bored neighbour. Mario has since
relocated to Eagle Rock.
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 SEL CTLD PRODUCTIONS:
0 Beyond There On Wax om >998

0 T-Love Witch Bitch? PickininnyN irgin 2000

Billy Mahdi Summer Love Remix Counterpoin1 2000

0 Mr. Complex feat. Biz Markie Glue 72 Records 2003

0 Beyond There feat. Arcee Theme 72 Records 2004

On a day when the trains were not running out to

Greenwich, it took several buses to reac h HUW72,
founding member of Beyond There, a Hip Hop production
outfit from the UK. Along with Tommy Koi and Kam, the
trio have released tracks with Mr Complex, Biz Markie,
T-Love, Binkis, L-Roneous, Canadian MC Arcee as well
as UK-based MCs Jehst and Yungun to name a few.
The three producers also worked together at famed
record store Mr Bongo in London. Kam and Tom have
smaller home studios with the 'classic ' set up - Emu
SP1 200 and an Akai 8950. In View Of The Dogs is
where it all comes together and the mixdowns happen in
and amongst Huw's huge record collection.

This room has a youthful history to it - it seems that every

bit of Hip Hop paraphernalia that Huw has collected is to
be found here: radio show tapes, posters and flyers, the
type of things that really bring back memories.

Also home to 72 records, In View Of Tl1e Dogs studio looks

out over London's Isle of Dogs Docklands area.
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0 Cut Chemist Lesson 4 Unified Rebelution 1994

0 DJ Shadow Number Song Remix FFRR USA 1996

0 Jurassic 5 w. Numark Jayo u Pic kininny 1998

0 Ozomatli Cut Chemist Suite 12" Armo 1998

0 Cut Chemist Bunky's Pick 12" Stones Throw 2001

CUT C EMIST
Along with Nu-mark, Cut Chemi st is producer and DJ
for the group Jurassic 5. Confessing that for years his
bedroom-studio was your everyday Hip Hop clubhouse,
nowadays it's somewhat strip ped back to its bare
beat-making essentials. On this particular day he had
been recording guitar with a fellow musician in the
adjoining lounge room.

A Star Wars fanatic and avid record collector, Cut

Chemist can be found digging through reco rd stores
around the globe. One such record holds great
significance after it was passed on from a friend that
had passed away. Framed and sitting on his mantle
piece was a promo copy of "It 's Yours" by T La Rock,
complete with a Rick Rubin business card .
II
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 Def Wish Cast Daily Nightmare Random 1992

Def Wish Cast Hear My Raw Bomb 1995

Sereck Search for Planet Robie Parallax View 1999

Celsius Kie kin it to Hell n Back Basic Equipmenl/Crookneck 2004

Sereck Too Damn Long Parallax View/Basic Equipment 2005

SE FCK
Long-time Australian Hip Hop veteran, Sereck is the true
representation of the b-boy. From the late '80 's Sereck
has been active on every level of Hip Hop. Producer and
rapper in Def Wish Cast and Celsius, Sereck also doubles
as "Uniqu e" one of Austra li a's most highl y prai sed
graffiti w riters.

A purveyor of style whether it be on the mic or the beat ,

Sereck strives for originality, and has paved the way for
many upcoming artists . The 808 takes pride of place in his
studio alongside his collection of Hip Hop chewing gum.
 SELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
0 Big Willie Smith Big Willie Smith EP Funky Ass 1995

0 Luscious Jackson Lady Fingers Remix 12" Grnnd Royal 1999

0 Dilated Peoples Work The Ang les 12" abb 2000

0 Motion Man & Kutmasta Kurt Clearing The Field Threshold 2002

0 Kool Keith & Kutmasta Kurt Diesel Truckers Funky Ass/Threshold 2004

KUT ASTA KU
He may not often be seen without his trademark Mexican
wrestling mask or funky redneck beard, but Kutmasta
Kurt is one of the most important independent Hip Hop
producers on the West Coast. He's managed to produce
many albums with Kool Keith and still retain his sanity.
He's also done remixes for the Beastie Boys, Mos Def,
Linkin Park, and produced the hit song "Work The Angles"
for Dilated Peoples.

His studio/home is also where he runs Threshold

Recordings, home to Motion Man, Dopestyle 1231, and
others. Still recording vocals in the bathroom, Kurt proves
you can turn out great albums from home. He says it's not
as important what type of equipment you work on/with or
the aesthetics of location, but rather how you maximise
what you have.
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 SELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
O Skitz alongside Roots Manuva Where My Mind Is At 12" Ronin 1996

0 Skitz feat. Rodney P Ded ication 12" Ronin 1999

O Pharoah Monch feat. Rodney P & Roots Manuva Simon Says Remix 12" Rawkus 2000

0 Julie Dexter Be 7" Hospi1a12000

0 Skitz Countryman Ronin 200 1

SKITZ
Skitz, aka Daddy Skitz is often associated with fellow UK
Hip Hop veteran Rodney P. Like his colleague, Skitz has
played a major part in the development of the UK sound .

A DJ and graffiti artist, his production career took off in

1996 with the track 'Where My Mind Is At' featuring Roots
Manuva - and he hasn't looked back since. With a string
of releases on Ronin records he now runs his own label
Titan sounds. His studio at this particular time shared a
space with his nine year old son's bedroom. He would
drop his son at school, come home and get busy.
 Hood 2 No Good Throw 'Em Up 12" Phal Wrekards 1992

Lootpack The Anthem 12" EP Stones Throw 1998

Yesterdays New Quintet Rocket Love 7" Stones Throw Fan Club Promo 45# 12001

Madlib Steppin' Again 7" BlueNole 2004

Quasimoto The Further Adventures of Lord Quas s1ones Throw 2005

MAD LIB
After four previous attempts to hook up with Madlib
I finally got to meet the beat conductor drumming away
at the Loop Digga's Echo Park hideaway.

Whi le shooting the photos, Mad li b continued working

- reviewin g and reworking fifty or more beat ideas from
his CD player. No doubt some of these ideas w ill see
the light of day on his many projects released throug h
Stones Th row records - Yesterd ays New Qu intet,
The Beat Konducta and DJ Reis, ju st to name a few.

Truly pion eering his own sound, Madli b doubles as

Quasimoto on the mic and has been responsible for some
of th e finest releases to emerge from the underground,
including Madvillian a co llaboration with MF Doom and
Jayli b wh ere he joined forces wi th J Di ll a. Really, when it
comes to Madlib, the li st goes on and on, as does t11e
quality and originality.
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 J-Zone Music for Tu Madre Old Maid Ente,1a1nrnent 1998

The High & Mighty Arti llery Landspeecl 2000

Cage Stoney Lodge Eastern Conference 2002

Biz Markie Chinese Food 12" Groove Auack 2004

J-Zone The Pink Cookies Inst. Old Maid En1ertalnrnen1 2004

During the fourth worst blizzard in New York history

I went again st all advice and trekked out to Jamaica,
Queens, to vi sit J-zone. Pimp Palace East was in
th e basement of his home, which l1 e shared with hi s
grandmother who incidentally has featured on some of
J-Zone's records (released on his own label "Old Maid
Entertainment").

Proud of l1is gangster rap tape collection, J-Zone

continues to turn it out from his basement. Five albums
deep, J-Zone continues to keep the sound quirky,
explicit and fresh as hell
I;
 SELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
O DJ Premier DJ Premier In Deep Concerntration w;1c1p;1c111gag

0 Gangstarr Just To Get A Rep 12 " Cl1rysaHs 1990

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0 Bahamadia True Honey Buns c11rysa1;s 1996

0 Big L Ebonics Flamboyant 1998

JP EMI R
An hou r before I was leaving for JFK I thought I would
give Premier's manager one last try on the phone.
He answered and said, "Come by now and shoot the
photos". I postponed my flight and headed straight
to the Headqcourterz.

Talk about a studio drenched in history! Headqcourterz

occupies the old D+D studios in Manhattan where
DJ Premier spent a great deal of time through the 90's
creating some of the most timeless Hip Hop masterpieces
to date including 2 LP's for Jeru the Damaja and
numerous Gang Starr albums. You can't help but feel
that this has been one of the most important rooms in
Hi p Hop. Premier is a true innovator and has shown thi s
time and time again .

The combinati on of his MPC60 mk2 and an 8950 is

undoubtedly a match made in heaven .
 LE .D PRODUCTIONS:
0 Jurassic 5 w/Cut Cl1emist Rumb le EP 1997

0 DJ Nu-Mark & Pomo Blend Crafters Up Above 2004

0 Brand Nu w/J-Live Live Sequence 2004

0 DJ Nu-Mark feat Key Kool Hands On Sequence 2004

0 Eddie Harris Nu-Mark Bold & Black Remix Atlanlic 2005

N -MA K
Nu-Mark sits alongsid e the aforementi oned Cut Chemist
as producer and DJ for Jurassic 5 . Nu's log cabin is a
converted garage, split into a control room and record ing
room, w hich also houses so me of hi s expansive record
collection.

The majority of the Jurassic 5 vocals for th eir album

"Power in Numbers" were put down here. A decent-sized
room with a distinct Persian feel, Nu's log cabin has space
to have all of J5 over at once and still have ample room.

If you have ever caught the Jurassic 5 live show you will
be familiar with Nu -Mark's drumming on the MPC and also
his sounds emanating from various kids toys. These toys
have been carefully modified with amplifiers and outputs
to be able to plug right into any standard DJ mixer.
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O Volume 1O First Born
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0 Abstract Tribe Unique Mood Pieces Massmen 1998 i!:
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0 Fat Jack Cater To The DJ Celes1ial 1999 ....
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0 P.E.AC.E Southern Fry'd Chicken Mean 2000

0 Haiku D'Etat Mike, Aaron & Eddie Decon 2002

FAT JACK
Arriving to a lounge roo m full of rappers playing video
games, I found Jack tinkering with some sounds in
the back of his house. Responsible for some Hip Hop
classics, in cluding production on Volume 1O's "Hi p
Hopera" and three Abstract Tribe Unique albums.

Fat Jack is a true representation of the LA undergro un d.

Resid ing in South Central, LA, Fat Jack has seen it all
and laughed when he thought back to a scene from
"Boys in the Hood" which had been filmed in his street
Oblivious to the Hollywood drea m, Fat Jack keeps it
underground with a great und erstand ing of bo th
beats and rhyme .
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
 ELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
0 Mnemonic Ascent Word s Cant Describe Blank 1999

O Brad Slrul Lov e Thi s Obese 200 1

0 Beautiful Kings of Steel 1s3 2002

0 Brothers Stoney The Gift Karsniogen!es 2003

Lazy Grey Gave Em An Inch 12' CrooknOCk 2004

E0 TWD
Known as BVA on the mic and deNorthwode when
tappin' buttons alongside partner Funkwig, the two- man
production team go by the name of F&d.

Based in Adelaide, deNorthwode has produced for some

of the finest rappers Au stralia has to offer including
Muph, Brad Strut and Lazy Grey, all the while producing
and rapping in his own group, Mnemonic Ascent. Set
up in the once-spare bedroom, this house is conducive
to getting work done. Lots of artists have recorded and
stayed for weeks on end due to the relaxed atmosphere.
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 SELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
O Papa Roach Broken Home Remix Gatten 2000

0 DJ Swamp Never is Now Decadent 200 1

0 Nelly ft. Justin Timberlake Work It Remix Motown 2002

0 Meat Beat Maifesto Storm the Studio Remix Lakest1ore 2004

0 DJ Swamp Instruments of Torture Decadent 2005

DJ SWAMP
DJ Swamp is well known among DJ's and also to fans
of Beck - Swamp was his DJ for close to five years.
Crossover projects aside Swamp's turntablist shows in
th e past have featured fire-breathing, vinyl destruction
and self-mutilation.

In his Silverlake studio, Swamp is just as adventurous

with his battle records, encompassing infinite loops of
drum and bass, house and Hip Hop. Lots of artist have
also seen the Swamp remix including Rob Zombie,
Morcheeba and the Blood Hound Gang.

When I asked Swamp about his trip to the hospital for

burning himself during a DJ set, he replied, "You can get
burnt doing a regular DJ set. Just because I'm breath ing
fi re doesn't raise the risk. Nowadays you got to be
prepared for whatever."
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SELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
O Beastie Boys Negotiation Limerick File Remix Grand Royal 2000

O DJ Design feat. Quas & Wildchild Sparkdala 12" stones Tlirow 2000

0 DJ Design Gather Round Stones Throw 2000

0 Mark Rae feat. Veba Lavish Remix Grand Central 2002

0 DJ Design Gather Round Remix EP Look 2003

DJ ESI N
As DJ and Producer for Foreign Legion , DJ Design has a
well -considered sound, which he puts down on his own
label Look Records . Synth and sample-based Design
works the perfect blend, constantly thinking outside of
tile square. His early releases on Stones Throw and
ABB Records gave him the taste for the vinyl format and
he has maintained a constant release schedule since.

Production credits include tracks with Rasco, A.G and

OH NO. Contemporary w ith grit is the best way I can
describe the sound that Desig n has happening at his
studio Handclap!
 LONDON, UK

HIGH PLAINS
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SELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
0 Jehst Premonitions EP YNR 1999

0 Ricochet Klashnekoff Jankrowville Remix 12" YNR 2002

0 Jehst Falling Down Low 1;10 2003

0 Funky Fresh Few Dimes Got Jehst Remix Grand Central 2003

o Tommy Evans feat. Neneh Cherry Remain Forever 12" YNR 2oos

JEH T
The night I was due to fly back home from London,
I bumped into Jehst at the record store Mr Bongo.
He had just released the album 'The Retu rn of the
Drifter', which is a collecti on of his previously released
12" singles. Releasing music through the UK label Low
Life and his own YNR imprint, hi s house encompasses
his residence, studio and mini -warehouse for keeping
the YNR stock.

While Jehst is predominantly known for being one of

the UK's best MC's, he achieves a raw, gritty, classic
Hip Hop sou nd through hi s production. And what 's
more impressive is how modest hi s setu p is at home:
two S950 's and an Atari sequencer, with his wardrobe
doubling as th e vocal booth.
 BEVERLY HILLS, CA, USA

LIKWIT LAB
 Tl1a Alkaholiks 21 and Over Loud Records 1993

Xzibit At The Speed of Life (selected album cuts) Loud RecOlds 1996

Everlast Praise The Lord Tommy Boy 199s

0 Scritli Polliti Mystic Handyman Remix v;,g;n 1999

Snoop Dogg The Boss Would Like to See You Prio<ily 2002

ESWIFT
Set in the beautifu l surrounds of the Hollywood Hills,
E-Swift's crib was heavily guarded by his pitbull-cross
bullmastiff dog named Duke.

One third of the esteemed Tha Alkaholiks, E-Swift's

prod uction l1as blessed some of rap's heavyweights
including Xzibit , Snoop Dogg and also one of the original
west coast pioneers, King Tee. Everything you need to
make beats in the studio or on the road is found in here
- from the Pro-Tools rig to the M-Box wi t11 laptop. With a
recording booth tucked away in the corner, the room is
really relaxed. E-Swift also keeps a heavy stock of candy
for those late nights in the lab.
"'z
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 SELECTED PRODUCTIONS:
0 Tha Pharcyde Drop Delicious Vinyl 1996

o Janet Jackson Got 'Ti l Its Gone (Ummah Jay Dee Revenge Mix) Virgin 1997
0 Slum Village Fantasti c Vol. 2 Goodvibe 2000

0 Spacek Eve Remix Blue 2000

0 Jay Dee Unreleased Vol. 1 bling47.com 2002

JDILLA
The end of a three-year project and I find myself at the
home of J Dilla, one of the finest producers in the Hip Hop
game. Original ly from Detroit, J Dilla aka Jay Dee now
resides in Hollywood.

A master of the MPC, Dilla brings an unmistakable sound

wh ich has had him producing for the likes of De La
Soul, The Pharcyde and A Tribe Called Quest through
the mid -to- late-90's before he put his own group Slum
Vi llage on the map in the year 2000. Collaborations with
Q-Tip, Pete Rock, Common and Madlib have captivated
audiences worldwide and have definitely stamped him
into the upper echelons of Hip Hop production.

Holding it down on the mic and behind the boards,

he has appeared on lots of records from many differen t
labels. He has had a prolifi c career to say the least , all
the while remaining humbl e knowing that he hasn't
even reac hed hi s peak yet. Major or underground,
Dil la is your man.
THANKS
First and foremost, I would like to thank the producers for allowing me the
privilege of taking these photos, I consider it a real honor to have entered
your personal sanctuaries. To my wife Beci, me and you bebe. Little Tykey
just keep doing your thin g. Peace to my Pops, you keep me smi ling for real.

Big thanks to Rex for giving this project so much time and love, your work
is truly appreciated, Khalil, Antonella, Mark Pollard and Ransom for helping
me with the writing . Many people helped make this book a reality and I send
my thanks to each and every one of you. Thanks to Mum, Nanny, Johann,
Rudin & Beth, Marg, Erwin & Emily, Ross & Rae, Gavin 'Uncle G' Alexander,
Masami & Garo, D. Mesk, Lisa Haugen, Kate, Anne & Keith Hufnagel,
Maurice & Karla, Elska, Mi sha & Shauna, Crookneck family, Jepady &
Nelson, Jeff & Fawn, Rory, George Littlejohn, Krym, Pegz, Egon, Jeff Jank,
Dr Phibes, Huw, Prowl a, Will Tipper, Gavan Purdy, Alison Pember, Sarah
Honda, Phat Gary, Stephen Pav, Corefighter, Krisy, Monica Soo, Brian,
Mrs Yancey, Samela Harri s, Lu cy, Dwayne, Trent Roden, Ab Rude, Draino,
Derwent and last but not least David Lopes.