Cap-D's Blog Spotlight - Ant-B's Two Cents

Fam,

From time to time, I will spotlight artists, producers and other industry types to give me their "two cents" on a variety of topics. My first victim is a close friend of mine simply named "Ant B". (For the clowns out there, it's not Aunt B.)

"Ant B" hails from the 'Natti and has been mentored by not one, but TWO legendary hip hop producers in the making. Which two, you may ask? Well maybe you know a couple of guys by the name of Just Blaze and DJ Khalil. Under their tutelage, Ant has sat in numerous sessions with some of your favorite emcees, produced, wrote, composed and created some heat for some very special people in the industry. (Sorry, I can't snitch on who he has worked with) Needless to say, he's a credible cat who's opinion I value deeply. Below is a brief interview that I conducted:

1. As a producer, do you feel that technology has hampered or enhanced the rap game?

I think it has done both. It's easier to make music now, sure. But its also harder to stand out. Depending on who you are these statements are both positive and negative! I loved my mpc. But once I learned how to make my laptop do the things my mpc did, I fell in love with it. I think evolution is necessary - behind the boards and in front of the mic.

2. What does the rap game need more of? Independent artists that don't create themselves from a cookie sheet. And truly viable ways for those artists to connect with a large, financially rewarding fan base.

3. Who are some of your musical and producer influences? There are so many. I grew up in the midwest so I had influences from all over and equally. To name a few - and in no order of importance... Big Daddy Kane, early LL, Public Enemy, NWA, Outkast, 8Ball & MJG,Michael Jackson (why do people leave him off their lists of influences?!), Snoop era Dr. Dre, Blueprint era Just Blaze, recent DJ Khalil... I can't come close to naming them all.

4. How do you feel about the seemingly lack of respect for true, beatsmiths/producers these days? (I.e Ron Browz getting more love than Primo)Yeah - not that I'm a fan of either - but that is wack. I'm all for a producer producing in the traditional organization and oversight sense. But Kane said something in a interview I just heard about writing rhymes for other rappers that I agreed with and I think applies here. He said if you brand yourself as a lyricist, but other people help you write - that's wack - but if you're an entertainer - then it's whatever. For me, that same sentiment translates to current day music production/producers/beatmakers/DJs. For instance - I'm not a dj - so I don't pretend to be one. I think there are a lot of producers that go around acting like dope beatsmiths and aren't. That's wack.

5. How do you feel about Auto tune?

I think its entertaining - but too much of anything is bad for you, right?

6. Any last words? Yeah cats need to stop using ghosts and acting like it's their soul we're feeling. Peace!