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BeatTips Hip Hop Archive
Excerpt from The BeatTips Manual: Escaping The Tempo Trap
When it comes to making beats, setting the right tempo (BPM) isn't as easy as it might seem. Some…
Excerpt from The BeatTips Manual: The Relationship Between Composition and Programming
"I’m always a consumer first. Then I’m a DJ. Then I’m a producer. And then I’m
an artist!"
Sample Flips: Screwball – “Who Shot Rudy?” (Prod. by K. Jones)
The hip hop Queensbridge tradition is well-documented. From Marley Marl, to Nas, Cormega and Mobb Deep,…
Excerpts from The BeatTips Manual: How DJ Premier Sees Himself As a Producer
"I’m always a consumer first. Then I’m a DJ. Then I’m a producer. And then I’m
an artist!"
Excerpts from The BeatTips Manual: Hardware or Software Setup? Feel and Nuance Matters Most
When it comes to the musical instruments or gear that you use, you have to
feel good about the…
BeatTips Beat Breakdown: The Game – “Ol’ English” (Prod. by Hi-Tek)
I was confused upon my first listen of "Ol' English" (Doctor's Advocate, 2006) by the Game, produced by…
One of The Best Yet: The State of the Gang Starr Legacy Remains Strong
This interview was carried out in November 2019 when DJ Premier visited London.
Mainstream Rap Is Not The Boogeyman: Why The Mainstream Imbalance Argument Falls Flat
Departures from traditions usually lead to new traditions, which are themselves reimagined (repurposed…
Timeless Music: Isaac Hayes – “Soulsville”
"Soulsville," from the movie Shaft. This is my favorite Isaac Hayes joint. The scene in Shaft where this…
LL Cool J – ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’: A 30th Anniversary Retrospective
After the success of LL Cool J's double Platinum selling 1987 album Bigger And Deffer, LL was on top of…