Famous Beats

One of the most prolific and respected producers is back with a new solo album. RZA, as his super hero alter ego Bobby Digital, drops one of the best hip hop albums this year. Quit unfortunately this album murders the latest Wu-Tang Clan album, 8 Diagrams. While for me there is only one song I can really get down with on 8 Diagrams, Digi Snacks is just a banger through the entire album. Note worthy songs are Long Time Coming, Creep, and Drama.

Rating:

Well, it has been about two months instead of the promised two weeks since our last serious post. We just wanted to take this time to thank the readers for bearing with us in this time of transition for us. Not only are we going to get back on the ball with posts and tutorials but we have two other projects in the works for you that we feel you’ll really like.

First, we will be releasing our first ever sample CD: Legends of the 36 Chambers. It is a sample CD based on the Wu-Tang Clan and the production style of the RZA. Secondly, we are working on a production e-book titled Blueprint: The Ultimate Guide to Hip Hop Production which can help anyone with any level of recording knowledge, from novice to the professional. Topics include:

• the difference between a producer and a trackmaster
• a beat maker’s arsinal
• music theory
• recording techniques
• …and much, much more.

Both of these products should be available in the next two to three months after some minor edits and and all that great stuff. There will be more updates on those in the coming future too.

Also, with Famous Beats starting up again we would like to re-introduce the forums. We have changed the platform to BBPress which integrates with Wordpress. This means that you now only need one single login for the main Famous Beats blog and the forums. We are really hoping the forums take off this time and we will not be shutting them down at all. Please tell all your friends and come back often.

Again, we would like to thank all of you for waiting it out with us during our transitional period.

- Je.Rock & the Famous Beats Crew

Well, I have made it to Florida but with some complications. I haven’t restarted the blog yet because I have been having some problems with the moving company. It has been a month now and all my gear and stuff is in Chicago. My girlfriend and I have been sleeping on the floor for the past month.

However, the good news is that I have obtained an internship at Mercury Studios. I just wanted to let everyone know whats been up and that I’m not giving up on the site. It just could be a few more weeks before I get things up and running again.

Thank you for following my site and for your patience while I’m making this transition.

- Je.Rock

I know I said my last post would be my last before

my move but when I checked my email this morning I had one from ModernBeats.com saying they are looking for beats to be featured on the new DMX album. This offer ends soon so I figured it couldn’t wait. I have included a copy of the original email below for my information. Good luck and happy beat making!

- Je.Rock

Multiplatinum recording artist DMX is looking for beats: Explicit Lyrics Accepted: Yes; Instrumentals Accepted: Yes; Music Genre: HipHop/Rap/Gospel; Description: Multiplatinum selling artist DMX is looking for beats for his next album, “Walk With Me Now, and You’ll Fly With Me Later”. Submit your beats for the chance of having your beat appear on this exciting new record. Also, keep in mind that DMX is signed to a four album deal so keep the beats coming. Destination ID: FT08AY06; Last Date to Deliver: Sep 30 2008

To submit your music to this DMX album opportunity, you must have a Broadjam membership. ModernBeats offers FREE $100 Broadjam memberships when ordering 1 or more of the sets below:

—————————————————— Here’s What You Get…FREE 6-month Membership to Broadjam ($100 value) Your Music Delivered to DMX Album Opportunities! Your Music Delivered to 100’s of Film/TV Destinations! Your Music Delivered to 1,000’s of Radio Stations! Your Music Delivered to Monthly ‘Cash Prize’ Contests! Your Music Reviewed by Industry Professionals! Your Music Sold Online, Keep 80% of Profits! Your Own Music Website, Domain Name, & Design! Your Songs, Photos, Videos, & Albums Hosted! Your Music and Name Promoted To Tha Max! ModernBeats Billboard-Proven Sets to Make Hits With! ——————————————————

Order A Set Above & Submit Your Music!

When you order any qualifying set above, ModernBeats will issue you a FREE Broadjam membership allowing you to deliver your music directly to this DMX album opportunity.

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that I haven’t been posting recently because I am moving to Florida. It was a quick decision and the moving preparations have been stressful but most likely after the 4th of July I will start posting again. I have quite a few post ideas in mind and started, I just don’t have the time right now to complete them. I did however spend my night bouncing an “Artist Series” edition of podcasts while I packed up my MPC and other gear. There are 7 podcasts in all with the normal 5 tracks per ‘cast. Listen to one every other day and I’ll be back before you know it. If you haven’t listened to my podcast before the link to it is to the right of the logo and now is the time to catch up on all those you’ve missed!

See you again in a few weeks,

- Je.Rock

Over at MPC-Forums.com there is a debate raging on whether or not feeling you inspirations in your own tracks is biting or not. I say there is a huge difference between wanting to be the next J Dilla and using on of his mixing techniques. You can read up on the debate here.

Please reply with your opinion.

When I first heard that Linkin Park did a track with Busta I was in shock. What an unlikely collaboration this was. I mean, I am a big fan of both but after the LP and Jay-Z mashup album I thought LP got it out of their system. Then came Mike’s rapping album with group Fort Minor and I’m sorry but he sounded like a cheap ripoff of Slug from Atmosphere.

This single track is completely different from all that. I loved LP’s Reanimated album and I still rock that to this day. If CDs wore out like vinyl or tape FRGT/10 (with J5) would be inaudible. I’m really happy this track turned out well and see LP writing with rappers again instead of throwing stuff in the MTV Mashup mixer.

I loved The Big Bang also. I believe that album was one of Busta’s best, atleast since E.L.E. I can’t wait for this album’s release. With production from Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Pharrell, Swizz Beatz, RZA, J Dilla, and Cool & Dre along with guests like Linkin Park, Common and T.I. it already sounds like a banger.

You’re gonna get your traditional Busta Rhymes and Pharrell collabo. My man Focus from the Aftermath crew; Dr. Dre; the late, great J Dilla got work on the album. It’s gonna be great — look forward to the new bang-out.

Before I published this for some reason I found myself on youtube. Below is the video for the above track, I’ve seen better, but I also came across the video for the other Busta single “Don’t Touch Me” which is classic Busta and as always has Spliff right by his side. Enjoy!

Mark over at HipHopMakers has compiled a great list of 17 websites where you can find free VSTs. Another great thing is that thatnks to FXPansion they can also be free RTAS plugins too.

Read his post here…