Kings of Diggin' EPK

Kon and Amir and DJ Muro EPK for the LP Kings of Diggin', features a rare appearence from Showbiz. I'm pretty sure this is from around 2006.

Akai MPC5000

LEGENDARY MPC FEEL AND WORKFLOW WITH A GREATLY EXPANDED FEATURE SET.

The MPC series set the standard for beat production. What would it take to make the ultimate MPC? Dozens of engineers, 20 years of experience and a new synth and drum sampling engine unlike any MPC ever. Introducing the MPC5000; the new standard for music production.

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The MPC 5000 is the first MPC ever to include 8-track streaming hard disk recording, a 20-voice, 3-oscillator analog synthesizer with arpeggiator, a new sequencing engine with 960 ppq resolution, pad and track muting and mixing, 64 continuous sample tracks. There's even a new FX engine with 4 FX buses and 2FX per bus.

In addition, the MPC5000 features a 64-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory - expandable up to 192MB. The display is twice the size of the MPC2500 and MPC1000 so waveforms appear crystal-clear. Integrated Chop Shop 2.0 now supports stereo chops and Patched Phrases. The MPC5000 is also the first MPC to include Random and Cycle sample playback in addition to velocity Zone Play. A turntable preamp is also included.

The MPC5000's virtual analog synth eliminates need for external analog synth modules or buggy software based synthesizers. The new 8-track direct to disk recorder lets you produce your whole song in the MPC and then mix it down with the internal sequenced programs and any input thru material. Add the optional CD/DVD drive and you can then burn an audio or data CD or your mix. Over 650MB of premium-quality sounds from Loopmasters are included to get you up and running with pro-quality production in seconds.

• 64-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory built-in. Expandable up to 192MB RAM
• Three-oscillator virtual analog synth engine with built-in arpeggiator
• Over 300 Virtual Analog synth presets included
• Eight tracks of Direct-to-Hard Disk recording
• Over 40 all new effects available within a modular 4-bus effects processor
• Master compressor and equalizer
• 960 ppq resolution
• Built-in hard disk drive
• Optional CD-R/DVD drive
• USB 2.0 port for computer connectivity
• CF Type-2 card slot (up to 2GB)
• Chop-Shop 2.0 - slices a stereo loop into individual samples with automatic pad assignment
• Patched Phrases - creates multiple splits in looped samples to ensure proper tempo sync without changing pitch
• Continuous Sample Track - ensures samples play in perfect sync no matter where you start the beat in a loop
• 12 Q-link controllers for internal automation, external MIDI control and quick parameter editing
• 240 x 128 hinged backlit LCD
• 10 built-in analog outputs, plus 8 ADAT-optical outputs and stereo S/PDIF IO
• Powerful new multimode filter
• Two MIDI inputs and Four MIDI outputs
• Turntable phono inputs with RIAA pre-amp
• XLR / 1/4" combo jacks with selectable mic/line levels
• Sample library provided by Loopmasters.com

Beat Diggin' Documentary

Some of you may have seen this already. I just ran across a full version of this on youtube and decided to toss it up here for those that haven't. Enjoy.

“A dusty 30 minute crate digging documentary featuring Diamond D (DITC), Mr. Walt (Beatminerz), Showbiz (DITC), Evil D (Beatminerz), Godfather Don and Paul Lepe – and with special appearances from Common, Mos Def and Royal Flush!”

Credits: Jesper/Busybody Films. Check out his clips and read about other hiphop-related films right here!

Hurricane Hustle

So, the local news and media outlets were all making this sound like the "Storm of the Century". Doing mandatory evacuations for the area I live in (Jefferson County) plus 2 or 3 more counties surrounding us. Both of my parents are over 60 with health problems and a sick cat named, Molly. My girlfriend Katie and I took over the wheel and headed out Sunday Aug. 31st around 8:30am. Heading west on US-90 the roads were wide open, at times we were the only car on the road. I'm thinking to myself and outloud, "hell yea! smooth sailing". When we reached Raywood, TX we ran into all the assholes from Louisiana that choose to follow the coastline through Texas instead of heading straight North through their own fucking state.

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Our original plan was to take US-90 west to Beltway 8 in Houston, then jump on the 290 out to Austin. Yea, right. We run into 146 via 90 and Texas State Troopers had US-90 west blocked (evacuation route). Yea, blocked. We were forced to head north on 146, where it was also standstill traffic. By the time we reached 105 west (evacuation route) we saw that Texas State Troopers had that blocked as well. We were all saying, "What the fuck is TXDOT doing? they're diverting 3-4 Southeast, TX counties and Louisiana into a ONE, that's right, ONE LANE evacuation route heading North on 146 where there is NOWHERE TO FUCKING STAY. Being my family isn't retarded and have a clue, we checked the Tavcb-emergency.com website and saw that there was NO room available in any town, and the smaller towns have NO hotels, etc. At the intersection of 146 and 105 west, we said, "FUCK IT!" and turned around, came back to Southeast, TX and learned that our area was only under Tropical Storm warning.

Now, we're thinking that Harris County (Houston) had a major role in this herding they were doing. And personally, I'm thinking because of the evacuees from Louisiana that went to Houston and sky-rocketed the crime rate rapidly (murder rate was banannas).

We believe that the local government in our area worked with the media on the mandatory evacuation, plus, panic provoking broadcasts, in order to get money that counties get when they're under "Mandatory Evacuation". Anyway, fuck TXDOT, FUCK everybody from Louisiana that continue to ride the coastline west through Texas, instead of going straight NORTH, where they're more safe, and fuck Jefferson, Hardin, Orange and surrounding counties! If Gustav decides to change path and head this way, then fuck him too! Bring it on!

Sundeep - Houston, Tx

Sundeep originally hails from New York and currently resides in Houston, Tx. I've been in contact with this cat since the mid 90's and he's always came with heat on the production tip. Over the years his sound has continued to grow and expand. For more information and examples of his work visit myspace.com/sunspark.

"Life, we are born into it. We Live it and then we leave it, to come back again to rectify the mistakes we have made in our previous life. I have made many mistakes, maybe I have fixed the ones I have made in my previous life but I have made more in this life. My music reflects my life and is ever evolving. Changing the wrongs I have done so I can make this world a better place for the people who live here now and the future generations. The tracks on my page are from my previous life and the ones from this life are yet to come. Thank You" - Sundeep

Sundeep - Crazy Game


Sundeep - Enemy

The Nutsons - Oslo, Norway

The Nutsons are two brothers from Norway. Both incredibly skilled on the production tip. As of late they have grown into a multi-faceted presence to be reckoned with. Not only with the beats, but with audio engineering, film and film editing. They are dedicated diggers as well. On many occasion I have referred to this duo as "librarians". Their collection of records is outrageous with thousands of rare pieces. I've enjoyed working with The Nutsons over the past 10 years and plans for an upcoming Nutsons x Tony Infamous project is in the works. Peep myspace.com/nutsons for more info and examples of work.

"We've been making beats for over 10 years now. We make both instrumental music and beats for rappers." - The Nutsons

The Nutsons - Enchanted Sea


The Nutsons - Dust

Mike Slugs - Chicago, IL

I've had the pleasure of working with Mike Slugs since 2004. My partner, Actual Fact, introduced me to Mike Slugs when we officially launched our Full Duplex Music Label that same year. Throughout the years we've kept in contact and Slugs always hit me with the new shit he was workin' on. The beats are hot, straight-forward, non-experimental and bangin', always. Peep one of the latest beats my homie conjoured up not long ago. Mike Slugs works with recording artists throughout the United States and overseas. Visit myspace.com/deptstarproductions to hear more examples of his work.

Ambitions - Mike Slugs

Sunrise Records - Beaumont, TX

As some of you might know, I have relocated back to Southeast, Texas (Beaumont / Port Arthur). Sunrise Records is a dope spot to pick up vinyl. I've been digging there off and on for the past 8 years or so. They have a huge selection of 33 1/3 and 45's. Aside from records, Sunrise is also a headshop as well and they carry movies, posters, skateboard decks, skateboard accessories and adult toys, hah. The people there are cool as hell and don't bug you about anything whilst digging. If you somehow find your self in Beaumont, Tx stop by and don't forget to tell them Tony Infamous sent you!

Sunrise Records
2425 S. 11th Street
Beaumont, Tx 77701
(409) 835-4438

Peace.

What's this all about?

For the most part this blog is specifically targeted towards hip hop production. There will be an array of information involving but not limited to tips, techniques, resources, sampling, breaks, record digging, producer spotlights and equipment reviews. You'll also find some random thoughts and experiences coming from myself as well. Drop a line if you want to contribute and/or have any suggestions.

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Want to be listed on this site?
We will be showcasing the hottest producers around. We're recruiting producers from every walk of life. Whether they are extremeley active, have discographies and touring or if they simply make beats at home for their crew or equivalent. ALL producers listed on our upcoming site will be handpicked. Not only by us, but by the producers that get recruited along the way as well. Once launched, this site will be a database of producers who drop that heat on a consistent basis. If Mc's are looking for a producer to work with on a project, or somebody is simply looking to put together a nice demo joint. They will no longer have to sift through millions of weird, experimental, garbage and wack producers in order to find something of quality..

Our main focus will be collecting, organizing and promoting individual producers including the following:

1. high resolution images
2. in depth bios (or simple)
3. mp3 snippets (will not be available for download by anybody)
4. promotional info (current projects, flyers, interviews, etc).

send all info, mp3's and images to tonyinfamous.com

Peace,
Anthony G. Hernandez