Here's the complete list of tracks I either produced, did cuts on, or both, that dropped in 2010.
Alucard Feat. IDE - Cyclone B Castor P Feat. Craig G, and Soul Theory - Miracle Castor P Feat. Craig G, and Soul Theory - Kill Every Club Celph Titled - Who Said That Creative Juices - Open Bar Infinito 2017 - Unapologetic Infinito 2017 Feat. L.I.F.E. Long, and Breeze Evahflowin' - Eyewitness To Dopeness King Hell Bastard - I Believe King Magnetic, Jukstapose, and Godilla - 4th. Kind LA Dog Feat. Apakalypse, and Mister Misfit - Collaborated Wisdom Lord Lhus & J-Nyce - The Raw Mark Deez Feat. Snowgoons, Powder & Dr. ILL - The Oracle Mark Deez Feat. Sicknature - You Can't Touch My Steeze Mark Deez Feat. Powder & Bigg Limn - Samurai Demons Mark Deez Feat. Powder - Night After Night Mark Deez Feat. Brods - Striking Gold Mark Deez Feat. Snowgoons - I'm Here Now Mark Deez Feat. Soul Theory - Tell The World Mark Deez Feat. Archimedes - Lady In The Waterfall Mark Deez Feat. Feat. IDE, Alucard, Powder, Dr. Ill, Melph, Nova Kane, Unk?wn, Sycksyllables, Godilla, Billy White, Ezekiel, Bobby Brewski, Learnz, Loak, Kas Solo, Fatol, Crucifix Payne, Damo, El A Kwents, Dante, and Domingo - Build & Destroy Mark Deez - The Beast Mark Deez Feat. Young B & Lil Loco - Warriors Mark Deez Feat. Archimedes - Once Upon A Time Mark Deez Feat. Line Solhaug - The Four Seasons Mark Deez Feat. Kool G Rap, Canibus, and Big G - Boot Rap Mark Deez Feat. Keko - Acid Aqueduct Next Universe (Infinito 2017 & White Shadow) - Intro Next Universe - Classic Regulations Next Universe - The 100's To Wild Next Universe - Good Verse Next Universe Feat. DJ Graft - Side Note Next Universe - Fantasy Politrix Next Universe Feat. DJ Graft - Original Style Next Universe - Basement Moment Next Universe - Classic Regulations (Remix) Next Universe - Outro Powder - Games All Day Powder Feat. Dr. ILL, and Mark Deez - Fatality (8 Bit Remix) Salvador Sanchez - Work With Me Son Of Saturn Feat. Atma - Jakobz Ladder Son Of Saturn Feat. Killa Milla - Exhale Kali Yuga Whichcraft - Behold The Pale Horse White Shadow - Destiny (Intro) White Shadow Feat. ILL Bill, Mark Deez, Dr. ILL, Venom, and Powder - Verbal Abyss White Shadow Feat. KRS-One, Ras Kass, Joell Ortiz, and Kool G Rap - Underground White Shadow Feat. Strange Brew - Re-United White Shadow Feat. Powder, Cruz DurrtyJada, Swann, Klive Kraven, Dr. ILL, and Mark Deez - Book Of Shadows White Shadow Feat. Passionate, Ghetto MC, Jukstapose, and Tug McRaw - Burn In Hell White Shadow Feat. Respect Tha God, Swann, Lord Willin, and Burnt MD - Combat Zone White Shadow Feat. Awkword, C-Rayz Walz, and Chief Kamachi - Imperialism White Shadow Feat. Son Of Saturn - Nefarious Apothecary White Shadow Feat. Ghetto MC, Jukstapose, and Traum Diggs - Warrior Society White Shadow Feat. Thirstin Howl III, and Mic Stylz - Thirsty Stylz 2010 White Shadow Feat. Lt. Mana, LA Dog, and Mister Misfit - Organized Revolution White Shadow Feat. Son Of Saturn, Life Scientist, Amun Morb, and Unk?wn - Innervasion White Shadow Feat. Bigg Limn, DChesron, Logik Locksmith, and Wichcraft - Savage Vendetta White Shadow Feat. Respect Tha God, Godilla, Lone Ninja, and Natural Profane - Liquid Swordplay White Shadow Feat. Zeps, Reaver, and City - Winners White Shadow Feat. EQ, Planet Asia, Block McCloud, and Reef The Lost Cauze - Check The Perspective White Shadow Feat. M-Dot - No Money Down White Shadow Feat. Mark Deez - Dedication White Shadow - Destiny (Instrumental) White Shadow & Niklas - Santa's Rap 2010 Wyze Mindz - Crazy
White Shadow is a beatmaker/DJ from Norway, whom I learnt about during a completely unrelated conversation with a friend on Live Messenger, even though he has been practicing beatmaking for more than 20 years. Searching the interwebs, I ascertained that an interview with him would atone me for all those years of ignorance. So here it is !
You have selected the difficult role of producing beats instead of raping, which is a mass phenomenon. How "unfair" do you think this is for you, considering that in the majority of rap albums, the success is associated with the rapper and not with the producer?
Well, the rapper might be famous, but the labels and producers get the money (laughs)! Nah, for real, it takes the DJ (producer) and the MC, to make a great hip hop record. The MC is usually the front man on stage and the records, and sometimes I think that it may be unfair, because all they have to do is write and rhyme, while producers do everything else; but to write a really great verse can take a lot of effort, hours, days, weeks, so I respect the emcee a lot, but yeah, most of the work is on the producers.
We have to make the music and make sure everything sounds tight, and usually a lot of work is needed after we get the recorded lyrics, for them to sound great. You'd be surprised if you heard some of the unmixed verses, by your favorite emcee's even, because a lot of them need tons of work before they sound good. Of course, I'm not gonna namedrop cause that would be disrespectful (laughs).
I have a lot of love, and respect for every emcee I've worked with, and everyone else with skills too, but sometimes it takes a lot of work to be a producer,and if the end result doesn't make the emcees happy, they'll yell at you and will try to make you change shit too, like they're the producers (laughs)! Most emcees like their vocals LOUD and upfront, and that's cool as long as it doesn't kill the music.
Sometimes I think emcees only listen to themselves on a record, while the producer listens to the overall soundscape, and is more focused on placing everything right within that, but it's a collaborative effort nonetheless. Dope producer and dope emcee on the same page creatively equals dope record.
Dr Dre / Pete Rock / DJ Premier / Rza / Kanye West. Could you rate them, starting from your most favorite?
Pete Rock
DJ Premier
Rza
Dr. Dre
Kanye West
A minimal beat can give the rapper the "space" he needs, in order to put his talent in it. Do you believe that a more "difficult" beat will "restrict" the abilities of an MC?
No. If it's a great emcee, he will take a musical beat with a lot of stuff goin' on in it and write the rhymes around it, even makin' the topics of his verses fit with the sounds in the music.
Up until now, what is the genre of music that has offered you the greatest samples for your productions?
All in all, it's been soundtracks and library records. I've milked them all dry, so I've moved on to other things since then, which will remain a secret for now (laughs). Also, usually the wackest records have the dopest samples. There might be just 1 bar that's any good on a whole album, but that 1 bar could be the next super banger!
Have you ever said to yourself, "Damn, that's a beat I wish i had produced", talking about someone else's track?
I dunno, but when I heard that Necro had sampled from a Fulci soundtrack for the first Missin' Linx 12" "Loc'd Down", I knew I wasn't the only one using stuff from Italian Horror soundtracks no more, so it was time to get a move on(laughs)! Sometimes I've thought like "Fuck, they beat me to that sample!", then I've had to flip it or dump it. The Half by High & The Mighty was such a beat, you know with the "Cat People" sample. There was a track on Dr. Dre's Chronic 2001 album as well with a sample that I'd used years before that dropped, and The Hatred by The Snowgoons was another.
Actually, the title track on my album Victory (featuring Craig G and others) used that sample but then I found out, so I had to dump it and make a new beat for that, cause there's no way I'm biting anyone, and especially not my man DJ Illegal (laughs), so that had to be changed! I've been critisized, also, that I took the AOTP "Narrow Grave" sample from a Dutch group called, (I think it was) U-niq, and that AOTP, and myself stole that sample from them which is bs.
I had never heard that record, and my man Villa messed around with that sample for years before I made the Narrow Grave beat -which was actually an extra beat I put on to fill the CD-, that they happened to want. I could probably make a whole album like that with samples others put out before I got to do it, but then again, I got to use a lot first before anyone was onto them as well, like the Profondo Rosso theme, Suspiria, The Beyond, Red Queen Kills 7 Times. I used most of that Horrorstuff first, and I won't rat on who used it after, no (laughs).
The hardest way to make music is using samples and breakbeats. If you combine samples from different records on the same beat and make breaks sound tight and more bangin' than the originals, that is the hardest way to make hip hop music, period.
As for beats, I wish I had made..., no not really. I've always been into doing my own thing, and building my own styles inspired by others, but I never wanted to bite nobody's style, so no. In the early days of me producing (in the late 80's), I admired 45 King a lot. The way he built those beats, I still don't know exactly how he did it. Also Pete Rock, in the early days when he would layer samples like maybe use bits from 5 different breaks to make the drums, then take small parts of various records like, a bassline from one, then a horn sample from another etc, and makin' them all sound like one piece of music. The Bomb Squad and Sir Jinx did that a lot too, and it takes a crazy amount of talent, music knowledge, and time.
Do you think that it is more difficult to produce a smash hit song or a hardcore rap beat and why?
It depends. Like 5 years ago, I guess a hit was easier because all you had to do was bang out a simple but catchy hook on a synth and add 808 drums to it, but now, the markets are so flooded with that stuff that it's not a guaranteed hit anymore. There are probably more artists out there now who try to make hits through a formula, and still fail, than underground hip hop producers. It's really not that easy to tell what will be a hit or not anymore. Also, that has more to do with who's got your back than the (actual) music, meaning, if you have the support of a big label in which you are the number one priority, then you will most likely become a hit, because they got the money and the network to make that happen.
But, musically, the hardest way to make music is using samples and breakbeats. I don't mean like looping a bar straight, putting it on top of a break, and call it a day; if you combine samples from different records on the same beat and make breaks sound tight and more bangin' than the originals, that is the hardest way to make Hip hop music, period.
Who is your favorite MC? More than one option is allowed!
My favorites of all time are Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, Rakim, KRS-One and Kool G Rap.
Rumors says that 9th Wonder produces beats through the FL Studio software. How do you find it as a way of making music?
I use Fruityloops too, so I have nothing but love for it. Before that, I used the SP-1200 (and it's a classic) and I love it, you know. But the short memory especially, makes it hard to use to keep up with production nowadays, so I switched to software, a couple of years ago. I have made my best beats after I did that, so I'm not lookin' back. The fact 9th Wonder was using it (and Little Brother's first album sounds like it was made with an SP) and he produced for Jay-Z using Fruityloops, is one of the reasons I decided to say fuck it, let me try that, and see how I like it.
And I love it, so no disrespect to FL, or any good software, or the MPC's, and SP's. As long as they're good to work with, and get the job done smooth and easy, I'm happy.
Give us a picture of your recent album, Destiny. Are you satisfied with the final result and the way people accepted it?
Destiny is my new producer album that was released on Halloween, this year. It has 20 hardcore Hiphop joints on it, featuring 50 emcee's from the US, UK, Canada, Holland, and Sweden, among them Joell Ortiz, KRS-One, Ras Kass, Kool G Rap, ILL Bill, Chief Kamachi, Reef The Lost Cauze, Planet Asia, Block McCloud, Grindhouse Gang, and many more.
None of that R&B singin' hooks, weak synths, or dumbed down lyrics on it. Strictly hard shit, for those of us who appreciate real hip hop, with no commercial interruptions. You can buy it on Itunes, and it's doing great. Nothing but love and props from the fans of hip hop, and well, a little hate too, but that's to be expected because some people will always be jealous when you have a great record out, you know, but fuck them. They can hate and call me names until their face turns green, I don't give a fuck. But mostly love from the B-Boys, and B-Girls, and that's what matters.
Also, I've got a lot of great press on it. It's all over the biggest hip hop sites and radio stations, as well. So far I'm very happy about it, and I think it's my best album by far.
How tiring is it to dig unstoppably for new sounds, in order to produce beats? Was there ever a moment when the time and the cost made you reconsider it?
It can be very tiring because everyone wants the hard bangers, the kind of beats that will rock well on stage and I like to make a lot of laidback, dark, eerie, spacey shit as well which hardly ever gets picked, though; those are my own personal favorites. Everyone wants the bangers and it can be hard to always have those available, because they're flyin' outta here fast all the time, but I'm usually on top of it.
I will sometimes make a beat, especially with the artist who wants it in mind too, but yeah, I've spent years, and a fortune diggin', and still do, and I reconsider it every day my man. Every day I think I might quit tomorrow, then I'm back at it again, and it's all good.
Coming from a country with great tradition in other genres of music, how strange is it for you to make rap, in a place where metal is part of everyday life?
Not strange at all really, but in the early days the hip hop scene here was really small. The other Scandinavian scenes were much bigger so we had something to prove and worked really hard to do so, and that's why there are several producers, especially, who are doin' big things and are from Norway. A very small, but highly competitive and hungry scene of producers are from here.
There are certain links between the black metal, and hip hop scenes here too; for me personally, because I used to trade horror movies with some of those guys back in the days and some were childhood friends from my hometown (who were into hip hop too), so I was close to the early days of that, with all the church burnings and all that craziness. I was close enough to smell the smoke without getting burned, so to speak. There are also links between hip hop, and black metal because both scenes were small, alternative, and agressive, as in ready to go to war for what we believed in. We even did for a minute, which went outta hand, but fortunately died down, but it was all part of the reason why Norwegian hip hop, and black metal became noticed and successful.
Any comments about Vibe Rated?
Thanks for a dope interview! Peace, and respect to all the hip hop heads in Greece, readers of your magazine, and yourself.
Firstly thanks for taking time to do this exclusive interview for www.HipHop4Days.com. Let’s start at the beginning. How did you get into making music and when would you say your career started? I got into it at an early age. My dad was a musician, so he’d always have the latest gadgets and stuff like the early synths, and drum machines, so I started messing around with those when I was about nine or ten. Got my first sampler in ’88 so I started makin’ beats then. It was a Roland S550 mono sampler. I’d been a DJ years before that. Started in 78 playing at school parties, and kids Disco’s. Got heavy into mixing, and won the Norwegian DMC battles in 88, and 89, so producing was just the next level of mixing to me.
From when you started to now, what you consider being your biggest tracks or releases? The biggest as far as featured artists is “Underground” from my new album Destiny. Features KRS-One, Ras Kass, Joell Ortiz, and Kool G Rap. My most well known is probably either “Narrow Grave” by AOTP, or “Roll Out” by D-Stroy, or maybe “Boot Rap” by Mark Deez featuring Kool G Rap, and Canibus. My own favorite releases is my albums Renegades, Untouchable, Victory, and Destiny.
How would you describe the music that you make? Cinematic new school boom bap.
Have you done many collaborations, if so who have you worked with and what was your most memorable experience? Yeah, I’ve worked with probably close to 200 artists now, maybe a little more or less. Most of it in recent years have been via the Internet but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have fun with the people you work with, like Mark Deez, and myself we had a lot of fun in the creative process of making his album, “The Oracle”, so that was great. As far as actually teaming up with people in the studio it’s been a while, but Maylay Sparks, and I always had a great time in the lab, and also workin’ with Easy Mo Bee was a great learning experience.
Hip-Hop is changing all the time. How do you feel about Hip-Hop in 2010, who are you feeling and how is the game treating you? There’s Hiphop, and then there’s Rap music, two different things. The bad side of what it is now is that wack artists sell more records than dope artists, and that a lot of people have this delusion that the more money you make, and the better position you have on the hit charts the better you are which is of course bs, I mean, that’s all got to do with promo, and who’s the puppeteer pullin’ the strings. If you have the support of the people who run the music biz, The Illuminati, The Freemasons, and what have you, then you will have commercial success. You have to go through them for that though, and a lot of artists do have ties with them without even knowing about it. Don’t matter if you got the best music on the planet if you don’t have their support. But Hiphop in 2010, it’s a really great scene with a lot of talented artists so we have nothing to complain about. If you go back to the 90′s and pull out your favorite records from that era, then do the same with the music that’s out now you might find that both the production, and rhyme skills are better now. Sometimes I think people are so busy complaining they don’t actually hear that Hiphop has advanced. It might not be as original now however because the 90′s laid the groundwork for what everyone is doin’ now. The game isn’t treating me well cause I’m not in bed with The Illuminati, but the Hiphop scene is treating me real well, and I feel I’m being recognized for what I do. There are some haters of course but that’s jealousy, and jealous people will say anything to make someone look bad. In this biz, I’ve been called everything from a genius cause I have my own styles, and make great music, to a Nazi simply because I have White, and Norway in my name, and some of my album covers were red, black, and white (laughs). All good at the end of the day. People talk. I create. All in all Hiphop is treating me great. I’d say it’s 80% love, and 20% hate.
Tell me about the label you’re with, even if it’s your own label. Tell us who is involved and how many people behind the scenes are helping you? It’s called Uncut Productions, and it’s my own label. I release my own producer albums featuring various artists on it, as well as I signed Mark Deez, and Infinito 2017 to one album deals last year. They already been released. Mark Deez – The Oracle, and Next Universe – Classic Regulations. I’ve also released The Pizdamen’s album, “Red Stars”, in 2005. I’m running the label myself with no help from others, but Foundation Media in New York are helping out with online distribution on some of my releases.
The music industry is changing from CD’s & Vinyl over to MP3, stores are getting closed and on-line shops are starting up. Do you think CD’s are dead or do you think it depends on the genre & artist? No I don’t think CD’s will fully die. They said the same about vinyl when CD’s came around, so there will always be collectors who like to own physical copies which is why the sales of vinyl is increasing again. Not in big numbers though, so let’s not fool ourselves either, I mean, digital is the market nowadays, but you never know when that will change. People might get tired of the Internet in a few years from now then everything returns to physical, but yeah it looks more like the net’s killin’ all physical stores. Not many of them left now. Illegal downloading is a problem but also a benefit. It’s good promo, but kills record sales, still you can’t stop it unless you stop the Internet which will not happen, so you just gotta deal with it. Hiphop’s been hit the hardest. Say like, Country music, that’s a genre that still moves mad units of CD’s.
So where are you from exactly and have you ever done any local gigs? I’m from a small town up in the mountains of Norway named Geilo. Population is about 5000 people or so, but it’s a winter sports resort, so in the winter there’s a lot more people. It’s more based on families now though so there’s no clubs anymore, but there used to be, and I played here a lot back in the days. From the early 80′s til the early 2000′s I did DJ gigs here on the regular, but I quit DJ’ing live in like around 2004. Damn, it just struck me that I’ve mentioned this city in a lot of interviews now so they should fuckin’ start paying me for the promo! Hahaha. But you know, this is a great place to live, but if you’re not involved in winter sports you don’t really get recognized for what you do all that much. I will though. It’ll probably be after I’m dead but I will. Haha. Thanks to everyone from here who do recognize though. It’s been a very small but live Hiphop scene here. Not that many people, maybe about 20 or 30 at the most, but several of us have been makin’ some serious noise on the Hiphop scene in Norway, and worldwide.
Have you done any big gigs or played live with any big artists? If so tell us what is was like and what playing live means to you. Yeah a lot back in the 90′s in New York. I opened up for Busta Rhymes, and Leaders Of The New School, Jay-Z, Gangstarr, Boogie Down Productions, and many more. My biggest gig was opening up for BDP at The Ritz in New York rockin’ the tables infront of about 5000 Hiphop heads including a lot of the old school legends in the audience like Afrika Bambaataa, Jazzy Jay, and Ultramagnetic MC’s freestylin’ on the mic while I rocked the tables. That was when “Fuck Compton” was the hottest record in NY, so Tim Dog got on the mic, and rocked it live. I’ve done 1000′s of DJ gigs over the years like that. I could write a book series about all the good shit that’s been goin’ down at gigs over the years. I used to love playing live, and the energy you feed the crowd, and they feed it back at you, and so on, but it came to a point where I felt I’d done it all, so I quit, and I don’t miss it, but have a lot of great memories from it.
Hip-Hop is sometime viewed as negative music and in the media often gets a raw deal. Do you think that Hip-Hop should be more positive and that artists have a responsibility to the youth? You gotta look at where Hiphop is originally from. It’s from the streets of The Bronx, New York, and it was started by gang members, so it’s not a culture for the faint of heart you know what I mean, but also, it was started to give kids something to do instead of killing eachother through drugs, violence, and crime. Hiphop is a way for kids especially to express their energy, positive and negative, without hurting nobody, but through art, music, and dance. Hiphop is life, and it’s everything, and so it’s not gonna be all pretty. Art imitates life imitates art imitates life, and so yeah it can have a negative influence, like I’m not a big fan of the materialistic kinda Rap music of later years where it’s all about bling, cars, cash, hoes, and all that, but it portrays the time we live in as well. All that materialism, and all that don’t give a fuck ism is unfortunately the sign of the times, and Hiphop is honest, so you can find that there too, but we can change. As long as we’re alive we can change ourselves, Hiphop, and the world. What world do we want our kids to grow up in? I bet for most parents it’s not the duckface, and that gangsta shit? Cool, so get busy changing it. Raising the youth is the parents responsibility, and not the artist. The artist only talks about what life around him inspires him to talk about.
Can I get all the You Tube URL Links to all your music videos please? I got a Youtube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/TWSUncut
When did you start producing and what would you credit as the highlights of your production career so far?
I started in 88, and my first time on record was in 93 on Jamalski’s “Roughneck Reality” album on Sony/Ruffhouse. The highlights would have to be the release of my solo producer albums featuring various artists. Renegades, Untouchable, Victory, and Destiny. You can get them on ITunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-white-shadow/id275601519?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
What do you think makes a good Hip-Hop producer?
You gotta love, and know music, have a good ear, and be a good shrink. Knowing equipment, and tech shit helps too. Be original, do your own thing. Be professional, and do what you need to do. Be able to guide a record from start to finish so that the final product is dope. Let the artists, and everyone involved in the creative process have their say so you can filter the good ideas from the bad. Ultimately a producer decides what the finished track is gonna sound like, so you gotta make sure you know how to do that, and make sure the artists trust your decicions to be the best for all. There’s a lot of psychology involved actually, and the producer is the shrink, and the boss.
What rappers have you worked with?
As far as actually being in the studio with artists, I’ve worked with Jamalski, D-Stroy, Grand Agent, Maylay Sparks, Easy Mo Bee, and more. Most of my productions have been done via the Internet though, so online I’ve done tracks with Joell Ortiz, Kool G Rap, Chief Kamachi, AOTP, KRS-One, Tash (The Liks), Craig G, and many more. Probably about 200 artists over the years.
What do you prefer UK or USA Hip-Hop and why?
US. I grew up on the early Sugarhill, Enjoy, and Tommyboy Records 12″ singles, and from there the 80′s, and 90′s boom bap. I like early UK Hiphop though like especially Hijack, Hardnoise, Gunshot, Einstein, Demon Boys, and stuff like that.
A lot of producers ‘sell beats’, is this something you do or have done?
Yeah, I’ve done it, and still do if I get a good deal as in either hot featured artists, well paid, or just a dope artist or track I wanna work on. I’m not the kind of producer who sells my beats to just anyone online because I wanna make sure the artists I work with are dope.
How do you feel about doing remixes and have you ever done any?
Yeah, I think that’s cool cause it can often make a track better than the original, or give a different feel to it. I’ve done plenty. On my producer albums there’s always been a combo of exclusive joints, and remixes, and I’ve done a couple of full length remix albums as well.
How would you feel about your tracks being remixed? Have you ever done this?
I’m cool with that, and yeah it’s been done. I’m like, when I make my own albums I have total creative control, but on other peoples’ records I let them decide what to do wether it’s an original track, or a remix.
Is there an artist out there that you would just love to work with?
I’ve worked with, or done tracks, or remixes with most of my favorite artists, but I still have a few I’d like to work with, like Chino XL, Immortal Tech, Apathy, Saigon, Common, Nas, Jay-Z, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane on the same song would be bandanas.
So when you make a beat, do you start off with a sample and how do you go about the process?
I usually start by goin’ through a lot of music for samples, then I narrow it down to the best of them. Same with choppin’ breaks, or just makin’ drum patterns. I might make a lot of them, then pick the best, then I start adding samples, and go from there. Sometimes, I might just have a bunch of drums, and sounds and not sample at all. I try to be varied to keep it fun. I usually start with the drums.
How long did it take you to honestly say you could make a decent beat?
Some of the very first ones I made are still dope, so I’d say from the first beat I made cause from years of DJ’ing before I got into production I already knew what would sound good, of course some of them are dated now though, but most still bang. On some of the records I’ve produced the beat might have been gathering dust in the vaults for ten years already, and sometimes they were made especially for that record. In the early years my biggest problem was that I set rules for myself which were unneccesary like I had to do things a certain way, and that got boring quick, so when I got over that is when I started makin’ the good shit. I’d say around 95-96 is when I started gettin’ good at it, but I’m still learning.
Can you give us one production tip for any budding producers out there?
Study and listen to music and producers who came before you, and copy them. That will eventually lead to your own style, and once you have that just make a lot of beats, but make sure they all dope, then network a lot. Nowadays you can get tons of work, and make it big with the help of only the Internet. All the equipment, and samples now are available for free online, so what cost us thousands back in the days is now free. Use that to your advantage, and network a lot. Remember that one insanely dope beat is better than a hundred good ones, but you also need enough heat to go around. Peace.
Super Producer White Shadow passed thru with this exclusive interview…
Where are you from and what’s the Hip-Hop scene like there?
I'm from a small town in Norway called Geilo. Ski resort town way up in the mountains with a population of about 5000, so there isn't much of a Hiphop scene, but there are some people into it, and I'd say there's like maybe about 5 producers, and DJ's from here that are doin' well also internationally.
How did you get into music and is there anybody or anything you credit as an influence?
My dad was a musician so he got me into it. Music was always around so I been into it since I could walk or before that. I have about a billion and one influences. From James Brown, and Funkadelic to Kiss, and Motorhead, Grandmaster Flash, Marley Marl, 45 King. It goes on and on.
As a producer you’ve worked with quite a few artists, but for those that don’t know tell us who you worked with?
Easy Mo Bee, The Arsonists, Maylay Sparks, Supastition, AOTP, Joell Ortiz, Tash (Alkaholiks), Craig G, Kool G Rap, KRS-One, Malik B from The Roots, The Snowgoons, and many more. Check out my Myspace for a full list: http://www.myspace.com/whiteshadowofnorway
Outof all the artists that you have worked with what was the most memorable experience and why?
DJ Premier when Gangstarr made A Daily Operation. I didn't work with them, but got to hang out in the studio when they made it which was crazy. Easy Mo Bee for 3 weeks at a studio in London was a great experience. I think Easy might be the best Hiphop producer of all time. People have only heard like 5% of what he's capable of. Most of the time I've worked with artists via the Internet, so it's all sending music back and forth, but I'll say the most fun online was the process of making Mark Deez' album "The Oracle". Creativity, and fun at it's best!
So what you released to date and what releases have your beats been on?
1988, but I messed around with drum machines and stuff before that from like 84-85. I'd say I started gettin' good at it around 96.
How long did it take you to get moving and what was your first release?
My first was "Hangin' Tree" by Jamalski on Sony/Ruffhouse in the US, dropped in 93, but it took me until about 2000 to really get it movin'. D-stroy's "Roll Out", Maylay Sparks' "Leisure", and my own EP "Back To The True School" set it off for real.
What’s your studio set up like?
A computer with tons of software, sounds, and samples, SP-1200 sampler, Technics turntables with Serato, a TV for monitors, I've never liked using actual monitors cause they sound too different from other speakers so it might sound great in the studio, but not on other systems which is why I don't like em...right or wrong that's how I do it, big speakers, and that's about it, and oh yeah, several rooms full of records.
What’s your favourite bit of kit in the studio?
The SP-1200. I hardly use it anymore now though, but it's my girl, and she's a classic, so she'll always be my favorite.
Do you have any studio tips for any producers coming into the game?
Not really any one in particular except becoming good at this isn't done over night. It takes years, so you'll need a love for music, and sound way beyond normal, and if that love is genuine all the work will be a fun ride anyway. You can teach people the tech shit, but you can't give em a good ear or a style, and so I think it's best for people to learn everything on their own. At the end of the tunnel you either got it or you don't..talent that is.
When you set out to make a track do you have a certain formula that you work too?
Not really. I mix it up, but I usually start with the drums.
So is there anything you are working on or promoting at the moment?
Yeah, I just dropped my new album called "Destiny", and am busy promoting that. It's my fourth, and final producer album featuring various artists, and you can get it at ITunes.
Forget budgets and the politics, if you could work with any Hip-Hop artist who would it be and why?
I've done either original tracks, or remixes with most of my favorite artists in Hiphop so I don't know. If I'm to pick one it would probably be Jay-Z because he's one of the few artists who are doin' it big in the mainstream, but still keepin' it Hiphop on a good day, and it would be huge if you think business, but as far as raw skills it'd have to be Chino XL.
Okay forget about Hip-Hop for a minute, is there anybody outside of our genre you would like to work with and why?
I'd like to gather all the alive original members of Parliament, Funkadelic, and all their offshoots, and make an album that would sound exactly like what they did in the early 80's. Just some outta this world space Funk with a lot of vocoders, synths, handclaps, and party vibes, you know, bringin' back the F.U.N.K. like it was back then. That would be the ultimate.
Peopleare jumping from My Space to Facebook and Twitter. It seems there are loads of these type of websites popping up. What’s your whole take on the Internet and these social networking websites?
I love the internet. I wouldn't have been anywhere near where I'm at right now if it hadn't been for the net. I'm also not a very social person. I like to be alone at my house creating music, and so the net is perfect for me. The double edge sword however is that you don't get to know the artists as well as when you're actually hangin' out in the studio, but on the good side, you get more work done, and better music created because everyone is focused on what they're supposed to be doing which is makin' music, and finally the emcee's rhyme, the producers produce, and not vice versa. The worst side is that bootleggin' has killed off the physical music stores, and continue to make it hard for artists to survive, but it's also good promo, and gets your music out to more people, so that's another double edged sword right there. Never liked Twitter, it's a blue bird for christs sake, the ultimate faggotry? (laughs), but I see the mission though. Good for gettin' at people. Myspace has died off a little but don't underestimate it. Some of my best deals have still been because of Myspace. Facebook is the best though. It's got everything you need, and a little more. Facebook, you may Paypal me now (laughs). Good talkin' to you, and thanks for the interview. I appreciate it! Peace.
Various comments from blogs, sites, and msg. boards:
shout out to white shadow for keeping hiphop true gotta love the allstar mcz on this gotta love the cutz in this track too
(Dj Wanvyck)
Yeah-yeah, KGR in the house. Dope beats! Respect from Moscow
(Chiefrocka)
reuunited and its feels so hood! haha dope skive! (Soul Theory)
Organiiiized Revolution ! Fav tracks are verbal assault and Burn in Hell and organized revolution also dedication but overall this album is a banger ! This album is gonna get ur adrenaline pumpin like you was sniffin coke ! (Ibrahim Ziad Rwaished)
Destiny is Fiiiire!!!!! Dope beat!! siick cutz!!!! the bomb fell!!! pzzz
(DJ Nixon)
new WHITE SHADOW album! peep the snippet!
(DJ Illegal/Snowgoons)
this could be BIG!!!!
(Simon Pehlgrim)
Cool music.
(Ann/Desteni)
Joell Ortiz, Kool G Rap, Ill Bill, ZEPS and more on the same album produced by White Shadow of Norway... SUPPORT THIS IF YOU LIKE REAL HIP-HOP!!!!!!
(Zeps)
WHITE SHADOW OF NORWAY " DESTINY " EP............ YOU MUST COP IT........... 100 % REAL WORK
(Beno Biju)
White Shadow is a MURDERAH!! ;)) You killed it! hugs
My man Shadow already on top! Always has been ;)
you belong among stars my friend (Crazy)
Raaawwrrr, dette er vilt!! Slenger meg på kommentaren fra Cec - the superstar amongst stars!:)
(Hilde Gudbrandsgård Sveingard)
yo fam-i gotta tell you -the production is crisp as fuck!!!!!!
yo Shadow just peeped it ---great work my brother-i agree w Kraven-very proud to be a part of this project-you know your metal -but hahaha how could you not-you were born and bred on the blackest of all metals!!!!!peace my bretheren~~~~~~ (Venom (Bloodline))
dope album!
(Kalliope Danalia)
Once again you knock me out with dope music. Bless you Bro!
(DJ Toro)
SALUTE! Good Music:)
(Fredrik Aarnes)
peep the trailer & get your copy from iTunes today!!!!!!!!
white shadow is a force to be reconned wit!!!! (Dr. ILL)
Yo man, once again thanks for giving me the opportunity to be on the album! I love it every track is hard and it's definitely the hip hop producer album of the year. I hope to be able to work with you again in future, but for now it's been an honour bro! Peace fam!
(Reaver)
Bought the album the day it released and I have to admit, you're a beast. I havent heard your work before hand and will no be looking forward to projects you put out. Thanks for the oppertunity and blessing my verse with one of the best productions this year!
Honestly . . . DJ WHITESHADOW HAS BEEN GRINDIN IT OUT FOR YEARS, SHOW SOME SUPPORT TO THIS INSTRUMENTAL AND LYRICAL MASTERPIECE ! !!
EVERYONE NEEDS TO SUUPORT DJ WHITE SHADOW FOR BRINGING THAT INTERNATIONAL HIP HOP ! DL on ITUNES NOW
(Passionate)
Goldminded on the check in!!!!!!!!!!!!!! everyone killed this ill fucking joint
(Pryme Prolifik)
Fucking AWESOME promo!
(Aaron Wade)
Grattis med nytt album. Sitter og hører på nå. Digger det. Line-upen på "Underground" er sinnsyk.
(KJ Rhyme)
MONSTER! the new album sounds fucking awesome! u did it again:D much appreciation
Holy shit stains there's some dope MCs on this White Shadow album...
(Zeps)
Ayo, congratz on this release. I will push it to the fullest, no doubt. Thanks for featurin my contacts! I'mma be listenin to the whole thing on my ride back to my city.
yeee shunn, this be the hardcore shit right here! No wack material from White Shadow, pure real, raw, and rugged shit only
(Fiswat)
SOOO NICE!!!!!!!!!
VERY PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS ALBUM. MAJOR RESPECT TO THE WITE SHADOW!!!! SEE YOU AT THE TOP MY BROTHER!
(Klive Kraven)
HOLY SHIT! I wish I would have entered that contest!!! I'm still beating myself up for it! Shit looks SOOOO fresh!!! Can't wait to get a copy! PROPS
(Matt ReaktTwenty Johnson)
Woow! thats dope lineup!!
(Brods)
gonna be dope shadow !! philly to Norway !! 777
(Chief Kamachi)
one of the best producers (or The best!), a real fighter (you got to be the real definition of what doesnt kill you will only build you!) and one of my best friends ( maaad hugs) .. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The WhiteShadow- Destiny! buy it!!!!
(Celine Haga)
Shadow, u deserve everything coming to you. U seem like s stand up dude. And thats hard 2 come by in hip-hop nowadays. Too many assholes. Stay up homie. 100
(Ben Pen Pointz Wiskar)
Thanks for the shout out of Desteni. I hope your Destiny Album is heard all around the block! Cheers!
(Darryl W. Thomas/Desteni)
great track, that beat is crazy
(Captain Aidan)
cop this album, you'll thank me later.
this whole album gets it in!!!! Got my vote for album of the year!!!
(LA-Dog)
Peace to White Shadow...glad to see alot of familiar faces on his album
(Godilla)
quite simply one of the best djs in the world
(343555667)
My ace White Shadow just released his LP "Destiny" - avail on iTunes. Ill beats and cuts
from Shadow and a gang of fresh emcees, including KRS One, Ill Bill,
Kool G Rap, Ras Kass, Planet Asia, C Rayz Walz, Chief Kamachi and many
more... plus... Aaron Wade Pulley, Bobby Brewski and I have a joint on there. Jea
The album is sick but they put all the best Mc on the same songs :/
(fosk8)
Line up looks f*cking interesting.
(FrankeKingma)
this shit is so fucking dope man! keep up that good shit!
(YoungDirtyCwalk)
YALL NEED TO COPP THIS FUCKIN ALBUM !!!!!!!
(Swann)
This beat is str8 Fire!!
Bless up SOS!!
"Activate the Masses!!"
1
(HighMeditation)
Yeah first viewer! and this song is amazing. More people ought to listen to this.
(Damien1456)
i feel this shit man
its sick
(pick8lock)
Your music’s great !!!– lol I don’t intend to be flattery here but, it’s got a definitive ‘epic’ feel to it – all the classical-music type of base foundation of the tunes is awesome and, it’s the hip hop I was longing to hear and get to know of for such a long time probably – I’m like immediately ‘into it’ the grooves just take me for the ride
(Marlen/Desteni)
Thx bro! I love your productions! and your new album looks awesome.
sorry 4 my bad english and dont stop never. Big respect from Spain.
(Rase Surko Krudo)
It was a surprise- but a great one- to find out I was a part of this album. I will definitely spread the word about it, but from the lineup it looks like it's going to have no problem selling itself! Congrats again!
Peace, Love and Respect
(Mic Stylz)
Thanks again for the opportunity and it was an honor to be featured on this project.
Peace
(Lone Ninja)
Thank Shadow! Downloading now, but I know its Fyyyyyyaaaaaiiiiiiiaaaaa!
missing you friend!
(Celeste Alexander)
White Shadow, Good lookin in regards to the download of your Album, My man, WhiteShadow, The streets(Deephousepage.com), Miss you, My man/LOL.
(Mike Barnes)
White, I just heard the first few tracks and it is super dope!!!
(StroyDNaire/7th. Boro)
WHITESHADOW.......JUST GOT "DESTINY".....SHIT IS PRETTY DOPE.
Shadow, real dope shit.
(Blacklung Cancerouz)
lol i left the computer and started to clean,my baby girl thats 3y.o jumped on the computer and clicked play on this video and her name is Destiny :P
(Cherie Ann Mackinnen)
That sampler of the album u posted sounds syck! cant believe ive never heard of him!
(Cole Baker)
this sounds fuckin shit hot
(Chris Steele)
Sick!
(Tha Soloist)
ill shit !!!
(Perseverance Atlas)
CHECK ME OUT ON THE BRAND NEW THE WHITE SHADOW OF NORWAY ALBUM " DESTINY"....... WHITE SHADOW IS A GREAT PRODUCER & DJ AND IT'S AN HONOR TO BE ON AN ALBUM WITH VARIOUS HIP HOP LEGENDS AND HEAVY WEIGHTS! SHOUTS TO MARK DEEZ AS WELL! COPP THIS ALBUM!!!!!!
White Shadow is good peoples (Lord Willin)
Jeah, And that Mark Deez joint gets the bitches leaking like laced cigs
(EQ)
This here is to be the dopest album of the 2000's. White Shadow AKA the god from Norway has banged out yet another golden production album featuring top notch MC's. This joint also happens to have a track with me (acc. by Grindhouse Gang) & ILL BILL. Cop it ASAP.
(Powder)
This album is fucking amazing
this album is INSANE
BUY THIS ALBUM RIGHT NOW!!!!!! PRODUCER ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Man.... White Shadow's Destiny.... UNBELIEVABLE.... everybody came correct on this.... need... more... White Shadow albums. Buy this I promise you won't be disappointed.
Yeah this album is like 100x doper than victory.. Wow... This can't be your last album, it can't be... Don't leave us shadow!
(Mark Deez)
Super Xtra Special Thanks to all the featured artists, supporters, websites, and radio who helped promote this album! Peace.
(White Shadow)
Joell Ortiz, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Ras Kass, Ill Bill, C-Rayz Walz, Chief Kamachi, Reef The Lost Cauze, Planet Asia, Block McCloud, Thirstin Howl III, Mic Stylz, EQ, Respect Tha God, Mark Deez, Powder, Dr. ILL, Venom, Strange Brew, Bobby Brewski, Cruz DurrtyJada, Swann, Klive Kraven, Passionate, Ghetto MC, Jukstapose, Tug McRaw, Traum Diggs, Lord Willin, Burnt MD, Awkword, Son Of Saturn, Life Scientist, Amun Morb, Unk?wn, Lt. Mana, LA Dog, Mister Misfit, Bigg Limn, DChesron, Logik Locksmith, Wichcraft, Godilla, Lone Ninja, Natural Profane aka Dante, Zeps, Reaver, City, and M-Dot.
Tracklist:
1. Destiny (Intro) 2. Verbal Abyss (Featuring Ill Bill, Mark Deez, Dr. ILL, Venom, and Powder) 3. Underground (Featuring KRS-One, Ras Kass, Joell Ortiz, and Kool G Rap) 4. Reunited (Featuring Strange Brew, and Bobby Brewski) 5. Book Of Shadows (Featuring Powder, Cruz DurrtyJada, Swann, Klive Kraven, Dr. ILL, and Mark Deez) 6. Burn In Hell (Featuring Passionate, Ghetto MC, Jukstapose, and Tug McRaw) 7. Combat Zone (Featuring Respect Tha God, Swann, Lord Willin, and Burnt MD) 8. Imperialism (Featuring Awkword, C-Rayz Walz, and Chief Kamachi) 9. Nefarious Apothecary (Featuring Son Of Saturn) 10. Warrior Society (Featuring Ghetto MC, Jukstapose, and Traum Diggs) 11. Thirsty Stylz 2010 (Featuring Thirstin Howl III, and Mic Stylz) 12. Organized Revolution (Featuring Lt. Mana, LA Dog, and Mister Misfit) 13. Innervasion (Featuring Son Of Saturn, Life Scientist, Amun Morb, and Unk?wn) 14. Savage Vendetta.(Featuring Bigg Limn, DChesron, Logik Locksmith, and Wichcraft) 15. Liquid Swordplay (Featuring Respect Tha God, Godilla, Lone Ninja, and Natural Profane) 16. Winners (Featuring Zeps, Reaver, and City) 17. Check The Perspective (Featuring EQ, Planet Asia, Block McCloud, and Reef The Lost Cauze) 18. No Money Down (Featuring M-Dot) 19. Dedication (Featuring Mark Deez) 20. Destiny (Instrumental)
Production, mix, master, and cuts by The White Shadow Of Norway
Layout: Wulf (platform8470.com)
Special Thanks: Mark Deez, Powder, Dr. ILL, Wulf, Awkword, Domingo, Uni-Fi Records, EQ, family, friends, featured artists, and supporters.
HHUG: How would you describe your style of production?
WS: My music sounds like a combo of heaven and hell in the outer dimensions. New school boom-bap. Cinematic Hiphop with a dark but bangin' feel to it. Hard drums, and samples. Beats that'll bring out feelings. From happy to sad to horny to mad. You can find all that in my music.
HHUG: What influences in crafting your beats?
WS: Music and sound in itself. I'm inspired by all that came before me. Hiphop, and all other genres. Movies, especially Horror. Reading. UFOlogy, demonology, life on earth, and in the other dimensions. I'm into stuff that's weird and alternative. I'm an artist.
HHUG: Being from Norway, how have you been able to transcend as an international artist, most notably working with established American artists?
WS: That started kinda early on. The first emcee I worked with in the early 90's was Tricky Tee from New York who was signed to Sleeping Bag records back then. I lived in New York for a few years in the 90's. I've always been a fan of the east coast type of Hiphop, so that's what I wanted to make myself, and I've been in touch with American artists since I started makin' beats. In the 2000's it started with me producing for D-Stroy, and Gr8 Skot of The Arsonists, Maylay Sparks, and Grand Agent from Philly, and Celph Titled. One track lead to another, and now I've worked with a lot of dope artists in the underground, mainstream, and legendary emcee's as well. The Internet has helped a lot as far as makin' music, staying in touch with people, and networkin'.
HHUG: Destiny is your fourth album released on October 30, 2010. How does this album differ from your previous releases?
WS: I always do my best to outdo my previous albums, so I think the beats are better on Destiny. Both musically, and technically. I have a bigger, and better list of featured artists on it, like Joell Ortiz from the mainstream Hiphop scene, legends like Kool G Rap, KRS-One, and Ras Kass, underground legends like Reef The Lost Cauze, and Chief Kamachi, and up & coming artists like Mark Deez, Grindhouse Gang, Burnt MD, Klive Kraven, Lord Willin, Jukstapose, and many others. It has 50 MC's on it compared to my others who all had about 25 each. I don't make it a mission to feature as many as possible, it just happened this time, and I happened to be lucky enough to be able to work with a lot of dope artists. I also think this album has more substance, will last longer, and goes deeper than my other joints, as the message is deeper, and it's more varied. There's the in your face bangers like "Underground", "Verbal Abyss", "Savage Vendetta", and "Check The Perspective", the more laid back like "Thirsty Stylz 2010", and "Liquid Swordplay", a song-title paying respect to GZA's classic album of course, and the deeper joints like "Book Of Shadows", "Destiny (Instrumental)", and "Nefarious Apothecary", the story of my life in Hiphop on "Dedication", and much more. In my opinion right now it's by far my best, but we'll see in ten years from now.
HHUG: Can you elaborate more about how Destiny emerge and the creative process that underwent?
WS: Yeah. Like I always do it starts with the beats. For my own albums I make most of the beats especially for them, then the concepts, and some titles come along as the beats are made, and as I get vocals from people. Sometimes I send the original beats I'm gonna use to the featured artists, and sometimes I remix. I always add cuts last then come up with most of the titles, then I mix the joints. The beats, and title of Destiny, was partly inspired by what I learned from reading, and watching videos at http://www.desteni.co.za. It's a group of people who have found the answers to how and why the universe, earth, people, and everything else exists, through an interdimensional portal. They also support oneness, equality, and an equal money system to change the world to a better place to live for all. I'm not a part of their movement, but they've inspired me a lot musically on this album.
HHUG: Noticing your previous releases in chronological order - Renegades, Untouchable, Victory, and now Destiny - what is the overall continuity theme? Will Destiny be your last project?
WS: There is one, and it's very simple really. It's my story of the Hiphop underground how we were "Renegades" to the established music business, who worked on our crafts till we had "Untouchable" skills. That lead to a musical "Victory" against the established big business of major corporations, and so that was our "Destiny", and yeah, it's my last producer album featuring various artists. I won't say forever, and ever, cause you never know years from now.
HHUG: Destiny features 50 emcees on 20 tracks. How were you able to adequately compile hip hop legends and up-and-coming underground emcees on this project?
WS: Some are my fam, and we always help each other out. Sometimes verses were paid for. Big shout to Uni-Fi Records, Domingo, Mark Deez, Awkword, Jukstapose, Son Of Saturn, LA-Dog, and EQ for hookin' me up with artists they know as well. Other than that just a lot of networkin', and years of experience building my rep and stuff like that. I could've made an album with even more songs, and featured artists, but 20 songs was enough to make a solid album.
HHUG: Who are your top 5 favorite music producers? Top 5 artists?
WS: Of all genres,
Producers: Trevor Horn Quincy Jones Marley Marl Pete Rock All the remixers of the Disco-era like Larry Levan, Tom Moulton, Walter Gibbons, Tee Scott, Francois Kevorkian, many more...
Artists: Parliament/Funkadelic Goblin Donna Summer Kiss Boogie Down Productions
HHUG: What future plans do you have for the future?
WS: I'll keep it movin' as far as music goes. Not as often as before, but everything that drops is gonna be crazy. I also wanna spend more time writing. It's something I've always wanted to do, and it's a business move as well. We all need to eat, and to quote Conspiracy Worldwide Radio: "Rap is something you do, Hiphop is something you download", and so it's not a good livin' like that. I've also spent my whole life in the world of music, and want to do a few other things as well. I'm also getting more and more into the deeper parts of life, and beyond. I see that the music biz at large is very egotistical, so I want to find ways I can contribute more to people as a whole. I know music does that though. That it makes life worth living for many people, including myself.
HHUG: Thank you for taking the time for this interview. Any closing thoughts?
Here's an interview I did with the world famous Alwayz Therro magazine sharing the headline news with mainstream artists like 50 Cent, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Rihanna in one day. Something I thought was impossible for an underground Hiphop artist to accomplish, but still it happened. Read on...
The White Shadow started as a club DJ in Norway in the late 70′s, won two DMC Norwegian mixing champ titles in 1988, and 1989, moved to New York in the early 90′s, and DJ’ d all the top clubs, and venues there. He was a member of the Boogie Down Productions extended family, which resulted in him doing cuts for, and co-producing Jamalski’s song “Hangin’ Tree” which was used as part of the soundtrack for the Arnold Schwarzenegger film “Last Action Hero.” He was also the opening act for Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Gangstarr, Main Source, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, KRS-One, Funkmaster Flex, and many more at various shows, and clubs in New York. Back in Norway from the mid 90′s and into the 2000′s Shadow continued to DJ clubs, and venues while producing, and doing cuts on records which lead to him working with Craig G, Kool G Rap, Canibus, The Roots, Army Of The Pharaohs, Supastition, Tash (Alkaholiks), Easy Mo Bee, and many more.
He won a best Turntablist Award at the Norwegian Hip Hop Awards in 2004, and is the only DJ to win the award. In Norway, he is labeled as a living legend because of his involvement with Hip-hop for decades worldwide. White Shadow runs his own label Uncut Productions, consisting of releases from Mark Deez, Next Universe, The Pizdamen, and Shadow’s own producer albums featuring various artists mainly from the USA. Shadow has a new album in the works for 2011, and continues to produce, and DJ for other artists as well.
What’s the first thing you would say to someone when they ask you to describe yourself as an artist? That my music is new school boom bap with a dark but beautiful feel to it. Cinematic Hiphop. My music sounds like an interdimensional combo of heaven and hell.
How long have you been in the industry? I’ve been a DJ since 1978, a producer since 1988, and don’t really see myself as a part of the music industry. I take care of my business well, and we all gotta eat, but I learned many years ago that music, and the established music industry don’t really mix that well because artists love makin’ music, the industry loves makin’ money off the artists’ music, so it’s better for artists to stay away from the business, and build their own online, through touring, selling CD’s, and merch at shows, websites, etc. The new breed of Hiphop artists do that, and so we’ve built our own industry outside the music industry so to speak, and I’m a part of that. You know, how everyone worked so hard to get a record deal before the internet and all that. Some did, and found out the hard way that they were still broke even though they went gold, and some platinum. The artist was always the last to get paid, if at all. What you see in the musicvideos is all rented cars, bling, girls, etc designed to trick talent into the business to make money for others. To avoid that, and actually make music a good livin’, I advice artists to do for self, but be ready to work hard, network even more, and never give up.
Do you have any projects out now? Yeah, I released a couple of albums on my label Uncut Productions this year. The Oracle by Mark Deez, and Classic Regulations by Next Universe, plus my producer albums featuring various artists are still available. They are Renegades, Untouchable, and Victory, you can get them on ITunes, and I’m workin’ on the next one right now which will drop in February 2011. I’m also featured on a lot of other records doing production, cuts, or both, like, Mark Deez Featuring Kool G Rap, and Canibus’ Boot Rap, and KHB featuring Akrobatik, Sadat X, Stricklin (EMC), and more’s EP Remember The Name, the forthcoming Snowgoons album Iron Fist, and much more.
What inspires your music? Music is it’s own reward, but also movies, whatever goes on in my mind, and life in general. What’s happening in the world, and the other dimensions outside this world.
Where are you from? I’m from a small town in Norway called Geilo. It’s a ski resort town up in the mountains with a population of about 5000 people. Hiphop can be found in the least likely places, and it’s been like that for decades now. Rappers Delight was a no. 2 single on the pop charts in Norway in 1980, and Hiphop’s been around out here ever since.
What artists in the industry inspire you the most today? Probably more old music than new. I listen to the music I grew up on in the 70′s to 90′s which is anything from Disco to P-Funk to House music to Duran Duran to Grandmaster Flash, Kiss, Norwegian old school Black Metal, Donna Summer, Funk Fusion Band, B-52′s, Brooklyn Express, Sharon Redd, The Clash, Italian soundtracks. Pretty much anything that got the Funk in it one way or another, but most of my music sounds nothing like what inspires me. As for new Hiphop artists, Jedi Mind Tricks, AOTP, La Coka Nostra, Snowgoons, Sick Jacken, Grindhouse Gang, Killah Priest, Creative Juices, and a lot more. People been saying Hiphop is dead but it’s not true. It’s as alive as it was, but you gotta dig a little deeper to find it nowadays, but no deeper than ITunes though. I’m a big fan of new House music as well, especially Deep House, and Electro House.
Why is that? Nostalgia, for finding samples, and cause that’s the music I like.
What makes you different from other artist today? I’d have to ask somebody. I don’t make it a mission to be different, I just sit down with a sampler, and a bunch of records or sounds, then whatever comes out of it does. I’m into feelings though, like this beat might make you wanna travel, and that one might make you sad, or another one might take you back in time to another era, or the future. I usually don’t plan anything, whatever happens, does, but I can go for a particular type of sound as well before I start, then I’ll make a beat in that style. As for scratchin’ I’m into doing stuff that hasn’t been done. I try to stay away from the crab, flare, orbit combo’s type stuff, and think of other ways to cut.
What do you want your future fans to know about you? I want them to know about my music, what I’ve put in for Hiphop, and that’s it. You can search ITunes or Google for my name, and you’ll find it.
For my complete discography, interviews, free downloads, etc go to:
M.C.’s flow, B-Boys break, Graff artists tag, and D.J.’s scratch. This installment of the Quick 5 focuses on the turntablist. The ability to create/manipulate sounds with your hands is a special talent that only the best D.J.s possess. Scratching can completely add a different vibe to a track. It makes the track hip hop(Real heads know what I mean). One person who has mastered this art is The White Shadow. Aside from winning the Norwegian DMC D.J. Battle in 88/89, he has also shared the stage with the likes of: Busta, Jay-Z, A Tribe Called Quest, KRS-One, Gang Starr, Arsonists, and many others.
The White Shadow has cut up records, produced tracks, and rocked crowds from NYC to Norway. Now the Norwegian Hip Hop pioneer is rockin’ the Quick5. Here we go!
Before we get into the Quick 5, What/Who influenced you to become a turntablist/producer?
I heard Wheels Of Steel by Grandmaster Flash back in ’81 when it dropped, and it was on. I was also inspired by DJ’s like Jazzy Jay, D.St, Whiz Kid, and a little later DJ Cheese, Jazzy Jeff, and Cash Money. I’d been into DJ’ing since the late 70′s, so Scratchin’, and all that was just a natural progression. As far as production I’ve made beats since the late 80′s, and was inspired by 45 King, Paul C, Bomb Squad, Lench Mob back then, and many more. From DJ’ing to production was a natural progression as well.
Do you have a preference when it comes to production tools? Ex. Reason vs. Triton? Serato vs. Vinyl?
I used to be a vinyl, and SP-1200 purist, but as time goes by so does evolution, and you either keep up with it, better yet stay a bit ahead of it, or get left behind, so I’ve switched to Fruityloops because it has about a million more options than the SP, and switched to Serato as well, and I’ve understood how limiting it was with vinyl compared, I mean, you can do all you could with vinyl plus a whole lot of other good shit with Serato, still I’m hangin’ on to my SP, and records for nostalgic reasons, and I had to stop collecting anyway cause everything I was still lookin’ for was $500 and up a record so it was gettin’ too crazy, but yeah I’ve gone all digital, and it’s better.
Okay, here come the Quick 5.
Question #1
You’ve rocked with many MC’s and rocked many crowds. What is your most memorable moment?
There’s many but as far as DJ’ing the early 90′s in New York at all the clubs there, and especially at a jam at The Ritz where I opened up for BDP along with the first MC I made tracks with who was Tricky Tee (Zulu Nation, and Sleeping Bag Records artist) playing for about 5000 heads including a lot of the old school cats like Bam, Jazzy Jay, and many more, and we killed it. That was my best gig ever, and I sorta knew it would never get better than playing for the best and most Hiphop savy crowd in the world in the hometown of it, New York.. For production it’s all the records I’ve produced, and especially my own albums, and in particular the vinyl EP Back To The True School that I put out in 2003. Working with Easy Mo Bee in the studio, as well as hangin’ out with Premo, and the Guru(RIP) when they made the Daily Operation LP was a learning experience too.
Question #2
Living in NYC and in Norway. Is there a difference of attitude towards the 4 elements of hip hop. Is there more appreciation for the art in Norway?
I don’t think so. Hiphop heads are the same, and as real or whatever no matter where you come from. If anything, back in the days in New York it was more a part of everything than in Europe, like if a song was big you’d hear it from every car, bodega, block, etc, etc, like, Hiphop was just more a part of every day life to a lot more people than out here, and back then you could definitely get the feel of why it started in New York, and it was as common as food and water out there, but Europe, and Norway are shaping up, and there’s a big scene out here for Hiphop, but it’s not as non commercial as a lot of people say. The MTV generation Rap and whatnot has had it’s run here too, but finally people are starting to tire of it, and the general public are starting to see that there’s better artists out there than what you hear on the radio every day. We can thank the Internet a lot for that giving artists a channel without being a part of any major corporations.
Question #3
What hip hop album do you remember listening to and just saying, “Damn, this is my shit!!!”
I’ll list a few:
Run DMC – Raising Hell Beastie Boys – Licensed To Ill Public Enemy – Yo Bum Rush The Show BDP – Criminal Minded NWA – Straight Outta Compton Ice Cube – Amerikkka’s Most Wanted Stezo – Crazy Noise Wu Tang Clan – 36 Chambers Common Sense – Resurrection Gangstarr – Moment Of Truth J-Zone – Music For Tu Madre Jedi Mind Tricks – Violent By Design
and there’s 100′s more. Actually there’s more 12″ singles than albums that means a lot to me like all the early Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 singles like It’s Nasty, Wheels Of Steel, The Message, New York New York, and Bam’s early joints, Planet Rock, Renegades Of Funk, Funk You. Rockit by Herbie Hancock.
Question #4
In your opinion, what was the best year in hip hop?
I can only imagine it cause I wasn’t around back then, but from what people who were tell me it was before Hiphop was on records you know the mid to late 70′s back then before it became big business. Hard to point out a year after wax started comin’ out cause every year had it’s styles, and classics.
Question #5
If you could make your own version of triumph. What MC’s would you put on?
There isn’t that many cats I haven’t worked with yet that I still feel I need to work with, which is one of the reasons why my next album is my last producer album featuring various artists, but you know the legends who are still doin’ it like Rakim, Nas, Jay-Z, Chino XL, Common. That would be dope!
I know Mills is loving the Chino XL reference in Question 5!
I’d like to thank The White Shadow for taking time out to answer the Quick 5. I’d also like to shout out Norway for reppin’ the elements. Bless. StroyDnaire
Comments:
Mills: By far my favorite response for the “If you can form your own supergroup” question….Nas, Jay, Rakim, Common, and Chino…Chino better have the last verse!!!
Raul Cee: nice.dope that the bomb squad is recognized in an answer.they are extremely slept on classic producers.sickest quick 5 to date!
WS: Mark Deez is an MC from Augusta, Georgia, USA who's signed to my label Uncut Productions, and drops his album "The Oracle" on my label on July 1st. - 2010. We decided to have a little chat about making the album cause the heads wants to know. First, real quick for people who don't already know. Who's Mark Deez?
MD: I am entirely myself. I don't try to be like anyone else. I try to keep it 100% at all times. There's so many cats out there that like to put on a front and act a certain way, whereas I'm just myself at all times, there's no act, no facade, no frontin'. What you see and hear is what you get. I'm just a very hungry, very motivated artist from Augusta, Georgia. An absolute product of my environment. I come from a very blue collar city, so I try to convey that in my every day life and in my music.
WS: Co-sign. You're a very hard working artist as well, I'm tempted to say the hardest working man in the Hiphop biz much like your hometown cat James Brown (RIP) was tha hardest working man in showbiz. So, what's your mission in Hiphop? Like, where do you see yourself in five years from now, and how will you get there?
MD: My mission in Hip Hop is to bring back the unity in the community. I feel like everyone is truthfully out for themselves instead of being ready and willing to build with other artists. So my mission is to bring back the art within the realm of music. 5 years from now, hopefully, I'll be alive and well, making the best records possible, and be a bit better off financially than my current situation. That's honestly what I'm striving for. And my plan to get there is by working with the best of the best and putting out quality music.
WS: I agree. If you go back to the early days of Hiphop when the Zulu Nation brought all the elements together to one culture it was about peace, unity etc. Of course it's always been competitive as well which is good for progress, but the way I see it is the Hiphop nation is ONE nation (under a groove). Let's talk about the records you've released, and some artists you've worked with?
MD: I've released close to a dozen mixtapes in my career, since my high school days. I currently have 2 albums released, The Cycle of Struggle and The Oracle, and hopefully will have a 3rd by the end of 2010. I've worked with artists from all over the planet. From local artists to some of the most known unknowns on the underground to some mainstream artists. Some of my favorite artists that I've worked with include Canibus, Kool G Rap, Craig G, Ras Kass, T-Rock, Fish Scales of Nappy Roots, Snowgoons, Sicknature, my Grindhouse Gang brethren, and of course WHITE SHADOW!
WS: Word! Let's take it back for a minute. How did you and I hook up?
MD: The first time I heard about you was the "Narrow Grave" joint on the first Army of The Pharaohs album. I thought beat was crazy and Chief Kamachi had my favorite verse on it. So from there, I did my research on you, found out who you are, where you were from, what albums you had released (Renegades, etc.) and I found you on Myspace and we went from there. So once again for the cats who say that social networking doesn't have merit, you better check your credentials! And from there we got to work on some tracks for your album, Victory, which is one of my favorite records from 2009 even if I hadn't been featured on it. That joint is crazy!
WS: Thanks fam, I definitely appreciate that as to me Victory is my best album, and networking is everything. Let's talk about The Oracle album. What can people expect? Who's on it?, etc...
MD: The Oracle is my 2nd official studio album. I have a special place in my heart for The Oracle because I feel its some of my finest work to date and I think its going to be difficult moving forward from this project to release something on par with the quality of the tracks that the album has. The Hip Hop Heads can expect a bit of everything from raw, aggressive Hip Hop to more soulful boom bap to the internal struggles of being an artist to a nuclear holocaust on a planetary scale. As far as features, you can expect production from some of the finest artists in the underground. Domingo is a legendary producer who has worked with a lot of big names, so its an honor to have him on there. Some of Europe's finest producers like Snowgoons, Sicknature, White Shadow, Brods, and Soul Theory. Then some up and coming producers that people may not have had a chance to hear yet like Archimedes and Powder, and those guys can really bring it! As far as emcees, there's a track on there with I believe 19 features on it, 9 minutes long, with artists like Godilla, IDE & Alucard of Creative Juices, Powder, Dr. iLL, and so many other great emcees. My artists from my label, Mr. Untouchable Music, Young B & Lil Loco, are also featured on a track called "Warriors" and we've been great friends since middle & high school days, so its fun to be able to work with your close friends.
WS: Any fun stories from making the album?
MD: The entire experience was fun. White Shadow and I had an excellent time making this album. A lot of the tracks on the album and some of the lines that I spoke on the album were in reference to conversations that White Shadow & I had while brainstorming on the project. I guess a fun story to tell the people out there is how my studio computer died and I lost just about EVERYTHING from the album and basically had to start over from scratch. There were several songs that I recorded at Dr. iLL's studio, iLL-Legit Records, he was a big help to me, but eventually, I got my priorities in line and got a new computer, and finished up the project.
WS: Yeah, I had one computer die on me, and another still strugglin' from overheating after makin' this album, and some of my online accounts were hacked creating a small mess for a sec, so sometimes I felt we had some people or powers against us that we had to overcome in order for this album to drop. lmao. Also, a lot of special, and not so good stuff happened during the making of it. My dad died..RIP, and so did some cats in Hiphop that I had the pleasure of knowing back in the days, such as Roc Raida (RIP), and some other strange going on's like that weird shit in the sky up in the north of Norway that's only happened once before in like Japan I think. All that stuff was inspirational to me one way or the other while workin' on The Oracle.
WS: Let's talk some about how we hooked up with so many dope producers and MC's for the album?
MD: The entire album was done for free and out of love for HIP HOP. Its a true testament to the culture and the art form, and its a pleasure to be able to work with all of the great artists on this album. Especially Sicknature and Snowgoons, they really came through, so shout outs to them, especially DJ Illegal, he really helped me out in a lot of ways, so I have a great respect for him and hope to continue working with them in the future. As far as the emcees go, most of these artists are friends of mine or artists that I build with on a regular basis, or even artists that I'd had a close eye on for a long time and wanted to get on some tracks. Also I'd like to give a special shoutout to the good people at Spitboss.com - this is a private online Hip Hop community where a lot of great artists work together on their craft, and several of the artists featured on "Build and Destroy" are Spitboss members that I reached out to. If you're not familiar with Spitboss, I suggest that you look into it. Its basically the "Myspace for Hip Hop" and its a great way to build with artists, both up and coming, and established. Canibus is one of the great minds who spearheaded the Spitboss operation and helped to get it up and running, and its an honor to be a part of that community.
WS: Yeah, Spitboss is dope, and Canibus is better on the mic than ever, and so is a lot of other cats from back in the days who are still in the game but you know how this biz sleeps on artists that's been around for a while for no apparent reason. Me too, I'd like to give a HUGE shout out to The Snowgoons, Illegal, Sicknature, Brods, Soul Theory for hookin' us up with free beats for the album all for the love of Hiphop. What's your favorite songs on it, and why?
MD: My favorite song is "The Four Seasons" which is not to be confused with the 5 star hotel, HAHAHA. The concept for the song was cultivated by myself and White Shadow after having a few conversations about our lives and how life is like the four seasons. So there's 4 verses that represent the experience of life. Spring (birth/childhood), Summer (adulthood/prime of your life), Fall (middle-age), and Winter (elderly), and it really came out beautiful, I think its a really beautiful track and it couldn't have been done any better on our behalf.
WS: Or not to be confused with the classical piece either though it is a beautiful track like that. Also my favorite on the album. I wanna thank my best friend from childhood, Helge Ronny, who talked about life being like the four seasons when at a drunken late night session at my house. That stuck with me, and became the inspiration for the lyrics that you wrote like a true grandmaster. Also, I actually wrote the hooks on this one, and BIG thanks to my cousin Line as well for singin' them. My other personal fav's on it is "The Oracle", "Build & Destroy", and "Striking Gold", but the whole album's sick, and every song a banger, but at the end of the day it's up to the heads to decide. Do you think they'll love or hate it?
MD: It all depends on what the people want from me as an artist. If you're expecting a project similar to my first album, The Cycle of Struggle, then you probably won't like it. This album is more cohesive, more concrete. Its really in your face and isn't as mysterious as my previous release. The production is a lot more energetic and aggressive. So if you like dope lyricism, banging beats, and some of the best scratches that you will ever hear on a Hip Hop track, then tune into the album and I promise you won't be disappointed.
WS: Thanks again fam! On to the unavoidable question: What's the deal with ughh.com deleting all the album ratings, and comments, and how do you feel about the situation?
MD: I honestly don't know what the deal is. They've sent me several e-mails threatening me saying "70 5 star ratings in one day, yeah right!" - I guess they think I put together some sort of coalition to comment and rate the album, when I honestly didn't. I might've known maybe 15-20 of the people who rated the album, the rest were from fans who either bought the album directly from me, heard the sampler online, or are just genuine fans anticipating the release. I'm not really mad at the situation, I just think its kind of ridiculous that all I did was post a purchase link to the album on my social networking pages, to bring business to them, and then they get heated because they're getting promotion out of it. It honestly makes no sense to me and I think they have an agenda against me, for reasons unknown. I hope that the situation will die down because I've been a supporter of their website for years now, but as they, "one monkey doesn't stop the show!" so we'll keep it moving, regardless.
WS: Yeah, I mean ughh.com I've always supported too so I don't like having this misunderstanding with them, but we'll keep it movin' regardless of who's down or not as no one's in full power of Hiphop or whatever. Any artist, store, position, etc can be replaced and that goes for all of us, like, you're loved one day, hated the next, and so on, and I don't think they're hating on any of us as they are a business, so I think it's more about bringing hits to their site like they've probably been paying attention to the way we've promoted this album for months now, and know we hang out online, so they knew it would piss us off if they deleted everything. Proof to that is that you've been on the top searches on their site for a while now which ultimately is good promo like any promo is good promo, and I think they make a lot of money on people buying ads on their site, so anything that even smells of free promo is banned there, and also they didn't believe a fairly new artist could get more honest 5 star ratings off the album snippets alone than most established artists do in months, without it being a set up. They think it was fixed by us which I swear to the almighty it was not as we don't do shady biz, but they don't know us on a personal level, so they don't believe us. I've always respected Quest, and ughh.com, and they always been good with me on biz matters before now, so I must admit that kinda behaviour from them was disappointing, and unprofessional. I can only hope it stops there, and that they at least get the release date right.
WS: When, and where can people buy it?
MD: The album drops 7/1/10 - July 1. If you want a physical copy, you can buy it off UGHH.com, HHV.de in Germany, Sick-O-Store in Germany, and its also available directly from me via my myspace page (www.myspace.com/markdeez) - If you want a digital copy, then you can get the album via iTunes or AmazonMP3
WS: Sounds good, and should be easy to get. As for promo, any shows coming up stateside, or overseas?
MD: I have a show coming up July 24th in New Jersey at Dingbatz with my group, Grindhouse Gang (myself, Dr. iLL, and Powder), we're opening for Cage. After that, I'm not really sure. I'm hoping to go on tour in Europe sometime late 2010 or early 2011, but I don't have any concrete details on that as of right now. If any booking agents are interested in booking me or GHG, you can contact us directly at grindhousegang@gmail.com
WS: What's next for Mark Deez?
MD: I have another album dropping late 2010 on Famous Records Corp/Universal Music Group with a producer from Canada named Big G. There's a lot of dope features on that project, so stay tuned. Also Militia of Emcees is completed, just trying to get the mastering and mixing completed in the coming months and get that to the fans. We're working on a Grindhouse Gang album as well. Other than those projects, I have a collaboration project with one of my Mr. Untouchable Music artists, Young B, that we're just beginning work on. Me & Powder have a project entirely produced by Powder that's completed, we're working on releasing it through Chambermusik but nothing is 100% right now. Other than that, I'm just building with as many artists as possible. If you're interested in collaborating, just hit me up.
WS: Sounds good fam. Let's wrap this up. It's been a pleasure working with you, and all the great featured artists, and producers on The Oracle, and best of luck on the album sales, and in the future! Finally, anything you wanna add that I forgot to ask?
MD: You've pretty much covered it! But I do want to tell everyone to get the first album to be released on my label, Mr. Untouchable Music, by Young B & Lil Loco. The album is called My Life on A Beat, its been out since June 15, and you can get it on UGHH.com, its got features from myself, Dr. iLL, JR Black, Downpour, and guest production from Pen Pointz, Powder, L-Don, and many more!
yeee shunn, this be the hardcore shit right here! No wack material from White Shadow, pure real, raw, and rugged shit only
(Fiswat)